Post-Abortion Information

Women’s Health Services has a 24-hour answering service with staff on-call for any emergency. For non-emergent matters, please call us during our normal business hours Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturdays from 7:30 to 1:00 pm.

Bleeding

Vaginal Bleeding after an abortion is normal. The amount of bleeding varies from woman to woman. Some women have little to no bleeding, while others bleed lightly up until their first period (four to eight weeks after the procedure). Clots under quarter size are not unusual.

It can be normal to have no bleeding for the first few days after your procedure and then to begin moderate to heavy bleeding 3-5 days later. Most of the time, this increase in symptoms is related to increased activity and can be resolved by restricting the level of activity and resting.

When to Call:   Call us if you are having heavy bleeding, such as soaking through more than one full size maxi pad per hour.  Also, call if clots are consistently greater than quarter size.

If you don’t get your period after eight weeks, please let us know.

Cramps

Most women experience some cramping after a procedure.  Typically, they are similar to menstrual-type cramps, and can be intermittent.   Occasionally, a short episode of intense cramps will be associated with the passage of a clot. 

When to Call:   Call us if your cramping becomes continuous pain and/or appears to be getting worse with time.

Fever

An elevation in temperature may be a sign that an infection is developing. 

When to Call: Call us if your temperature is over 100.4 degrees.

Feelings Post-Abortion

While many women experience psychological relief following an abortion, some women may experience feelings of sadness or depression. This may be due not only to the nature of the event, but also to the hormonal changes in the body.  Often, the support of family and friends during this time can be very helpful.

If you are overwhelmed with how you are feeling, it might be helpful to speak with a counselor or therapist.  We have many resources and can provide referrals for counselors, therapists, and hotlines that specialize in issues around pregnancy and termination.   

When to Call: Call us anytime that you want to speak to one of our counselors and if you would like follow-up counseling referrals.

Call for a Consultation

Telephone Counselors are available Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to discuss abortion options, answer questions, and schedule appointments in a personalized way. Same-Day appointments may be available but please call to inquire between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.. Most patients can be scheduled within a few days.

Please call 617-277-0009 for a telephone consultation or to schedule an appointment.