Abortion
Day 18 after abortion: back to sport and work
Day 18 · Recovery after abortion
One of the questions that comes up on day eighteen is whether it is fine to return to your old pace: running, the gym, long working hours, hours behind the wheel.
The clinic's doctor has given a period for each of these, and as of today they are all behind you. This page lists the periods one by one; a summary for those who want to see in one place when each rule ended.
Short answer
When can you return to sport and work after an abortion?
Under SoftCare Clinic's rule, not tiring yourself out is recommended for the first 2–3 days after an abortion; sport can resume after day 5. Desk workers can go to work on the same day if they have to; under the regulations, sick leave is 1 day. You should not drive for at least 24 hours after sedation, and two-wheelers are not recommended for 1 week. By day 18 all these periods are over.
Today's topic on the calendar
Driving one day, sport five days, two-wheelers one week: by day eighteen all three bands are behind you.
On a twenty-eight-day calendar, a driving band ending on the first day, a sport band ending on day five and a two-wheeler band ending on day seven.When can you start sport after an abortion?
According to the clinic's doctor, it is recommended not to tire yourself out or wear down your immune system for the first 2–3 days. Sporting activities can resume after day five.
On day eighteen this period is long over; the clinic has set no obstacle to running, gym training or walking. Swimming is subject to a separate rule: the fifteen-day restriction on the bath and the pool ended three days ago.
When can you return to work after an abortion?
If you work at a desk and have to, you can go to work even on the procedure day. Those working in jobs that require decisions or attention are advised to rest at home on the procedure day.
Under the regulations, sick leave for this procedure is one day and is given to patients who need it.
What are the periods for cars, motorcycles and bicycles?
- Car, after a procedure under sedation: not for at least 24 hours.
- Car, after local anaesthesia: not for one day.
- Two-wheelers such as motorcycles and bicycles: not recommended for one week.
- Day eighteen: all three periods are over.
What if there is pain or bleeding when I am active?
According to the clinic's doctor, cramps end in the first 2–3 days, in 4–5 days in some women. If your pain or bleeding starts again with sport or a busy working day, pause the activity and call the clinic to describe the situation.
Do today
- You can continue the sport you resumed after day five.
- Remember that the fifteen days for the pool are over.
- Report pain or bleeding that comes with activity to the clinic.
Don't do today
- Do not keep training despite pain or bleeding.
- Do not skip the tampon rule for the sea.
- Do not assume the sick-leave period based on information on the internet.
Special note
If you work in a job that requires attention
For those who carry decision-making responsibility or work in a job requiring attention, the clinic's doctor recommends resting at home on the procedure day. Under the regulations sick leave is one day; it is issued if considered necessary. On day eighteen no rule restricting your work remains.
Special note
If you do heavy physical work
The clinic's rules set no separate period for jobs that involve lifting loads or standing for long periods. If your pain or bleeding increases while working, consult your doctor; they will assess it according to the nature of your work.
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 your pain or bleeding starts again during exercise or work, 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
How many days do you need to rest after an abortion?
SoftCare Clinic's doctor recommends not tiring yourself out or wearing down your immune system for the first 2–3 days. Mild cramps and pain also mostly last for these days, 4–5 days in some patients. For this procedure, sick leave is 1 day under the regulations; the doctor issues it to patients who need it.
Can you do sport after an abortion?
You can. Under the clinic's rule, sport can resume from day 5 after an abortion; not tiring yourself out for the first 2–3 days is recommended. There are separate periods for swimming: pools are avoided for 15 days, and you can swim in the sea from day 10 at the earliest with a tampon. Cycling and motorcycling are not recommended for 1 week.
Can you drive after an abortion?
If the procedure was done under sedation, you should not drive for at least 24 hours; after local anaesthesia you do not get behind the wheel for 1 day either. Two-wheelers such as motorcycles and bicycles are not recommended for 1 week. You can travel as a passenger on the same day. On day 18 after an abortion, no clinic rule restricting driving remains.
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: