Is it normal to still feel sad 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.
Yes. Sadness, relief, guilt or a sense of loss can all be normal after an abortion, and they usually ease with time, rest and support. If your low mood does not lift, keeps getting heavier or stops you coping with daily life, reach out for support. If you ever think of harming yourself, get help straight away.
What feelings are normal after an abortion?
Feelings after an abortion are rarely simple. Many women feel relief, many feel sadness, and a great many feel both at once. Some feel a sense of loss even when they are completely sure of their decision. Others feel guilt, anger, numbness or a quiet calm. These feelings can come and go in waves, and they can change from one day to the next. None of them is wrong, and none of them means you made the wrong choice. You can read more about the emotions of an abortion in our wider guide.
For many women, the strongest feelings fade over time. For some, though, a low mood lingers longer than expected, and that can feel confusing and lonely. You may feel you should be over it by now, or that you have no right to be sad because the decision was yours. Please be kind to yourself. Having feelings about an important event in your life is simply part of being human. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Why can sadness last longer for some women?
There are several ordinary reasons. After a pregnancy ends, the hormones of pregnancy take time to settle, and that shift can affect mood and sleep for a while. Tiredness and physical recovery play a part too. So does the pressure of everything around the decision — worries about the future, a relationship under strain, pressure at work, or family expectations.
Secrecy is another reason. Many women keep their abortion completely private, which is their right. But it can mean there is nobody to talk to, and feelings that are never spoken often feel heavier and last longer. Women who were already going through a difficult time, or who have felt low or anxious before, may also find the sadness harder to shake. None of this is a weakness. It simply means you may need a little more support.
What can help you feel better day to day?
Gentle, ordinary self-care makes a real difference. Rest when you can, and try to keep a regular bedtime. Eat regular meals, even small ones. A short walk in daylight, or some light activity you enjoy, can lift your mood more than you might expect. Try to avoid alcohol, which tends to deepen a low mood rather than ease it.
If there is one person you trust — a partner, a friend, a sister — consider telling them how you feel. You do not have to share every detail. Even saying you are having a hard day can lighten the load. Some women find it helps to write their feelings down, or to set aside a quiet moment to acknowledge what they have been through. Give yourself permission to feel what you feel, without rushing to be fine.
When is sadness a sign to seek support?
Sadness that slowly eases is part of healing. But please reach out for support if your low mood does not lift with time, or keeps getting heavier instead of lighter. Reach out, too, if you cannot sleep or eat properly, if you have lost interest in things you used to enjoy, if you feel constantly guilty, hopeless or worthless, if you are withdrawing from the people around you, or if you are struggling to get through your work or your day.
These are signs that you deserve more support, not signs of failure. A doctor can listen, check whether something like depression or anxiety may be developing, and guide you towards the right help. Asking early is a strength, and it can make the road back easier.
What if you have thoughts of harming yourself?
If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, or feel that life is not worth living, please do not wait and do not carry this alone. Tell someone you trust straight away, and get help from a doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department. You can also call Tele MANAS, India's national mental health helpline, on 14416, at any time of the day or night. You matter, and help is there for you.
Could worry about the future be adding to the sadness?
Sometimes sadness is tangled up with a specific fear that has never been said out loud. One of the commonest is the worry about future fertility: did the abortion harm my womb, and will I be able to have a baby one day? A safe abortion, done properly, does not usually affect your ability to have children later. Our guide to abortion and future fertility explains why.
At our hospital, two safeguards are built into our care with exactly this in mind. Every surgical procedure, whether suction or a D and C, is done under real-time ultrasound guidance. The doctor watches the womb on a screen throughout, which lowers the risk of complications such as perforation, and sees the exact moment the womb is empty, so the procedure stops right there, with no unnecessary scraping. That helps protect the lining of the womb for future pregnancies. And every instrument that touches you is single-use and disposable, opened fresh for you, so there is no cross-contamination between patients. If a worry like this is weighing on you, a check-up and an honest conversation can often ease it.
How can the hospital help?
You can talk to us. We listen without judgement, and we will never question your decision. We can check that your body has healed well, answer the questions that may be feeding your worry, and help you find further support if you need it. What you tell us stays private, between you and your medical team.
If you are not married, you are just as welcome. Abortion care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act is lawful in India, given at a government-licensed hospital, and every woman is treated with the same privacy and respect. A call, a message or an online consultation is a gentle first step. If a check-up would help, we will see you in person at the hospital in Goa, and our guide to recovery after an abortion explains what healing normally looks like.
Getting started
If sadness after an abortion is weighing on you, call or message us. You can share as much or as little as you like, and we will listen. If a check-up would help, we will arrange to see you in person at the hospital in Goa. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
Is it normal to feel sad after an abortion, even if I was sure of my decision?
Yes. Many women feel a mix of relief and sadness, even when they were sure. These feelings usually ease with time, rest and support, and they do not mean you made the wrong choice.
How do I know if I need more support?
Reach out if your low mood does not lift with time, keeps getting heavier, or stops you sleeping, eating or getting through your day. If you ever think of harming yourself, get help straight away.
Will you judge me if I talk to you about how I feel?
No. We listen without judgement and will never question your decision. What you tell us stays private, and you are welcome whether or not you are married.
Can I come back to the hospital for a check-up after an abortion?
Yes. Call or message us first, and if a check-up would help, we will see you in person at the hospital in Goa.
Or call +91 95459 20817 · +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.