Abortion

What is an abortion?

An abortion is a way to end an unwanted pregnancy. More than one in four women in England and Wales will have an abortion in their lifetime. Abortion is available in every part of the country and women from all communities, faith groups and ethnicities and of all ages access abortion services.

Your rights

Doctors, nurses and other health workers have a duty NOT to give out information about you without your consent, whatever your age, except in exceptional circumstances.

You have the right to talk to a doctor or nurse in complete confidence about issues concerning your health and welfare. The only reason why a medical professional can share information you have given them with another professional is if sharing information is necessary in order to protect a child from harm or abuse. Even in this situation you should be informed of who else needs to know and why.

Confidentiality for under 16s

The same rules apply on confidentiality for under 16s. Unless disclosure is necessary to protect a young person or child from harm or abuse, any discussion with a medical professional should remain confidential.

Even if a doctor decides that a young person is not mature enough to make a decision about their treatment, the conversation should remain confidential.

Abortion law and methods

It is legal to have an abortion if doctors agree that it would be better for your health and wellbeing to end the pregnancy than to continue it. Although abortion can be carried out until 24 weeks into pregnancy, 90% of all abortions take place in the first 12 weeks. The earlier in pregnancy the abortion takes place the safer it is for the woman. Early in pregnancy the woman may be given a choice of abortion method and is likely to have her abortion locally.

Medical abortion (up to 9 weeks) involves a consultation visit to the abortion clinic, a second visit at which she will be given medication to end the pregnancy and a third visit at which she will be given further medication which will cause her to bleed and expel the pregnancy (this is similar to miscarriage). No anaesthetic is used, but pain relief is given.

Surgical abortion (up to 15 weeks) involves a consultation visit to the abortion clinic and a second visit at which the abortion will be performed by inserting a small plastic tube into the uterus and removing the contents of the womb. Local or general anaesthetic can be used.

Is it safe?

Abortion in the UK is safe. Your doctor will discuss any risks with you and will ensure that you take antibiotics if necessary to prevent any existing infection like Chlamydia, from doing any long term harm.

Will I be able to get pregnant again?

Most women are completely fertile within a few days of abortion, so you should start to use your chosen method of contraception as soon as the abortion has taken place. Many contraceptive methods are available at the abortion clinic or you can access free contraception at many 4YP Bristol clinics and Drs surgeries.

How to make a decision about abortion

It is important that you make the right decision so think about who you want to talk to and who can give you the information and support you need. You may want to think about:

  • how you feel about the pregnancy;
  • what your current circumstances are and what support you would have if you were to continue the pregnancy;
  • how having a baby would fit into your life right now;
  • how having a baby would help you or prevent you from achieving some of the things you have planned for your life;
  • how you feel about abortion;
  • whether you have considered continuing the pregnancy and putting the baby up for adoption

(For more information visit www.efc.org.uk/Pregnant/Makingadecision)

To find out more about abortion and make an appointment

Call 0845 300 8090 (24 hours a day). This is a Marie Stopes call centre.

Remember you can also talk to someone in Bristol about the decision. Click here for more details.

(Source: www.efc.org.uk)

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