Abortion

Knowing the Facts

 What is abortion? Is abortion legal?

Abortion is legal in the UK up to the 24th week of pregnancy.

An abortion is when a pregnancy is ended, In England and
Legal abortion is safer and easier the earlier it is done.
or terminated. Wales, about
one in five Most abortions are carried out before 13 weeks of
Sometimes a fertilised egg or embryo is lost of all known pregnancy.
naturally. This is known as a spontaneous pregnancies are Two doctors need to agree that it is necessary for a girl's
abortion or miscarriage, and happens in about terminated – or a woman's mental or physical health for them to have
one in four known pregnancies. Many more about 190,000 an abortion.
occur within the first weeks of pregnancy, a year. It can be very difficult to get an abortion in Northern
before a period is even missed. Ireland.
Women in their
An abortion (sometimes called termination of 20s account Abortions in the UK
pregnancy) happens when a fertilised egg or for about half, must be performed
embryo is removed from the uterus (womb), teenagers about in a National Health
either by taking pills to expel the pregnancy, one-fifth. Service (NHS)
by gentle suction, or with forceps. Over half of all hospital or in a
pregnancies in clinic approved by
under-16s end in the Department
Girls and women from all cultures and abortion. of Health, such as
backgrounds have abortions. those run by bpas
About 90 per and Marie Stopes
cent of abortions International (see
take place back page).
very early in Worldwide, about 20 million unsafe
pregnancy – in abortions are carried out every year.
the first 12 About 47,000 girls and women a year die Abortion after 24
weeks (that is, because of unsafe abortions. weeks of pregnancy
within eight
Making abortion illegal does not stop girls is not common.
weeks of missing
a period). and women from seeking an abortion. It can only take
In countries where abortion is illegal unless place if your life
it is to save a girl's or a woman’s life, many is in danger or if
risk permanent injury and death through there is a risk that
unsafe abortion practices. your child would be
born with a serious
That’s why, in the UK, where abortion is
disability.
legal, most people want it to stay that way.
2  3
 Are abortions free? What are the signs of pregnancy?

Abortion is free if you are referred If you are not referred by the Signs of pregnancy If you think you are
No!
by the NHS. In some areas, over 90 NHS, an abortion (under 12 usually appear one It still pregnant, or have missed
hasn’t a period, you will need to
per cent of all abortions are funded weeks) at a clinic run by a to two weeks after come!
by the NHS. In other areas, the charity, such as bpas or Marie conception. Tut
tut!
get a pregnancy test
percentage is much lower. Stopes International, will cost Late as soon as possible.
£600 to £700. The signs vary for again?
There is a wide variation because You can have a free test at:
every girl or woman,
each health service provider has to The cost at a privately run • a young people's
but may include:
decide how much money to spend on clinic can be higher. service
local abortion services.
• most NHS walk-in
• missing a period
centres (England only)
Is abortion safe? • a shorter, lighter • some general practices
period than usual
• many contraception
For most girls and women, an Most girls and women have no • a swelling or clinics
abortion is safer than giving problems after an abortion. tenderness in the • some sexual health or
birth. However, abortion is not Of those who do, infection is breasts genitourinary medicine
entirely free from risk. the most common one. Taking
• frequent urination (GUM) clinics.
Problems at the time of abortion antibiotics at the time of the
abortion helps to reduce this risk. (peeing a lot) You can pay to have a test
are not very common but are even
at a:
less likely when the abortion is Testing for sexually transmitted • feeling tired
carried out early in pregnancy infections may be recommended to • bpas clinic
and when it is performed by an prevent further infection. • nausea or vomiting • Marie Stopes clinic
experienced doctor or nurse. – often called
morning sickness, • pharmacy.
though not always Or you can buy a kit to
What about the future? in the morning use yourself.
• feeling bloated or
If there are no period-like cramps
problems with the
procedure, then having • appetite changes
an abortion will not (going off certain
affect your chances of foods)
having a baby in the • mood changes. You may try to ignore the
future. pregnancy in the hope that it’ll go
away! But it won’t…
4  5
 Why have an abortion? What
about
me?
MANY pregnancies I don’t want
Becoming People say We
don’t want to
happen without
a child until
a parent will they’ll support This may be a difficult
I’ve finished my me, but how can I be parents.
planning. When education.
WAAH! change my life. ­ time for partners,
I’m not ready be sure?
you find out you for it.
too. Some will want to
are pregnant and it share in the decision;
is unplanned, you I’m not in a others won’t want
may decide to keep relationship. to be involved at all.
the baby, have it I think I am Many will support
adopted or have an
too young to their girlfriend’s or
have a baby.
abortion. We want wife’s choice, even if
children some I don’t want
day, but we’re anyone to know
it conflicts with their
not ready for the that I’ve had sex or own feelings. Even
YOU can responsibility that I’m pregnant. where there is no
Some girls and stay in... yet.
relationship, a man
women know may feel he has a
immediately what My right to be informed.
they want to do. Having boyfriend has
For others, it a child would left me and I don’t However, it is up to
think I can cope
can be a difficult stop me from
by myself. the girl or woman
having a life of
decision. Faced my own. to decide whether
with an unplanned I’m off or not to involve the
to the
pregnancy, you may pub! It will be man in her choice.
find that your views We hard for me to He has no legal right
have all care for my other
on abortion change. Leaving I’m sorry! the children children. to be informed, or
Clear information, so soon? The childcarer’s we want! to be involved in her
ill!
advice and support I can’t afford decision.
can help you decide children yet.
Women whose
what to do.
partners are
It pregnant by sperm
Many girls and women will be hard donation may find it
who choose an abortion to keep my
difficult too, if their
job.
have several reasons. partner decides not
Other reasons for choosing an abortion may to continue their
be that your husband, partner or parent wants pregnancy, though
you to have one; you have, or the fetus has, a many will support her
health problem; or you have been raped. choice.
6  7
 Help with making a decision What happens next?

