C H O O S I N G A B O R T I O N

i n f o r m a t i o n f o r p e o p l e c o n s i d e r i n g

m e d i c a t i o n o r s u r g i c a l a b o r t i o n o p t i o n s

If you or someone you know is pregnant unexpectedly, we can help you with:

• information about all your options, including abortion, adoption and parenting;

• unbiased counselling by qualified professional counsellors;

• referrals to health and support services, including abortion providers;

• financial assistance for abortion and contraceptive access (if you fit our eligibility criteria); and

• post-abortion counselling if you feel this would help you.

We can organise an interpreter for you if you need one.

We are qualified professionals who are pro-choice, non-judgemental, and committed to supporting you with all your pregnancy options.

Our services are free of charge and available 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday, via phone across Queensland or face

to face at our office in Brisbane, at 237 Lutwyche Road, Windsor Q 4030.

You can call us on

1800 177 725 or 07 3357 5377

or visit us online at

childrenbychoice.org.au.

Y O U R C H O I C E

You may have the option of choosing between medication and surgical abortion options, depending on a number of factors including your location, the gestation of your pregnancy, your medical history and your personal preference.

G E N E R A L LY S P E A K I N G , I F Y O U :

• feel comfortable with the idea of having a miscarriage at home;

• live near to a service that provides medication abortion or are eligible for a telehealth medication abortion;

• would like to avoid a surgical operation;

• don’t mind more than one appointment; and

• are less than nine weeks pregnant,

T H E N M E D I C AT I O N A B O R T I O N

M AY B E S U I TA B L E F O R Y O U .

I F Y O U :

• prefer to complete the abortion in a single visit;

• prefer not to be conscious for the procedure;

• can access a service which provides a surgical abortion; and

• feel comfortable with having a surgical procedure and anaesthetic,

T H E N S U R G I C A L A B O R T I O N

M AY B E S U I TA B L E F O R Y O U .

M E D I C AT I O N A B O R T I O N E X P L A I N E D

S U R G I C A L A B O R T I O N E X P L A I N E D

G E N E R A L I S S U E S F O R C O N S I D E R AT I O N

Medication abortion occurs after taking tablets prescribed by a doctor to induce a miscarriage.

It is available through abortion clinics and some GPs, as well as some sexual health services. You may be able to access it via telehealth if you don’t live close to a provider, as long as you are within an hour of a hospital. Medication abortion usually requires more than one medical appointment, and is available up to nine weeks gestation (or 63 days since the first day of your last period).

Before you are prescribed the medication you’ll be assessed to see if this method is suitable for you. This includes a blood test and ultrasound to confirm the gestation of your pregnancy. Your provider will either offer these tests themselves or refer you to pathology and radiology services.

The abortion process involves two medications taken 24 to 48 hours apart. After taking the second medication, you’ll start to feel cramping similar to period pain but more severe. Pain, cramping and bleeding occur as a normal part of the process, just like in a spontaneous miscarriage. You can take pain relief medication (except aspirin). Most women experience the miscarriage within 24 hours of taking the second medication, but you may continue to bleed (similar to a period) for several days.

You’ll need to attend a followup appointment two weeks afterwards to ensure the process is complete.

P O S S I B L E S I D E E F F E C T S O R C O M P L I C AT I O N S

In 3% to 7% of cases the medications may not result in a complete abortion, and a surgical follow up may be required. Side effects of the medications can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, chills or fever. Complications with medication abortion are rare but may include excessive bleeding (requiring a transfusion), or severe infection.

It is essential that you follow the after care instructions given to you by your doctor. You will be given an after hours contact number in case you have any concerns.

A surgical abortion is a simple surgical procedure, removing the pregnancy tissue using gentle suction.

Surgical abortion is provided through standalone day surgeries. These are mostly located in southeast Queensland (clinic locations and contact details are listed on our website at www.childrenbychoice.org.au).

Surgical abortions performed up to 12-13 weeks of pregnancy typically require a single clinic visit lasting three to five hours in total, which includes pre and post-operative care. For terminations after 13 weeks gestation, the operation will take longer as different procedures and pre-operative medications may be used.

A partner or support person can usually accompany you into the clinic and possibly attend the initial part of the consultation with you, but they are unable to stay with you through the entire process. You must have someone to pick you up from the clinic after the procedure, as you will have been under anaesthetic.

In preparation for a surgical abortion, you’ll be be assessed at the clinic to see if this method is suitable for you. This includes a blood test and ultrasound to confirm the gestation of your pregnancy. The clinic will also discuss with you the type the anaesthetic that may be used in the procedure.

P O S S I B L E S I D E E F F E C T S O R C O M P L I C AT I O N S

Any surgery carries some risk of complications, but abortion is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgical procedures in Australia. On very rare occasions, some complications may occur. The clinic should fully inform you of the risks prior to the procedure.

After the anaesthetic, it is usual to feel drowsy or vague. You’re advised not to drive for at least 24 hours and it is a requirement that a support person be available to take you home after the procedure. It is essential that you follow the post-operative care instructions to minimise the risk of infection. The clinic will give you an after hours contact number in case you have any concerns.

H E A LT H

Abortion in Australia is very safe when provided by a medical professional, and both medication and surgical methods have similarly low rates of complications. Having an abortion will not affect your ability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term in the future.

E M O T I O N A L W E L L B E I N G

It’s uncommon for people to experience ongoing emotional problems after an abortion if they’ve been supported to make their own choice about a pregnancy without judgement or coercion. If you’re not feeling sure about your decision or have any questions, it might be helpful to seek out unbiased, all options professional counselling.

C O S T

Pregnancy termination is not routinely offered through public hospitals in Queensland, and the vast majority of abortions are performed by private clinics and some GPs. Almost all these services have out-of-pocket costs attached, and most will have to be paid up front. Prices for a surgical abortion increase sharply each week after around 11 to 12 weeks gestation. If you don’t have a Medicare card, the cost for either a medication or surgical abortion will be higher. Some private health insurance funds will provide reimbursement, so check with your insurer.

L O C AT I O N

Depending on where you live, you may have difficulty finding a service which provides your preferred option. Access to either option can be much more difficult if you are in a rural, regional or remote community, although medication abortion via telehealth may be an option for women who live within an hour of a hospital. Some surgical abortion providers only offer procedures to 12 weeks. Outside southeast Queensland, options are more limited and procedures cost more.