If you are preparing for a medical abortion or helping a friend who is considering taking an abortion pill, you must know a few things to take care of. Maintaining your well-being during and after a medical abortion is important.
Your hormones are in flux during abortion, and it takes time to settle down after, and your emotions may come in waves. Please be aware that this is completely normal.
You should understand that medical abortion is a safe process and is very uncomplicated. It has low risks and does not affect your health or fertility in future. As long as you are doing everything as instructed by a professional, abortion can never cause major complications.
While abortion is generally safe, it’s crucial to take care of your body and mind. Giving yourself time, kindness, and the support you need matters the most. We have prepared a list of things you should do or not do physically and emotionally.
Taking Care of Yourself During Medical Abortion – Simple Tips
- Follow the medical guidelines
It’s important to follow the guidelines provided by a healthcare professional or an online provider. Mostly, when you order an abortion pill kit online, a guide comes along to make the process easier for you. Follow that guide, so the procedure is safe and effective at the same time.
The standard procedure involves taking the Mifepristone pill first, and then Misoprostol after 24-48 hours. The first pill blocks the progesterone hormone and stops the pregnancy development, and the second pill eliminates the pregnancy tissues through the vagina.
- Take Medications for Side Effects
Once the process begins, you may experience side effects like bleeding, cramping, fever, and so on. These symptoms are normal and can be addressed easily with the help of medications.
You can take pills like Ibuprofen and paracetamol together before taking the abortion pills, so they start working before the miscarriage begins, and you don’t feel much during the abortion.
- Rest & Hydration
Your body is doing a lot of work during and after the end of pregnancy, so rest is all you need. Slow down a bit, lie down when you feel tired, and stop pushing yourself to do better. Your health is most important; having small naps can help with the recovery.
And staying hydrated is just as important. You have lost a lot of fluid when you were bleeding, so drinking enough water replaces that fluid, reduces headaches and dizziness and supports overall healing. You can try warm drinks like herbal tea or a soup for soothing, especially if cramps are a bit severe or you feel nauseous.
- Stock up on sanitary pads and a heating pad
Having a heating pad is necessary to manage the cramps. Fill it with hot water and leave it on your abdomen or pelvic area to relieve the pain. Rest and slow breathing can also ease discomfort.
- Stay in a clean environment
If possible, try to tidy up your surroundings before taking Mifepristone + Misoprostol. Abortion pills cause too many hormonal fluctuations, and when you see the mess around it can leave you feeling tired and emotional. So having a calm and peaceful environment can make all the difference.
- Eat your comfort food
Comfort food can actually help you during pregnancy termination at home. Warm and familiar foods or even home-cooked foods can settle your stomach and give you energy. Eat small and simple meals to reduce nausea and weakness.
You may not feel very hungry, and that’s normal. Eat when you can, in small portions. Listen to your body.
- Have a loved one around
Abortion can affect you physically and emotionally, and it can all get overwhelming. Having someone you trust close, like a friend or a family member, can help with all the feelings. It will give you comfort and help with small things done, like getting food, resting, and talking about your emotions out loud. Sometimes just knowing that you are not alone makes all the difference.
- Avoid inserting anything into the vagina
Right after an abortion, your vaginal area is sensitive and prone to infections. It’s best to refrain from douching or inserting anything into the vagina. Also, avoid sexual intercourse with your partner for two weeks at least, and do not try to clean the vagina from the inside.
This also means no use of tampons to control the bleeding, only sanitary pads. This will help reduce the risk of infection and give your uterus time to heal safely.
Usual & Unusual Side Effects During Medical Abortion
Some side effects are common and expected, like:
- Cramping
- Bleeding
- Nausea, diarrhea
- Breast tenderness
- Hormonal mood changes
- Low-grade chills, fever, fatigue
- Headaches
These are temporary and ease within a few days.
Following are the unusual side effects are a bit uncommon, and it’s rare to experience them during a medical abortion.
- Feeling weak or faint are not normal.
- Having unbearable pain that doesn’t improve with medication
- Heavy bleeding that soaks two pads in an hour
- High fever for more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Continued pregnancy symptoms or no bleeding after taking the misoprostol pills is also not common, and may signal that the process to terminate pregnancy at home did not work.
Food to Eat and Avoid During Medical Abortion
Focusing on light, hydrating foods, protein, and iron-rich options is important when you end pregnancy safely at home. And avoid foods that can cause nausea, discomfort, or interfere with healing.
Food to eat for recovery:
- Eat protein to help fast recovery & blood replenishment. Foods like eggs, beans, fish, and lean meat.
- Iron-rich food helps recover the lost iron faster; you have to eat spinach, enriched cereals, and red meat.
- Get Vitamins & Minerals from fruits and vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, apples, and grapes for overall recovery.
- Having whole grains for digestion is good, and oatmeal and brown rice are good options.
- Keep your body hydrated with water and other fluids like herbal teas and natural juices.
- And, if you feel nauseous, having bland food like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT diet) can help.
Foods & Drinks to Avoid:
- Completely avoid alcohol & drugs as they can affect the recovery process.
- Do not eat heavy/greasy food because it can increase nausea and digestive discomfort (strictly avoid fast food, fried items).
- Spicy foods can disrupt the digestive system and cause gas/bloating; avoid them.
- Having excessive caffeine in your system can make you dehydrated and increase stomach acid, so limit it.
- Avoid high-risk foods like soft cheeses, deli meats, and smoked fish.
Some tips for healthy recovery:
- Eat light before you take the abortion pills, as it effectively prevents nausea.
- Staying hydrated is crucial for the process.
- Eat what tastes good to you and is easy to digest, and listen to your body.
You Matter: Taking Care of Yourself During Abortion Matters
Taking care of yourself is all about listening to your body and being gentle with yourself. Eating your comfort food, resting, hydrating, getting emotional support, and knowing what side effects to expect help with managing the pregnancy termination at home.
There is no right way to feel about medical abortion, physically or emotionally. When you get the right care, patience, and support, your body heals in its own time. If something doesn’t feel right, seeking medical help is always a good option.
Homeabortionrx can help you with the right guidance and getting authentic abortion pills like Mifepristone + Misoprostol. We believe every woman deserves accessible abortion care. Here you get both plan C pills and plan B, delivered to your doorstep.