Abortion
Day 12 after abortion: how does the uterus recover?
Day 12 · Recovery after abortion
On day twelve, from the outside, not much seems to be happening. The days of cramping described by the clinic are behind you and the days look alike. The question that comes to mind is the same: what is happening inside?
Inside, recovery continues. This page explains what has happened in the uterus from the procedure until today without drowning you in numbers. You will find the shrinking of the uterus, the renewal of its lining and how the cramps of the first days relate to this.
Short answer
How does the uterus heal after an abortion?
After an abortion, the uterus contracts, shrinks and returns to its previous size; the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) also rebuilds. The mild cramps that start on the procedure day come from these contractions and, according to SoftCare Clinic, can last for the first 2–3 days, 4–5 days in some women. A detailed ultrasound check is done right after the procedure; most patients need no further check-up, and patients who want one are invited free of charge.
How the uterus recovers
After the procedure the uterus contracts and shrinks, and its inner lining rebuilds.
A cross-section drawing of the uterus; the shrinking uterine wall and the rebuilding inner lining are shown.Does the uterus return to normal after an abortion?
It does. The uterus is an organ made of muscle; after the procedure it contracts, shrinks and returns to its previous size. The shrinking does not happen all at once; the contractions felt in the first days are part of it.
Our clinic's view is clear as well: an abortion performed properly does not affect later pregnancies.
What were the cramps in the first days?
The mild cramps and pain that started on the procedure day were the felt side of the contractions the uterus makes as it shrinks. The clinic says this pain can last for the first 2–3 days, 4–5 days in some patients; the painkillers the doctor gives are effective in those days.
Pain that starts newly or gets steadily worse on day twelve does not fit this description. Report such pain to the clinic without waiting; with severe pain that does not ease with painkillers, call straight away.
What happens to the inner lining of the uterus?
The layer lining the inside of the uterus is called the endometrium. After the procedure this layer rebuilds.
How many days the renewal takes varies from person to person; that is why this page does not give a number of days. In the coming weeks the ovaries start working again, and if no pregnancy occurs the period comes; the first period may be different from your usual period.
How can I tell that my uterus has healed?
There is no way to measure this at home. At the clinic, that the procedure was complete is checked during the procedure with ultrasound and by hand; after the procedure a detailed ultrasound check is also done.
That is why there is no routine check-up day and most patients need no further check-up. If you are not at ease, you can ask for a check-up: it is free of charge and included in the procedure fee. If you cannot come to the clinic, a video consultation can be arranged.
Do today
- If you are not at ease, call the clinic and ask for a free check-up.
- Note any newly starting pain and report it to your doctor.
- Remind your doctor of any operations you have had.
Don't do today
- Do not try to tell whether the uterus has recovered by pressing on your abdomen.
- Do not use the painkiller differently from what your doctor said.
- Do not get into the water for the bath and pool before 15 days have passed.
Special note
If you have had a caesarean section or uterine surgery before
If you have had a caesarean section or another operation on the uterus, your doctor will tell you personally how your recovery will be followed. The general description on this page may be incomplete for you; when you call the clinic, remind them of your surgical history.
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 noticeable pain starts again after days without cramps, call the clinic.
- 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
When does the uterus recover after an abortion?
After the procedure the uterus contracts, shrinks and returns to its previous size; its inner lining also rebuilds. How many days this recovery takes varies from woman to woman and cannot be measured at home. At SoftCare Clinic a detailed ultrasound check is done right after the procedure; there is no routine check-up day, and patients who want one are invited for a check-up free of charge.
Does an abortion damage the uterus, can I get pregnant again?
According to SoftCare Clinic, an abortion performed properly does not affect later pregnancies. After the procedure the uterus shrinks back to its previous size and its inner lining renews. Waiting at least 3 months before a new pregnancy is recommended; before that, preparations such as folic acid, an examination and tests are made. Until then, the clinic's contraception rules apply.
Can there be lower abdominal pain 12 days after an abortion?
According to SoftCare Clinic, mild cramps after an abortion can last for the first 2–3 days, 4–5 days in some women. Day twelve is outside this period. If you have pain that starts or increases on this day, call the clinic and describe it to the medical team; what to do is decided accordingly.
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: