Recovery after abortion: 28 days, day by day

After abortion · procedure day and 28 days

This guide covers every day from the procedure day to day 28, each on its own page: what is happening in your body that day, what to expect, what to pay attention to and when to call. The rules are the SoftCare Clinic doctor's own practice; the general information is supported by international guidelines.

28 days is a calendar, not a promise. Every woman's bleeding, pain and timing of the first period are different. Choose the day you are on below.

In how many ways can bleeding occur after an abortion?

In our clinic's observation it occurs in three ways, and it is not the same in every woman. In the first, there is no bleeding after the procedure; 3–4 days later it comes with some pain and small clots, because the cervix is very tight and closes after the procedure. In the second, bleeding starts right after the procedure, with at most 2–3 full pads a day; this is generally considered normal. In the third, there is only spotting. Sometimes no bleeding comes at all; on its own this is not considered abnormal. A patient who has pain or doubts calls the clinic and shares her situation with the medical team.

When does the first period come after an abortion?

There is no rule that your period will come exactly 28 days or one month after the procedure. The first period starts within 40 days on average; in some women it can take up to 45 days. It may be slightly heavier than usual and ends within the usual time. If 45 days have passed since the procedure and your period has not come, call the clinic. Emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) and medicines that affect hormones can change the cycle; our clinic's doctor does not recommend the morning-after pill until the first period.

Which rules apply after an abortion?

• Shower: allowed from the first day.
• Driving: not on the procedure day (at least 24 hours after sedation).
• Sport: can be resumed after day 5; do not tire yourself out during the first 2–3 days.
• Cycling and motorcycling: not recommended for 1 week.
• Sex: avoided for at least 1 week; after that, a condom every time until the first period.
• Sea: day 10 at the earliest, with a vaginal tampon; the tampon stays in for no more than 30 minutes.
• Bath and pool: not for 15 days.
• Medicines: a preventive antibiotic is given to every patient; the days and dose are entirely the doctor's decision.

Can you get pregnant after an abortion before your first period?

Yes. Ovulation returns about two weeks after the procedure, sometimes earlier, so pregnancy is possible before the first period arrives. That is why a condom is used every time until the first period, and a regular method of contraception is chosen after it. For the contraceptive pill and the intrauterine device, our clinic's doctor recommends waiting for the first period.

Do you need a check-up after an abortion?

There is no routine check-up day at our clinic, because a detailed ultrasound check is done right after the procedure. Patients who want or need one are invited free of charge; the check-up is included in the procedure fee. A video consultation can be arranged for patients who cannot come in.

Our clinic's approach

If a patient seems undecided, the procedure is not performed; it is postponed. Our nurses are trained in patient care; you can talk to them both before and after the procedure. An abortion performed properly does not affect later pregnancies; waiting at least 3 months before trying to conceive again is recommended.

Day-by-day guide

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: 2 October 2026