Abortion FAQs — The Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions on Abortion

• Abortions can be performed in several ways: first-trimester surgical abortions (suction aspiration, D&C) are possible until week 14, early medical abortions (abortion pill) are obtainable until week 9.
• Abortions are usually offered free of charge on the NHS.
• The average cost of a privately-funded first-trimester abortion is around £500.
• A woman’s abortion experience is unique and cannot be generalised. Physical complications and emotional repercussions are possible but not inevitable.

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⚖️ Wondering whether to get an abortion or not? — Take the Abortion Test!

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1. Until When Can I Get an Abortion?

In the United Kingdom, an at-home medical abortion using the abortion pill is restricted to the first nine weeks of pregnancy, calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). After that, only in-clinic surgical and medical methods can be used up to 23 weeks and 6 days LMP.

• ⏳ Wondering how much time you have left to make an abortion decision? Find out your regional threshold restrictions at Until When Can I Get an Abortion?

2. How Does an Abortion Work?

There are five primary methods of abortion:

• Medical Abortion: an abortion using pills. The pregnant woman takes the abortion medication; the embryo loses its source of nourishment and is later expelled.
• Suction / Vacuum Aspiration: first-trimester surgical procedure performed under local or general anaesthesia. Using the suction aspiration method, the embryo is sucked out of the uterus using a vacuum device.
• Dilatation & Curettage (D&C): first-trimester surgical procedure performed under local or general anaesthesia. During a D&C, the embryo is surgically scraped from the uterus.
• Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E): second-trimester surgical procedure performed under sedation. During a D&E, the foetus is dismembered within the uterus and removed via forceps.
• Induction Abortion: second and third-trimester procedure. Birth is induced. If the foetus is beyond the age of viability, it is given a lethal injection prior to delivery.

For information on the ten main steps of an abortion procedure and how the methods compare, go to Abortion Methods,

🏥 or take the Test: Abortion Methods: What Do I Need to Know? and receive an immediate evaluation.

To learn more about the possible types of anaesthesia, go to Abortion — Which Anaesthesia?

3. How Much Does an Abortion Cost?

The amount you can expect to pay for an abortion depends on gestational age, abortion method, type of anaesthesia, doctor’s fees and region.

99% of abortions are covered by the NHS. For privately funded abortions, pricing is as follows:

• An Early Medical Abortion costs approximately £500
• Medical abortions beyond 10 weeks cost up to £2000
• A first-trimester surgical abortion costs approximately £700

Abortions for minors are also free of charge under the NHS (or offered at a reduced rate if privately-funded) but other abortion regulations may apply.

• 💰 For more information, go to How Much Does an Abortion Cost?
• Wondering whether you have to tell your parents? Abortion Under 18
• 🙎‍♀️ Pregnant Teen: Too young for a baby? Take the Test

Is the Price All That Matters?

When counting the cost of an abortion, remember to take the immaterial aspects into consideration. To what extent will you have to sacrifice your health or emotional well-being? Your life matters!

Therefore, choose to take a step back from these abortion facts and redirect your focus toward your gut instinct and areas you may still feel unsure about. Don’t rush your decision to avoid extra costs! Instead, try to take into account what is really important to you.

4. Should I Get an Abortion? Pros and Cons

Many pregnant women feel unsure of what to do when considering abortion. They are conflicted about their pregnancy. This means they feel torn between the arguments for and against abortion.

How to find a viable solution in this situation:

• 🕰 Above all, take sufficient time to make this decision.
• ✅ 12 Guidelines For Making Good Decisions
• 📋 Try writing a list of pros and cons and weighing the arguments.
• ❤️ Many pregnant women also agree that it was vital for them to come to a decision where their heart and mind were aligned.
• ⚖️ Use the Abortion Test to aid you in your decision-making process!

5. What Are the Risks Associated with Abortion?

Terminating a pregnancy may lead to physical, mental or emotional complications.

Abortions using suction aspiration or D&C are surgical procedures. The accompanying risks are comparatively low but cannot be ruled out:

• The mucosa, cervix and uterus can be injured by surgical instruments. This could increase the risk of miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies.
• There may be a risk of cardiovascular complications due to the anaesthesia.

Medical abortion can cause further bleeding and abdominal pain, even after the embryo has been expelled.

Apart from the physical effect, there is also the risk of emotional repercussions. While some women initially experience a sense of relief after an abortion, others are confronted with feelings of grief, pain or even regret — immediately or at a later point in time.

• Click here for more information on physical risks and side effects.
• Click here for more detailed information on possible emotional repercussions.
• 🛤 Take the Test: Could an Abortion Affect Me Long Term?

