Abortions how long does it take

Complications occur in around three per cent of surgical abortion cases. The risk of complications depends on how many weeks pregnant you are. Abortions performed in the first trimester are the safest. Most surgical abortions are performed in the first trimester. An incompetent cervix can cause problems in later pregnancies, because it is too weak to remain fully closed under the weight of a growing pregnancy. These last two complications are rare, because surgical abortions are undertaken by experienced surgeons.

Be guided by your clinic as to how to care for yourself and reduce your risk of infection after a surgical abortion. Generally, the following suggestions apply for two weeks after your procedure, or a few days after bleeding has stopped :. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Some abortion services in Victoria offer reduced fees to students, healthcare card holders and those experiencing financial difficulty.

In Victoria, you can have two types of abortion: surgical and medication. Both types are safe and reliable. You can have a medication abortion up to nine weeks of pregnancy. You can have a surgical abortion from around six weeks of pregnancy onwards. Mifepristone, also called RU or the 'abortion pill', is used to terminate end a pregnancy up to nine weeks. When an infant becomes part of your family through adoption, foster care, surrogacy or other arrangements, there are laws and legal agreements that will outline your rights and responsibilities as a parent.

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Skip to main content. Healthy pregnancy. Home Healthy pregnancy. Abortion procedures - surgical. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet.

On this page. The female reproductive system and surgical abortion Preparing for a surgical abortion Anaesthetic for a surgical abortion Method of surgical abortion Complications of surgical abortion After a surgical abortion When to seek medical advice after a surgical abortion Where to get help. The female reproductive system and surgical abortion The female reproductive system is made up of the: vagina — a muscular canal that leads to the entrance neck of the uterus, known as the cervix uterus womb fallopian tubes — tubes that extend from the uterus, one on each side.

They both open near an ovary, and carry the eggs ova from the ovaries to the uterus ovaries — two small glands that contain your eggs ova. When you become pregnant, a fertilised egg lodges in the lining of the uterus the endometrium. Fewer than 1 in 1, women experience complications during a second-trimester abortion. A woman may choose to have an abortion if she does not want to continue with a pregnancy or if doing so poses a health risk. Medical and surgical abortions are safe, simple, low-risk ways to end a pregnancy.

Every person feels differently after having an abortion. Some women may feel relieved from the stress of an unintended pregnancy. Others may experience guilt after having an abortion, even though they may know it is the right decision for them.

If a woman feels guilty, sad, or anxious after having an abortion, she should speak to her doctor. The doctor can help her access talk therapy or support groups to process these feelings.

Having an abortion is a personal decision. What is right for one woman may not be right for another. To get advice about abortion, a woman can speak to her doctor or research online. Non-biased, scientific sources provide the most factual information on abortions.

Understanding the science behind abortion will help a woman to make an informed choice that she is most comfortable with. Medical abortions may cause some pain and cramping because they cause the uterus to contract to expel the pregnancy tissue. A woman can usually manage the pain using OTC medications. A woman undergoing a surgical abortion will experience little pain during the procedure because doctors give the woman a local or general anesthetic.

However, the person may experience some cramping for a few days afterward. A miscarriage, or pregnancy loss, is a different experience for every woman. How long it lasts will depend on whether a woman has an early- or…. Birth control is used to prevent pregnancy. Find out about the different means available, how they work, and how effective they are.

Most women will feel emotional after an abortion, but research into the psychological effects is limited. As a result, there is controversy around the….

A medical abortion is generally a safe procedure that carries few risks. It is important to know what to expect after an abortion, including the…. Women often experience bleeding right after having an abortion, which may last for 1—2 weeks. However, their first period will usually occur several….

Are abortions painful? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. The scan can confirm that you are pregnant, rule out issues such as ectopic pregnancy, and give you an accurate date for the pregnancy. Even if you know when your last period started, it can still be a good idea to get confirmation from the scan. Abortions can be carried out as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. In most cases, this will be after your first missed period at 4 weeks.

However, many women wait a little longer before taking a pregnancy test or visiting the clinic. Once you have seen the doctor, you can have the abortion very quickly. At a private clinic, you will be able to make appointment on the same or next day.

If you decide to go ahead with the abortion then the procedure could be completed in just a few days. You will need two further appointments, two days apart, in order to take the medications required for a medical abortion. Most women will have a medical abortion if they have a termination this early in the pregnancy. If you decide to have a surgical abortion instead then you will only need one appointment for treatment after the initial consultation.

Although the procedure can be completed within just a few days of your initial consultation, it is important to take as much time as you need. However, it is also possible to take some time to think about your options or talk to someone about the pregnancy. The legal time limit on abortion in the UK is 24 weeks, but most terminations are carried out much earlier.