Abortion

Abortion is the common name for ending a pregnancy. Healthcare professionals may use the term termination to describe an abortion.

An abortion is different from a miscarriage where the pregnancy ends without any medical intervention (although medical treatment may be needed after a miscarriage). Confusingly, healthcare professionals sometimes refer to miscarriage as spontaneous abortion.

Many people have very strong views and opinions about abortion (both for and against), often based on religious, cultural or philosophical beliefs. Whilst all of these views should be respected, the law in the UK makes it legal to have an abortion in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy providing certain criteria are met (see below for details).

The law also states that abortions must be carried out in a hospital or licensed clinic and two doctors must agree that the requirements of the Abortion Act 1967 have been met (see details of this later in the section).

Where can I have an abortion?

You can either have an abortion through the NHS or you can pay to have an abortion at a private clinic.

Sometimes women do not feel happy about approaching their own GP to ask to be referred for an abortion. If this is the case, doctors at some family planning clinics, young people's clinics and some genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics will also refer women. Doctors can refuse to certify a woman for an abortion because of their personal beliefs. However, if this is the case, they will recommend another doctor who can help.

You can also refer yourself for an abortion at a private clinic although the NHS will not pay for this.

The most important thing is to see some as soon as possible if you think you may be pregnant and would like to consider your options, which should include an abortion.

Abortion & The Law

Abortion is legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy and the majority of abortions are carried out before the 12th week of pregnancy.

If the woman's life is in danger or if there is a real risk that the child, if born would have a severe physical or mental disability, then there is no legal time limit.

Generally, an abortion should be carried out as early in the pregnancy as possible (ideally, before 12 weeks) when it is easier and safer. However, you must be given enough time to consider all you options so you are as comfortable as possible with your decision.

If you are considering an abortion, it is important to speak to somebody as soon as possible.

In what circumstances would an abortion be necessary?

The reasons that an abortion may be necessary are set out in the Abortion Act 1967. These are:

  • Continuing with the pregnancy would be a greater risk to the woman's life than would ending the pregnancy.
  • Continuing with the pregnancy would involve a greater risk of injury to the woman's physical or mental health than would ending the pregnancy.
  • Continuing with the pregnancy would be more of a risk to the physical or mental health of any of the woman's existing children.
  • There is a real risk that the child, if born, would have a serious physical or mental disability.

In practice, this gives doctors a great degree of flexibility in referring women for abortions.

However, making the decision to have an abortion is a personal choice for the woman concerned. Sometimes this may be a very difficult choice, influenced by social, economic and emotional factors. Because of this, wide variety of counselling, information and advice services is available to help women to make the most appropriate decision for them.

What does an Abortion involve?

In the UK, abortions can only be carried out in a hospital or licensed clinic.

The way in which an abortion is carried out will depend on the stage of pregnancy. This is usually estimated by counting the number of weeks from the first day of the woman's last period.

  • Up to 9 weeks: In the first nine weeks of pregnancy the abortion pill may be used. This involves taking two drugs 48 hours apart.
  • 9-14 weeks: A process where a narrow plastic suction tube is inserted into the womb through the neck of the womb (the cervix).
  • 14-19 weeks: This process involves stretching the neck of the womb (the cervix) just wide enough for forceps to be used.
  • 20-24 weeks: There are two alternative methods of abortion at this stage of pregnancy. Option 1 requires a general anaesthetic Option 2 involved a drug being injected into the womb. During this option the woman remains awake and may be given drugs to control the pain.

As with all abortions, if when you leave the hospital or clinic you experience heavy bleeding, a lot of pain or a high temperature, you should seek medical help.

After an Abortion

No clinical procedure is entirely free from risk but abortion poses few risks to a woman's physical health, particularly when provided in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some women may experience some period type pains and there may be a few days of gradually lessening bleeding. Most women are able to return to their usual activities within a day or so of their abortion.

Women vary greatly in their emotional response to having an abortion. Some women can experience feelings of sadness or guilt after an abortion, and post abortion counselling services are widely available.

If you are experiencing either physical or emotional problems after an abortion, always seek advice from your GP, a family planning clinic or pregnancy advisory service.

Future Pregnancies

In the vast majority of cases, the fact that a woman has had an abortion will not affect her chances of becoming pregnant and having normal pregnancies in future.

However, occasionally infection following an abortion can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry the egg from the ovaries to the womb) which can affect fertility.

Repeated abortions can lead to damage to the neck of the womb (cervix), increasing the risk of late miscarriages.

Links

You will find more detailed information at the link below.