Family Planning after an Abortion

This content is from
page 250 of Where Women Have No Doctor

After an abortion it is possible get pregnant again right away, so talk with someone about family planning and start using one of these methods as soon as possible. If you wait 7 days or more before starting hormonal birth control, use a condom for the first 10 days of your new method because hormonal methods of family planning take time to start working.

Pills, Patch, and Vaginal ring: You can start using any of these methods on the same day as the abortion.

Intrauterine Device (IUD):
If there is no risk of infection, a trained health worker can put in an IUD right after the abortion.

Someone who has just had an abortion may want information on family planning methods and how to get them. Make this information available, but understand that not everyone wants to talk about this immediately after an abortion.

Injections: The first injection can be given on the day of the abortion.

Implants: Implants can be put in just before or just after the abortion.

For more information on all these methods, see the chapter on “Family Planning”.

Tubal ligation: This operation cuts and ties the tubes that carry eggs to the womb. It can be done immediately after an abortion. This is permanent and is not for people who might still want to become pregnant.
Vasectomy: This operation cuts the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. It can be done at any time. This is permanent and is not for people who might still want to have children conceived with their own sperm.