Womancare Home
 
Aftercare Information
If you have any questions or concerns about your abortion procedure or your recovery, please do not hesitate to call us. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are calling after hours, please call the toll-free number listed below for your local area.
Detroit Area
1-800-899-9858
Flint Area
1-800-323-6205
Lansing Area
1-800-676-8502

If you are calling after hours and you reach the voicemail for Womancare, please leave your name, a detailed message, and a phone number so that we may promptly return your call.
YOUR DISCHARGE MEDICATIONS
Upon discharge, you will be given a prescription for three different medications. YOU MUST START TAKING THESE MEDICATIONS TODAY, AND YOU MUST CONTINUE TO TAKE THEM UNTIL THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED.
* AN ANTIBIOTIC - take as directed by the pharmacist. This medication is used to prevent infection post-operatively.
* METHERGINE - take as directed by the pharmacist. This medication is taken to contract your uterus and minimize your bleeding. It may cause cramping in the legs as well as increaed uterine cramping, and this side effect is normal and to be expected.
* A PAIN RELIEVER - take as directed by the pharmacist. This medication is optional, and is used to relieve your discomfort and cramping.

POST OPERATIVE RESTRICTIONS
  • DO NOT put anything into the vagina for two weeks to prevent infection. No tampons, douches, feminine sprays, tub baths, swimming or sexual intercourse.
  • DO NOT lift over 20 pounds repetitively.
  • DO NOT take aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs.
  • DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.
  • Avoid vigorous exercise for two weeks.
MANAGING YOUR PAIN
The pain medication you were prescribed today is optional. If you choose not to fill this prescription, you can take any non-aspirin over the counter pain reliever. (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin.)

To minimize your cramping, you should keep your activity levels to a minimum.

Most of your cramping will have passed by the time you leave the office today. However, it would not be abnormal to begin experiencing some cramping three to five days after surgery. It is normal to have slight cramping for the next two weeks.

To relieve your cramping, you can vigorously massage the lower abdomen just above the pubic hairline. This uterine massage will allow your body to pass any blood clots that may have formed, and will help to minimize any cramping.
MONITORING YOUR BLEEDING

Experiencing bleeding after your abortion procedure is very normal. Every woman is different: some will have little to no bleeding, some will have bleeding similar to a normal period, and some will experience bleeding on and off. Passing small blood clots is also normal.

Remember that this post-operative bleeding is not your period. You should have your normal period within six to eight weeks of your abortion.

It would not be abnormal to experience cramping, heavier bleeding, or the passing of clots three to five days after the abortion procedure.

If you soak a regular size maxi pad from front to back and side to side in less than one hour, or if you pass clots larger than a fifty-cent piece, CALL US IMMEDIATELY.

SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY

Any symptoms of pregnancy that you have been experiencing should be gone within two weeks. This includes nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, and leaking of fluids from the breasts.

If you continue to experience these symptoms after three weeks, call us immediately.

Any pregnancy test that you take at home will come back positive for the next four weeks. This is due to the pregnancy hormones that are still in your body, and is completely normal.

YOUR FOLLOW-UP VISIT
You must return for a follow-up exam 3 weeks after your abortion procedure. Provided that you return within this time period, your follow-up exam is FREE. It is very important that you return for this visit to make sure that you have healed and recovered normally from your procedure, and that there are no signs of infection.
CALL US IMMEDIATELY IF:
  • You experience a temperature above 100.4 degrees F.

  • You experience severe, persistent abdominal pain.

  • You experience dizziness or if you begin to feel faint.

  • You develop hives or a rash.

  • You soak a maxi pad in less than one hour.

  • You pass blood clots larger than a fifty-cent piece.

  • You experience persistent symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness or nausea.
  • You do not have a period within eight weeks of surgery.

IF YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, CALL 911 OR PROCEED TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.