How far pregnant can you get an abortion

How far along can you be to get an abortion?

By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | July 1, 2020, 3:55 p.m.

Category: Abortion

Updated November 3, 2022

In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This means that states can now ban abortion. Some states have banned abortion or created lots of restrictions. But abortion is NOT banned nationwide. Abortion is still legal in many states, and it's legal to go to a different state to get an abortion.

Laws about abortion continue to change. You can find more information about laws in your state and how to get an abortion from your nearest Planned Parenthood health center or AbortionFinder.org.

How late you can get an abortion depends on the laws in your state and which abortion provider you go to. But in general:

You can use abortion pills (also called medication abortion) up to 77 days (11 weeks) after the first day of your last period.
You can get an in-clinic abortion until 24 weeks (or later in some cases, for medical reasons). But most most abortions happen early in pregnancy, and it can be hard in some places to find an abortion provider who can do an in-clinic abortion after around 12 weeks into pregnancy.

There may be things that can delay your abortion, too. If you’re under 18 and live in a state with parental notification laws and need a judicial bypass, it can take a while to get through the process. If you live in a state where abortion is illegal, you may have to go to another state to get an abortion and it can take time to arrange travel. And because some states have banned abortion, there may be longer wait times for an appointment in the states where abortion is still legal.

So if you're pregnant and need an abortion, it's important to take action right away. You can contact your nearest Planned Parenthood Health Center or visit AbortionFinder.org to find an abortion provider and get information about the laws in your state and all of your options. They can also connect you with resources that may be able to help you arrange and pay for transportation, lodging, childcare, and other costs if you have to travel to get an abortion.

When you're looking for a place to get an abortion, beware of “crisis pregnancy centers." These are places that say they offer abortion or other pregnancy services, but they’re actually run by people who want to scare or pressure people out of getting an abortion. They don’t provide abortion or give you honest information about your pregnancy options. And most crisis pregnancy centers aren’t legitimate medical clinics, so they don’t have to follow HIPAA and keep your information private, like most real health care providers do. Planned Parenthood or AbortionFinder.org can help you find a trustworthy health care provider

Tags: Abortion

Abortion - NHS

An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy.

It's also sometimes known as a termination of pregnancy.

The pregnancy is ended either by taking medicines or having a surgical procedure.

Important: Coronavirus update

Abortion services are still open. You can self-refer by contacting an abortion provider directly.

They can explain how their services are working at the moment.

How to get an abortion

Abortions can only be carried out under the care of an NHS hospital or a licensed clinic, and are usually available free of charge on the NHS.

There are 3 main ways to get an abortion on the NHS:

you can self-refer by contacting an abortion provider directly – the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), MSI Reproductive Choices UK, the National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service (NUPAS) or your local NHS sexual health website can tell you about eligibility and services in your area
speak to a GP and ask for a referral to an abortion service – the GP should refer you to another doctor if he or she has any objections to abortion
contact a sexual health clinic (sometimes called family planning or GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinics) and ask for a referral to an abortion service

Waiting times can vary, but you should not have to wait more than 2 weeks from when you (or a doctor) first contact an abortion provider to having an abortion.

You can also pay for an abortion privately (not on the NHS) if you prefer. Costs for private abortions vary depending on the stage of pregnancy and the method used to carry out the procedure.

When an abortion can be carried out

Most abortions in England, Wales and Scotland are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

They can be carried out after 24 weeks in very limited circumstances – for example, if the mother's life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability.

Most abortion services will ask to perform an ultrasound scan to work out how many weeks pregnant you are. The length of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of your last period.

Abortions are safer the earlier they're carried out. Getting advice early on will give you more time to make a decision if you're unsure.

Deciding to have an abortion

The decision to have an abortion is yours alone.

Some women may be certain they want to have an abortion, while others may find it more difficult to make a decision.

All women requesting an abortion can discuss their options with, and receive support from, a trained pregnancy counsellor if they wish.

Impartial information and support are available from:

your GP or another doctor at your GP practice
a counselling service at the abortion clinic
organisations such as Brook (for under-25s), BPAS, MSI Reproductive Choices UK and NUPAS

You may also want to speak to your partner, friends or family, but you do not have to. They do not have a say in your decision.

If you do not want to tell anyone, your details will be kept confidential.

If you're under 16, your parents do not usually need to be told. The doctor or nurse may encourage you to tell a parent, carer or other adult you trust, but they will not make you.

There are organisations, usually known as crisis pregnancy centres, that offer counselling around pregnancy. They do not refer people for abortion, and may not offer balanced or accurate advice.

If you go to a place that offers pregnancy counselling and you're not sure if they will refer you for an abortion, ask if they refer people for an abortion.

What happens during an abortion

Before having an abortion, you'll have an appointment to talk about your decision and what happens next.

