After Care 2 Day

Aftercare Instructions for 2 Day Surgical Patients

Instructions for your first night

You must have a responsible person who has a car and can drive you at all times through tonight and with you at the clinic throughout the day tomorrow.

We have given you a pain reliever. Take it as directed to relieve cramping. Do not wait until the cramping is too strong to take it.

We have also given you Doxycycline, which is an antibiotic to prevent infection. If you eat a full evening meal take one tonight, then resume taking it tomorrow evening. Do not take it tomorrow morning or on an empty stomach at any time.

Have nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

Use sanitary pads only. No tampon use. Nothing in the vagina including douching and intercourse.

Do not attempt to remove the osmotic dilators, which have been inserted into your cervix. If the dilators come out or if your bag of water breaks, do not be alarmed as this is normal.

You may rest in bed, take a warm bath or participate in moderate activity. No aerobic exercise, bike riding, swimming, etc.

Call us immediately if you have any of these signs of miscarriage:

You begin bleeding heavily (saturating two maxi pads in one hour).

You experience severe cramping with an urge to ”bear down” or push as in a bowel movement.

If you pass something in the toilet, do not flush until you speak with the on-call nurse.

Emergency Phone Information

During clinic hours: (618) 451-5722 and (800) 844-3130

After hours please call our answering service at the number you were given.

Leave your name, phone number (including area code) and room number and our on-call nurse will call you back.

Please remember if you have any questions or concerns over what you are experiencing, call us. We would rather have you call than worry.

Our on-call nurse is available throughout tonight, however, if you feel that you need immediate emergency care you should seek help at the nearest emergency department.

2nd Day

It is essential that you arrive at the clinic on time.

You must have someone with you for driving purposes. You will be in the clinic for approximately two to three hours, most of that time in recovery. We ask that you stay in the immediate area for at least one hour after leaving the clinic.

Aftercare for Two-Day Surgical Patients at The Hope Clinic for Women
Following the procedure please remain in the immediate Granite City area for at least one hour. If you experience an increase in bleeding and/or cramping return to the clinic.

	Medications
	Ergonovine - you have received this prescription to contract your uterus and control bleeding. Take it every six hours until it is gone. It may cause some cramping in Abdomen, back and legs.

	Doxycycline - this is an antibiotic to prevent infection. Begin taking it tonight (you may or may not have taken it last night) with your evening meal. It is to be taken twice a day for seven days, twelve hours apart and always with food. Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds while taking this medication. If you are breastfeeding, do not take Doxycycline.

	Pain medication - you may continue to take the pain medicationyou received yesterday. You may also take Ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or Tylenol. You should avoid all medications that contain aspirin, as they will prolong your bleeding.

	Comfort measures and breast care
	You may eat anything you feel comfortable with.

	You may hold a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen, soak in a warm, clean bath (no bath products), massage your abdomen 2-3 inches below your navel.

	Wear a tight fitting bra until any leaking has dried out. You can hold ice packs on your breasts if they are uncomfortable, however, avoid any nipple stimulation (even showers or a nightgown rubbing).

	Nothing in the vagina
Insert nothing in your vagina until your checkup (including tampons, douching and intercourse).

	Activity restrictions
	No lifting over 25 pounds for at least a week

	No aerobic exercise, jogging, etc. for at least one week as this could prolong bleeding. No swimming until after your check-up. You may return to work or school in 48 hours with activity restrictions. If you become fatigued or experience an increase in cramping or bleeding, lessen your activity. A confidential light duty slip is available from the clinic.

	Bleeding and sanitary protection
You may bleed off and on for 2-3 weeks, however, call Hope Clinic if you are soaking 2 maxi pads in one hour. Immediately following your abortion you may pass dark clots—this is normal. You must use sanitary pads, not tampons, until you have a checkup.

	Birth control and menstruation
If you are taking birth control pills, begin your pills the Sunday after your abortion, whether you are bleeding or not. You may or may not experience a normal period with the first cycle of pills. If you are not taking birth control pills your period should return in 4-6 weeks.

	Two to three week checkup
It is essential for you to have a two to three week checkup. You may do that at our clinic or an ob/gyn office of your choosing, however they must be told that you have had an abortion.

	Emergency information
You should call the clinic at (800) 844-3130 or the answering service number we gave you if you experience any of the following:
	Bleeding that soaks 2 maxi pads in one hour.

	Severe cramping not relieved by the above comfort measures and medications.

	A temperature of over 100 degrees.

Please remember, if you have any questions or concerns over what you are experiencing, call us. Our on-call nurse is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, however, if you feel that you need immediate emergency care you should seek help at the nearest emergency department.