Once pregnancy has been confirmed, you will need to discuss your Once you have decided you want to end your
choices as soon as possible. It is important to see someone who will pregnancy, you will need to see a doctor. If the doctor agrees
encourage you to talk freely about your options and give you accurate This applies to England, Scotland and Wales. that you are eligible
information, but not tell you what to do. If you don't want to go to your GP, or the for an abortion,
doctor who confirmed the pregnancy, one of they will refer you
the organisations listed on page 16 can give to an NHS abortion
You can talk to your own GP or All the organisations listed on advice and answer any questions. service.
a doctor or nurse at one of the page 16 are important sources
clinics listed on page 16 for specific of help, and have useful booklets A doctor or nurse will: Most NHS doctors
information and counselling. and websites. Some organisations • work out how many weeks pregnant you are are sympathetic if
In Northern Ireland, if you face offer pregnancy tests and you are considering
• talk through the decision and explore your
an unplanned pregnancy, you can counselling but not information abortion, but some
feelings about it may be unwilling to
contact the on abortion. • decide if you are eligible for an abortion
FPA helpline Only a few agree to an abortion
• explain what an abortion involves because they object
for counselling, help those who
information are considering • make sure you understand any risks to it on religious or
and support: placing their baby • consider your general health moral grounds.
0845 122 8687. for adoption. • make a note of any regular medication taken
(which may cause reactions to anaesthetics). Doctors who object
to abortion can
You may want people
to tell you what to do –
Whatever decision
is made, it's Will the doctor refuse to help but
sometimes important to tell anyone? must refer you to
another doctor or
it seems take action You don’t need to tell your partner, or get nurse who will help.
easier than having to early on their agreement, if you want to have an This can cause
make your own decision. – to begin abortion. delays.
Talking to people you trust can antenatal care if the pregnancy A girl under 16 can have an abortion without
help, but in the end it is the is to continue, or to have an telling her parents if both doctors believe that If you need
pregnant girl or woman who has abortion as soon as possible. she fully understands what is involved. However, further advice
to make the decision. the doctor or clinic may strongly suggest that or help you can
she does involve a parent, a carer or another
supportive adult, unless there are exceptional
contact one of the
circumstances. The only time a doctor may have organisations
to pass on information is when your safety, or on page 16.
the safety of somebody else, is at risk.

8  9
 What happens in an early abortion? What happens in a later abortion?

There are two methods of early abortion – EARLY MEDICAL ABORTION There are two methods of later abortion – MEDICAL ABORTION and
and SURGICAL ABORTION DILATION & EVACUATION (D&E)

EARLY MEDICAL ABORTION – SURGICAL ABORTION – also MEDICAL ABORTION DILATION & EVACUATION (D&E)
otherwise called the abortion pill known as vacuum aspiration

WHEN Up to nine weeks WHEN Up to 15 weeks WHEN From 9–20 weeks WHEN After 15 weeks

WHERE Two visits to a clinic,
1–3 days apart. Usual activities
can be carried out in between
appointments. A check-up should
be offered 7–14 days after the
abortion.
WHERE One visit to a clinic.
Most people can go home the
same day. If you have a local
anaesthetic, you may only need to
stay 1–2 hours.
WHERE May need one night in a WHERE Usually one day at a
clinic or hospital, though usually clinic or hospital but possibly an
the abortion is complete in a day. overnight stay.

HOW IT WORKS Pills are taken,
causing the uterus lining to
break down and bleed. At the
second visit a tablet or vaginal
pessary is given, which softens
and opens the cervix (the opening
to the uterus). The pregnancy is
lost with the bleeding just like
a miscarriage – normally 4–6
hours after the second tablet or
pessary.
DOES IT HURT? There will be
some pain, like period pain
– painkillers can be taken.
There will be some bleeding,
which can be irregular and last
a while.
HOW IT WORKS A tube or
pump removes the pregnancy by
suction. No cutting is required.
The procedure usually takes 5–10
minutes.
DOES IT HURT?
With a local anaesthetic, which
numbs the cervix, there will be
some cramps, like period pain.
With a general anaesthetic, which
means you go to sleep, nothing
is felt.
After the abortion there may be
some pain, like period pain, and
bleeding, like a period. This can
last for up to 14 days.
HOW IT WORKS This is similar to
an early medical abortion, but the
abortion takes longer to complete
and more drugs are used.
DOES IT HURT? There may be
some strong cramping pains,
but painkillers can help with
these. Afterwards there may be
some pain, like period pain, and
bleeding for about a week, or
possibly longer.
HOW IT WORKS The cervix is
gently stretched to allow narrow
forceps to remove the pregnancy.
Suction might also be used. No
cutting is required.
DOES IT HURT? This is carried
out under general anaesthetic.
There may be some pain
afterwards and bleeding for up
to 14 days.

ABORTIONS AFTER 21 WEEKS Whichever abortion method is used,

drugs are used to ensure the fetus is not alive when the abortion is done.
10  11
 What happens at the clinic? Feelings after the abortion

Appointments Most girls and No girl or woman forgets that she

I just felt
at private clinics women prefer has had an abortion, but most who very relieved
or at clinics run to go to the choose an abortion do not regret it. after the abortion.
I still do!
by charities are clinic with You can experience many feelings
usually available someone after an abortion. Sometimes
within a few days. who can I wonder what
You may feel relieved or feel sad or having a baby would
support have been like.
Abortions funded by the NHS may may have mixed feelings. These are
them – But no, I don’t
be more difficult to arrange, natural reactions. Only a few people regret it.
their
depending on the availability of have any long-term psychological
partner, a
local services. problems and those who do often
friend or
had similar problems before
relative.
pregnancy. It is always important
for you to seek help and support if
I was
you are feeling upset about having
What happens after an abortion? had an abortion.
surprised how
sad I felt, but
I must admit we
You can talk to: were both really
Before going home, the The clinic will explain what to expect • your GP or practice nurse relieved.
clinic will check there is and how to take care. • a doctor or nurse at a
no abnormal bleeding or It's important that you return for any contraception or sexual health It was a
discomfort. Bleeding varies follow-up appointment to make sure the clinic difficult time for me
from person to person, but abortion is complete and there are no • a young person's clinic – not just the abortion.
Counselling really
should be no worse than a problems. This appointment can be at • FPA if you live in Northern Ireland helped me.
heavy period. Sanitary towels the hospital or clinic where the abortion (see page 16).
(not tampons) should be took place, or with the GP, or at a
used until the bleeding has contraception or sexual health clinic.
stopped. When can pregnancy happen again?
After an early abortion you can usually return
to work, school or college the next day.
You can get It is advisable to If you don't want to
You should always follow the doctor’s advice.
pregnant again wait for two weeks become pregnant
It takes time to adjust emotionally as well as
within two weeks after the abortion again you should start
physically, and medication or anaesthetics can
of having an before having sex – using contraception
cause disorientation for a while. Recovery takes
abortion. this helps to reduce immediately after the
longer after later abortions or after a general the risk of infection. abortion.
anaesthetic.
12  13
 Protection from unplanned pregnancy Choosing contraception

