Artificial termination of pregnancy has an extremely negative impact on the health of patients, and recovery after an abortion sometimes takes several months. The duration of recovery depends on the duration of the interruption and the abortive method. It is clear that after non-invasive pharmaceutical abortion the body recovers faster than after curettage, which requires long-term rehabilitation.
It will take a lot of time to fully normalize physical and mental health
Since the duration of recovery depends on the type of abortion.
The longest recovery is after an abortion performed surgically. Moreover, curettage curettage is fraught with the development of complications.
Immediately after the interruption, the patient remains in the hospital; the stay can last several hours or days, depending on the type of interruption and the presence of postoperative complications. The patient is prescribed a weekly course of antibiotic therapy to prevent septic complications. To improve contraction of the uterine body, it may be necessary hormonal treatment involving the administration of oxytocin.
To improve blood flow and cleanse the uterine cavity from blood clots, moderate physical activity is recommended. In some cases, physical therapy is performed. Vitamins are usually not prescribed, however, after treatment with antibiotics, dysbiosis may develop, leading to a drop in the level of B vitamins. In such a situation, it is recommended to take vitamin preparations or vitamin B complex.
If pain persists, see a doctor immediately
If a control ultrasound shows the absence of fetal remains in the uterus, the abdomen is painless and soft, and the bloody smear is insignificant, then the woman is sent home. For about one to two weeks after an abortion, the patient may experience hyperthermia up to 38 degrees, which is quite normal. But if hyperthermic conditions bother you for more than this period, then you need to urgently consult a specialist, because this symptom indicates pathology.
After discharge, the patient needs to undergo a smear from the vagina and cervix for vaginosis and infections, and also undergo ultrasound examination to assess the condition of the endometrium and the uterine body as a whole. If the smears reveal an increased content of leukocytes or bacteria, then a bacterial culture of the mucus from the genital tract is carried out. If necessary, antibacterial or antimicrobial therapy is prescribed.
In order for rehabilitation after an abortion to occur without any complications, the patient must observe sexual rest for at least a month. If a girl ignores this prohibition, then the likelihood of developing various kinds of complications increases, especially after curettage. Sexual intercourse soon after an abortion is dangerous due to bleeding or rejection of the uterine mucous layer, which occurs against the background of infectious pathogens entering the injured uterus.
The most damaged structure that requires rehabilitation after an abortion is the uterus. The longer the gestational age, the greater the damage to the uterine body, especially during surgical curettage. After the fetus is removed, the uterine body gradually contracts and takes on its full, generally accepted size after a few days. But it forms on the wall traumatic injury, which needs time to heal and fully build up the endometrial layer.
Normally, the uterine body recovers in about a month, and by the beginning of the next menstruation it acquires its normal parameters and healthy epithelium. After about one and a half to two weeks, the woman is examined by a gynecologist. If there are copious discharge, similar to meat slop, with a nauseating odor and a dark red tint, and the uterus is painful and enlarged, then an inflammatory lesion is diagnosed.
Endometritis usually occurs against the background of violations of the abortion technique, if fetal tissue remains inside, infection occurs during the abortion process or after it, as well as the formation of hematometra, in which blood accumulates in the uterine cavity. Therefore, a control ultrasound is performed, which confirms the cleanliness of the uterus and the absence of abnormalities.
Many girls are interested in how to recover faster after an abortion. But some processes require certain deadlines. For example, restoration of the uterus takes about a month, and about the same amount is spent on restoring the cycle. After interruption, ovarian-menstrual regulation is disrupted, and the production of the required amount of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone stops.
It is difficult to say when menstruation will begin after an interruption, because it depends on many factors. various reasons such as the patient’s age and gestational age, abortion technique and presence chronic pathologies, as well as currents postoperative rehabilitation. Usually, menstruation resumes about a month after surgery, however, after surgical interruption, the recovery period of the cycle may become longer, and the nature menstrual flow This may also change in the first few months.
Ovulation in the first few cycles (2-3), as a rule, is also absent, although sometimes ovulatory processes are restored already in the first cycle.
