Abortion
Day 11 after abortion: how long does spotting last?
Day 11 · Recovery after abortion
On day eleven you may still be seeing spots on your pad or underwear. Or perhaps you saw nothing for a few days and today it started again.
Both are situations often asked about in this period. This page explains how long spotting can last, bleeding that comes and goes, and the patterns of bleeding described by the clinic's doctor; it also reminds you that the course is not the same in every woman.
Short answer
How many days does spotting last after an abortion?
According to SoftCare Clinic, there may be spotting for the first 5–10 days after an abortion, and period-like bleeding can come back after a gap of 1–2 days. According to international guidelines, the total time can reach two weeks. In some women bleeding never comes; the clinic does not consider this abnormal. A total of 2–3 pads a day is normal; if bleeding soaks 2–3 pads an hour, call the clinic straight away.
The three patterns of bleeding
In some women there is no bleeding, only spotting for days.
In a chart showing the amount of bleeding by day after an abortion, the third type, with spotting only, is highlighted.How long does spotting last after an abortion?
Our clinic points to the first 5–10 days for spotting. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) writes that bleeding and spotting can last up to two weeks.
Today you are between these two periods: the first ten days are behind you, and two weeks have not yet passed.
Spotting one day, none the next; is this usual?
The clinic notes that in this period, period-like bleeding can be seen with gaps of 1–2 days. So the flow may not follow a straight line; you may see nothing one day and notice spotting again the next.
I never had bleeding, only spotting; is this normal?
The clinic's doctor describes bleeding after an abortion in three patterns, and one of them is spotting only. In the other two patterns, bleeding either comes a few days late or starts after the procedure and fills at most 2–3 pads a day.
Sometimes bleeding does not come at all. The clinic does not consider this abnormal and sets no limit such as 'call if it has not come by this day'. If you have pain or doubts, call the clinic and share the situation with the medical team; the decision is made accordingly.
What should I do if spotting lasts longer than two weeks?
If your spotting goes beyond two weeks or is increasing rather than decreasing, call the clinic. There is no routine check-up day at the clinic; still, patients who want one or need one are invited for a check-up free of charge.
As a measure, know this: a total of 2–3 pads over the day is accepted as normal. If there is bleeding that soaks 2–3 pads an hour, a clot the size of a golf ball or foul-smelling discharge, call the clinic straight away.
Do today
- Note the days spotting starts and stops.
- Keep track of how many pads you use a day.
- If you call the clinic, share your notes with the medical team.
Don't do today
- Do not stop using condoms because the spotting has ended; condoms continue until the first period.
- Do not take medicine on your own to stop the spotting.
- Do not get into a bath or a pool; 15 days have not passed.
Special note
If spotting stops and starts again
Spotting that stops for a few days and starts again fits the intermittent bleeding pattern the clinic describes. If the bleeding that starts again soaks 2–3 pads an hour, or comes with severe pain that does not ease with painkillers, call the clinic without waiting.
When should you call?
Call 112 first (if you are abroad, that country's emergency number)
- Fainting: If you faint, call 112 first; if you are abroad, call the emergency number of the country you are in.
Call the clinic straight away
- Heavy bleeding: Soaking 2–3 pads within one hour. A total of 2–3 pads over the whole day is normal.
- Fever: A temperature of 38 °C or higher, or fever together with weakness.
- Severe pain: Severe abdominal or back pain that does not ease with painkillers.
- Foul-smelling discharge: Unusual, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
- Large clot: Passing a clot the size of a golf ball.
Call the clinic
- If the spotting has gone beyond two weeks, call the clinic.
- If the spotting is increasing day by day rather than decreasing, let the clinic know.
- Dizziness or shivering: Dizziness, chills and shivering that do not pass.
- Hard abdomen: The abdomen becoming hard, or clear tenderness when touched.
- Burning on urination: Burning or stinging when passing urine.
SoftCare Clinic patients can reach the doctor's assistant or a nurse 24 hours a day; when needed, they contact the doctor. Call whenever you are unsure; what your own doctor tells you always comes first.
Frequently asked questions
Is spotting normal 11 days after an abortion?
Spotting can be seen 11 days after an abortion. SoftCare Clinic says there may be spotting in the first 5–10 days; international guidelines state that bleeding and spotting can extend to two weeks. Day eleven falls within this period. If the spotting is increasing or comes with pain, call the clinic.
What does brown spotting after an abortion mean?
The clinic's rules and the sources this page relies on describe how long spotting lasts, but do not interpret its colour separately. If the colour of the spotting worries you, call the clinic; the medical team will assess the situation with you. Foul-smelling discharge, on the other hand, is listed in the clinic's rules as a reason to call straight away; in that case, do not wait.
Is it normal to have no bleeding at all after an abortion?
According to the clinic's doctor, bleeding after an abortion can follow three patterns. In some women bleeding comes 3–4 days later with some pain and clots; in some there is only spotting. Bleeding may also not come at all; SoftCare Clinic does not consider this abnormal and sets no day limit. If you have pain or doubts, call the clinic.
Sources
SoftCare Clinic for your questions
Our patients can reach a nurse and the doctor's assistant 24 hours a day.
This page is for general information; it does not replace an examination or your doctor's advice. Every woman recovers differently. The times and rules your doctor gives you always take priority over those on this page.
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus, Obstetrician & Gynecologist · Last medical review: