15-minute read An abortion (also known as termination) is the medical process of

ending a pregnancy, so it does not result in the birth of a baby. If you think you
are pregnant, the first thing to do is take a pregnancy test. You can do this by
visiting your doctor or buying a test from a pharmacy or supermarket. The sooner
you do this the better. If you are pregnant, you can work out the stage of your
pregnancy by calculating the number of days since the first day of your last
period. The clinic you attend will need to know this information. If you aren't
sure about your due date, don’t worry. Your healthcare team can help you figure
this information out. If there is uncertainty about your last period dates and the
stage of your pregnancy, you may need to have an ultrasound to accurately 'date'
the pregnancy prior to any treatment starting. Having an ultrasound is also
recommended if your pregnancy is more than 14 weeks or if there are other concerns,
such as signs of an ectopic pregnancy. If you decide to have an abortion, it's best
to have it as early as possible. The procedure needed for an abortion later in
pregnancy (after 9 weeks) is more complex. There are 2 ways to have an abortion —
with surgery or by taking medicine. Both ways are very safe and effective in
Australia. Your chosen health care professional will discuss which options are
available to you, depending on your stage of pregnancy and your individual
circumstances and preferences. You may find a decision aid tool useful to help you
make an informed decision about which method of abortion may be right for you. This
can be done at home or with your healthcare provider. A medical abortion is used
for ending pregnancies earlier than week 9 (depending on the clinic). You will need
to be prescribed and take medicine called MS-2 Step. It is sometimes called 'the
abortion pill'. MS-2 Step can be prescribed by any healthcare practitioner with
appropriate qualifications and training — this may include doctors, nurses and
midwives. All pharmacies can stock this medication. However, depending on where you
live, you may need to go to a dedicated clinic or a hospital. Medical abortion is a
2-stage process. The first stage involves taking a tablet that blocks the hormone
necessary for the pregnancy to continue called Mifepristone. This is followed 36 to
48 hours later by a second medicine called Misoprostol, that causes the contents to
flow out of the uterus. A medical abortion is very safe. It is effective in about
99 out of 100 people who have it. If it doesn't work, you might need a surgical
abortion. Medical abortion is not suitable for everyone. People with some medical
conditions, who take certain medicines or who are more than 9 weeks pregnant should
not have a medical abortion. If you have an intrauterine contraceptive device
(IUD), you will need to have it removed before you have a medical abortion. Some
clinics can offer medical abortion consultations via telehealth video call. Speak
to your chosen health professional or clinic to find out if this option is
available to you. Before a medical abortion you may have a urine or blood test and
an ultrasound to confirm you are pregnant and check the stage of your pregnancy.
Although these tests are not always required, particularly if you are confident
with your period dates and if the pregnancy stage is earlier than 10 weeks. Your
healthcare provider will advise which tests are right for you based on your
individual circumstance. You will also be given information about other options,
counselling and support services. The procedure for a medical abortion happens in 2
stages. First you will be given a pill called mifepristone (RU486) to take straight
away. Then you go home and have 4 more pills called misoprostol. You take these 36
hours to 48 hours after taking the mifepristone. It's important you take these
pills as instructed. Between one and 24 hours after taking the second medicine, you
will usually experience bleeding and cramping. Make sure you rest at home and take
pain-relief medicines, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if you need to. You might
also experience a short period of: Within 6 hours, most people will have passed the
pregnancy tissue out through their vagina. You might pass some large blood clots.
Most women will experience bleeding and cramping after a medical abortion for about
2 weeks, although bleeding can continue for 6 weeks after a medical abortion. You
should get your first menstrual period 4 to 8 weeks after your treatment; however
some contraceptive methods may change this. A blood test to detect ongoing
pregnancy is usually recommended 14-21 days after taking the medication to make
sure the abortion has worked. Medical abortion is a very safe way to end a
pregnancy. Complications can include the following: Medical abortion does not
affect your future fertility. A surgical abortion uses suction to remove the
pregnancy tissue. It is performed by a trained doctor. It is very effective — only
about 1 in 1000 surgical abortions don't work and may need an additional procedure.
