The decision to have an abortion is a personal one – something that brings with it a whirlwind of emotions and confusion. When faced with such a situation, chances are that you will have a lot of questions racing through your mind. If you’re confused about how to move forward, let’s go through some of the most common questions women ask about abortion to give you some clarity on the matter.
How long will I bleed after an abortion?
The amount of time you’ll experience post-abortion bleeding will depend on your choice of method. For medical abortions (using abortion pills), bleeding generally starts a few hours after taking misoprostol, the second pill.
Here, the bleeding will be at its heaviest four to six hours later as you finally pass the pregnancy tissue. To put things into perspective, it will feel slightly heavier than a normal period and may also include clots, all of which is completely normal and within expectations. Once your pregnancy tissue passes, the bleeding will become lighter, and this phase will likely continue for about a couple of weeks.
During this time, you’ll need to watch out for excessively heavy bleeding – the kind that lasts for more than an hour. If this happens, or if you pass any clots larger than a lemon, seek medical attention immediately.
Will an abortion affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?
No, having an abortion will not affect your chances of becoming pregnant or having normal pregnancies in the future. In fact, when carried out properly, abortion, regardless of the method, does not damage your reproductive system at all. Many women who have had abortions continued to have healthy pregnancies afterwards – there’s little reason to believe that your case would be any different.
But there are two minor caveats that you should know about. First, though the overall risk remains extremely low, an abortion can very slightly increase your risk of premature birth in future pregnancies. Second, if you develop a womb infection after your abortion and it’s not treated quickly, your fertility may be at risk due to pelvic inflammatory disease.
Of course, most infections during an abortion are caught and treated very early in the process. Not to mention how you’ll also receive antibiotics before your abortion, and you’ll be given clear instructions on signs of infection to watch for. For instance, if you notice fever, increasing abdominal pain, or unusual discharge, you’ll need to contact your clinic immediately to receive appropriate care.
Can I get abortion pills by post?
Absolutely! It is now possible to seek medical abortion remotely thanks to telehealth services, making the process more accessible than ever across the UK.
So how does this work? When you choose to get an abortion pill online, you’ll begin by undergoing a remote consultation via telephone or video call with an experienced consultant gynaecologist. They’ll make note of your gestation, review your medical history, and ensure that the pills are safe for you before moving forward.
Once you get the green light, you’ll receive the pills by post within 2 or 3 working days. The package will generally contain one tablet of mifepristone and four tablets of misoprostol, with clear instructions on what to expect. The first one you’ll be taking is mifepristone, followed by misoprostol 24-48 hours later. Throughout this process, a healthcare professional through the helpline will be readily available to help you through any potential complications, ensuring that the abortion is a success. That being said, please note that this service is suitable only for pregnancies that are under the 10-week gestation limit, post which you may have to visit the clinic for abortion services.
How long does an abortion take?
The timeline of an abortion, from starting to recovery, will depend on your method of choice once again. For medical abortion, the process typically takes 1-2 days for the pregnancy to pass, followed by a few weeks for recovery. The main event happens when you take the second pill, misoprostol, when the pregnancy passes within 4-6 hours.
Surgical abortions, on the other hand, are much quicker. The procedure itself takes only 5-10 minutes, though you’ll need time for preparation and recovery. If you opt for a local anaesthetic, you may need to stay at the clinic for an hour or two in total. But under sedation, you’ll need to keep up for a few more hours at the clinic till complete recovery. With this option, the recovery is also quicker, as most women return to normal activities within a day or two of the procedure. But regardless of the method chosen, your next period should arrive 4-6 weeks after a successful abortion.
In the end, both options are equally safe and effective. Some women prefer medical abortion because it feels more natural and happens at home. Others choose surgery because it’s faster and over in one go. The choice comes down to your personal preference.
What happens at the first abortion appointment (consultation)?
Your first appointment is always the most important one – it ensures that you have all the information needed to make the decision and that abortion is right for your situation. You’ll meet with an experienced consultant gynaecologist who will have a confidential, non-judgemental conversation about your decision.
The doctor will begin the process by first asking about your medical history, any current medications that you may be taking, and previous pregnancies. They’ll also ask for the date of your last period to make an early estimate of your gestation.
Once this early screening is done, you’ll likely undergo an ultrasound scan – usually done transvaginally for the clearest picture. This will confirm the pregnancy, accurately show how many weeks along you are, and ensure that it’s not an ectopic pregnancy.
Based on your scan, your consultant will explain all your available options. For pregnancies up to 10 weeks, you have a choice between medical and surgical abortion. But beyond 10 weeks, surgery is always the recommended option. You’ll also have blood tests to check your blood type and hemoglobin.
This is also to check your rhesus status – if you’re Rh-negative, you may need an anti-D injection to ensure your immune system does not attack the fetus. Finally, as the consultation nears its end, your consultant will also discuss future contraception options, as you can get pregnant again very quickly after an abortion.
What is the difference between surgical and medical abortion?
Medical abortion uses two types of pills: mifepristone (blocks the hormone that maintains pregnancy) and misoprostol (causes contractions in the womb). Available for pregnancies up to 10 weeks, it’s a non-surgical procedure that typically happens at home.
This method can make the process feel like a heavy period with strong cramps – emulating what a natural miscarriage is like. While it has a high success rate of over 95%, there’s a slight chance that you might need further treatment at a clinic to complete the abortion. Many women prefer this as it feels more natural and private, though you will see the pregnancy tissue pass, which may be disconcerting for some.
Surgical abortion involves a short procedure, removing the pregnancy tissue using gentle suction. Available from week 6 onwards, it is performed under local anaesthetic, sedation, or general anaesthetic, as discussed previously. Time-wise, this procedure takes just 5–10 minutes and has an even higher success rate than abortion pills. The advantage is that it’s quick and done in one go, though it does carry the small risks associated with any surgery, such as a womb infection.
Bottom line
Choosing to have an abortion is not an easy decision to make, and it’s normal for any woman to have a lot of questions during this period, from whether to move forward with the decision to what recovery will look like. Throughout this phase of life, what matters most is that you remain well-informed and have access to safe, professional care.
A certified, reputable clinic will have professionals ready to care for you, answer all your questions, explain your options, and support you throughout the process. So once you make up your mind, take the first step – the rest of this journey will be a walk in the park.