Nutrition
Key Points
- Focus on iron-rich foods to rebuild blood levels and prevent fatigue.
- Eat protein-dense meals to support tissue repair and faster healing.
- Include vitamin C to boost immunity and aid nutrient absorption.
- Stay hydrated with enough water and electrolyte-rich fluids.
- Avoid processed, oily, or overly spicy foods that can slow recovery.
What
- Myth: Medical abortion is unsafe.
- Fact: Medical abortion is a highly safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy when performed by qualified practitioners. The risk of major complications is less than 1%, which is significantly safer than continuing a pregnancy and going through childbirth.
- Myth: Medical abortion causes long-term health issues like infertility or breast cancer.
- Fact: There is no credible scientific evidence that legally induced abortion causes future problems with fertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or breast cancer. Most women return to their normal fertility immediately after the procedure.
- Myth: Abortion causes “post-abortion syndrome” or long-term psychological harm.
- Fact: Major health bodies like the American Psychological Association do not recognize “post-abortion syndrome” as a legitimate diagnosis. While a range of emotions (relief, sadness, guilt) is normal, most people cope positively and do not experience long-term mental health problems. The strongest predictor of mental health after an abortion is the person’s mental health beforehand.
- Myth: You must have a medical abortion in a hospital or clinic.
- Fact: The initial consultation can often happen with a GP or a sexual health service. The tablets are usually taken at home, in a private and comfortable setting. Telemedicine has also expanded access, allowing for remote consultations.
- Myth: Medical abortion is very painful.
- Fact: It is normal to experience bleeding and pelvic cramping, which can be strong, especially in the first 24 hours after taking the misoprostol tablets. Pain relief medication is advised and provided, and for most, the discomfort is manageable and short-lived.
- Myth: The fetus feels pain during an early abortion.
- Fact: Scientific evidence indicates that the neural connections required for pain perception in the brain are not intact before 24 weeks of gestation.
- Myth: Emergency contraception is the same as medical abortion.
- Fact: Emergency contraception (like the “morning-after pill”) works by preventing fertilization or implantation from occurring. Medical abortion pills are used to end an established pregnancy.
- Myth: People use abortion as a form of primary birth control.
- Fact: Abortion is not a form of contraception. Most people who have abortions report using contraception during the month they became pregnant, but methods can fail.
- Myth: Only young or irresponsible people have abortions.
- Fact: Abortion is a common procedure, with approximately 1 in 3 women having an abortion by age 45. The reasons are varied and based on individual life circumstances, including existing family responsibilities, economic factors, or health reasons.
First 24–48 Hours After Abortion
During t
📌 Learn More:- Why choose a Medical Abortion?
When to Seek Medical Attention
During
Summary
Dr. Nelisiwe Mbele, with the
Carlton Women’s Clinic
Team
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Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a medical abortion to fail?
Using a less dose of abortion pills.
What is considered an incomplete abortion?
Using abortion medication and nothing happens
What signs show a medical abortion was successful?
The pregnancy symptoms disappear.
What tests confirm that a medical abortion is complete?
A sonar
- Healthline. (n.d.). Nutrition Tips After Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.132healthwise.com/food-you-should-eat-after-an-abortion.php
- BSW Health. (n.d.). Dietary Changes After Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/abortion-recovery
- Healthline. (n.d.). Weight Loss After Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition
- Carlton Women’s Clinic Johannesburg. (n.d.). Right Abortion Method. Retrieved from https://www.womensclinicjohannesburg.co.za/best-abortion-method/
- HealthDirect. (n.d.). Oestrogen. Retrieved from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/oestrogen
- WebMD. (n.d.). Progesterone Uses and Risks. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/progesterone-uses-and-risks
- Carlton Women’s Clinic Johannesburg. (n.d.). Medication Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.womensclinicjohannesburg.co.za/medical-abortion-in-johannesburg/
- Carlton Women’s Clinic Johannesburg. (n.d.). Surgical Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.womensclinicjohannesburg.co.za/what-you-need-to-know-about-surgical-abortions/
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Foods to Help Healing. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-to-help-healing
- Life Healthcare. (2023). Post-Surgical Diet Guidance. Retrieved from https://www.lifehealthcare.co.za/media/3773/life-oncology_diet-sheets_diarrhoea_june2023_v4-outlines.pdf
- PMC. (2014). Iron Deficiency and Wound Healing. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4091310/
- Food & Home Magazine. (n.d.). Anti-inflammatory Foods. Retrieved from https://www.foodandhome.co.za/how-to/anti-inflammatory-foods
- Carlton Women’s Clinic Johannesburg. (n.d.). Recovering from Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.womensclinicjohannesburg.co.za/recovering-from-abortion/
- Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). Proper Hydration. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink
- Carlton Women’s Clinic Johannesburg. (n.d.). Abortion Recovery Tips. Retrieved from https://www.womensclinicjohannesburg.co.za/abortion-recovery-tips/#post-abortion-care
- BSW Health. (n.d.). Consult Your Doctor Before Starting New Diet. Retrieved from https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/consult-your-doctor-before-starting-new-diet-or-fitness-program
The physical and hormonal healing period following an abortion, during which the body restores strength, balance, and normal function.
A condition caused by low iron levels, often linked to blood loss, leading to fatigue, weakness, and reduced oxygen transport.
The stabilization of reproductive hormones after pregnancy ends, supporting energy levels, mood, and overall recovery.
A key female hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and reproductive system, which fluctuates after abortion.
A hormone that supports pregnancy and drops after abortion, triggering physical recovery processes.
The body’s ability to digest and absorb vitamins and minerals needed for healing and energy restoration.
Foods that help reduce inflammation in the body, supporting tissue repair and faster recovery.
A diet rich in protein that supports muscle repair, tissue healing, and immune strength.
The maintenance of essential minerals that regulate hydration, nerve function, and muscle activity.
A measure of how well the body is supplied with fluids, essential for circulation and healing.
The process by which the body rebuilds damaged or stressed tissues following a medical procedure.
Dietary choices that strengthen the immune system and help protect against infection during recovery.
Foods high in iron that help replenish blood levels and reduce post-procedure fatigue.
The process by which vitamin C enhances iron uptake and supports immune and tissue health.
Medical guidance, nutrition, and self-care practices that support safe and complete recovery.