There are 2 types of surgical abortion: Before a surgical abortion you may have a
urine or blood test and an ultrasound to confirm you are pregnant and check the
stage of your pregnancy. However, if you are confident with your period dates and
the pregnancy stage is earlier than 10 weeks, you may not be required to have these
tests. Your healthcare provider will advise which tests are right for you based on
your individual circumstance. Depending on the stage of your pregnancy, you may be
offered medication to help soften your cervix prior to the surgery. This is usually
required if your pregnancy is 14 weeks of more. You will also be given information
about other options, counselling and support services. You should not eat or drink
for 4 to 6 hours (or as instructed by your health professional) before a surgical
abortion. You will usually have a light general anaesthetic. Another option is a
local anaesthetic with sedation to make you feel drowsy. During the procedure, the
doctor will put a small plastic tube through your vagina into your uterus. This
will use suction to empty your uterus. It usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You
won't feel any pain during the procedure. The clinic staff will monitor you to
ensure you have recovered. You will usually spend about 3 to 5 hours in total at
the clinic. You will usually need someone else to drive you home afterwards, as you
will feel drowsy from the anaesthetic. You should get your first menstrual period 4
to 6 weeks after your procedure. Some contraceptive methods may affect this.
Surgical abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy, so long as it is
done by a qualified doctor in a reputable clinic. Rarely, complications can occur,
including: An uncomplicated abortion will not affect your chance of becoming
pregnant in the future. It is normal to experience some vaginal bleeding and
cramping after a surgical or medical abortion. The amount of bleeding varies from
person to person. Following a medical abortion, you may have up to 6 weeks of
bleeding. After a surgical abortion, it usually stops sooner, after about 2 weeks.
It is normal for bleeding to stop and start. Some people have very little bleeding.
If you have very heavy bleeding; more than 2 soaked maxi pads every 30 minutes for
more than 2 hours, passing clots larger than a tennis ball or heavy bleeding that
last more than 2 weeks, seek urgent medical attention. See your doctor, or call the
healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A
registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many people experience
mild abdominal pain, similar to period pain. Here are some tips to help ease pain
and discomfort after a medical or surgical abortion: Most people find that they can
return to their normal activities the day after an abortion. It's still a good idea
to take it easy and avoid heavy lifting and/or strenuous exercise for at least a
week after the procedure. Here are some tips for reducing your chance of infection:
Everyone has different feelings about their own procedure. There is no right or
wrong way to feel after your abortion. If at any time you would like to talk to
someone, its important that you seek help early. There are many services available
to support you. Call your healthcare provider if: After about 2 weeks, you will
usually have a follow-up appointment with your doctor. If you have had a medical
abortion, you may also have a referral for an ultrasound or a blood test to confirm
that you are no longer pregnant. Remember that you can get pregnant again right
away, so make sure to discuss contraception options with your chosen healthcare
provider. The cost of an abortion will depend on: MS-2 Step is listed on the
Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means that the Federal Government pays
for part of this medicine. For the latest information on how much this medication
may cost you, visit the PBS website. Some clinics may offer bulk billing, or they
may be partially covered by Medicare. Abortion in a private clinic can cost several
hundred dollars. As well as the cost of the procedure, consider that you may need
to travel to get an abortion. Abortion services may not be easily accessible in
rural and remote areas. Depending on the law in your state or territory, and your
stage of pregnancy you may need to travel interstate to have an abortion. As a
patient in Australia, you can expect your treating team to respect your healthcare
rights. The healthcare rights of all Australians are set out in the Australian
Charter of Healthcare Rights. These rights apply to any healthcare you get,
anywhere in Australia, including in public hospitals, private hospitals, general
practice and in the community. You have a right to: Your health care
team might give you a decision aid. This is a paper or online resource that can
help explain your options and get you to think about what’s important to you. If a
decision aid is available for the choice you’re considering, it can be very
helpful. Learn more about shared decision making and understanding consent and your
rights. Australia has safe and supportive abortion and family planning clinics that
provide reliable advice and care. To find these clinics, and for reliable, unbiased
information about abortion in your state or territory, contact: The Victorian
Government's Health Translations website has information about abortion in other
languages. Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse
on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect
content. Last reviewed: September 2023