Recovery time at the clinic will depend on the anaesthetic you have, and is usually 1-2 hours.

Qualified nursing staff will care for you and you will be offered light refreshments. Information will be given to you about post-operative care and choice of contraception.

You may feel tired and uncomfortable for a few hours. It is best if you can rest for the remainder of the day. By the next day you should be feeling well enough to go back to work or school.

Post-Operative And After Care Information

Activity - You may resume normal activity the day after the operation. You should avoid strenuous exercise, sport or heavy lifting for one week or until bleeding has ceased.

Possibility Of Infection - To reduce the possibility of infection, do not put anything into your vagina for two weeks after the operation.

Fever - Take your temperature twice a day for one week after the operation. If your temperature rises above 37.50C, contact Preterm or your doctor immediately. Start taking the antibiotics prescribed if not already taking them.

Bleeding - This varies. There may be light bleeding from the day of operation for up to two weeks. Bright red bleeding may not start until three - six days after the operation. The bleeding also may stop and start after it has commenced. Sometimes it is dark brownish in colour. Some women have no bleeding at all. All these bleeding patterns are normal.

Your next period is due in four - six weeks time.

Heavy Bleeding - If you have bleeding much heavier than your usual period or which soaks through a regular size pad in an hour, or you pass large clots, contact Preterm or your doctor immediately.

Pain - Mild, period-like, cramping pain may occur a few days after the operation - this is normal. The pain should be relieved by rest, a hot water bottle and mild pain killers such as aspirin or Panadol. If this does not bring relief you should ring your doctor or Preterm.

Urination - If you have any difficulty passing urine after the operation contact Preterm, your doctor, medical centre or hospital.

Emotional Reaction - It is not unusual to experience a feeling of sadness or depression two - six days after the termination. If this persists, contact Preterm or your doctor.

Pregnancy Symptoms - Should subside over two - three days and should have disappeared in one or two weeks.

Contraception - Remember that adequate contraception must be used if you do not wish to become pregnant.

Post Operative Check-Up - It is very important that you have an examination two weeks after your operation (or earlier if problems occur). If you are returning to Preterm for this check-up, please ring and make an appointment.

If you have any queries or problems, ring (02) 9217 8700: Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm and Saturday 9.00 am to 12.00 noon.
 

For urgent post-operative problems or queries after hours, ring your 24 hour Medical Centre, General Practitioner or Public Hospital Emergency Department.

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