Patient's question:
My child is now 17 months old, and I am pregnant. I am planning to have an abortion without pain, but I don't know what to pay attention to after the procedure, how long I should rest, and whether a 10-day leave is sufficient. I will need to run to the bank every day after returning to work. It's quite cold now, so should I avoid wind exposure?Additionally, when is the right time to get an IUD inserted? Is it easier to get infections after getting an IUD? Could it cause an ectopic pregnancy?
Doctor's answer:
Hello, after surgery, it is important to rest appropriately. It is best to stay in bed for the first three days. Because after an artificial abortion, the endometrium leaves a wound. If you move too soon, it may prolong the duration of vaginal bleeding. Generally, you should avoid physical labor and exercise within half a month.You should also increase your nutrition appropriately. Because the surgery causes a small amount of bleeding, your body may suffer some damage. Therefore, it is important to replenish some foods rich in protein and vitamins, such as lean meat, fresh fish, eggs, milk, or soy products.
After an abortion, your body's resistance decreases, so you should pay more attention to personal hygiene. Since the endometrium leaves a wound, vaginal discharge increases, making it a breeding ground for bacterial infection. Therefore, you should pay special attention to the cleanliness of the external genitalia, take a shower to clean the external genitalia, and disinfect and frequently change toilet paper. Avoid tub baths within half a month, and change your underwear frequently. Within one month, you must absolutely avoid sexual intercourse to prevent bacterial infection. These are important measures to prevent gynecological diseases such as endometritis, fallopian tube inflammation, and pelvic inflammation.
The hospital will give you a sick leave slip after the abortion, usually for half a month. During this time, you need to rest well, avoid getting cold or being frequently exposed to cold wind. If you need to have an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted, the doctor may insert it directly based on the situation or suggest you wait for some time before doing so.