Factsheet
About Abortion (Termination of Pregnancy)
Date 08 June 2008
FINDING OUT YOU ARE PREGNANT
Most women will find out they are pregnant after their period is more than a week late. Other signs of pregnancy can be feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting, having sore or larger breasts and feeling dizzy or tired, but not all women who are pregnant have these signs. The length of time a woman is pregnant is measured from the first day of her last period.
If you think you are pregnant you may want to have a urine test to confirm the pregnancy. The test can be done by a doctor, at a youth health clinic or sexual health clinic, at a Family Planning clinic or you can buy a home test from the chemist or supermarket. The sooner you find out for sure the more time you have to think about your options.
YOUR FEELINGS
Finding out you are pregnant can bring up many different emotions, especially if it was not planned. Every woman will feel different. Some women feel confused and scared, whereas others may feel happy and excited. All these feelings are normal and okay. Your feelings will probably also change while you are thinking about your options.SOMEONE TO TALK TO
Unplanned pregnancies happen to women of all ages and backgrounds for many different reasons.If you are considering an abortion it can be important to talk about your options with people who are close to you, such as a trusted partner, friend or family member. It might also be helpful to talk to a health worker who has experience in this area to get more information before you make a decision.
MAKING A DECISION
If you are pregnant there are four options for you to consider:- Continue the pregnancy with a partner
- Continue the pregnancy on your own
- Continue the pregnancy and then adopt out or foster.
- Terminate the pregnancy (abortion)
TAKE THE TIME TO THINK
Different issues will influence every woman and affect the amount of time needed to make the best decision. Sometimes it can help to find a quiet place alone to think things through. The following questions may help you work out what is the best decision at this time in your life:Your relationships
- Do you have support from family or a partner?
- Can you work things out through the tough times?
Your responsibilities
- What does being a parent mean to you?
- Who can you call on to offer you support emotionally and financially?
Future plans
- How will this decision affect your plans for study, work or travel?
Where do you see yourself in one, two and five year's time?
YOUR RIGHTS
It's your right to have:- Confidential care
- Safe, non-judgemental care
- Respect, whatever choice you make
Abortion is allowed in all States of Australia under certain circumstances and when done by a registered doctor. Each State has different rules about when you can have an abortion.
THE LAW IN NSW
See the FPNSW Factsheet - link here
To check the law in other States go to the Children by Choice website.
WHAT IS AN ABORTION (Termination of Pregnancy)?
Abortion is the termination (end) of a pregnancy by a procedure that empties the contents of the uterus (womb). Abortions are done at specialist clinics or hospitals.The most common type of abortion is a surgical procedure called a suction curette. This involves the removal of the lining and the contents of the uterus by applying gentle suction to the inside of the uterus with a small plastic tube. This is a safe, simple and low risk procedure when done between 7-12 weeks of pregnancy. The procedure takes about 15 minutes, but you will need to be at the clinic or hospital for about four hours.
About 84,000 women in Australia have abortions each year. (AIHW 2005)
Will I remember anything?
Most abortions are done under a light sedation or 'twilight sleep'. This means you can choose to have medication that will make you relaxed and sleepy and you usually will not remember anything about the procedure. There is also the option of having a local anaesthetic only or a general anaesthetic. The staff at the clinic or hospital can talk about these options with you.Is it safe?
Abortion is a safe and simple procedure in the first 12 weeks and the majority of women have no problems afterward. Although, as with all medical procedures, there are some risks involved. You will need to discuss these with your doctor or the staff at the clinic or hospital.If it has been more that 12-14 weeks since your last period there is more involved with having an abortion. Each State has different laws about the maximum number of weeks pregnant a woman can be to have an abortion.
How much will it cost?
How much you will need to pay is different for each State and each clinic, so check before making the appointment.MEDICARE
Medicare will cover some or all of the cost. Even if you use Medicare, having the abortion stays confidential.You are able to get your own Medicare card from age 15. If you don't have a Medicare card you will need your Medicare number. If you don't know your number the clinic can call during business hours and find out for you, but check if they are willing to do this before making the appointment.
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
When you make an appointment you will be asked questions about your general health and also questions about your last menstrual period.It is necessary to fast (have nothing to eat or drink) for 4-6 hours before the procedure. You will also be asked to bring some things such as spare pads, a nightshirt and your Medicare card with you on the day.
ON THE DAY
It often helps to have a support person with you on the day and if you are having the light sedation you will need to have someone to drive you home.Before the procedure a health worker will talk with you about what is involved, what the risks are and what to do to take care of yourself afterwards. You will be able to ask questions (sometimes it helps to write them down before hand).
This can also be a good time to talk about contraception and choose a method that will suit you.
AFTER THE ABORTION...
Your feelingsEvery woman has different feelings depending on her situation and the reasons for choosing an abortion.
Often women report feeling relieved and feeling 'themselves again'. Other feelings can be guilt, anger, regret or sadness or a mixture of feelings.
All of these feelings can be a normal part of coming to terms with the abortion. If the feelings are still strong after two weeks it is important to talk with someone such as a supportive local doctor, a Family Planning clinic, youth health or women's health clinic or a counsellor.
Your health
You will be given a course of antibiotics to take for a week after the procedure to prevent any infection.A routine two week check up, at a health clinic or your local doctor, is important to ensure that there are no signs of infection such as, pain or fever and that you don't have any heavy bleeding.
In almost all cases having had an abortion will not stop you from being able to continue a pregnancy when the time is right for you.
Remember: you are the only one who knows how you feel about your decision and you are the best person to decide what is right for you
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Healthline 1300 658 886 to talk to a nurse Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm
- Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- A supportive local doctor
- Youth health clinic
- Sexual health clinic
- Women's health centre
- A Social Worker at the local hospital
- Visit Children by Choice for more info about abortion
- or look in the local phone book under 'Community Health', and 'Abortion'
For further information
- Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.
