Abortion Procedures

If you have found out you are pregnant and considering abortion as an option; It is important to know about the procedures, effects and dangers of abortion. You should have some understanding about what to expect from the procedure and learn about the possible risks and dangers to your health.

You can find all the relevant information below. Hopefully this information we have provided can help you make an informed decision.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion involves taking two different medicines to end the pregnancy. The medicine used in this procedure is provided by a hospital or the clinic. The gestation limit to take these pills, is 9 weeks and 6 days

The first pill is Misfepristone this blocks the hormone (progesterone) from being absorbed in the womb which as a result cuts off the blood supply and nutrients that the baby needs to grow and survive. You take this at the hospital or clinic and it is likely you will be sent home even if the abortion is not completed.

Usually you take the second pill called Misoprostol 24 or 48 hours later. This can be taken orally or vaginally. If you take it orally you will put the tablets under your tongue, between your cheek and gum. If you take it vaginally you put the pill inside your vagina.

You can usually take the second pill at home. Within 4-6 hours of taking the second pill (Misoprostol) the lining of the womb breaks down, which can cause severe pain and heavy bleeding (bleeding that could last up to a week or more).

**TRIGGER WARNING**

Please note: This procedure will vary depending on pregnancy gestation and the effectiveness of the medicine. Click the video below to see a short clip about a medical abortion procedure.

Surgical Abortion

Surgical Abortion involves an operation to remove the fetus from the womb using different methods such as vacuum or suction aspiration and Dilation and Evacuation

VACUUM OR SUCTION ASPIRATION Up to 14 weeks gestation

It is the most common way surgical abortions are carried out

They take place either under general anaesthetic (where you're asleep) or under local anaesthetic (causes numbing to the cervix)

The neck of the womb (the cervix) which is normally tightly shut through pregnancy, is gradually stretched using dilators until it is wide enough for the baby to be sucked out with a large suction tube. (The cervix may be softened beforehand using vaginal pessaries such as Misoprstol)

D & E (Dilation and Evacuation) From 15 weeks gestation

The cervix is gradually stretched and opened (dialated) then the fetus is removed with forceps.

Any remaining body parts and tissue are sucked out through a small suction tube inserted in your cervix

This method is done under general anaesthetic (where you are asleep)

Under this surgical abortion method an ultrasound is advised at the same time to try to reduce any side effects and to ensure the abortion is completed.

LATE -TERM ABORTION Over 20 weeks gestation

This method of abortion can be carried out by medical or surgical means.

Medically the procedure imitates induction of labour and includes 'therapeutic abortion' where a pregnancy is ended because of a fetal disability.

Sometimes an injection is given into the heart of the baby to stop it from beating before the abortion takes place.

Surgery can be carried out either through the vagina or by caesarean section (c-section) through cutting the skin of the abdomen (this depends on the gestation of the pregnancy).

DIY Abortion

On March 30th 2020 at the start of the global Pandemic the UK government brought in a new law change that permits women to have a medical abortion at home without any physical assistance.

This new regulation is being referred to as 'pills by post'

What this basically means is women are permitted to perform their own abortions on themselves at home without a medical professional present. Women don't even have to see a medical professional in person to get the pills.

Not only does this mean women are receiving easy access to abortion, it also means their is a greater risk to their health if the pills are taken incorrectly or past the 9-10 week pregnancy gestation limit.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DIY ABORTION

Pills being taken incorrectly
Mis-calculation of baby's gestation and wrongly taking the DIY pill after the 9-10 week limit
Undetected ectopic pregnancy (this would be detected if in a clinic)
Women who are being coerced or suffering from abuse are in even more danger and this is giving the perpetrators a way of escape. In a face to face appointment a doctor is more likely to pick up on any signs of abuse or coercion.

We were hoping that the government would keep their word and that DIY abortion would only be a temporary measure for 2 years, after public consultations were received by the government (which were mostly in favour of stopping DIY abortion) they decided that it would end in August 2022 but after an amendment to the Health & Social Care Bill was brought up for a vote clause 184 was voted through as law into the Health & Social Care Bill. The vote was 215 MPs for and 188 MPs against. So it wasn't a big majority, but sadly this means that DIY abortion will now be written into the law as legal. All the risks that we refer to above have not changed they still are very real risks. This was a very sad day for the unborn and for the safety of women.

DIY ABORTION STORIES

Abortion comes with serious risks

If you've already taken steps to have an abortion, make sure you listen to your body. If something doesn't feel right, seek medical attention immediately if any of the symptoms listed below occur.

Bleeding that soaks through a pad in under one hour

Bloody vomit, stool, or urine

Fever or chills

Yellowing of your skin or eyes

Severe pain in your abdomen or pelvis

Vomiting and loss of appetite

Loss of consciousness

Sweaty, cold, flushed, or pale skin

Confusion

Other Risks

Increased risk of premature births for future children

Possible link to breast cancer

INCOMPLETE ABORTION

An incomplete abortion is an abortion that didn't completely work. This means that part of the fetus still remains in your body, so you will need medical treatment to complete the abortion.

Untreated, an incomplete abortion can lead to heavy bleeding and potentially life-threatening infections.

INFECTION

All surgeries involve a risk of infection, which is why medical facilities work hard to keep their environments as sterile as possible.

If infection occurs after an abortion it can lead to long-term pelvic pain due to PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) or ectopic pregnancy if left untreated.

An infection in your vagina, cervix, or uterus can cause permanent damage, including infertility. An infection in this area can also spread to your bloodstream, causing life threatening blood poisoning.

HAEMORRHAGE

The term "haemorrhage" refers to any sort of major blood loss. In a surgical abortion abortionists run the risk of accidently severing a major blood vessel, causing internal bleeding. (keep in mind that internal bleeding may not be visible until it's too late)

SCARRING

In addition to haemorrhaging, a surgical abortion can result in scarring.

This scarring can affect both your external and internal genitalia, which can result in infertility and other problems.

CONTAMINATION

There is a risk of contamination if you purchase "abortion pills" online. There is no way you can verify what's actually in these pills, so you could be ingesting anything, including toxic substances or inefective ingredients.

We advise you to stay away from any websites claiming to sell abortion pills without prescriptions.

For more information about abortion procedures and risks please visit the NHS website