Abortion

Deciding to have an abortion (termination of pregnancy) can be one of life's most difficult decisions. We believe that all women should have the right to choose for themselves and should you make the choice to have an abortion, we aim to make the process as straightforward as possible.

This information is for anyone who may be considering an abortion. It has information on the options available to help you decide which option to take. It tells you how and where to get support, so that you can make an informed decision.

It tells you how to get an appointment quickly with NHS abortion services in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham. 

• What should I do if I think I might be pregnant?  
• Who can I talk to?  
• What should I do if I decide I want an abortion?
• Who can book an appointment?
• When should I call?
• What happens at my first appointment?
• What type of abortion can I have?
• What happens after the abortion?

What should I do if I think I might be pregnant?

First, get a pregnancy test so you know if you are pregnant. You can get a free pregnancy test at a sexual and reproductive health clinic and at some GP surgeries.

• Ask your doctor if you can get a free pregnancy test at the surgery
• You can get a free pregnancy test at a Brook clinic if you are under 25 
• Call Brook Southwark 020 7703 9660 or Brixton Brook 020 7787 5000 
• You can buy a pregnancy test kit at a chemist or supermarket. They cost a couple of pounds or so and are quite accurate

Use NHS Choices to find out where your nearest pharmacist, family planning or sexual and reproductive health clinic is. 

Who can I talk to?

You can talk to healthcare workers – your doctor, nurses, health advisers and counsellors about your feelings and the options available to you. Ring your local sexual and reproductive health clinic (information from NHS Direct) or try the following helplines:

Family Planning Association - offers advice (all ages)
0845 310 1334 

Marie Stopes (all ages)
0845 300 8090
Excellent support and advice is available online or over the phone. Please book appointments through our booking service and not Marie Stopes, unless you are planning to pay privately for treatment.

Playing Safely - sex, contraception and pregnancy advice (all ages)
0800 567 123

Sexwise (under 18s)
0800 28 29 30

The Brook Helpline - sexual health, testing and family planning advice (under 25s)
0800 0185023

Any staff you talk with will respect your decision, whatever it might be.

What should I do if I decide I want an abortion?

Make an appointment with the Central Booking Service.

Ring the central booking service on 0845 345 9911. Calls are answered from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. The lines do get busy and you will have the option of leaving a message. Please do leave a message and a contact number. 

An answer-phone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The answer phone service is confidential. A member of staff will get back to you as soon as possible; this may be the next working day if you ring after they close. They are happy to ring mobiles and they do not leave messages saying they have called.

You can ask your GP, sexual and reproductive health clinic or Brook to make the appointment for you, though the booking service recommends that you make the call yourself.

However you make your appointment, it is helpful to have some information ready. There is a doucment for you to downlaod and print at teh end of this page, which includes a space for you to record these details if you wish:

• Date of last menstrual period
• Date and results of any scan (if one has been done, including pregnancy)
• Full address (including postcode)
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Contact telephone number
• Details of any current / past medical conditions
• Details of any current medication
• Height and weight (used to calculate body mass index)
• Surname of General Practitioner (GP) if you have one
• Full name and address of doctor’s surgery (including postcode)
• Name and contact details of referral (if referred by another agency like sexual and reproductive health clinic, Brook or your GP)

Who can book an appointment?

• Any woman who is registered with a GP in Southwark Lambeth aor Lewisham can call the booking service to make an appointment
• Any woman who is not registered with a GP but has a postal address in Lambeth, Southwark or Lewisham
• You may however be asked to provide confirmation of your GP or address

If you don’t live in Southwark, Lambeth or Lewisham or you have a GP in another area; you need to get in touch with your local services quickly. Call NHS Direct 0845 46 47 to find out where you can go.

When should I call the booking service?

If you are thinking of having an abortion call as soon as possible after missing your period and getting a positive pregnancy test result. Under the law, in England, Scotland and Wales, abortion is legal in certain circumstances and the procedure can be carried out up to the 24th week of pregnancy.

It is best to have an abortion before 10 weeks of pregnancy (a pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period). Most abortions are done before week 13. The type of abortion you get depends on how early or advanced your pregnancy is.

The earlier it’s done, the safer it is.

What happens at my first appointment?

You will see

• A nurse or counsellor - for you to discuss your options to allow you to decide if an abortion is what you want
• A doctor - to check you medically, and to go through the different abortion methods

You get a chance to talk about the pregnancy, ask questions and get information to help you decide what you want to do. You can ask questions and get accurate information about abortion and support if you are unsure of what you want to do. Talking does not mean you have decided to have an abortion or to continue with the pregnancy. It is an opportunity to examine your feelings and find out what happens if you decide to have an abortion or continue with the pregnancy.

The appointment may take up to three hours .

If everything is all right you will usually get a second appointment within a week or less to go for the abortion. Staff are there to help you - not judge you. They will respect your decision and you can change your mind at any point.

If, after your appointment, you decide you want to continue with the pregnancy, book an appointment for antenatal care early so that both you and your unborn child can be checked out to ensure you are well and the pregnancy is going well.

What type of abortion can I have?   

It depends on how far into your pregnancy you are and you general health. If you decide you want an abortion, the staff will go through the different types in more detail with you.

There are several types, including: 

• ‘Early Medical’ Termination (the abortion pill): This is available to women who are up to 9 weeks pregnant at time of 2nd visit (abortion day). In some rare situations you may need up to 3 visits in total. You usually will not need an anaesthetic or an operation.
• ‘Early Surgical’ Termination: You can have this type of abortion if you are less than 12 weeks pregnant. You will be offered the choice of having a general anaesthetic (asleep), conscious sedation (slightly sleepy but aware of what is happening) or a local anaesthetic (you will be given something to make you numb, which will help reduce any pain. You will be awake during the procedure). You can usually go home the same day if you are well enough and have someone to look after you at home.
• ‘Surgical’ Termination: Between 13 – 19 weeks pregnant. You may be offered the choice of having a general anaesthetic (asleep) or conscious sedation (drowsy). You can usually go home the same day if you are well enough and have someone to look after you at home.
• ‘Late Surgical’ Termination: Between 19 – 24 weeks pregnant. You will need a general anaesthetic and might also need an overnight stay in a hospital or clinic.

If you are under 14 weeks pregnant at the time of your appointment you may be able to have a consultation and procedure on the same day. This means you can have the initial consultation appointment and the procedure on the same day. Ask the booking service for more information when you call.

What happens after the abortion?

Start contraception immediately after your abortion to prevent further pregnancies. You MUST NOT wait for your next period before starting contraception.

It is recommended you have a check up with your GP, sexual and reproductive health clinic or local family planning service two weeks after the abortion. Please look on NHS Choices if you need help finding a clinic close to where you live.