Following a medical abortion, you may experience bleeding lightly, moderately, or heavily. In some cases, women do not bleed afterward, at all.
Bleeding can start right after the abortion process or until several days after. When it happens, it may stop at some point and then start again.
Don’t be surprised if you experience increased bleeding 4 to 5 days after a medical abortion, complete with clots and strong cramps that will last for several days.
Menstrual-like cramping is normal for the first week after an abortion and may extend to the second week. So don’t be alarmed.
Just take a pain reliever to ease the pain, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. But avoid Aspirin as it can increase bleeding.
The only time you need to worry or even call an A&E is when heavy bleeding becomes too heavy and too much.
What you need to know about bleeding after an abortion
- Bleeding can last around 1 to 2 weeks
- Blood clots maybe pass like a normal menstrual period
- When the bleeding stops, you may experience spotting until your next period
- 3 to 6 weeks after an abortion, your normal period should begin
- You may experience mood swings or emotional upset for a few days or weeks
- Menstrual-like cramping can happen for the first week or two
It is important to note that the symptoms you experience may vary from one abortion pill to another. In the case of Misoprostol, bleeding and cramps should be expected.
After using the pill, bleeding can start within 4 hours. But it can also happen at a much later period. Bleeding usually signals the start of an abortion.
As abortion continues and progresses, bleeding and cramps will become more severe and may be associated with other side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness.
Cramps and bleeding are often heavier if the pregnancy has developed for longer.
Once you experience heavier blood loss, with severe pain and cramping, this signals that the abortion process has reached its peak.
Once it’s complete, bleeding and cramps should diminish.
2 to 5 hours after using Misoprostol, you may experience the heaviest bleeding which then slows down within 24 hours. Light bleeding will continue for 1 to 3 weeks, and menstrual period should occur 4 to 6 weeks after.
There are instances when heavy bleeding can happen after 48 hours, along with clots that may pass for days or even weeks. This is normal when taking Misoprostol.
What is not normal is when heavy bleeding becomes severe.
How can you tell if you’re bleeding more than it is safe and necessary?
Keep track of the number of pads you’re using
If within an hour you soak 2 maxi pads, which extends to two hours in a row, you need to call your doctor immediately. This is because you are already experiencing severe bleeding.
Keep an eye on the size of any blood clots
Passing clots that are bigger than a golf ball for 2 hours or more is a sign of serious bleeding that requires medical attention. Don’t ignore the sign and call the clinic right away or go to an A&E if you are able.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding may be a result of the blood vessels not constricting or uterine muscles not contracting to stop the bleeding. On very rare occasions, it can also be a result of a perforated uterus or a lacerated cervix.
That is why abnormally heavy bleeding after an abortion should not be ignored.
While it is normal to pass blood clots as you heal from a medical abortion, with sizes that range from pebble-like to egg-like, the timeline tells a different story.
Golf ball-sized clots passing for two hours or more is a serious complication.
This can result in the uterus enlarging and causing severe pain because the cervical opening is blocked. It can be caused by the uterus not contracting and passing out tissue during an abortion.
Monitor the length of time that you’re heavily bleeding
Bleeding heavily for 12 hours in a row is bad news. This may be a sign that something is wrong and you should contact your physician right away.
The same is true if you bleed heavily for 12 hours or more and the color of blood is bright red instead of darker red.
Bleeding longer than 2 weeks
If you experience spotting or bleeding longer than 2 weeks, you should call your doctor for an appointment.
Remember that normal bleeding after an abortion should only last around 1 to 2 weeks. Anything longer than that is a cause for worry.
You should also call the doctor if you don’t have your period within 6 weeks after your procedure. There could be underlying causes that need to be checked and addressed immediately.
Based on the information above, one of the most important signs to look out for is the timeline of bleeding following an abortion.
Bleeding heavily during and a few weeks after an abortion is normal, provided that there are no large clots and that you’re not soaking several maxi pads or sanitary towels in one hour.
Bleeding for two weeks is common. But can be worrisome if it lasts longer.
With this in mind, monitor how long you bleed following a medical abortion and keep an eye out for other symptoms.
These include signs of infection, such as a headache, dizziness, or muscle aches, severe belly pain, 4 to 6 hours of vomiting, heavy or smelly vaginal discharge, and pain in the genital area.
