What is post abortion care?
Every person’s post-abortion experience can differ. You may experience cramping, bleeding, or spotting. This is normal. You may require more rest after the procedure. This is normal. You may feel totally fine after the procedure. This is also normal. Talk to your provider about any questions or concerns you may have.
You may want to have pain medication like ibuprofen, a heating pad, and heavy pads on hand for after the procedure. If you experience heavy bleeding, extreme cramps, or a high fever after an abortion, contact your provider.
You may experience a range of complex emotions after having an abortion. This is completely normal. If you want to talk to someone about these emotions, both Exhale (866-4-EXHALE) and All-Options (888-493-0092) provide free, confidential, and non-judgmental support after an abortion.
There are additional resources that can help answer questions about your post-abortion care:
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline (M+A)
Hotline: 1-833-246-2632
Open Every Day 8 AM EST - 2 AM EST
The M + A Hotline is a team of clinicians with years of experience in caring for Miscarriage and Abortion.
All Options is dedicated to addressing the broad range of experiences and emotions surrounding pregnancy, parenting, adoption, and abortion.
Toll-Free Talkline: 1-888-493-0092
Open Monday-Friday 10 AM -1 AM EST, Saturday-Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM EST
Boston Abortion Support Collective
(617) 971-8476
The Boston Abortion Support Collective provides free, compassionate, and empowering support to people who have had an abortion. It provides physical, emotional, spiritual and informational support for people throughout the full spectrum of reproductive experiences.
Empty Arms Bereavement
Empty Arms Bereavement offers support for people who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy termination for medical reasons, or infant loss. The organization primarily serves individuals and families with Western Massachusetts, but their groups are open to all.
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy
EWP works to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where parents who have ended wanted pregnancies for medical reasons can find support and sympathy and grieve their losses together.
Additional Support:
Reproductive Equity Now Abortion Legal Hotline
(833) 309-6301
The Abortion Legal Hotline is a free and confidential Hotline that will help connect Massachusetts-based health care providers and helpers, as well as patients obtaining care in Massachusetts, with free legal advice and resources about their legal rights to access and provide lawful abortions.
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
24-hour hotline: (800) 841-8371
BARCC provides free, confidential support and services to survivors of sexual violence ages 12 and up and their families and friends.
800-832-1901
The Network/La Red is a survivor-led social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, BDSM, polyamorous, and queer communities.
