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Pregnancy after abortion: Chances & what to expect

Written by

Dr. Danielle Perro

Prior to joining Natural Cycles as Medical Affairs Manager, Dr Danielle Perro was a women's health researcher and science communicator with over six years experience in the field. She earned a PhD from Oxford University, specializing in endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and pain in women. At Natural Cycles, she supports the science team and world-leading experts in the reproductive health space to conduct and deliver high-impact research that advances the field of women's health.

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Fact checked by

Dr. Kerry Krauss

Dr. Kerry Krauss, a board-certified OB-GYN, obtained her MD from Thomas Jefferson University and completed her residency at Pennsylvania Hospital. Currently serving as Senior Medical Advisor at Natural Cycles, she advocates for women's health empowerment. Motivated by her own infertility struggles and PCOS, she sees Natural Cycles as a solution for women seeking non-invasive, non-hormonal birth control options.

, In-House OB-GYN & Senior Medical Advisor

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Last updated:

May 11, 2026

4 min read

Key takeaways

Abortion is a very common reproductive health experience; as many as 1 in 3 women will have an abortion in their lifetime — if you’ve had one, for any reason, you are not alone
Having a previous abortion typically doesn’t affect your chances of going on to have a healthy pregnancy in future
It’s normal to experience a range of emotions after an abortion, or when planning a pregnancy afterward it can be helpful to get additional support during this time, from friends and family, peer support groups, or a trusted healthcare professional

Many who have had an abortion will go on to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. If you are finding yourself in this situation, you may experience a mix of emotions and have questions about whether the past abortion may impact future pregnancies. Below, we’ve addressed some common concerns about getting pregnant after a single or multiple abortions and provided some advice to support you during this time.

Abortion is very common, with as many as one in three having an abortion throughout their reproductive years [1]. An abortion can sometimes be referred to as a termination of pregnancy. Abortions are performed either medically via pills or surgically.

Will having an abortion impact my chances of getting pregnant in the future?

Though it is a common concern, a past abortion generally does not impact your ability to get pregnant or increase the likelihood of experiencing complications in a future pregnancy [2]. However, like any medical procedure, there is a small risk of potential complications that may lead to infection or tissue damage to the uterus, which could impact fertility [3]. It’s important to remember that abortion is a very safe and common medical procedure, and the risks are low.

If you are having difficulties getting pregnant after an abortion, it is more likely that other factors are contributing. These factors may include older age, medical history, and conditions which are known to impact fertility (e.g., endometriosis), your partner’s fertility, and lifestyle habits like smoking or drinking alcohol [2]. If you’re concerned about your chances of conceiving after an abortion, you should speak with a healthcare professional.

Can multiple previous abortions impact my chances of getting pregnant?

In general, if there have been no complications associated with your abortions, then it is unlikely that your chances of conceiving in the future will be impacted. If you had a surgical abortion, there is a very small risk of scarring to the uterus or injury to the cervix, which could slightly decrease the likelihood of getting pregnant. This scarring could reduce your chances of conceiving, though overall the risk is low, whether you have had one or multiple abortions [4].

How soon can you get pregnant after an abortion?

After an abortion, your fertility can return within five to ten days, meaning that you can ovulate and technically get pregnant very soon [2]. Whilst there isn’t a mandatory amount of time to wait to try and get pregnant again, if this is your goal, it is a good idea to wait until you feel ready, physically (after any symptoms from the previous pregnancy have gone), and mentally. However, if you experienced any complications with your abortion, be sure to discuss trying to conceive again with your healthcare professional. If you are planning to prevent pregnancy after an abortion, it is recommended to start a method of contraception right away.

Getting pregnant after an abortion

Deciding if and when you want to get pregnant after an abortion is a choice only you and your partner can make. If you are in a position where you are considering another pregnancy after an abortion, there are some things you can do to best prepare yourself.

Move at your own pace: You can have sex and start trying to get pregnant as soon as you feel ready after an abortion. It’s important that if you are trying to conceive, you take things at a pace that feels comfortable for you, physically and mentally.

Take care of yourself and seek support when needed: It is very common for a pregnancy after an abortion to bring up mixed emotions. You may experience joy and excitement, alongside grief and sadness. Or you may not feel any of these things! Every emotion and experience is valid. If you are struggling with the emotions that are coming up for you as you plan a pregnancy after your abortion, we recommend reaching out for additional support from a healthcare professional, trusted friends and family, or peer support groups for those who are experiencing something similar.

Speak with your healthcare professional if you are experiencing difficulties getting pregnant: The risk of complications from an abortion impacting a future pregnancy is very low. If you are struggling to conceive after an abortion for over a year, or six months if you're 35+, we recommend seeking advice from a fertility specialist to discuss different factors that may be impacting your chances of getting pregnant.

Here to support you throughout your fertility journey

Natural Cycles is here for you through each step of your reproductive life. If you’ve just had an abortion, you may consider tracking your symptoms as you recover, and to help identify when you are ovulating again. If your goal is to prevent pregnancy, consider NC° Birth Control — certified hormone-free contraception. If and when you decide to get pregnant after an abortion, Natural Cycles is here to support you with NC° Plan Pregnancy.

Bearak J, Popinchalk A, Ganatra B, Moller AB, Tunçalp Ö, Beavin C, et al. Unintended pregnancy and abortion by income, region, and the legal status of abortion: Estimates from a comprehensive model for 1990–2019. The Lancet Global Health [Internet]. 2020 Jul 22;8(9):e1152–61. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30315-6/fulltext
Does Abortion Affect Fertility? NUPAS [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 11]. Available from: https://www.nupas.co.uk/does-abortion-affect-fertility/
Complications of an abortion [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2024. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/abortion/risks/
Will a past abortion affect my pregnancy? | Tommy’s [Internet]. www.tommys.org. Available from: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/ask-a-midwife/will-past-abortion-affect-my-pregnancy
Can I take misoprostol at night or in the morning? [Internet]. MSI Reproductive Choices UK. 2023 [cited 2026 May 11]. Available from: https://www.msichoices.org.uk/news/when-to-take-a-pregnancy-test-after-an-abortion/

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Frequently asked questions

You don’t have to tell anyone about a previous abortion. Providing a full medical history, including your previous abortion and pregnancy history, isn’t a requirement, but it can be helpful for your healthcare professional to understand your complete pregnancy history. If you want to discuss your abortion with your clinician in private, you can request for this to be arranged. Without your permission, this information should not be passed on to anyone else, including a partner.

Pregnancy-related hormones can be present for up to two months after a medical abortion (via pills), meaning that store-bought pregnancy tests can remain positive despite no longer being pregnant. The abortion provider may have provided a specially calibrated pregnancy test to more accurately confirm that you are no longer pregnant after an abortion. It is generally recommended to take the pregnancy test two to three weeks after taking the final pill in a medical abortion. It is important to follow the instructions closely [5].

In short, yes. If you have a medical abortion (via pills), you can continue breastfeeding during your treatment. If you are having a surgical abortion under general anesthetic, you can breastfeed as soon as you are awake and feeling able to breastfeed.