Hi my wife had medical abortion with misoprostol on 7th april which ended up with a d&c on 17th april. She had bleeding for upto 10 days after d&c and the bleeding stopped for about 10 more days. Then on 6th may she started bleeding heavily again with minor clots, exactly 20 days after d&c. Im worried if it is her 1st period returning or is it still a post abortion bleeding
Hi Dr. Sam, it’s really all dependent on the woman. Her period could have come back at that time because one can get it anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks after the pregnancy ended.
Hi I am ABIGAIL. i had an abortion for past two weeks now. I was advised to take misoprostol, to take one with water first and after 24 hrs to place the remaining 4 under my tongue for 30 minutes after that the remainder to swallow with water. I did and after that I started vomiting and cramping and I started bleeding with normal bleedings without passage of clots for 4 days then my bleeding stopped. Please help me I am scared is my abortion process complete or not, rather is it normal?
Hi Abigail, I would recommend making and appointment with your doctor just to ensure that everything has passed. Due to the vomiting, depending on how soon after you took the medication it was, it could that you didn’t get all of the medication, or keep it in for that matter. It sounds normal, however most do pass clots, though depending on how far along you were you might not see much.
Hi am Nancy,I had my April’s menses on first nite till fifth April,then I had an unprotected sex then was expecting my mays menses on d first or secnd week of may but it didn’t.then I tested positive, then took misoprostol 7 tablets on 10th may which after I started bleeding ND had so many cramps.I had my normal menstrual flow for two days then very light spotting,and heavines of d breast up til now.is d abortion complete and normal??? Cause my breast is still heavy as if am expecting my menses and sometimes light cramp
Hello Nancy, the heaviness in your breasts might last to up to a few weeks. This does not mean that you have not successfully aborted.
I had a medical abortion 2 days ago, I was two weeks pregnant. There’s only been consistent light bleeding, almost like the end of a period and cramps. Is it working? I’m worried.
Hi Ann, yes that’s normal. At only 2 weeks pregnant, there isn’t much for the body to expel so to speak so that is perfectly normal.
I had my surgical abortion yesterday, and I noticed little blood I change my pad and took antibiotics and now I can’t find any blood on my pad just little stains
Hope I am safe and it was successful
I had a medical abortion 2 days ago, I was 2 and half weeks pregnant. It’s been just very light inconsistent blood flow and cramps. Is it working?
Hi Ann, at only a little over two weeks, there is honestly not much that would have to pass. I would consider it normal.
Hi,i had an abortion on 14 april and the bleeding stops on 25 april but after 1 week bleeding starts again but it not heavy
Hi Naha, if it’s not heavy and just spotting I would consider that normal. Some go back to ovulating relatively quickly depending on how far along you were. If it’s not heavy I wouldn’t be too worried about it.
Hi There, I took a total of 8 misoprostol a week and a half ago. That evening and following day, I had heavy bleeding and period like cramps. Since then, it was simple spotting but dark brown. Then today, I’ve been cramping and am bleeding again, not heavy enough to soak through two pads an hour, but am passing clots, ranging from the size of rice to the size of a grape. I was 5 weeks pregnant when I took the misoprostol. Is this normal?
Hi Stephanie, some can bleed for up to two weeks,s o it’s quite possible that it’s normal for you. Your body is trying to do what it does best and clear it of any remaining tissues related to the pregnancy. If you do however start to bleed heavily, then call your doctor, it if it does slow down and stop I would consider that normal.
Hi..i have abortion last week..im pregnant 7 weeks ..have blood coming and small clot aftr 8 hour taking a pills cytotic..but on that day my blood stopped. 2 times small blood clots going out..but until not im still vomoting its possible my abortion is succesful??
Hi Baber, your body is still getting rid of the hormones, so you could still be experiencing some symptoms. Give it another week and see how you feel.
hi i had an abortion 7 weeks ago but I’m still bleeding. The bleeding stops and then starts, stops and then starts …..what should i do now? I can’t go to the doc.
Hi Mith, why can’t you go to the doctor? You should have had a follow up appointment after your abortion as well to ensure that everything has passed. 7 weeks of bleeding is a long time. While one of the bleeds could have been your period it’s unsure. Especially not knowing how often you were bleeding? Every week, every two weeks, etc.