Whenever possible, you should be given a choice of how you would like the abortion to be carried out.

There are 2 options:

medical abortion ("abortion pill") – you take 2 medicines, usually 24 to 48 hours apart, to induce an abortion
surgical abortion – you have a procedure to remove the pregnancy and normally go home soon afterwards

After an abortion, you'll probably need to take things easy for a few days. It's likely you'll have some discomfort and vaginal bleeding for up to 2 weeks.

Read more about how an abortion is carried out.

Risks of an abortion

Abortion is a safe procedure. Abortions are safest, and happen with less pain and bleeding, when carried out as early as possible in pregnancy.

Most women will not experience any problems, but there is a small risk of complications, such as:

infection of the womb (uterus)
some of the pregnancy remaining in the womb
excessive bleeding
damage to the womb or entrance of the womb (cervix)

If complications do occur, you may need further treatment, including surgery.

Having an abortion will not affect your chances of becoming pregnant again and having normal pregnancies in the future.

You may be able to get pregnant immediately after an abortion. You should use contraception if you do not want to get pregnant.

Pregnancy or abortion - City Clinical Hospital No. 3 named after. BI Alperovich

The statistics are sad: in Russia, out of three pregnancies, only one ends in childbirth. Almost 10% of women of childbearing age have an abortion once a year, and 60% of women terminate their first pregnancy in this way. That is, abortion remains the most common method of "contraception".

Establishing the facts of pregnancy

Pregnancy or delay?

I think it's superfluous to remind you that it's a holy woman's job to keep track of her monthly cycle. At the slightest uncertainty that you are now ready to save, endure and give birth to a child, in the very first days of a delay in menstruation - run to the doctor. Pregnancy of a teenage girl, which is currently not so rare, is rarely detected before the notorious three months: it happens that the girl has not had regular periods at all or she has not yet got used to keeping a calendar, as adult women do. As a result, hopes that everything will “come” or “dissolve” are not justified.

Of course, if you're not pregnant, everything will work itself out. What if you are still pregnant? The later you decide to have an abortion, the greater the likelihood of complications. The fact is that most non-surgical methods of abortion are effective only in the early stages, with a delay of several days. But ladies, unfortunately, in such a situation, most often "wait for the weather by the sea" ...

How to establish the fact of pregnancy?

A missed period is not necessarily pregnancy. Nervous tension, lack of sleep, weight loss (whether it's just malnutrition or taking weight loss pills) have the right to affect your cycle. By the way, even in the most healthy woman, when weight is reduced to the minimum, interruptions in menstruation will begin, and then they will stop altogether. Nature is arranged so that in critical situations of a global scale (wars, revolutions), which are necessarily accompanied by stress and hunger, women do not lose blood, and do not become pregnant, and do not give birth.

Will an ultrasound always help?

The only reliable way to determine pregnancy is an ultrasound examination (ultrasound). Ultrasound is one of the most reliable diagnostic methods. However, in the first weeks of delay, he is still not able to reliably “consider” pregnancy, and time is running out.

Establishing pregnancy by hormone levels

"Test strip". This is the simplest of the express pregnancy diagnostic tools you can buy at any pharmacy kiosk. The principle of such a diagnosis is simple - during pregnancy, from the very first day after conception, there is a change in the level of hormones in the woman's blood. The fetal egg (future fetus) produces hormones that enter the bloodstream, and from there into the urine, the test is based on determining the level of one of these hormones (chorionic gonadotropin).

Advice - buy the test in the evening and use it in the morning: in the morning urine, the concentration of the hormone is much higher than during the day.

Laboratory tests. More sophisticated methods for determining pregnancy are based on measuring the level of hormones in a woman's body in a laboratory way. You take an analysis: blood from a vein or urine, and after a while you get the result. In this case, the level of another, more specific hormone, trophoblastic beta-globulin, is usually determined, which gives more reliable information about the timing of a possible pregnancy.

The laboratory method is much more reliable, although more time consuming.

So, pregnancy has been established

You are not going to keep this pregnancy for some reason. What is the first thing a good doctor should tell you?

First, that all sorts of artisanal methods, like sitting in a hot bath with a glass of vodka, are effective only if there was no actual pregnancy. Conclusion: never try to get rid of a pregnancy on your own!

Secondly, about the fact that any, even a well-performed abortion, can lead to negative consequences for the female body: the menstrual cycle can be restored in 3-4 months; in nulliparous, the restoration of all functions can be delayed for up to six months or more;

abortion is the most common cause of gynecological diseases, after an abortion every fifth woman develops them;

abortion disrupts the work of the endocrine and nervous systems, reduces the body's resistance;

a woman subconsciously perceives abortion as violence against her own body - this is a psychological stress that can lead to changes in the psyche;

Like any other operation, abortion can cause a number of complications of varying severity.

