1.
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion is the removal of a pregnancy and is often called “termination of pregnancy”. The procedure of surgical termination of pregnancy is a “dilatation and curettage” procedure, which means that the cervix (entrance to the womb) is gently opened with a series of dilators, and the contents of the uterus emptied through gentle suction and cleaning.
The procedure is the same whether the pregnancy is viable (when you choose to terminate a pregnancy) or due to a miscarriage, where the embryo is no longer alive, and the womb needs to be cleaned out.
The whole procedure takes about 10-15 minutes, during which time you are under sedation, so you don’t feel any pain or have any recollection of the actual procedure. You will be drowsy for about an hour afterwards. We will make sure you are comfortable and have made a good postoperative recovery before you go home, so the whole process will take approx 3 hours in our clinic.
There will inevitably be some slight discomfort after the procedure, as the uterus (womb) contracts down. This can be treated with simple medicines such as ibuprofen, naprosyn and/or paracetamol.
There may also be some bleeding after you have had the abortion, though this shouldn’t be worse than a period. Sometimes the bleeding can start and stop over the 2 week recovery period, or there may be some slight continuous bleeding.
If you have any concerns about your experience after the procedure, and you are wondering if what you are experiencing is normal, we would be very happy to review you in clinic during business hours. Complications after surgical termination of pregnancy are rare, but if you are experiencing an urgent problem, please attend your nearest emergency department, or if it is a medical emergency, call 000.
2.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion is best carried out in early pregnancy ie . 9 weeks gestation or less, and is undertaken using oral medicines, with no need for an anaesthetic.
Though we will consult with you and do some testing in our clinic, the majority of the procedure is done in the privacy of your own home.
First there is a tablet which stops the pregnancy (mifepristone) which you take whilst at the clinic. After 36-48 hrs, the second medication is taken at home (misoprostol) which causes the uterus to contract and expel the contents.
There may be quite intense pain and bleeding, which can be managed with over the counter medication and a heat pack.
Following your medical termination, we will be in touch to ensure you have made a complete recovery.
The advantages of a medical termination are that no anaesthetic is required and you can miscarry the pregnancy at home in privacy. The disadvantages are that in some instances, approximately 5% of cases, there may be complications. About 1-2% of women need to have a surgical procedure ( D&C) after a medical abortion, to complete the termination process.
If you don’t have a Medicare card, unfortunately you will need to pay full price for the medications which are relatively expensive (as they are listed on the PBS) ; usually around $350 AUS.
3.
Tele-Abortion
Tele-Abortion is the delivery of abortion care via Tele-Health (ie, you will meet and communicate with the doctor and sometimes a nurse, for your consultations online (via phone, video call and sms). No ‘in clinic’ face to face consultation is required, but certain criteria must be met.
Tele-Abortion is essentially a medical termination of early intrauterine pregnancy (under 9 weeks or 63 days from the start of your last menstrual period) via remote means.
Tele-Abortion consists of at least two consultations (via video or phone) with a skilled and experienced health professional who will assess your situation, prescribe the relevant medications and follow you up according to best practice.
Medical termination of pregnancy (abortion) happens in the comfort of your own home, and usually without the need for further visits to medical professionals. This is a good alternative if you live far away from any abortion services (eg. rural and regional areas).
Although medical abortion by tele-health is generally safe, convenient, effective and accessible alternative for early pregnancy termination, its not without risk or discomfort. If you can get to our Clinic, it will be quicker, easier, less painful and cheaper to organise your medical abortion with our doctors in the clinic. This is because if you attend the clinic, we can do the required scans, blood tests and dispense the medication on the same day. If you have a Tele-Abortion, you will need to organise the tests and medication yourself.
Visit our Tele-Abortion site at https://www.AbortionOnline.com.au to find out more and check your eligibility for Tele-Abortion.
We are located at:
Clinic 66, 31 Bertram Street, Chatswood NSW, Australia 2067. Click here for map and directions.
Appointment booking and enquiries:
If you would like to make an appointment please fill in the following form and one of our friendly staff will be in contact with you shortly. No referral is necessary to attend our clinic, though your doctor may recommend you.