Sexual Health for Women - Abortion

 

What is an abortion?

It is when a pregnancy is terminated (ended) surgically. A spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) is when the body naturally ends a pregnancy.

 

Is it legal?

In Britain it is legal when two doctors come to an agreement that it is best for the mother's mental and physical health. It is not legal in Northern Ireland, unless it is under other special circumstances.

 

Is it safe?

Legal abortion is very safe and carries very little risk, particularly in early pregnancy. However, no clinical procedure is completely  free from risk. As with any operation, the most common risk is infection.  Repeated abortions, and abortions in the later stages of pregnancy, increase the risk.

 

What costs are involved with an abortion?

Any abortion done by the NHS is free, but abortion by clinics and private institutions can be costly.

 

Will an abortion prevent me from having children in the future?

Early abortion is safe and does not affect a woman's health or her chances of conceiving in the future.

 

Why would a woman consider having a abortion?

• I am too young and my education is more important right now
• I am too young to have a baby and to be a mother
• Having a child would affect my mental health
• Tests show that the baby has a serious condition
• Having a baby will put my life at risk

There are many reasons and every person has the right to choose what is best for them at the time.

 

Who can help me make an informed decision?

Once pregnancy has been confirmed, a woman will need to discuss her choices as soon as possible. If she wishes to keep her options open, it is important to see someone who will be sympathetic. She can talk to her own GP or a doctor or nurse at a clinic or hospital. It is a good idea to talk to someone you can trust to give you honest answers, but at the end of the day you have to make that important decision on your own. But whatever you decide, try not to take too long, because the longer you take, the harder the abortion becomes.

 

I want an abortion, what do I do now?

Once a woman has decided to end her pregnancy, she will need to go back to her doctor who will:

• Work out how many weeks she is pregnant
• Talk through the decision and explore her feelings about it
• Decide if she is eligible for an abortion
• Explain what an abortion involves
• Make sure that she understands the risks of an abortion
• Consider her general health
• Make a note of any regular medication

What types of abortion can be carried out?

Type of abortion	How long into pregnancy	Where to go	How it works	Does it hurt?
Medical abortion (Abortion Pill)	Up to 9 weeks	2 visits to a clinic \ hospital two days apart, plus a check up 7-10 days later	Pills are taken, causing the womb lining to break down and the early pregnancy to detach. At the second visit a pessary (tablet) is put into the vagina which softens and opens the cervix (opening to womb). This causes the womb to contract and pass the pregnancy out like a period	There will be some pain, like period pain. Also bleeding can be expected which may last for some time
Early abortion (Vacuum Aspiration)	Less than 14 weeks	One visit to a clinic \ hospital. Most women can go home the same day. A woman having a local anaesthetic may only need to stay 1-2 hours	A syringe or pump removes the contents of the womb by suction. No cutting is required. The procedure usually takes less than 20 minutes	With a local anaesthetic there will be some cramps, like a period pain. Bleeding, like a period can last up to 14 days.
Dilation & Evacuation (D & E)	14 - 19 weeks	Usually one night in a clinic \ hospital, with the possibility of staying overnight	Narrow forceps remove the contents of the womb. Suction might also be used. No cutting is required	This is carried out under general anaesthetic. There may be some pain afterwards and bleeding for up to 14 days.
Medical induction	over 13 weeks	Usually one night in a clinic \ hospital. Sometimes the abortion can be done in one day	There are two methods. Most women are given pessaries to induce a miscarriage and may be given the abortion pill two days before they come in. Some woman have an injection into their womb instead of the pessaries.	There may be some strong cramping pains  and afterwards there may be some pain and bleeding for about a week or possibly longer.
Two stage procedure	20-24 weeks	Usually 2 nights in clinic or hospital	Like D&E but a slower procedure because the pregnancy is more advanced	Carried out under general anaesthetic. After the treatment there may be some pain and bleeding for up to 14 days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can I expect after an abortion?

After a medical abortion or an early abortion using a local anaesthetic, a woman can usually return to work, school or college the next day. She should always follow the doctor's advice. It takes time to adjust emotionally as well as physically, and medication or anaesthetic can cause disorientation for some time. Recovery takes longer after later abortions.

 

Feelings after an abortion can be very confusing and strange. No woman forgets that she has had an abortion, but most women who choose an abortion do not regret it. Many just feel relief. Some women feel anger, regret, guilt, or sadness. These emotions may come and go. A woman's circumstances can affect how she feels, and emotions can also be heightened by sudden hormonal changes after an abortion.

 

Having sex again may be the last thing on her mind, but a woman can become pregnant again within two weeks of an abortion. It's not a good idea to have sex again until the cervix has closed, because it can lead to infections in the uterus. It's best to wait until after several check ups or 3 weeks after all the bleeding has stopped. It is very important as well to use a condom to protect the uterus against infections and pregnancy.

 

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