fast facts abortion

8/20/2019 Fast Facts Abortion

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AbortionKnowing the Facts



An abort ion is when a pregnancy is ended,or terminated.

Sometimes a fertili sed egg or embryo is lostnaturally. This is known as a spontaneousabortion or miscarriage, and happens in aboutone in four known pregnancies. Many moreoccur within the first weeks of pregnancy,before a period is even missed.

An abortion (sometimes called termination ofpregnancy) happens when a fertilised egg orembryo is removed from the uterus (womb),either by taking pills to expel the pregnancy,by gentle suction, or with forceps.

In England andWales, aboutone in five of all knownpregnancies are

terminated –about 190,000a year.

Women in their20s account

for about half, teenage rs aboutone-fifth.

Over half of allpregnancies inunder-16s end inabortion.

About 90 percent of abortions

take place very early inpregnancy – in

the fi rst 12 weeks (that is, within eight weeks of missinga period).

Worldwide, about 20 million unsafeabortions are carried out every year.

About 47,000 girls and women a year diebecause of unsafe abortions.Making abortion illegal does not stop girlsand women from seeking an abortion.

In countries where abortion is illegal unlessit is to save a girl's or a woman’s life, manyrisk permanent injury and death throughunsafe abortion practices.

That’s why, in the UK, where abortion islegal, most people want it to stay that way.

Abortions in the UKmust be performedin a National Health

Service (NHS)hospital or in aclinic approved by

the Departmentof Health, such as

those run by bpasand Marie StopesInternational (seeback page).

Abortion a fter 24 weeks of pregnancyis not common.It can only takeplace if your lifeis in danger or if

there is a risk that your child would beborn with a seriousdisability.

Legal abortion is safer and easier the earlier it is done.Most abortions are carried out before 13 weeks ofpregnancy.

Two doctors need to agree that i t is necessary for a girl'sor a woman's mental or physical health for them to havean abortion.It can be very difcult to get an abortion in NorthernIreland.

Girls and women from all cultures andbackgrounds have abortions.

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

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W HAT IS ABORTION ? IS ABORTION LEGAL ?



Most girls and women have noproblems after an abortion.Of those who do, infection is

the most common one. Takingantibiotics at the time of theabortion helps to reduce this risk.

Testing for sexually transmit tedinfections may be recommended toprevent further infection.

For most girls and women, anabortion is safer than givingbirth. However, abortion is notentirely free from risk.

Problems at the time of abortionare not very common but are evenless likely when the abortion iscarried out early in pregnancyand when it is performed by anexperienced doctor or nurse.

Abort ion is f ree if you are referredby the NHS. In some areas, over 90per cent of all abortions are fundedby the NHS. In other areas, thepercentage is much lower.

There is a wide variation becauseeach health service provider has todecide how much money to spend onlocal abortion services.

If you are not referred by theNHS, an abortion (under 12

weeks) at a cl inic run by acharity, such as bpas or Marie

Stopes International, will cost£600 to £700.

The cost at a privately runclinic can be higher.

If there are noproblems with theprocedure, then havingan abortion will notaffect your chances ofhaving a baby in the

future.

If you think you arepregnant, or have misseda period, you will need to

get a pregnancy test as soon as possible.

You can have a free test at:

• a young people'sservice

• most NHS walk-incentres (England only)

• some general practices

• many contraceptionclinics

• some sexual health or genitourinary medicine(GUM) clinics.

You can pay to have a testat a:• bpas clinic

• Marie Stopes clinic

• pharmacy.

Or you can buy a kit touse yourself.

You may try to ignore thepregnancy in the hope that it’ll goaway! But it won’t…

Signs of pregnancyusually appear one

to two weeks afterconception.

The signs vary forevery girl or woman,but may include:

ARE ABORTIONS FREE ?

IS ABORTION SAFE ?

W HAT ABOUT THE FUTURE ?

• missing a period

• a shorter, lighterperiod than usual

• a swelling or tenderness in thebreasts

• frequent urination(peeing a lot)

• feeling tired

• nausea or vomiting– often calledmorning sickness,

though not alwaysin the morning

• feeling bloated orperiod-like cramps

• appetite changes(going off certain

foods)

• mood changes.