6. What Are Late-Term Abortion Laws and Procedures?

Abortions are considered late-term after the first trimester (between the 13th and the 40th week of pregnancy). In the UK, late-term abortions are restricted to medical emergencies, for example, if a doctor deems that a continuation of pregnancy poses a threat to the mother’s life or causes severe adverse effects. In the event of the mother’s life being at risk, or a fatal foetal abnormality being present, there is no gestational limit on abortion.

For cases of rape or incest, late-term abortions are allowed up until the 24th week of pregnancy.

• Considering a late-term abortion? Find out more about your regional exemptions HERE.

In the UK, most abortions beyond 14 weeks are performed by D&E. In D&E, the foetus is dismembered within the womb and extracted in pieces. This method is often preferred, as it does not require an overnight stay.

Induction is another late-term abortion method. If the foetus is not yet viable outside the uterus, labour is induced. The birth process then causes the foetus to die. If the foetus has reached viability outside the uterus, it receives an injection of potassium chloride in the womb, which leads to cardiac arrest. After that, delivery is induced.

• 🩺 Use our Fetal Defect Abortion Test to help you make a decision on whether to have a termination for medical reasons.
• Go to Birth Defect Abortion for more information.
• Wondering whether to have a termination for medical reasons (TFMR)?

7. What Are the Most Common Reasons for an Abortion?

No two women are alike, which is also true of the unique situation they find themselves in. Therefore, everyone has different reasons for considering an abortion.

Nevertheless, most women’s stories share some of these four common threads which cause them consider abortion:

• 'He doesn't want the baby' — Many pregnant women indicate that they are considering an abortion because their boyfriend or husband is opposed to the baby. How do I respond if he does not want the baby? Take the test for information and advice.
  
• 'Complicated relationship with the dad' — The relationship is still very new, unhappy, just casual or the child is the result of an affair. Take the test: Pregnant from an affair – Now what?
  
• 'I need to be there for my other children' — Many pregnant women consider having an abortion because they are already mothers and sometimes feel overwhelmed or feel torn between career, family and other obligations. If that resonates with you, this article is for you!
  
• 'I already have other plans for my life' — Sometimes an unexpected pregnancy can foil one's plans and bring things into disarray. Sound familiar? Go to: Pregnant — Bad Timing!
  
• 'I cannot provide the life my child deserves' — Financial concerns can create an immense burden, giving you the impression that you could not meet your baby's needs. This is where you can apply for financial aid and practical support.
  
• 'I am dealing with health concerns or complications' — Pre-existing conditions, a potential birth defect or a problematic previous pregnancy or delivery would cause concern. If this is your situation, you are not alone.

Read more about the most common reasons women choose abortion!
Are you being coerced to have an abortion? Go to Forced Abortion for support and advice!

Discover your personality traits and inner strengths:

• 👥 Take our Personality Test
• 💪🏽 Take our Strengths Finder Test

8. What Experiences Have Other Women Had with Abortion?

Some women facing the decision of whether to have an abortion wonder what other women have gone through. Reading about the lived experiences of others can be helpful in one’s own decision-making process. Still, since each person is unique, their experience cannot be replicated. Read stories of women who have shared their abortion experience HERE.

• Find out more about Alternatives to Abortion and Arguments Against Having an Abortion.

9. How Common Are Abortions in My Area and Worldwide?

According to W.H.O., 29% of all pregnancies are aborted each year, totalling 73 million abortions worldwide annually.

The following shows the total number of abortions for women of childbearing age in each region in 2021:

England and Wales: 214,869
Scotland: 13,783
Northern Ireland: 53

For more detailed information go to:

• Health of the Mother
• Fetal Defect Abortion
• Abortion for Rape and Incest

⛑ Where do I go from here? — Quick Answers Quiz

10. Abortion Checklist — How Do I Prepare?

Before having an abortion, it is legally required to take the following steps:

• In-person doctor's visit
• A consultation and assessment at an abortion clinic, where you need to get the signatures of 2 doctors
• An ultrasound scan (to determine how many weeks along the pregnancy is) and a blood test
• Optional Counselling
• Wait time until the abortion appointment (around 1-3 weeks on the NHS)

The time between your clinic consultation and your actual appointment could be an opportunity to weigh your options. Choose not to rush! What are your reasons for and against having an abortion?

Many women have found it beneficial to confide in someone rather than walking through this season alone.

• Check out our overview of free services and take advantage of any of our unbiased and anonymous digital coaching resources.