Read on Twitter
Abortion in the UK and what to expect; a thread
Abortion is a procedure that terminates a pregnancy.
Abortion is legal throughout the whole of the UK and also available for free on the NHS.
Abortion is legal throughout the whole of the UK and also available for free on the NHS.
The decision to have an abortion is yours alone.
Anybody considering having an abortion has access to support from trained pregnancy counsellors.
Anybody considering having an abortion has access to support from trained pregnancy counsellors.
You can speak confidentially to your GP, as well as organisations like Brook and Marie Stopes or support workers at local sex clinics.
To have an abortion on the NHS you will need a referral...
- You can self-refer using the NHS website or through organisations like the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Marie Stopes, or the National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service.
- You can ask your GP to refer you
- You can ask a sexual health clinic to refer you
- You can ask your GP to refer you
- You can ask a sexual health clinic to refer you
Abortions are time-sensitive:
England, Scotland, Wales: Up to 24 weeks (exceptions will be made if there is cause for concern past 24 weeks)
Northern Ireland: Up to 12 weeks (up to 24 weeks if pregnancy would endanger mental/physical health)
England, Scotland, Wales: Up to 24 weeks (exceptions will be made if there is cause for concern past 24 weeks)
Northern Ireland: Up to 12 weeks (up to 24 weeks if pregnancy would endanger mental/physical health)
Abortion services will perform an ultrasound to calculate how many weeks pregnant you are. The earlier in the pregnancy, the safer the abortion is.
Before an abortion, you will have an assessment appointment.
This session allows you to discuss why you are considering an abortion.
You will be able to talk with a counsellor for support.
This session allows you to discuss why you are considering an abortion.
You will be able to talk with a counsellor for support.
You will talk to a medical professional about the different methods of abortion.
An ultrasound will be performed to check how far along you are in your pregnancy.
You may also need to have blood tests.
An ultrasound will be performed to check how far along you are in your pregnancy.
You may also need to have blood tests.
If you decide to have an abortion, you will have to sign consent forms and a date for the procedure will be arranged.
You can change your mind at any point up to the start of the abortion.
You can change your mind at any point up to the start of the abortion.
Medical Abortion Process 1/4
During a medical abortion, you will take two different medications one to two days apart to terminate your pregnancy.
The pregnancy is passed through your vagina. Usually, this happens a few hours after taking the second medication.
During a medical abortion, you will take two different medications one to two days apart to terminate your pregnancy.
The pregnancy is passed through your vagina. Usually, this happens a few hours after taking the second medication.
Medical Abortion Process 2/4
At the clinic, you will take a tablet containing mifepristone which blocks your pregnancy hormones. After this, you can go home.
At the clinic, you will take a tablet containing mifepristone which blocks your pregnancy hormones. After this, you can go home.
Medical Abortion Process 3/4
One or two days later you take a tablet containing misoprostol. This can be taken at home if you are not very far along in your pregnancy.
Within 4 to 6 hours of taking the second tablet your womb lining shreds.
One or two days later you take a tablet containing misoprostol. This can be taken at home if you are not very far along in your pregnancy.
Within 4 to 6 hours of taking the second tablet your womb lining shreds.
Medical Abortion Process 4/4
You will start to bleed, meaning your pregnancy is terminated.
In rare cases, the pregnancy does not pass and you might have to take more medication or have an operation to end it.
You will start to bleed, meaning your pregnancy is terminated.
In rare cases, the pregnancy does not pass and you might have to take more medication or have an operation to end it.
Surgical Abortion Process 1/4
Before a surgical abortion, you'll be asked to take a medication that opens your cervix.
You will receive either anesthetic or sedation based on how many weeks pregnant you are and your own preference.
Before a surgical abortion, you'll be asked to take a medication that opens your cervix.
You will receive either anesthetic or sedation based on how many weeks pregnant you are and your own preference.
Surgical Abortion Process 2/4
There are two methods that can be used to carry out a surgical abortion:
There are two methods that can be used to carry out a surgical abortion:
Surgical Abortion Process 3/4
1. Vacuum or suction aspiration is used up to 14 weeks into the pregnancy. A tube is inserted into your womb and the pregnancy is terminated using suction. This takes around five to ten minutes and patients can go home a couple of hours later.
1. Vacuum or suction aspiration is used up to 14 weeks into the pregnancy. A tube is inserted into your womb and the pregnancy is terminated using suction. This takes around five to ten minutes and patients can go home a couple of hours later.
Surgical Abortion Process 4/4
2. Dilatation and evacuation is used after 14 weeks. A professional will insert forceps into your womb to remove the pregnancy. This is typically carried out under sedation or general anesthetic. It takes around 10-20 minutes.
2. Dilatation and evacuation is used after 14 weeks. A professional will insert forceps into your womb to remove the pregnancy. This is typically carried out under sedation or general anesthetic. It takes around 10-20 minutes.
Abortions are a routine procedure and it is unlikely you will experience complications, though it is possible.
Most people who have abortions undergo bleeding for up to two weeks after and also experience nausea and stomach cramps.
Most people who have abortions undergo bleeding for up to two weeks after and also experience nausea and stomach cramps.
The risks vary depending on whether you have a medical abortion or surgical abortion and are also affected by how many weeks pregnant you are.
A medical professional will talk to you in length about risks before your procedure.
A medical professional will talk to you in length about risks before your procedure.
Having an abortion will not affect your chances of becoming pregnant in the future.
Want to know more?
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/
The Abortion Diaries is a short documentary which candidly records 12 different women’s experiences with abortion in an effort to promote healthy dialogue about abortion. https://vimeo.com/3195236
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/
The Abortion Diaries is a short documentary which candidly records 12 different women’s experiences with abortion in an effort to promote healthy dialogue about abortion. https://vimeo.com/3195236
Marie Stopes is one the largest providers of contraception and safe abortion services in the world – they offer a variety of services including counselling, further information and even advice for partners. https://www.mariestopes.org.uk/abortion-services/travelling-from-northern-ireland/
The Speak Up Space is a pro-choice space.
If abortion is right for you, we support that.
If abortion is not right for you, we support that.
You have the right to decide what to do with your own body.
If abortion is right for you, we support that.
If abortion is not right for you, we support that.
You have the right to decide what to do with your own body.
