Fpa Abortion Oyur Questions Answered
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Abortion Your questions answered abortion abortionabortion abortionabortionabortion abortion abortion abortionabortionabortion abortion abortionabortion abortion abortion abortionabortion abortion abortionabortionabortion 2 3 A note on gender becoming a parent. Visit www.sexwise.org.uk This information is for anyone who may get This booklet has information about getting an pregnant, including women, trans men and non- abortion. It tells you about the different types of binary people. abortion and what’s involved. Are you pregnant but Is abortion legal? Yes. In Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) the law (Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the not sure you want to be? Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990) allows you to have an abortion up to 24 weeks Do you need more information of pregnancy, if two doctors agree it’s less likely to about your pregnancy choices? cause harm to your physical or mental health than Around half of pregnancies aren’t planned, and in continuing with the pregnancy. one in five pregnancies a woman will choose to have O More than 90% of abortions are carried out an abortion. It can be a difficult choice to make and before 13 weeks of pregnancy. may be an emotional time. Talking to people you O More than 98% are carried out before 20 weeks. trust and getting information and support can help. The weeks of pregnancy are usually worked out If you don’t know what to do, FPA’s information from the first day of your last normal menstrual Pregnant and don’t know what to do? talks through period. If you have irregular periods, or no periods, your options, including abortion, adoption and or the stage of pregnancy isn’t clear, this can be Contents A note on gender ..................................................................................2 Are there risks at the time of the abortion? .......................10 Do you need more information about your pregnancy Are there risks after the abortion? ...........................................11 choices? ........................................................................................................2 What happens after my abortion? ...........................................12 Is abortion legal? .....................................................................................3 How will I feel? .....................................................................................13 How do I get an abortion? ...............................................................4 What happens to the fetal tissue after the abortion? ...13 Can a doctor or nurse refuse to refer me for an How long will I bleed for after the abortion? .....................13 abortion? .....................................................................................................4 Does abortion cause breast cancer? .......................................14 Will anyone else be told about my abortion? ......................5 Will abortion affect my chances of having a baby in the If I’m under 16, do I have to tell my parents? ........................5 future? ........................................................................................................14 Do I need my partner’s agreement? ...........................................6 How soon after abortion should I start using How long will I have to wait? ..........................................................6 contraception? ......................................................................................14 Where will my abortion take place? ..........................................6 Where can I get more information and advice? ...............14 What will happen before I have an abortion? ......................6 Clinics ........................................................................................................14 What does an abortion involve?...................................................7 Emergency contraception ..............................................................15 Is abortion painful? .............................................................................10 Sexually transmitted infections ....................................................15 Is abortion safe? ...................................................................................10 A final word ...........................................................................................16 4 5 checked with an ultrasound scan. should always refer you to another doctor or nurse An abortion can be legally done after 24 weeks in who’ll help. Guidance from the General Medical exceptional circumstances, for example if there’s a Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and serious risk to your health or there’s a substantial risk The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain of physical or mental disability if the baby is born. states that the personal beliefs of doctors, nurses or pharmacists shouldn’t affect patient care. Northern Ireland If your doctor or nurse isn’t helpful, try to see The 1967 Abortion Act doesn’t extend to Northern another doctor or nurse at your general practice Ireland. You can only have an abortion in Northern or visit a contraception or sexual health clinic near Ireland if there’s a real and serious risk to your where you live. For details of how to find out about mental or physical health and the risk is permanent services see page 14. or long-term. If you live in Northern Ireland, you can travel to Will anyone else be told about my England for an abortion where you can get free care. If you’re on a low income, or receive certain abortion? benefits, you’ll be supported with travel and No. An abortion is a matter for you and your health accommodation costs. You can call 0333 234 2184 team. Information and treatment can’t be shared to book an appointment with an abortion care with anyone else without your agreement. You’ll provider in England and get information about travel usually be seen separately from your partner or and accommodation funding. You can contact FPA in other person accompanying you to an appointment Northern Ireland (0345 122 8687) for confidential at some point in the consultation. counselling, information and support. Your hospital or clinic doesn’t have to tell your GP. Many abortion services like to tell your GP out of courtesy, to provide information in case you have How do I get an abortion? any health problems after the abortion, and to allow Abortion is free if you’re referred through the NHS. your medical records to be updated. They can only Abortion is also available through private clinics and do this with your permission. Tell your hospital or hospitals where you’ll have to pay. clinic if you don’t want them to tell your GP. O NHS. See your GP or go to your local contraception or sexual health clinic. They can refer you to your local NHS service. If I’m under 16, do I have to tell my O Self-referral. You may be able to refer yourself parents? for an NHS abortion without seeing a doctor or No. You don’t have to tell your parents. You’ll be nurse first. Ask your GP or sexual health clinic if encouraged to involve your parents, carers, or this is available in your area. another supportive adult but you can still have an abortion even if you don’t tell them. The doctors O Privately run clinics. You can contact fee-paying must think it’s in your best interests, and that you abortion providers directly without being referred fully understand what’s involved. by a doctor or nurse. All information, advice and services are confidential. However, health professionals will tell Can a doctor or nurse refuse to social services if they think you, or another person, refer me for an abortion? are at significant risk of sexual abuse or emotional or No. A doctor or nurse doesn’t have to take part physical harm. They won’t do this without talking to in abortion if they’re against abortion but they you about it first. 6 7 Do I need my partner’s agreement? During your first appointment you should be given: No. Your partner, or the person you got pregnant O an opportunity to talk things through with, has no legal rights. You can go ahead with O extra support, including counselling if you want it an abortion without your partner’s knowledge O information about the different types of abortion, or agreement. Partners have never successfully which type is suitable for your stage of pregnancy prevented abortion by legal action. and where the abortion will be carried out If you feel that you’re at risk of harm if your O information about what to expect during and partner finds out about you having an abortion, after the abortion please let your abortion provider know. O information about any possible risks or complications relating to the abortion How long will I have to wait? O a blood test to check your blood group and for Waiting times vary. anaemia O You should be offered an appointment for your O the offer of a check-up for sexually transmitted first consultation within five working days. This infections and HIV is to make sure you’re pregnant, see if you can O a consent form to say you agree to the abortion have an abortion and see if other procedures and the procedure being chosen. are necessary, for example sexually transmitted You’ll be asked about your medical history to ensure infection testing and treatment. you’re offered a suitable abortion method. O The abortion should be carried out within five You may: working days of the decision to go ahead. O need an ultrasound scan to check your pregnancy O You shouldn’t have to wait more than two weeks dates (you