It is advisable to keep a calendar to mark the beginning of menstruation
How to restore the body after an abortion? As already mentioned, in order for the recovery to go smoothly and without dangerous complications, strict sexual rest is required for a month. When sexual intercourse becomes possible, patients need mandatory contraception, because conception can occur already in the first cycle after interruption. The onset of pregnancy soon after termination is extremely undesirable; it is better to wait at least six months before conceiving, because there is a high probability of developing pregnancy pathologies. Oral contraceptives are used as an effective contraceptive method. birth control pills, mitigating hormonal complications and preventing neuroendocrine disorders.
It is recommended to take low-dose contraceptives, i.e., low in hormones. Estrogen simply increases blood clotting, and in the first few cycles the patient already experiences hypercoagulation. Usually girls are prescribed Mercilon, Rigevidon or Regulon, etc. They start taking pills on the day of the abortion, which will be considered the first day of the new monthly cycle.
In fact, an abortion is the same operation as many other interventions, so you will have to recover from it according to a certain scheme, following medical recommendations. The gynecologist must monitor the patient’s condition during the rehabilitation period in order to promptly prevent the development of dangerous consequences or complications. These include expressed painful sensations in the abdominal area, abundant and long spotting or delays in menstruation, etc. If such problems arise, it is recommended to contact a doctor, who will prescribe the necessary therapy.
Overall, recovery from an interruption can be influenced by a variety of factors. Firstly, the patient's condition. If she suffers from any chronic or hereditary pathologies, then they will interfere rapid recovery. Secondly, the abortion technique. Usually, rehabilitation occurs most quickly with a mini-abortion, but after surgical curettage or pharma-abortion, complications are possible.
Thirdly, gestational age. The earlier the conception was interrupted, the safer and less noticeable for the body it will pass. Also important is the qualifications of the specialist performing the operation, restorative physiotherapeutic procedures, drug therapy and the woman’s psychological readiness for this step. The speed of recovery also depends on the age of the patient; the younger the girl, the faster her recovery will occur after abortion procedures. But at the same time, young people may subsequently have problems with pregnancy, even infertility.
In general, painful sensations in the abdominal area after interruption are considered acceptable norm. Worries pain syndrome about a week or so. If the pain syndrome literally constrains, the woman cannot tolerate such pain, then she needs to consult a gynecologist. Painful complications can be caused by a variety of conditions.
To prevent the development of inflammatory complications after abortion, girls are prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for 5-7 days. This is especially important preventive treatment for patients who have bad smears or blood tests, urine tests, etc.
The recovery period is very important; the preservation of her health depends on how accurately the patient follows gynecological instructions. reproductive functions and fertility. It is important for girls to protect themselves from hypothermia and drafts, colds, and dress warmly, especially in cold or damp weather. Hygiene procedures must be carried out daily. You can’t take a bath yet, because dangerous bleeding may occur, but you need to take a shower, carefully washing your genitals with warm water.
Since bleeding occurs after an interruption, the pad must be changed every 3 hours to avoid infection due to blood stagnant in the pad. But tampons cannot be used after an abortion, because the blood absorbed into them serves as a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms that provoke uterine inflammatory complications and other pathologies.
Surgical abortion is an operation during which the lining of the uterus is scraped to remove the fertilized egg during a miscarriage or to terminate a pregnancy. As a method of interruption, it is reliable, although it is fraught with complications.
In gynecology, the curettage procedure is quite common and is also used to diagnose a number of diseases.
Surgical abortion is performed between 6 and 12 weeks. After the specified period, the woman does not terminate the pregnancy at her request; serious reasons are required for this.
Indications for surgical abortion in established deadlines are:
A surgical abortion is not performed if a woman has been diagnosed with venereal diseases. Also contraindicated are bleeding disorders, inflammation of the uterus or ovaries, allergic reaction for anesthesia
Due to the risk of infertility, this method is not recommended for terminating a first pregnancy.
Termination of pregnancy is a surgical intervention that is performed only in a hospital setting. Before starting the procedure, the doctor must inform the woman about possible risk and complications.
The anti-epidemic regime when performing surgical abortion must be carefully observed. The patient must first undergo an ultrasound examination, gynecological examination, take smears, as well as tests for hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV.
