Why do I need a follow-up visit after an abortion?
Lawful, licensed, confidential. Termination of pregnancy at Pai Hospital is carried out lawfully under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended), at a licensed facility, by registered medical practitioners, within the limits and the certification that the Act requires. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, at any stage, for any reason. Your identity and your treatment are confidential.
A follow-up visit is part of safe abortion care. We ask how you are feeling, check your bleeding and any pain, confirm on an ultrasound scan that the womb is empty and settling well, answer your questions and, if you wish, start contraception. It is private, and it takes place in person at the hospital in Goa.
Why is follow-up part of the care?
When your abortion is over and you are home again, it is natural to want to put it all behind you. Coming back for another visit can feel like one more thing to face, and we understand that. But safe care does not end when you leave the hospital. The follow-up visit is how we make sure that everything has settled as it should, that you are recovering well in body and mind, and that you leave with a plan for the future.
A follow-up visit is usually short and reassuring. It is also the moment when anything that needs attention can be found early, when it is simplest to deal with. Before you go home after your care, we agree a follow-up day with you, so you know exactly when to return. Your abortion care with us is lawful care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, given at a government-licensed hospital, and the follow-up is part of it. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
What will we ask about how you are feeling?
We begin by listening. We ask about your bleeding: whether it has eased, how heavy it has been, and whether you have passed any clots. We ask about pain or cramps, fever, and any unusual or unpleasant-smelling discharge. We check your pulse, blood pressure and temperature, and examine you gently if needed.
We also ask how you are feeling in yourself. Relief, sadness, tiredness, or all of these at once, are common and normal. There is no right way to feel after an abortion, and you can speak about your emotions freely and privately here. If you would like more support, we will help you find it.
What does the follow-up ultrasound check?
The scan confirms that the womb is empty and settling well. If your abortion was carried out with medicines, this scan is especially important, because it confirms that the pregnancy has fully passed, which cannot be known for certain from bleeding alone.
If you had a surgical procedure with us, it was already done under real-time ultrasound guidance. The doctor watched your womb on the screen throughout, which lowers the risk of complications such as perforation, and stopped at the exact moment the womb was empty, with no unnecessary scraping, which helps protect the lining of the womb for future pregnancies. Every instrument used was single-use and disposable, opened fresh for you and never used on anyone else, which protects against cross-contamination between patients. The follow-up scan simply confirms that everything has settled as expected.
Why might a pregnancy test still be positive?
Many women are worried when a home pregnancy test still shows a line after an abortion. This is common, and it does not usually mean that anything is wrong. The pregnancy hormone that the test detects takes time to leave the body, so a test can stay positive for a while even when the womb is already empty. That is one reason we rely on the scan, and on how you are feeling, rather than on a home test alone. If you have taken a test and are unsure what it means, mention it at your visit.
When can you return to normal life?
This is often the question on your mind, and the answer depends on you and on the care you received. We will talk through when you can return to work, exercise, travel and intimacy, and when your next period is likely to come. Many women feel ready to resume their usual routine quite soon, but there is no need to rush. You can read more about recovery after an abortion for general guidance.
When should you not wait for the follow-up?
Your follow-up visit is planned, but you never need to wait for it if something worries you. Please call us, or come straight in, if you have heavy bleeding that soaks through pads very quickly, large clots, strong pain that does not ease with rest, a fever or shivering, a bad-smelling discharge, or you feel faint or unwell. You can read more about what bleeding is normal. If you cannot reach us, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How do we help with contraception at this visit?
If and when you want to, we talk about contraception. Fertility can return quickly after an abortion, sometimes before your next period, so it is worth deciding how you would like to protect yourself. There are several options, including pills, injections, a Copper T, a hormonal coil (known by brand names such as Mirena), and condoms, which also protect against infections. We help you choose what suits your health and your life, and often the method can be started at this very visit. You can read more about contraception after an abortion.
Getting started
Your follow-up is as private as your first visit, and married or unmarried, you are treated the same, with respect. The visit takes place in person at the hospital in Goa, because a scan and examination cannot be done over the phone. We do not send any medicine by post, and a call or message can only tell you whether treatment is feasible and guide your next step. If travelling is difficult, free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. If you have questions before your visit, call or message us, and we will help you. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
Do I really need a follow-up visit if I feel fine?
Yes, we recommend it. Feeling well is a good sign, but a short visit and scan confirm that the womb is empty and settling well, and give you a chance to ask questions and plan contraception.
What happens at the follow-up visit?
We ask how you are feeling, check your bleeding and any pain, do an ultrasound scan to confirm the womb is empty and settled, answer your questions, and discuss contraception if you wish.
Can the follow-up be done over the phone?
No. The scan and examination need you to be seen in person at the hospital in Goa. If travel is difficult, free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas.
Is the follow-up visit private?
Yes. Your follow-up is as private as your first visit. Married or unmarried, you are treated with the same respect and discretion.
Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641
This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.