IF you have had sex without

Unplanned pregnancies happen After sex, sperm can live for up to If you are having sex and don’t want to using contraception, or
because people have sex without seven days in a woman’s body. Once become pregnant – or get someone pregnant
using contraception, or they use an egg has been fertilised, it takes think your method might
– make sure that the method of contraception have failed, there are
it incorrectly, or it fails. around 5–10 days to implant itself in you’re using is right for you. If you don’t like the three types of emergency
the uterus. method you’re using, or don’t think it’s reliable, contraception you can use.
about 3–4
about days later: get advice about changing it – don’t just stop
two days the fertilised egg using it! The emergency pill, Levonelle,
about
is now 64 can be taken up to three days
one and a later: the cells Get all the information you need to make (72 hours) after sex. It is
divide again separate cells
half days your choice. You can get free advice about more effective the earlier it is
later: contraception from a doctor or contraception taken after sex. It is available
the fertilised clinic whatever your age. Check out FPA's with a prescription, or to buy
egg splits website www.fpa.org.uk for information on from most pharmacies if you
into two contraception and details of clinics in the UK. are 16 or over.
cells fallopian 5-6 days later: Condoms are free from contraception and
tube the embryo floats uterus The emergency contraceptive
12–24 sexual health clinics, and some GPs. They can pill, ellaOne, can be taken up
in the uterus
hours after be easily bought without needing to see a doctor. to five days (120 hours) after
ovulation, if sex. It is only available with a
unprotected 5–10 prescription.
sex has taken ovary days
after pill
place within the condom An emergency IUD can be
last 7 days: ovulation: fitted up to five days after
sperm surround the embryo sex, or up to five days
the egg. One ovulation occurs: starts to after the earliest time you
breaks through an egg is released embed itself contraceptive could have released an egg
in the uterus wall injection (ovulation).
to fertilise it from the ovary into
the fallopian tube. IUS
cervix (intrauterine You can get emergency
start here! It lives for up to 24 hours contraception free from:
system)
vagina • a doctor or nurse
• a contraception clinic
The best way to help There are many methods of IUD • a young people’s clinic
protect yourself from • a Brook clinic
contraception and they work in (intrauterine
unplanned pregnancy implant • some GUM (genitourinary
different ways, but mainly by: device) medicine) clinics
and sexually transmitted • sexual health clinics
infections is to use a • stopping the ovaries from If you’re not having sex, you should still plan • walk-in centres (England only)
condom and another releasing an egg or ahead for when you will be – it only takes one • minor injuries units (England
only)
method of • preventing the sperm and egg sperm to fertilise an egg. It may be awkward to • some hospital accident and
contraception. from meeting. admit that you’re planning ahead for sex, but it’s emergency departments
the best way to avoid unplanned pregnancy. (phone first).
14  15
 Where
For information on sexual health, sex
and relationships visit www.fpa.org.uk
or check out these FPA booklets.
to get more information
These organisations can
also give you confidential
information and advice.
Brook
www.brook.org.uk
For sexual health services and
advice for young people.
your local contraception clinic
www.fpa.org.uk/find-a-clinic
For your nearest contraception
or sexual health clinic
a GP
If you think your own GP may not
be sympathetic you can go to
another doctor.
a private clinic
You can make a confidential
appointment with specialist staff
at a consultation centre.
bpas
www.bpas.org
08457 304030
For information and advice on
unplanned pregnancy.

ABORTION © FPA July 2014

Marie Stopes International
ISBN 978-1-908249-82-1 www.mariestopes.org.uk
FPA, 50 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8QU 0845 300 8090
Tel 020 7608 5240
The Family Planning Association is a registered charity, For information and advice on
number 250187. Limited liability company registered in sexual health.
England, number 887632.
Design and illustration CORINNE PEARLMAN (Comic If you live in Northern Ireland
Company), ED HILLYER and WOODROW PHOENIX contact FPA on 0845 122 8687
Printed by McCorquodale
for information, support and
The information in this booklet was accurate at the time of counselling.
going to print. Booklets are reviewed regularly. Next edition
available in 2017. If you would like information on the
evidence used to produce this booklet or would like to give
us feedback email feedback@fpa.org.uk FURTHER INFORMATION
Education for Choice
www.efc.org.uk
Supports young people’s
right to informed choice
on abortion.
16