Women are interested in how a surgical abortion is performed and whether this procedure is painful. Despite the fact that the sensitivity threshold is individual, after dilation of the cervix and removal of the epithelium from the walls, unpleasant, sometimes severe pain may occur.
The procedure is usually carried out under general intravenous anesthesia, so the patient does not feel the process itself.
Using a special probe, the cervix is dilated. Through it, instruments are immersed into the cavity to destroy the fertilized egg. Its remains are removed with a special curette, and the epithelium on the walls is scraped out.
The operation can last from 15 to 30 minutes. The efficiency is high, so rerun procedures are rarely required.
After a surgical abortion, the woman is under the supervision of medical personnel for some time (from several hours to 2-3 days). In the future, she is sent home and prescribed drugs that stimulate uterine contractions.
Approximately on the 25th day after the procedure, menstruation begins. Until this time, it is necessary to carefully protect yourself, since a new pregnancy can occur immediately. It is possible to save the child, but there is a risk of premature birth, since the woman’s body is not yet ready for such stress.
Many gynecologists prescribe to their patients after surgery hormonal contraceptives. Under their influence, the mucus in the cervical canal thickens and serves as an additional barrier that protects the uterus and tubes from infection.
So, when can you get pregnant after a surgical abortion? It will take at least six months for the body to fully recover from the operation. During this period, the menstrual cycle will improve, the uterine mucosa will be restored and the woman, if there are no complications, will be ready for a new pregnancy and bearing a child.
After an abortion, a woman should avoid severe physical activity and periodically measure body temperature. Your doctor may recommend taking pregnancy tests at home to make sure that the level of gonadotropin in your urine is decreasing and that the fertilized egg has actually been removed.
Within 2 weeks after the abortion, use for hygienic procedures. warm shower. You should not take a bath or swim in open water during this period. Sex life can be resumed after the discharge has stopped, but not earlier than after 14 days. This helps prevent infection from entering the uterus.
It is possible to gain weight after a surgical abortion, so you need to eat right. Some women may need the help of a psychologist during this period.
2 weeks after the procedure, you need to come for a consultation with a doctor and undergo an ultrasound examination to make sure there are no complications. The specialist will also select a reliable method of contraception.
You need to immediately apply for medical assistance with fever, dizziness or general malaise after an abortion. You should also go to the doctor if there is bleeding and severe pain in the abdomen or perineum.
A woman should be wary of the fact that there is no discharge after a surgical abortion. This indicates a spasm of the cervix, as a result of which all the blood remains in the cavity and provokes inflammation.
Another indication for visiting a doctor is the presence positive test for pregnancy within a week after the abortion or longer. If the stripes on it do not fade, this situation indicates that the abortion was incomplete.
Surgery inevitably affects a woman’s health.
After a surgical abortion is performed, a number of complications may occur:
Some complications may appear several years after the procedure in the form of disorders hormonal levels or patency of the fallopian tubes.
A woman's body undergoes serious changes. They are associated with a sharp change in hormonal levels, surgical trauma, as well as the influence of medications and anesthesia. In addition, the uterus undergoes significant changes, since during a surgical abortion its morphological restructuring occurs. It is also possible that the termination of pregnancy itself is a significant stress for a woman.
It is believed that the pelvic organs can return to their original levels 3-6 months after termination of pregnancy, so it is recommended to plan the next pregnancy no earlier than six months later.
In order to quickly rehabilitate the body after a surgical abortion, it is recommended to adhere to some rules:
Thus, after a surgical abortion, a woman should follow a number of rules and recommendations that will allow her to promptly identify the presence of complications and take the necessary actions aimed at speedy recovery health.
Surgical (instrumental) abortion is an abortion performed with expansion of the cervical canal (dilatation) and curettage of the uterine walls (curettage). Performed at the request of the woman up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. For medical and social reasons (rape) - up to 22 weeks.
Of course, women have a desire to have an abortion without surgical intervention, the so-called medical abortion, but in many cases it is not available. The first disadvantage is the high cost of the procedure, from 5,000 rubles. The second disadvantage is the limitation of the possibility of performing a tablet abortion to five weeks, that is, two weeks of delay of menstruation.
