Abortion FAQs

This information has been adapted with the permission of the bpas 2009

What is Abortion?

An abortion is when the pregnancy is ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child. Sometimes this is called ‘termination of pregnancy’. The pregnancy is removed from the womb, either by taking pills (medical abortion) or by surgery (surgical abortion).

Is abortion legal?

Yes abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy as long as two doctors agree under the terms of the 1967 Abortion Act agreed by the Government. This is all part of the consultation process.

Is abortion safe?

Yes. The abortion procedures are simple and very safe. Complications are rare. However, all procedures do have risks. Surgical abortion requires a simple operation and one of the most common risks is infection. The risk of infection is higher if you have a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia.

What happens if I decide I want an abortion?

You should make arrangements as soon as possible to see your GP, talk to Brook to arrange for a consultation appointment to discuss the types of abortion available to you.

About 90% of abortions take place in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy – this is within 8 weeks of missing a period. Early abortions are the simplest and safest.

Do my parents have to know?

Not if you do not want them to. Although professionals will not talk to your parents against your wishes, we do encourage you to tell a parent or another adult who you trust, so that they can support you through this time.

If you are sure of what’s involved with an abortion, you are sure it’s what you want to do and you understand the procedure and everything that may happen, you can agree to the abortion yourself even if you are aged under 16.

Will anyone be told about the abortion?

We’ll treat everything you tell us in confidence that means we will not tell anyone about your treatment without your permission.

Doctors, nurses and other health workers are not allowed to give out information about you without your consent unless they think that you or another person is in serious danger. In these exceptional cases they would not normally pass on any information without discussing it with you first. It is not necessary to get the agreement of your partner to have an abortion. However some men will want to share in the decision and can be very supportive. It is up to you whether you tell the father or involve him in your choice. He has no legal right to be informed of your decision.

Are abortions free?

In many areas abortions are available for free on the NHS and are carried out at an NHS Hospital or a British Pregnancy Association (bpas) treatment centre.

Your family planning service or GP (if you are happy to talk to him/her) will be able to find out whether funding is available for you.

If your GP is able to refer you to bpas on the NHS, then bpas can carry out the abortion at no charge to you. If you cannot get a funded abortion then bpas will be able to treat you but there will be a charge. Please speak to your advisor.

Booking an appointment – just ring the Action line on 08457 304030. They will take care of everything for you.

What happens next?

Whether you have been referred by your GP or arranged for the abortion directly you will attend a consultation appointment. You will have the opportunity to ask questions that you may have.

A doctor or nurse will carry out a scan to confirm how long you have been pregnant and discuss the various types of abortion available to you.

An appointment at the hospital/clinic will then be made and the abortion will be carried out at this second appointment.

There are different methods of abortion available, depending how long you have been pregnant. You will be given more information about the method of treatment you are having and preparation you should do.

Can I bring someone with me?

You might find it really helpful to bring a family member, friend, or boyfriend with you for support. They can be there for you to talk to and there for you after your treatment. If you are under 16, a female adult can stay with you throughout most of the treatment.

Otherwise your friend or relative will only be able to stay with you until you go for treatment, but there will be a waiting area for them at most clinics.

If you are having treatment under General Anaesthetic you will need an adult to accompany you home when you are discharged from the clinic.

What kinds of abortion are available?

Early Medical Abortion – also known as the abortion pill

• Up to 9 weeks of pregnancy
• Involves taking medicines to cause an early miscarriage (it can feel like having a heavy and more painful period)
• At least 2 visits to the clinic/hospital is required
• No surgery or anaesthetic involved.

Later Medical Abortion

• 9 to 24 weeks of pregnancy
• Involves taking medicines to cause the womb to contract and push out the pregnancy
• From 22 weeks an injection to the womb is also required
• In some cases an overnight stay may be required at the second visit

Surgical Abortion

Vacuum aspiration

• Up to 15 weeks
• Involves removing the pregnancy by gentle suction
• One visit to the clinic, going home the same day
• Can be done awake or asleep (under local or general anaesthetic

Dilatation & Evacuation

• Between 15 – 24 weeks of pregnancy
• A doctor will remove the pregnancy using narrow forceps passed through the neck of the womb
• Carried out under general anaesthetic (asleep)
• One visit to the clinic usually returning home the same day for abortions up to 20 weeks
• Over 20 weeks may require more than one visit or an overnight stay

Will I feel anything?

If you have a general anaesthetic you are asleep during the treatment and will not feel anything. You may get period-like cramps afterwards.

If you have local anaesthetic this involves an injection into the neck of the womb and you stay awake during the procedure. The procedure can be uncomfortable but a nurse will be with you and can give you painkillers.

Early medical abortion involves passing at home. You are likely to experience some pain but the staff at the unit you visit will give you advice on pain relief.

Later medical abortion involve passing the pregnancy while you are awake and you are likely to experience some pain the womb pushes out the pregnancy. The staff at the unit will give you painkillers.

What happens afterwards?

You may experience some bleeding after the abortion and some pain similar to ‘period pains’. The nurses at the clinic will give you plenty of information on how to look after yourself once you have gone home.

With some of the treatments you will be well enough to return to school/college/work the next day. With others you may need to rest for longer.

How will I feel after the abortion?

Everyone is different. It often helps if you have been able to involve a friend or relative, as you can talk to them about your feelings. It may be that you need some further counselling after your abortion in which case you should contact the following:-

• Bedford Open Door - 01234 360388 120 Tavistock Street, Bedford, MK40 2SA. Provides a free and confidential one-to-one counselling service to young people aged 13-25 olds
• Dunstable and Houghton Regis Youth Counselling Service (SORTED) provides a free and confidential service to young people aged 13-25 years in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and surrounding villages. Open Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm
• For SORTED Counselling service ring for appointment on 01582 670453 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 4.00pm - 6.30pm
• The Grove post termination support - 01234 355408, 17 St Cutherberts Street, Bedford, Mk40 3JB.

You won’t ever forget that you have had an abortion, but most women who choose an abortion don’t regret it. Especially when you have thought carefully about all of your reasons first. It is normal to feel a range of different emotions, often all at once.

• Relief
• Anger
• Optimism
• Regret
• Freedom
• Guilt

But these feelings do not usually last for long, and can come and go.