No!It stillhasn’tcome! Tut

tut!Late

again?

5

W HAT ARE THE SIGNS OF PREGNANCY ?



Women whosepartners arepregnant by spermdonation may find itdifficult too, if theirpartner decides not

to continue theirpregnancy, thoughmany will support herchoice.

Many girls and womenwho choose an abortionhave several reasons.

Other reasons for choosing an abortion maybe that your husband, partner or parent wants

you to have one; you have, or the fetus has, ahealth problem; or you have been raped.

Wedon’t want to

be parents.

It will behard for me to

care for my otherchildren.

We have all

the children we want!

People say they’ll support

me, but how can Ibe sure?

I don’t want anyone to know

that I’ve had sex orthat I’m pregnant.

This may be a difficult time for partners, too. Some will want toshare in the decision;others won’t want

to be involved at all.Many will support

their girlfriend’s or wife’s choice, even ifit conflicts with theirown feelings. Even

where there is norelationship, a manmay feel he has aright to be informed.

We wantchildren someday, but we’re

not ready for theresponsibility

yet.

Myboyfriend has

left me and I don’tthink I can cope

by myself.

I think I amtoo young tohave a baby.

I can’t affordchildren yet.

MANY pregnancieshappen withoutplanning. Whenyou find out youare pregnant and itis unplanned, youmay decide to keepthe baby, have itadopted or have an

abortion.

Some girls andwomen knowimmediately whatthey want to do.For others, itcan be a difficultdecision. Facedwith an unplannedpregnancy, you mayfind that your viewson abortion change.Clear information,advice and supportcan help you decidewhat to do.

Becoming a parent will

change my life.I’m not ready

for it.

Leavingso soon?

I’m sorry!The childcarer’s

ill!

WAAH!

YOU canstay in...

I’m offto thepub!

I don’t want a child until

I’ve finished myeducation.

I’m not in arelationship.

Having a child wouldstop me from

having a life ofmy own.

It will be hardto keep my

job.

W HY HAVE AN ABORTION ? W HAT ABOUT

ME?

However, it is up to the girl or woman to decide whetheror not to involve theman in her choice.He has no legal right

to be informed, or to be involved in herdecision.

7



You can talk to your own GP ora doctor or nurse at one of theclinics listed on page 16 for specificinformation and counselling.

In Northern Ireland, if you facean unplanned pregnancy, you cancontact theFPA helpline

for counsel ling,informationand support:0845 122 8687.

You may want people to te ll you what to do –sometimesit seemseasier than having to

make your own decision. Talking to people you trust canhelp, but in the end it is thepregnant girl or woman who has

to make the decision.

Whatever decisionis made, it'simportant to take action

early on

– to beginantenatal care if the pregnancy

is to continue, or to have anabortion as soon as possible.

All the organisat ions listed onpage 16 are important sources

of help, and have useful bookletsand websites. Some organisations

offer pregnancy tests andcounselling but not information

on abortion.Only a few

help those whoare considering

placing their baby for adoption.

Once pregnancy has been confirmed, you will need to discuss yourchoices as soon as possible. It is important to see someone who willencourage you to talk freely about your options and give you accurateinformation, but not tell you what to do.

If the doctor agrees that you are eligible for an abortion, they will refer you to an NHS abortionservice.

Most NHS doctorsare sympathetic if

you are consideringabortion, but somemay be unwilling toagree to an abortionbecause they object

to i t on religious ormoral grounds.

If you need further adviceor help you cancontact one of theorganisationson page 16.

Doctors who object to abortion canrefuse to help butmust refer you toanother doctor ornurse who will help.

This can causedelays.

Once you have decided you want to end yourpregnancy, you will need to see a doctor.

This applies to England, Scotland and Wales.If you don't want to go to your GP, or thedoctor who confirmed the pregnancy, one of

the organ isations listed on page 16 can giveadvice and answer any questions.