The timing of surgical abortion is much longer - up to 12 obstetric weeks of pregnancy, or 8 weeks of missed menstruation. Although, you shouldn’t wait that long, every two weeks of pregnancy adds a 20% risk of perforation of the uterine wall and other complications. And the cost of a surgical abortion in Russia for Russian citizens with a compulsory health insurance policy is zero rubles, that is, the procedure is performed free of charge in an inpatient setting.
There is a compromise option - vacuum aspiration. It can be performed up to 7 weeks into pregnancy, which corresponds to three weeks of missed period. In this case neither cervical canal there is no need to dilate or scrape out the walls of the uterus. The consequences of a surgical abortion can be much more tragic than such a “mini-option”. As a result of vacuum aspiration mechanical damage the cervical canal and the uterine cavity are excluded, since instrumental revision of the uterus is not carried out, there is a very low risk of developing infectious process. Accordingly, the woman is not at risk of infertility in the future, and the body’s recovery occurs quickly.
But be that as it may, if the pregnancy is more than 7-8 weeks, doctors are unlikely to undertake vacuum aspiration; the fertilized egg is too large, and there is a significant risk of incomplete abortion.
The easiest and free way is to see a doctor. Every gynecologist knows how to perform a surgical abortion. He will conduct an examination, take smears and send you for an ultrasound of the uterus. Upon confirmation interesting situation pregnancy is less than 12 weeks and the woman wishes to terminate the pregnancy, she will be given a referral for tests. This is necessarily blood for hemoglobin (it must be normal), blood for group and Rh factor (in case you have to do a transfusion, this is a rare occurrence), HIV carriage, fluorography (if it has not been completed within the last year).
So, this is how most people do surgical abortion. Russian hospitals. If all tests are normal, a referral to a hospital is issued. On the appointed day, in the morning, you enter it. You need to have a robe, slippers and sanitary pads with you, preferably absorbent disposable diapers (2-3 pieces), they are sold in pharmacies. Upon admission, the doctor examines the patient again. She signs consent to the abortion, knowing that it threatens such and such consequences. Then he is sent to the general ward (if a separate service has not been paid for), where “abortionists” are admitted, and sometimes also girls with a threat of miscarriage. early stages.
Then everyone is called one by one. Those who have paid for general anesthesia are first interviewed by an anesthesiologist to determine whether they can be given such anesthesia and whether there are any contraindications. Afterwards, the woman goes to the small operating room and lies down on the gynecological chair. They inject her local anesthesia or general intravenous. In the first case, she will be as if half asleep all the time. In the second, he will fall asleep for the entire duration of the procedure.
When choosing the type of anesthesia, women are most interested in whether the pain during a surgical abortion is tolerable, and whether it is possible to get by with a free type of anesthesia. Of course, everyone's sensitivity threshold is different. But expansion of the cervical canal mechanically, with the help special tools in the form of tubes with different diameters, which are alternately inserted into the cervical canal, very painful. It is as painful as scraping the uterine cavity with a sharp curette.
True, there is a way to relieve pain and reduce the risk of damage to the cervix during its mechanical dilation. This is kelp algae and some medicines which lead to dilatation of the cervix. But this requires a hospital stay of at least 24 hours before the abortion, plus additional costs for the patient. And in most hospitals such expenses are not provided for. But if you have the means and opportunity, be sure to discuss this issue with your doctor.
How long does a surgical abortion last on average? Usually about 20 minutes. After which the nurse takes the woman to the ward on a gurney, or sometimes simply by hand. It is recommended to lie down for a couple of hours. This will help prevent heavy bleeding and help you recover from anesthesia. Often there is pain after a surgical abortion in the form of severe spasms of the uterus, similar to labor pains. In this case, the woman may be injected with an analgesic or antispasmodic. But after general anesthesia severe pain are quite rare, since the woman is given a drip with painkillers during the procedure. The medicine continues to work for some time. But one way or another, you don’t need to endure the pain, you need to call the nurse and ask for an injection.