Hi is my first time of having an abortion so i really don’t have an idea of it, after taken miso firm I started bleeding four hours later with tiny cramps after three days I had unprotected sex, after two weeks, three days the pregnancy test was positive so I was thinking is because I was still bleeding though not much all of a sudden today the bleeding increase though is not heavy I was just wondering if something is wrong please help me I’m scared
Hi Shamzy, if you had unprotected sex it’s possible that you got pregnant again honestly. While the pregnancy test could have been indicating that the hormones had yet to leave the body, it could go either way. If you aren’t trying to get pregnant though I would recommend a regular form of birth control. That being said if you are still bleeding weeks later I would make a follow up call with your doctor, which you should have had after an abortion as well to verify that it was complete.
Hi,
6 Weeks and 5 days since my last mens. I had abortion pills (2 Mifeprestone & 8 Misoprostol) I have normal bleeding like regular menstruation with plenty of blood clot like rice grain size, but the bleed last only in 24 hours but I still experienced stomach cramps. I’m confused if abortion successful?, since bleeding usually takes for 2 – 3 weeks? Am I still pregnant?
Hi Ababe, Bleeding doesn’t usually last for two weeks although it can. Some only bleed for 24-48 hours. I would say that you more than likely were successful, however you’ll know for sure when you get back to your follow up appointment with your doctor.
Hi. I had a surgical abortion on february 16th this year. I was 5 weeks 1 day. The whole procedure went great. I barely bled. And i got my first period march 23rd. Since then ive bled every week. Im on my fourth period since then and its only the beginning of may. I dont know if this is normal or not i cant find any answers on why this is happening. My pregnancy test and ultrasound came back negative for being pregnant and other than my periods my body has felt normal. I get emotional the day before and its like a normal period im bloating, im bleeding for a week each time and. I just dont know if anything could be wrong?
Hi Crystal, if everything on that end came back normal, I would recommend making an appointment with your doctor. Bleeding every week seems to be excessive and I would recommend anyone who is experiencing that to see their doctor as there could be additional underlying conditions.
Hi doctor,
My urine pregnancy test was positive, I was 32 days pregnant. I have taken the abortion pill mifepristone first day then after 24 hours inserted 2 misoprostol tablet (200mg each) vaginal and again after 24 hours inserted remaining 2 misoproston. I notice little bleeding after first misoproson dose then next day period like bleeding and cramps…but no clots.
Is my abortion is completed successfully? Abortion pills I have taken is right or not? Or is this normal bleeding because I have taken pills too early?
Pl do reply..
Thanks,
Vaishali
Hi Vaishali, Did you lay down after inserting the pills into the vagina? And have you noticed them coming out during bleeding. The only way to know for sure if the abortion was successful is to have your follow up with your doctor to ensure that everything passed.
Hi. I had medical termination 14th March at 6wks of pregnancy. 3 wks after termination i went back to clinic to have scan because of positive hcg level on pregnancy test that the clinic provided on discharge. She said based on the scan im not pregnant anymore and should not worry. From the time of termination i bled from heavy to light. 16th April i bled heavily, seems like my normal menstruation however until now im still bleeding lightly. Is this normal? It’s been 6wks post termimation. Thank you.
Hi IM, so you had your normal period on the 16th but are still bleeding 9 days later. Has the bleeding stopped at this point (about a week later now)? I do apologize for the delayed response. If it has stopped, that could have been normal as your first period might be a bit heavier after either a pregnancy or abortion. If you are still bleeding, make a follow up appointment with your doctor.
I had an abortion on the 13th of April and bled for 1 week with clots. The 2nd week there was no bleeding. Today (27th of april) there was some spotting. What does this mean? Should i be worried?
Hi Ankitha, it could be your period returning, or ovulation bleeding at this point. You should go back to your regular cycle within 4 weeks, so I would anticipate that you will have your actual period within a week or so.
Hi,I had an abortion on 24th of this month (April)I after taking the first dose of misoprostol,I had serious diarrhea, lower back ache, serious cramps and few hours later passed out clots with heavy bleeding only on that day, after taking the second dose the pains lessened and I’ve been bleeding so lightly but dark red, could the abortion be complete?
Hi Cynthia, it sounds normal for a medical abortion. You should have a follow up with your doctor just to ensure that everything passed, but yes this sounds completely normal.
Started my abortion pills orally at 8:20 pm, took a walk and 30 min later started having back and rib pain. went to sit on toilet and started bleeding after sitting for about 2 mins. come 12a.m I’ve been passing clots and lots of blood and I’m very lightheaded and dizzy.. scared to go to sleep because I think I’m bleeding too much
Hi Ariana, sorry for the late response and I hope that everything went well. It could have been normal. At this point I feel you should be past the worst of it and I hope you are.