A doctor or nurse will:• work out how many weeks pregnant you are

• talk through the decision and explore your feelings about it

• decide if you are eligible for an abortion• explain what an abortion involves• make sure you understand any risks• consider your general health• make a note of any regular medication taken

(which may cause reactions to anaesthetics).

You don’t need to tell your partner, or get their agreement, if you want to have an

abortion. A gi rl u nder 16 can have an abor tion without telling her parents if b oth docto rs believe thatshe fully understands what is involved. However,

the doctor or clinic may stron gly suggest thatshe does involve a parent, a carer or anothersupportive adult, unless there are exceptionalcircumstances. The only time a doctor may have

to pass on information i s wh en your safety, or the safety of so mebody e lse, is a t r isk.

9

HELP WITH MAKING A DECISION W HAT HAPPENS NEXT ?

W ILL THE DOCTOR TELL ANYONE ?



ABORTIONS AFTER 21 WEEKS Whichever abortion method is used,drugs are used to ensure the fetus is not alive when the abortion is done.

SURGICAL ABORTION – alsoknown as vacuum aspiration

WHEN Up to 15 weeks

WHERE One visit to a clinic.Most people can go home thesame day. If you have a localanaesthetic, you may only need tostay 1–2 hours.

HOW IT WORKS A tube orpump removes the pregnancy bysuction. No cutting is required.

The procedure usually takes 5–10minutes.

DOES IT HURT?With a local anaesthetic, whichnumbs the cervix, there will be

some cramps, like period pain.With a general anaesthetic, whichmeans you go to sleep, nothingis felt.

After the abort ion there may besome pain, like period pain, andbleeding, like a period. This canlast for up to 14 days.

EARLY MEDICAL ABORTION –otherwise called the abortion pill

WHEN Up to nine weeks

WHERE Two visits to a clinic,1–3 days apart. Usual activitiescan be carried out in betweenappointments. A check-up shouldbe offered 7–14 days after theabortion.

HOW IT WORKS Pills are taken,causing the uterus lining tobreak down and bleed. At thesecond visit a tablet or vaginalpessary is given, which softensand opens the cervix (the opening

to the uterus) . The pregnancy islost with the bleeding just likea miscarriage – normally 4–6hours after the second tablet orpessary.

DOES IT HURT? There will besome pain, like period pain– painkillers can be taken.

There will be some bleeding, which can be irregular and lasta while.

DILATION & EVACUATION (D&E)

WHEN After 15 weeks

WHERE Usually one day at aclinic or hospital but possibly anovernight stay.

HOW IT WORKS The cervix is gently stretched to a llow narrow forceps to remove the pregnancy. Suction might also be used. Nocutting is required.

DOES IT HURT? This is carriedout under general anaesthetic.

There may be some painafterwards and bleeding for up

to 14 days.

MEDICAL ABORTION

WHEN From 9–20 weeks

WHERE May need one night in aclinic or hospital, though usually

the abort ion is complete in a day.

HOW IT WORKS This is similar toan early medical abortion, but theabortion takes longer to completeand more drugs are used.

DOES IT HURT? There may besome strong cramping pains,but painkillers can help with

these. Afterwards there may besome pain, like period pain, andbleeding for about a week, orpossibly longer.

W HAT HAPPENS IN AN EARLY ABORTION ? W HAT HAPPENS IN A LATER ABORTION ?

There are two methods of early abortion – EARLY MEDICAL ABORTIONand SURGICAL ABORTION

There are two methods of later abort ion – MEDICAL ABORTION andDILATION & EVACUATION (D&E)

11



IF you have had sex withoutusing contraception, or

think your method mighthave failed, there are

three types of emer gencycontraception you can use.

The emergency pill, Levonelle,can be taken up to three days(72 hours) after sex. It ismore effective the earlier it is

taken after sex. It is available

with a prescription, or to buy from most pharmacies if youare 16 or over.

The emergency contraceptivepill, ellaOne, can be taken up

to ve days (120 hours) af tersex. It is only available with aprescription.