You are usually allowed to go home on the same day. The woman is explained about the discharge after a surgical abortion, how long it should last and what pathological phenomena need to be looked for special attention. For some they last several days, for others 1-2 days. You need to pay attention to your well-being. If there is weakness, a stomach ache, or a fever, it is quite possible that the uterus has not completely emptied and an inflammatory process has begun. Or perhaps the abortion was incomplete. If bleeding continues to flow for more than a week after a surgical abortion, it may be in the uterus placental polyp and another cleaning is required.
At the same time, it can be bad if there is almost no discharge at all. Perhaps all the blood remains in the uterus, and it cannot come out due to cervical spasm. Although, it is also possible that the doctor simply “cleaned” it well, and the uterus quickly shrank. But one way or another, this will only be clear after an ultrasound. When surgical abortions are performed, doctors always recommend an ultrasound examination after 10-14 days, and sometimes earlier. Especially if the pregnancy was more than 7-8 weeks, then there is a high risk of complications.
Immediately after the abortion, the woman is prescribed antibiotics, taken for 5-7 days, and in parallel with them antifungal agents, because antibacterial therapy- This is the cause of vaginal candidiasis. Physical therapy may also be prescribed.
The real first period after a surgical abortion begins after about 28-35 days. But even before their onset, you need to carefully protect yourself from pregnancy if it is undesirable. You can start hormonal contraceptives from the first day after an abortion, if they are not contraindicated, use spermicides and condoms - which is less effective, but more affordable for many couples. It must be remembered that pregnancy after a surgical abortion can occur immediately. If this happens, the child can be kept, since a previously performed abortion is not a contraindication to a new pregnancy.
It should be noted that many gynecologists are now inclined to prescribe per oral contraceptives women after abortions. And often even for those who do not particularly need contraception. The point is that the reception hormonal pills helps to increase the volume of mucus from the cervical canal, thickening it, which protects the surgically disturbed uterus, and also fallopian tubes and ovaries from infections.
It is not dangerous to begin sexual activity 2 weeks after termination of pregnancy, but only if by that time the bleeding from the vagina has stopped and the woman feels well.
If you don’t have your period after a surgical abortion, you had sexual intercourse, but you don’t want to keep the baby, you need to take a pregnancy test or donate blood for hCG. If there is no chance of pregnancy, then you can wait about 2-3 weeks, provided wellness, and then visit a gynecologist. Delayed menstruation is common side effect abortions.
Interesting video on the topic.
Sometimes situations arise when pregnancy is unwanted. In this case, you have to make a decision about abortion. Surgical abortion is an artificial termination of pregnancy, carried out by curettage of the walls of the uterus.
The procedure can be performed in the first 12 weeks of gestation. In exceptional cases (by medical indications or after rape) it is permissible to terminate a pregnancy up to 22 weeks. Medical abortion up to 8 weeks is the least traumatic operation that can be avoided negative consequences. Although surgical abortion is more traumatic than medical or vacuum aspiration, it continues to be the most common method.
Medical indications for abortion:
An unplanned pregnancy after pregnancy, if less than 2 years have passed since it was carried out, is also extremely undesirable, since an unformed scar on the uterus creates a threat of organ rupture later and during childbirth.
The procedure is performed only by a gynecologist in a hospital setting. Before the operation, the doctor informs the patient about the progress of the intervention and possible complications. If she continues to insist on abortion, a series of studies are prescribed to prepare for this manipulation:
Survey data is also necessary for precise establishment the fact of pregnancy, since a delay in menstruation does not always indicate that conception has occurred.
On the appointed day, you should not eat in the morning to avoid vomiting after the administration of anesthesia. The procedure is performed under intravenous anesthesia on a gynecological chair. Using special instruments, the doctor expands the cervical canal. Then, using a curette, the fertilized egg is destroyed and extracted and the walls of the uterus are scraped out. At the end of the operation, the doctor must ensure that the entire uterine cavity has been completely cleaned.
Is it painful to have a surgical abortion, and how possible is it without anesthesia?
The process of surgically terminating a pregnancy is quite a painful procedure, even for those women who have high pain threshold. Therefore, it is recommended to do it under anesthesia.
