What are the warning signs 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.
After an abortion, period-like bleeding and cramps that ease day by day are normal. Call or come in without delay if you have a fever, bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour, hour after hour, large clots again and again, severe or worsening pain, faintness, or a foul-smelling discharge. These are treatable when caught early.
What is normal after an abortion?
It helps to know the ordinary pattern first, so that you can tell it apart from a warning sign. Some bleeding is expected. For most women it is like a period, sometimes a little heavier at first, and it gradually lightens, often changing from red to brown before it stops. It may come and go rather than flow steadily, and you may pass a few small clots. Use sanitary pads rather than tampons for now, so that you can see how much you are bleeding.
Cramps like period pain are normal too, and they should ease day by day, helped by rest and the simple measures your doctor suggests. Feeling tired for a few days, and feeling emotional or low for a while, are common as well. None of this means something is wrong. You can read more about the usual pattern in bleeding after an abortion and recovery after an abortion.
Which signs mean I should call straight away?
Please call or message us, or come in without delay, if you notice any of the following. A fever, or chills and shivering. Bleeding so heavy that you soak through a pad in an hour, hour after hour, or bleeding that is getting heavier rather than lighter. Passing large clots again and again. Pain in the tummy that is severe, that keeps getting worse instead of easing, or that is not helped by the pain relief your doctor advised. Feeling faint, dizzy or breathless, or as though you might pass out. A vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant. Or simply feeling very unwell in a way that worries you.
You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before you call. If you are unsure, that is reason enough, and we would always rather reassure you than have you worry alone at home.
What if I feel very unwell or am far away?
If the bleeding is very heavy, if you feel faint, or if you are in severe pain, do not wait to reach us and do not travel a long way. Go to the nearest hospital emergency department straight away, and tell them that you have recently had an abortion, so that they can help you quickly. If you feel faint, do not travel alone; ask someone you trust to take you. Once you are safe, call us, and we will help with whatever follow-up care you need.
What can these signs point to?
Warning signs usually point to a problem that is very treatable when it is found early. The most common are an infection, and some pregnancy tissue remaining in the womb, which can keep the bleeding going or cause pain. Occasionally, pain or bleeding has another cause that needs checking, such as a pregnancy that had settled outside the womb, which is one reason we always scan before any abortion.
None of these is a reason to panic, but all of them are reasons to be seen quickly rather than waiting and wondering. Treatment may be as simple as medicine and a check, and sometimes a short procedure is needed. The earlier you come, the simpler it usually is.
How do we lower these risks in the first place?
Much of what keeps you safe afterwards happens during your care. We use 100% single-use disposable instruments: every instrument that touches you comes from a sealed pack, is opened fresh for you, and is never used on anyone else. That is one of the strongest protections against infection, and it means nothing can pass from one patient to another.
Every surgical procedure, whether suction or D&C, is also done under real-time ultrasound guidance. The doctor watches the womb on screen throughout, which lowers the risk of complications such as perforation. The screen also shows the exact moment the womb is empty, so the procedure stops right there, with no unnecessary scraping. That helps reduce the chance of tissue being left behind, and helps protect the lining of the womb for future pregnancies.
What happens at the follow-up visit?
Follow-up is part of safe care, not an optional extra. At your follow-up visit, the doctor asks how you have been, checks how you are healing, and answers any questions on your mind. When needed, a quick ultrasound scan confirms that the womb is empty and settling well. After the medicine route, this check is an important part of making sure the treatment is complete.
The visit is also a good moment to talk about contraception after an abortion, if and when you would like to, because fertility can return quickly. And if you develop any warning sign before your follow-up is due, do not wait for the appointment. Call or come in straight away.
Can I be checked or treated over the phone?
A call or a message is the right first step when something worries you. It helps us understand what is happening, decide how soon you need to be seen, and guide your next step. But any check, scan or treatment is always done in person, at the hospital in Goa. We do not send any medicine by post or courier, and no treatment is ever carried out over the phone.
This is lawful care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, at a government-licensed hospital. Whether you are married or not, you will be treated with the same warmth, privacy and respect, every time you call. Nothing about your visit is discussed with anyone else.
Getting started
If anything after your abortion is worrying you, please call or message us, or come in without delay; if you feel very unwell, go to the nearest hospital straight away. For planned follow-up visits, free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
How much bleeding is too much after an abortion?
Bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour, hour after hour, or that keeps getting heavier, is too much. So is passing large clots again and again. Call or come in without delay, or go to the nearest hospital if you feel faint.
Are cramps normal after an abortion?
Yes. Cramps like period pain are normal and should ease day by day. Pain that is severe, or that keeps getting worse instead of easing, is a warning sign, and you should call or come in.
Why might I need an ultrasound after an abortion?
When needed, a follow-up scan confirms that the womb is empty and settling well. It can pick up any tissue remaining in the womb, which is easier to treat when it is found early.
Can you treat me over the phone if I have a warning sign?
No. A call helps us decide how soon you need to be seen and guides your next step, but any check or treatment is done in person at the hospital in Goa. If you feel very unwell, go to the nearest hospital straight away.
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.