Step 6: After Care and Follow-ups

After your abortion you will need some time to heal.

  • If your abortion appointment was in-state/local:

    Typically your provider will schedule a follow up appointment after the abortion about a week or two later. During this visit, the medical team will ask you questions about how you have been since you had your procedure. 

    Common questions include learning about your bleeding pattern, pain management and if you've had any signs of infection like a fever. They may get bloodwork or do a follow-up ultrasound to make sure you are healing well from your process and have not had any complications. Some people want to get routine gynecological care at this time, including pap smears or birth control; others are happy to just get their post-procedure care and be done. 

    If your abortion appointment was out-of-state/far away:

    After your abortion, your provider may recommend that you make a follow up appointment either with them or with a local provider. According to the most up-to-date recommendations, this is optional. If you do decide to seek a follow up appointment, make sure your follow-up visit is safe and lets you get the care you need without putting yourself at risk for revealing that you had an abortion. This is especially important if you live in a state where abortion is banned.

    One option is to go to Planned Parenthood for follow-up care. You can find the closest location on the Planned Parenthood website. You can also look up clinics at ineedana.com. Even in ban states good clinics offer post-abortion follow-up appointments.

    Note: some clinics "require" patients to stay local until they can provide follow up care a week or so after an abortion. That might be fine or if this is a dealbreaker for you, know there are other options at clinics without those policies.

    It’s important to know: no one can tell if you had an abortion or a miscarriage by examining you. If you go to the ER or your regular OB/GYN with concerns after your abortion, and you live in a state with a total ban, you can say you had a miscarriage.

    You can check this map for information about state-level abortion laws.

    If you have questions about what is or isn’t legal, you can call If/When/How’s free Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812 or visit reprolegalhelpine. org

  • What happens:

    • Your body may start making milk after your abortion, especially if you were 16+ weeks pregnant.

    • For most people, the milk dries up on its own in a few days.

    • Tenderness usually goes away in about a week.

    • It can still feel uncomfortable or even punishing while it’s happening.

    Medication options:

    • Many providers offer medications that prevent milk from coming in at all.

    • This would be a pill you take one time. You can ask your provider about it if you are not initially offered it.

    • Studies show these medicines work well for most people if initiated within 4 hours of pregnancy termination.

    Emotional impact:

    • Some people feel upset or disconnected from their body when milk comes in.

    • For trans or nonbinary people, it can trigger gender dysphoria.

    • For people ending a wanted pregnancy, it can be emotionally painful.

    Ways to help milk dry up Faster:

    1. Sudafed (Decongestant)

    • Available behind the counter at most pharmacies (generic or brand).

    • Research shows Sudafed can reduce milk production.

    2. Cabbage Leaves:

    Green cabbage naturally helps with swelling and milk production [Don’t use if you’re allergic to cabbage or sulfa!]

    To use:

    • Crush the leaves with a rolling pin.

    • Cut a small hole for your nipple if you want.

    • Place leaves inside your bra or binder.

    • Leave for 2–4 hours (until wilted).

    • Stop once your chest feels less full.

    Ways to stay comfortable:

    • Tight bra or binder

      • Wear a tight sports bra or binder (even two layers if needed).
        Avoid underwire — it can block milk flow and cause infection.

      • Wear sports bra(s) consistently, even to bed.

    • Pain relief

      • Use Tylenol (acetaminophen), Motrin (ibuprofen), or any pain medicine your doctor prescribed

    • Cold therapy

      • Use ice packs, frozen peas, or cold compresses wrapped in a towel.

      • Apply for 20 minutes at a time.

      • Warning: Don’t use warm compresses — they can increase milk production.

    • Hydration

      • Drink plenty of fluids.

      • Restricting fluids does not help with engorgement.

    Remember:
    For some people, the first few days can be hard. These steps can help you feel more in control while your body heals.

    For more info, see WebMD: How to Dry Up Your Milk Supply

  • Sometimes going through an abortion can be emotionally hard. It can be especially hard for people who have later abortions after you probably jumped through a lot of hoops to get one. All the planning and worrying about money, travel or other logistics is taxing and exhausting. 

    There is also extra stigma that is unique to later care that can feel isolating–even from supposedly “pro choice” people. You cannot help how you feel but let us assure you: that stigma is bullshit. No matter your circumstances, you made the best decision you could with the information you had. Still, hormones are the devil and life is complicated so if you do feel some sadness, that is totally normal. Here are some ideas for some support:

    Talking with people who have had abortions can be very helpful. Some ways to connect include:

    Specifically for people who ended a pregnancy they had planned to carry to term: 

    A note for people of faith

    It’s important to remember that people of all faiths have abortions.  Many people who work in abortion clinics do so because of their faith and the shared belief that we are all deserving of dignity, compassion, and community, especially during the most vulnerable moments of our lives. There are multiple pro-choice resources created specifically for people who identify as religious or spiritual, as well as faith-specific organizations like Catholics for Choice and the Ad’iyah Collective . 

    You can also talk with someone about your experience through text helplines or by finding pro-abortion mental health providers. These resources are also on our resources page.

  • Many people feel a range of emotions during or after abortion care, including relief, sadness, grief, anger, or a mix of feelings. For some, especially those with a history of depression, anxiety, trauma, or significant stress, symptoms may feel more intense or harder to manage.

    If you or someone you are supporting is experiencing severe depression symptoms such as persistent hopelessness, inability to function, thoughts of self-harm, or thoughts of suicide, it’s important to seek immediate support. You can:

    • Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7 in the U.S.)

    • Use chat via 988lifeline.org

    • Go to your nearest emergency room

←Previous: Procedure

Next: Resources →