abortion after care to support the body

Dec 2

Supporting the body after an abortion starts with

the pillars of health

Nutrition
Sleep & Rest
Emotional Health
Gentle Movement
Community
Herbal Support

Nutrition

The body goes through a lot during and after a medication or procedural abortion. Food is medicine, so let’s use it to support recovery. Back to the basics, we want to eat a rainbow of nutrient-dense fruits and veggies that are packed with antioxidants to aid tissue healing and lower inflammation. Cooked veggies are easier on the digestive system. We also want to incorporate iron-rich foods to help build blood - green leafy vegetables, lentils, organic meat, fish, nuts and seeds.

Sleep & rest

Rest is critical for the body to recover on a cellular level. Aim for a minimum of 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Prioritize time to rest while awake too! My herbalism teacher Marysia Miernowska recommends “be like a cat.” Picture how cats stretch out laying in the sun, nowhere to be, nothing to do - and imitate that image!

Emotional Health

Our physical and emotional health are intertwined - they cannot be separated. We’ll discuss supporting emotional health more specifically in an upcoming blog.

Gentle MOVEMENT

Movement supports blood circulation throughout the body - including the pelvis and womb. Healthy circulation brings fresh blood flow with oxygen and nutrients to tissues in need. Gentle movement like walks outside in nature are a beautiful way to support blood flow. Hip openers like the yoga posture reclining butterfly can also help relieve pressure off of the pelvic floor, which may be soothing for ongoing cramps.

community

As a social species, we are not intended to go through challenging experiences alone. Although this ties into emotional health, we think its important to address it here too. Identify a couple of trusted people to talk to about your experience, or reach out for support from a counselor, doula, or Luna Flow!

herbal support

A variety of herbs may be used after an abortion to support the body, heart, spirit, and mind. Specific herbs will vary depending on an individual’s unique needs and constitution. We love to focus on nourishing herbs, uterotonics, and/or hormone balancing herbs for the body after a pregnancy release. Contact us to set up an herbal consultation, or reach out to your local herbalist. Some examples include: