Patients who have medication abortions often need two full days off from work. We recommend taking it easy for the first week or so after your abortion (no heavy lifting or intense physical labor/workouts). Most patients feel physically capable of daily activities very soon after their abortion. Some women may need more time away from work. The length of time that a woman needs to take off work varies, but depends on many factors such as her job, how long it takes to get back to normal health-related functions, etc. Let your employer know that you will need time off work due to the abortion procedure; some employers offer special leave options for this purpose. It is also important to remember that income during those two days that you are not at work is lost—so if that's important to you, tell your boss early on in your pregnancy. It is recommended to wait at least two weeks before returning to work. This gives the body time to recover from the surgery and drain any fluid that may have accumulated from the procedure itself. Many women feel well enough to return to work within a few days of the abortion. However, some may still be feeling pain or discomforting symptoms like cramping or bleeding. In these cases, it may be best to skip work until your doctor releases you to return to regular activity.