An emergency IUD can be tted up to ve days aftersex, or up to ve daysafter the earliest time youcould have released an egg(ovulation).

ovulation occurs:an egg is releasedfrom the ovary intothe fallopian tube.It lives for up to 24 hours

12–24hours afterovulation, ifunprotectedsex has takenplace within thelast 7 days:sperm surroundthe egg. Onebreaks throughto fertilise it

aboutone and ahalf dayslater:

the fertilisedegg splitsinto twocells

abouttwo dayslater: the cellsdivide again

about 3–4days later:the fertilised eggis now 64separate cells

5-6 days later:the embryo floatsin the uterus

5–10daysafterovulation:the embryostarts toembed itselfin the uterus wall

uterus

cervix

vagina

ovary

fallopiantube

start here!

After sex, sperm can live for up toseven days in a woman’s body. Oncean egg has been fertilised, it takesaround 5–10 days to implant itself in

the uterus.

Unplanned pregnancies happenbecause people have sex withoutusing contraception, or they useit incorrectly, or it fails.

The best way to helpprotect yourself fromunplanned pregnancyand sexually transmittedinfections is to use acondom and anothermethod ofcontraception.

If you’re not having sex, you should still planahead for when you will be – it only takes onesperm to fertilise an egg. It may be awkward toadmit that you’re planning ahead for sex, but it’s

the best way to avoid unplanned pregnancy.

If you are having sex and don’t want tobecome pregnant – or get someone pregnant– make sure that the method of contraception

you’re using is right for you. If you don’t like themethod you’re using, or don’t think it’s reliable,

get advice about changing it – don’t just stopusing it!

Get all the information you need to make your choice. You can get free advice aboutcontraception from a doctor or contraception

clinic whatever your age. Check out FPA's website www.fpa.org.uk for information oncontraception and details of clinics in the UK.

Condoms are free from contraception andsexual health clinics, and some GPs. They canbe easily bought without needing to see a doctor.

IUD(intrauterinedevice)

condom

contraceptiveinjection

pill

implant

PROTECTION FROM UNPLANNED PREGNANCY CHOOSING CONTRACEPTION

There are many methods ofcontraception and they work indifferent ways, but mainly by:

• stopping the ovaries fromreleasing an egg or

• preventing the sperm and egg from meeting.

You can get emergencycontraception free from:• a doctor or nurse• a contraception clinic• a young people’s clinic• a Brook clinic• some GUM (genitourinary

medicine) clinics• sexual health clinics• walk-in centres (England only)• minor injuries units (England

only)• some hospital accident and

emergency departments(phone first).

IUS(intrauterine

system)

15



FURTHER INFORMATIONEducation for Choice

www.efc.org.ukSupports young people’sright to informed choice

on abortion.

ABORTION © FPA July 2014ISBN 978-1-908249-82-1

FPA, 50 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8QU Tel 020 7608 5240

The Family Planning Association is a registered charity,number 250187. Limited liability company registered in

England, number 887632.

Design and illustration CORINNE PEARLMAN (ComicCompany), ED HILLYER and WOODROW PHOENIX

Printed by McCorquodale

The information in this booklet was accurate at the time of going to print. Booklets are reviewed regularly. Next edition

available in 2017. If you would like information on theevidence used to produce this booklet or would like to give

us feedback email [email protected]

BROOK

www.brook.org.ukFor sexual health services andadvice for young people.

your local contraception clinicwww.fpa.org.uk/nd-a-clinic

For your nearest contraceptionor sexual health clinic

a GPIf you think your own GP may not

be sympathetic you can go toanother doctor.

a private clinicYou can make a condential

appointment with specialist staffat a consultation centre.

bpas www.bpas.org

08457 304030For information and advice on

unplanned pregnancy.

MARIE STOPES INTERNATIONALwww.mariestopes.org.uk

0845 300 8090For information and advice on

sexual health.If you live in Northern Ireland

contact FPA on 0845 122 8687for information, support and

counselling.

For information on sexual health, sexand relationships visit www.fpa.org.uk

or check out these FPA booklets.

These organisations canalso give you condentialinformation and advice.

W HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

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