A safer and more gentle method of performing a surgical abortion would be to use a hysteroscope. This is a special device that is used to study the uterine cavity. The operation under the control of a hysteroscope eliminates the risk of damage to the endometrium and guarantees that no unremoved fragments will remain in the uterus.
How long does the operation take?
The entire procedure takes 15-20 minutes, but after it is completed the patient must spend several hours in a medical facility. This period is necessary in order to recover from anesthesia and to enable medical personnel monitor the patient's condition. Normally, she should not have severe bleeding, nausea, vomiting, high temperature and severe cramping pain in the lower abdomen.
Contraindications to surgical abortion:
If the termination of pregnancy was performed by an experienced doctor in conditions medical institution, the procedure does not cause serious complications. The woman can go home the same day, but should avoid strenuous physical activity. In the first hours, minor pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen. This is a natural reaction of the uterus, which at this time is a bleeding wound.
During the post-abortion period, slight bleeding is observed, similar to normal menstruation.
How long does the discharge last?
Normally, their duration should not exceed 5-7 days.
If the amount of discharge exceeds the norm, hemostatic drugs may be prescribed: water pepper extract, aminocaproic acid, Tranexam. Can be used folk remedies: decoctions of nettle, hogweed, red brush. If the discharge continues longer and, moreover, comes profusely and with clots, you should consult a doctor.
Within 2-3 days, body temperature can be raised to 37-37.5 °C. More high performance within a week after the abortion, indicate the presence of an inflammatory process and also require contacting a doctor.
During the post-abortion period, the following rules must be observed:
1-2 weeks after the operation, the woman should visit the doctor and undergo an ultrasound to make sure that it was carried out with minimal consequences for the body. After the examination, the doctor will help you choose one to prevent a recurrence of an unwanted pregnancy in the future.
Even if an abortion was performed qualified specialist, the risk of complications is quite high.
Is it possible to remain pregnant after it?
Since curettage is performed almost blindly, there is a risk incomplete removal fertilized egg. In this case it starts heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, chills, and weakness are noted. Bleeding and pain may also indicate injuries to the genital organs and violations of the integrity of the walls of the uterus (perforation).
No less dangerous late consequences surgical abortion, such as:
Every woman who decides to have such an operation must remember that she is risking her health and the health of her future children. Curettage is especially dangerous when it is the first pregnancy. The likelihood of negative consequences increases if there have already been terminations of pregnancy in the anamnesis, if there is inflammatory diseases genital organs, with previous operations on the uterus or ovaries. Women who have had multiple abortions in their youth have a significantly increased risk of developing oncological diseases genital organs during menopause.
Menstruation returns in about a month. Usually they do not differ in duration or abundance from previous menstruation.
When can you get pregnant after an abortion?
As a rule, restoration of the ability to conceive occurs after 1-1.5 months, but often the body perceives the first days of the post-abortion period as the beginning of a new menstrual cycle. The maturation of the egg can occur in just a few weeks, so partners need to choose reliable means contraception immediately after resuming sexual activity.
Can I breastfeed if I have an abortion?
Surgical termination of pregnancy is not an obstacle to breastfeeding. After the anesthesia wears off, the mother can continue feeding the baby. Breast milk after termination of pregnancy poses a potential danger to the baby only if the procedure resulted in complications and antibiotics were prescribed to treat the mother.
If a woman decides to have a child, she should know that a new pregnancy cannot be allowed earlier than six months after a surgical abortion. But most gynecologists recommend longer periods, up to one year. Any termination of pregnancy is stress for the whole organism, which needs recovery period. It is necessary to stabilize the disturbed hormonal balance and healing of genital injuries. Before you start planning to conceive, you need to visit a gynecologist for general examination and examinations.
Even if between the abortion and the subsequent new pregnancy passed long period time, the woman needs additional monitoring. This need is associated with existing risks for the condition of the fetus and the course of pregnancy.
The following pathologies often occur:
Women who have had one or more abortions have an increased risk of having an ectopic or frozen pregnancy, having a low birth weight baby, and subsequent developmental delays.
