what happens to my body after a procedural abortion?

Once your cervix has been dilated or opened enough, a small plastic tube called a cannula will be inserted. This cannula will be attached to either a hand held suction device (called a manual vacuum aspirator or MVA) or a suction machine (called an electronic vacuum aspirator or EVA). The MVA or EVA will then use gentle suction to remove the pregnancy tissue.

Once the tissue is removed, the provider will make sure you are not bleeding too much and then remove the speculum. Your procedure is now over.

The tissue will be sent back to the lab where a technician or sometimes a physician will examine the tissue to make sure that everything was removed.

After your procedural abortion, you can expect both vaginal bleeding and cramping. This is from the uterus contracting, or squeezing in on itself. It is your body naturally doing what it was designed to do after it is no longer pregnant.

Bleeding: Most people have as much bleeding as a period (or less) for a few days after the abortion. It is common for the bleeding to stop and start for several weeks after the abortion. Some people have no bleeding for 2 or 3 days and then begin to have as much bleeding as a period. Other people have only spotting for a few days and then no more bleeding at all. You may notice increased bleeding with exercise and other activities; this is normal and you don’t need to worry. You can use tampons or pads whichever you prefer, though it can be easier to keep track of how much you are bleeding with the pads.

Cramping: Some people have cramps off and on during the week following an abortion. This is because the uterus is getting smaller, and you don’t need to worry. You can use pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®), or naproxen (Aleve® or Nasprosyn). You can also use a heating pad, or drink some warm tea or soup, to alleviate cramps.