Guidance and Support in Dealing with an Unplanned Pregnancy
⚖️ Wondering whether to have an abortion? — Take the quiz
- The news of an unplanned pregnancy can feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you, leading you to seek information and support. If you are wondering whether to have an abortion, you are given ample time to consider the pros and cons to make a carefully developed decision.
- Abortion is legal in Singapore until 24 weeks* of pregnancy.
- Abortion counselling followed by a 48-hour waiting period is required for all ages.
- The abortion pill can be used in Singapore until the 9th week* of pregnancy.
This page provides information and advice on dealing with an unplanned pregnancy in Singapore. The counsellors at Safe Place are here for you in this challenging situation!
Should I Get an Abortion? — Quiz
If you are facing this question, use the Abortion Test as a decision-making tool!
Completing this test takes approx. 3 minutes. You will receive an evaluation on your screen and via email, so you can access it whenever you want to read it again.
Numerous questions are probably on your mind right now. First, let's start by addressing abortion laws and regulations in Singapore:
Is Abortion Legal in Singapore?
Abortion is available in Singapore until the 24th week of pregnancy. Maybe you are not a Singapore native, but call Singapore your home right now. Expats in Singapore may get an abortion if one of the following applies:
- Minimum residency of four months,
- Married to a Singapore citizen,
- Permanent resident status,
- Self or husband holds a work permit pass or employment pass,
- An abortion is needed to save the life of the woman.
While any woman, regardless of age, may request an abortion within her first six months of pregnancy*, specific steps are required by law:
Pre-Abortion Screening: The initial step is a medical check-up.
Any woman desiring an abortion must first have a consultation with a doctor at one of the following:
- Public hospital – KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), National University Hospital (NUH) or Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
- Polyclinic – if you require financial subsidies for an abortion, you are first required to see a doctor at a polyclinic in order to get a referral to KKH, NUH or SGH
- Private Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O & G) clinic
This is your opportunity to bring up any medical questions or concerns. Additionally, a doctor's examination is vital to your safety. The medical professional determines how far along you are in the pregnancy to avoid using abortion methods beyond what is deemed safe. The doctor's supervision is also needed to avert serious complications.
- 🧑⚕️ Wondering how soon to see a doctor? — Take the Quiz
Pre-Abortion Counselling: Singapore has mandatory abortion counselling.
After the consultation, the medical doctor makes the referral to a counselling service. Pre-abortion counselling is a mandatory step for anyone wanting an abortion in Singapore. The Health Promotion Board handles all counselling cases of minors under the age of 16. While parents are encouraged to attend, no parental consent is needed for an abortion in Singapore.
Ideally, this would be the place for you to raise concerns, ask questions, think through options, and make a decision you feel good about in the long run.
Your situation is probably anything but easy. You may feel the need for more time before making your decision and might want further counselling. Remember that you can take things at your own pace. When desired, schedule additional appointments to discuss your life situation and any questions and concerns that might arise. With your counsellor, you can carefully examine the reasons that might currently speak against the baby and those in favour of keeping it. Use this as an opportunity to consider both options and talk them through, even if you already lean in one direction.
If you desire counselling beyond what was offered, you can:
- Contact Safe Place, Singapore, for face-to-face support and guidance
- Or use our digital counselling resources anytime, anywhere by going to How Do I Make a Good Decision?
Waiting Period — Your time to determine a way forward
After the abortion counselling, a 48-hour waiting period must be kept before consenting to an abortion. This waiting time is intended to prevent you from making a premature decision. It is meant as an opportunity to think through the situation in order to make a choice that resonates with your deepest longings and convictions. Especially when feeling pressured to have an abortion, this wait time can be used to determine an alternative path. Cancelling an abortion is possible anytime, even at the last minute.
Abortion Procedure — How exactly does an abortion work?
Irrespective of the abortion method, all abortions in Singapore are provided by specialised medical doctors at medical clinics or hospitals. First-trimester abortions necessitate a day visit to the clinic, either to take the abortion pill or to receive surgery. Second-trimester abortions require an overnight stay.
Since abortion involves the abrupt interruption of biological processes, having medical oversight is necessary to mitigate the risks.
- For more information, go to Risks and Side Effects of Abortion
Abortion Cost Singapore
Abortions are not free in Singapore. They are paid out of pocket by the patient. Medisave may reimburse up to $900 for surgical abortions.
- The cost of an abortion in Singapore ranges from $300 to $1000 for a medical abortion (using pills).
- First-trimester surgical abortions range from $2000 to $3500. This usually includes the surgical procedural fee, sedation and day surgery facility fees.
- Mid-trimester abortions (14-24 weeks) will cost more as they involve a more complicated process and hospital stay.
🏥 Abortion Methods – What do I need to know? Quiz
Getting the Abortion Pill in Singapore
Medical abortions are possible before the 9th week of pregnancy*. Due to the legal requirements for having an abortion, the abortion pill by post is not available in Singapore. Anyone wanting to obtain the abortion pill must first have an appointment with a medical doctor, undergo pre-abortion counselling and wait for 48 hours. She may then go to the clinic to take the first of the two abortion medications (mifepristone). The second medication (misoprostol) is taken two days later.
- To learn more about the process, go to How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
- For abortion pill stories, go to What is a Medication Abortion Like
- 🚦 Wondering whether to take the abortion pill? Take the Quiz
Considering Abortion in Singapore — Now What?
While this page hopefully addressed some of your questions, your concerns are probably more far-reaching. Maybe you just found out you are unexpectedly pregnant. This would likely turn your world upside-down. Now what?
This is a confusing and challenging road to travel, and we at Safe Place want to be there for you. You are not alone! No matter what your circumstances are right now, we are equipped to meet your needs. Safe Place is experienced in pregnancy counselling and provides baby essentials, temporary housing and pre- and post-natal workshops at no cost. Let's figure this out together!
You can reach our compassionate counsellors at:
Whatsapp 88914214
Email [email protected]
IG @safeplacesg
*Weeks of pregnancy count from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP).