In a surgical evacuation, the uterus is emptied of remaining pregnancy tissue after a miscarriage.

In this leaflet you can read more about how an evacuation of the uterus is performed and what you should pay particular attention to afterwards.

If you have been given a personal operation report, it is the instructions in the report that apply to you. You can contact the department (see below) if you are in doubt.

How is a surgical evacuation performed?

The intervention takes place by emptying the uterus of remaining pregnancy tissue. The procedure itself takes 5 - 10 minutes.

If your blood type is rhesus negative, an injection is given in connection with the procedure to prevent complications in a future pregnancy.

Can there arise any discomfort or complications?

• The overall risk of complications after abortion is 3 - 5%.
• Complications can be bleeding and/or infection.
• If the symptoms are caused by bacteria, they must be treated with antibiotics.
• Rarely perforation of the uterus can occur.

What can I do to prevent infection?

• Avoid bathing in tubs, swimming pools and sea water for as long as there is bleeding.
• Avoid intercourse without a condom for as long as there is bleeding.
• Use pads and not tampons.

Is there any pain after the abortion?

• During the first week, you may experience pain similar to normal menstruation.
• The medications you bought at the pharmacy are usually sufficient to treat the pain.
• If the pain becomes severe, you should see a doctor.

After the operation

• It is recommended that there is an adult with you on the first night after the procedure
• You should not operate vehicles or heavy machinery for 24 hours after the procedure
• You are allowed to eat and consume beverages without restrictions following the operation
• A few days after the operation you can resume normal activities like walking, running and household chores
• Work can be resumed the following day
• You can experience bleeding like a normal period or experience spotting for up to a week after
• Your normal period will return after 6 - 8 weeks
• An uncomplicated miscarriage does not affect your chances of becoming pregnant at a later date
• When there has been a normal period, you can try to get pregnant again

When should I take my medicine?

It is recommended that you take painkillers for the first time at:

 
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After that we recommend that you take your medicine regularly as follows:

Your contact nurse is:
 

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Additional comments:

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What should I do if I feel sick?

You should seek medical attention if you:

• feel unwell
• get a fever of more than 38 degrees
• experience increasing abdominal pain, specifically if located to one side of the abdomen
• start to bleed heavily
• observe foul-smelling discharge

In case of problems within the first day, you can contact:

The Department of Day Surgery on phone 38 62 10 41 from 08:00 - 15:00

If you have problems outside our normal opening hours, you can contact:

The Department of Gynecology on phone 38 62 31 91 up to three days after the procedure.