Abortion

Abortion

If you have made the decision that you do not want to be pregnant and have a baby at this time – abortion (termination) is legal in the UK regardless of your age. The NHS provides free abortion care provided by either the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) or Marie Stopes International. This will be at a clinic either in Doncaster or Leeds. 

Legal abortion is very safe, however no clinical procedure, such as abortion, is completely free from risk, medical complications can happen but this is rare.

If you are under 16 you can give your own consent for an abortion as long as you can show you understand what is involved. However the doctor will encourage you to involve your parents/carers.

Most doctors and nurses are sympathetic to a woman’s request for an abortion. However those who object to abortion because of their religious or personal moral reasons are allowed to ‘opt-out’ of this work. If this is the case they must treat you and your views with respect and must refer you to someone who can help you.  If you are worried your doctor may object you can go straight to the local CaSH clinic as abortion advice is a service they provide on a daily basis.

All the information you provide is confidential so unless the doctor suspects that you are at significant risk of harm - this could be sexual, emotional or physical abuse – they will not, without your permission, tell anyone else. If they are worried you are at risk of harm they are obliged, with your knowledge, to involve social services.

If you are pregnant, it’s important that you don’t delay making your decision because the earlier in the pregnancy the abortion is done the safer and easier it is. The majority of abortions are carried out before 13 weeks of pregnancy and most of the rest before 20 weeks. The legal limit for abortion is 24 weeks, however in exceptional circumstances, and only at certain centres, an abortion can be carried out after 24 weeks. Exceptional could mean to save the woman’s life or if there’s a very high risk of the child being born with a serious disability.

Where can I go to get an abortion?

As soon as you think that you might be pregnant contact either the local CaSH clinic or your GP. A doctor, nurse or other health professional will test a sample of your wee to confirm whether you are pregnant. They will also need to know the first day of your last period this will help them to work out how many weeks pregnant you are. Only on rare occasions will you need to be examined.  You may at some point need an ultrasound scan, if this is needed you can ask for the screen to be turned away from you if you do not wish to see the image. 

Once this has been confirmed they will refer you to an NHS abortion service. Referrals should not take any longer than three weeks but you may be seen sooner.

What happens during an abortion?

You’ll be told about the different methods of abortion available to you – this depends on what stage of pregnancy you are in.  Most allow you to go home on the same day – but you may need to stay overnight.

Early abortion methods:

1.     Medical abortion or abortion pill:

This usually involves two visits to a clinic, two days apart, plus a check up 7-10 days later. 

2.     Early abortion or vacuum aspiration:

This usually involves one visit to a clinic and most women can go home the same day.

Later abortion methods

These usually involves a one/two night stay in a clinic or hospital but sometimes it can be done in a day.

More information on abortions

For more detailed information about abortion please visit:

NHS Choices website or The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website.

Alongside the advice, guidance and treatment you receive at the time of the abortion you will also be offered aftercare support, including:

• A 24 hour helpline
• Written information about what you are likely to experience
• A follow-up appointment
• Contraception advice
• Counselling.

You may feel sad, upset, guilty, relieved or angry immediately after an abortion. No woman forgets that she has had an abortion, but most who choose abortion do not regret it. Counselling should be offered to you at the time of your abortion or you may find you need it some time later – any of the agencies listed in these pages should be able to help. Always ask for help or support if you want it.