You will be offered a free post-abortion check-up about 2 weeks after having an abortion.
Post-abortion check-up
You can have this check up with the GP or doctor you spoke to at your pre-abortion consultation. The check-up can be in-person, or by phone or online video call.
This appointment is optional. You do not have to go. But you should have it. It is free and confidential.
Your GP or doctor will make sure that the abortion is complete and that you are healing properly.
You can also talk with them about:
If you decide not to have a post-abortion check-up
If you do not have your post abortion check-up, the doctor might call you instead.
If you are not available to take the call, it is up to you to contact the doctor if you need to speak to them.
Fertility and future pregnancies
You can get pregnant almost immediately after an abortion.
Your GP can give you advice and a prescription for contraception.
If your method of contraception failed or did not suit you, talk to your GP or doctor.
You should be given information about and offered a choice of all methods.
Types of contraception - sexualwellbeing.ie
Post-abortion pregnancy test
You will need to take a low sensitivity pregnancy test 2 weeks after a medical abortion. This is to confirm that you are no longer pregnant.
Your GP or doctor will give you the special pregnancy test kit to take home after you have the abortion. It is important to read the instructions carefully so that the result is accurate.
It is less common to have a pregnancy test after a surgical abortion. But your doctor may still recommend it. Your doctor will tell you in the hospital if you will need to take one. They will give you the special pregnancy test kit to take home.
Urgent advice: Talk to your doctor if:
- the pregnancy test is positive, invalid, or you are unsure about the result
- your next period does not come 4 weeks after the abortion
- you have symptoms that suggest you could be still pregnant
- you are concerned about ongoing bleeding after the abortion
You can also contact My Options on 1800 828 010.
If the test is positive
If the abortion does not work, your pregnancy may continue.
If the pregnancy goes over 12 weeks, you can only have another abortion in exceptional circumstances. This is the law.
If you are still under 12 weeks pregnant, you are able to have further treatment. The doctor will advise you on the best option for you.
The risk of ongoing pregnancy is:
- 2 to 3 in every 1,000 surgical abortions
- between 9 to 12 weeks - 2 in every 100 medical abortions
- under 9 weeks pregnant - 1 to 2 in every 100 medical abortions
Recovering after an abortion
Recovery after an abortion usually happens quickly. But it is different for every woman.
Next period
Your next period should begin around 4 weeks after your abortion.
If you have not had a period 4 weeks after your treatment, contact My Options on 1800 828 010.
Returning to normal activities
Most women will be fit and well enough to return to normal activities within 1 or 2 days. But everyone is different.
Work
You should rest until you feel able to return to your normal routine. Plan to have 1 or 2 days off after an abortion so that you can rest.
Travel
It is best not to travel within 24 hours of having an abortion. If you must travel, make sure you know how to access emergency services at your destination. This is in case you have a complication.
Sex
You can have sex again when you feel ready. It will normally not be painful.
But you can get pregnant almost immediately after an abortion. Use contraception if you do not want to get pregnant.
Bathing
You can take a bath or shower as normal after an abortion. But take care if you have a bath within 24 hours of having a general anaesthetic. You will need to make sure someone is around to keep an eye on you. This is in case you are still feeling drowsy.
Side effects after an abortion
You may have some side effects after an abortion.
Side effects you may experience after an abortion can depend on what stage of pregnancy you were at.
Most women less than 9 weeks pregnant have no side effects.
But you may experience some if you were over 9 weeks.
Physical side effects
After having an abortion, you may have:
- period-type pains
- stomach cramps
- vaginal bleeding
This is normal and is usually nothing to worry about. It should start to improve after a few days, but can last for 1 to 2 weeks.
If you have a medical abortion, you may have side effects from the medicine such as nausea and diarrhoea. These side effects usually stop within 3 days.
General anaesthetic and conscious sedation medicine can also cause side effects.
If you are bleeding
The bleeding is usually like normal period bleeding. But you may also pass some small blood clots.
After a surgical abortion, you might not have any bleeding until your next period is due.
Bleeding is usually heavier after a medical abortion than a surgical abortion. The bleeding should reduce every day. Pregnancy symptoms will normally disappear within 72 hours.
Treating physical side effects
After an abortion:
- take ibuprofen to help with any pain or discomfort
- avoid using tampons or menstrual cups for 48 hours after the abortion - you may find that using sanitary towels makes it easier to see how heavy your bleeding is
Urgent advice: Talk to a doctor immediately if you have:
- severe pain that cannot be controlled with painkillers such as ibuprofen
- continuous and heavy bleeding that soaks 2 or more pads in an hour, for 2 hours in a row
- tummy pain or discomfort that is not helped by medicine, rest, a hot water bottle or a heat pad
- a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
- discoloured or smelly discharge from your vagina
- signs or a feeling that you are still pregnant, such as nausea and sore breasts
- no bleeding 24 hours after using all of the second medicine you've been given (if you had a medical abortion)
You can also contact My Options on 1800 828 010.
Emotional side effects
You may experience a range of emotions after an abortion.
How you react will depend on:
- the circumstances of your abortion
- the reasons for having it
- how comfortable you feel about your decision
You may feel relieved or sad, or a mixture of both.
Most women will experience a range of emotions around the time of the decision and having the abortion.
Post-abortion counselling
Post-abortion counselling and support is available for free.
If you decide at any time you would like to talk to someone, call My Options on freephone 1800 828 010.
The counselling service is open:
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
- Saturday, 10am to 2pm
Your GP, family planning clinic or Well Woman clinic can also refer you to free face-to-face counselling services.
Confidentiality
All counselling sessions are confidential. But there are special circumstances when a counsellor may have to share information.
This may be if they believe:
- you’re at risk of harm
- there is a child protection issue
- other people are at risk of harm
Counselling and confidentiality
Pregnancy remains
If you have an abortion before 9 weeks of pregnancy, you will usually have it at home. You can dispose of the remains as you wish.
If you have an abortion between 9 to 12 weeks, you will have it in a hospital.
Hospital staff will explain what options are available for disposing of the pregnancy remains. This will be done in a sensitive manner. They will help you make a decision that is right for you.
If you do not wish to make a decision about your pregnancy remains, the hospital can make a decision for you. They can dispose of the remains.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP as soon as possible if:
- you feel that you have not passed the pregnancy tissue from your body
You may need further treatment.
You can also contact My Options on 1800 828 010.