Thirdly, if all these arguments do not convince you and you still decide to have an abortion, a good doctor should tell you how to act in order to minimize the consequences of an abortion. And he will advise you something like this:

Inform the father of the unborn child about the pregnancy and make a decision together.

Have an abortion as soon as possible (it is safer to terminate a pregnancy before 6 weeks). In general, at the first suspicion of an unplanned pregnancy (delayed menstruation), you should immediately contact a gynecologist. Don't delay - every day is precious.

Depending on your situation, choose the safest method of abortion.

What method is right for you, the doctor will tell you, the purpose of this article is to acquaint a woman with all the possibilities of modern medicine, to acquaint and once again (alas, often not superfluous!) Warn: when determining the method of abortion, you only choose the least of several evils; The choice of a person who really cares about his health is the choice of contraceptives!

Non-surgical abortion

Homeopathy

Efficiency of not more than 20%

needle-reflex therapy

Efficiency up to 40% with a small (10-15 days) delay and depends on the qualifications of the specialist

Magnetic induction (“Magnetic cap)

based on artificial disruption of the normal transmission of electrical impulses from the uterus to the brain, causing contractile activity of the uterus and provoking miscarriage

Effectiveness 50% with a delay of no more than 3-5 days, is used only if there are no contraindications

Medical abortion ("French pills") eggs

Efficacy 90-95% up to 42 days late

Surgical abortion

Vacuum aspiration (“mini-abortion”)

for pregnancy up to 4-5 weeks

Medical abortion

Instrumental removal of the fetal egg while tugs over the uterine cavity

for 12 pregnancy periods up to 12 weeks

“Late abortion”

Solutions inducing labor are introduced into the fetal bladder

For periods of more than 12 weeks of pregnancy for special indications

Small Caesarean section

Breeding pregnancy for a long period for medical reasons

Good abortions do not have

Abortions are usually divided into early (Up to 12 weeks of pregnancy) and later (from 12 to 28 weeks) performed according to special indications. In practice, induced abortion is most often used in early pregnancy. There is also such a thing as a mini-abortion, it is done at an extra early date (from 12 to 25 days of delay).

Methods of termination of pregnancy

Non-surgical methods of termination of pregnancy have a huge advantage over traditional abortion, as they minimize possible complications. There is no penetration of instruments into the uterus, so there are no tears, ruptures or any other mechanical injuries. There are no inflammatory complications and, finally, there are no complications associated with anesthesia. Among the disadvantages are the presence of a number of contraindications and a sharp decrease in effectiveness as the gestational age increases.

But if the deadline is missed, only a classic abortion remains in stock. When choosing a clinic for this operation, it is important to pay attention to the following circumstances: first of all, the clinic must have a license, and the doctor must have a certificate. The operation must be performed under general anesthesia (narcosis). To do it, of course, should be in sterile conditions. It is also highly desirable to conduct a course of antibiotic treatment after an abortion to prevent infection.

Russian legislation on abortion

In pre-revolutionary Russia, abortion was considered a crime, the responsibility for which was borne both by the woman herself and by the person who performed the operation (the woman was threatened with imprisonment in a house of correction, and the doctor was in prison).

After the revolution, the situation changed: By the Decree of the People's Commissariat of Health and the People's Commissariat of Justice of November 16, 1920 On the artificial termination of pregnancy, abortions were legalized.

Then, in 1936, due to the difficult demographic situation, abortions were again banned on pain of criminal liability (Decree of the Central Executive Committee and Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of June 27, 1936 "On the prohibition of abortion").

On November 23, 1955, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On the abolition of the prohibition of abortion”, the operation of artificial termination of pregnancy was allowed for all women in the absence of medical contraindications. Order of the Ministry of Health of the USSR dated 29On November 1956, the Instruction “On the procedure for performing an artificial termination of pregnancy (abortion)” was adopted, which regulated this issue in detail, in 1961 some changes were made to it regarding the issuance of sick leave.

At the same time, the performance of an illegal (criminal) abortion entailed a rather severe punishment. Art. 116 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR (1960) provided for liability (from 1 to 8 years in prison with deprivation of the right to engage in medical activities) for illegal abortion by a person without a higher medical education and even by a doctor without special training, as well as for abortion outside a specialized medical institution . A number of the Criminal Codes of the Union republics also provided for liability for forcing a woman to have an abortion.

Currently, abortion is officially permitted, but its production is strictly regulated by the Instructions on the procedure for performing an artificial termination of pregnancy (approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 242 of June 11, 1996), the deviation from which entails criminal liability in the form of freedom for up to 5 years with deprivation of the right to engage in medical activities.

Abortion is allowed only in stationary medical institutions specially designed for carrying out such operations, with a gestational age of not more than 12 weeks.

If there are medical or social indications, it is possible to have an abortion even after 12 but up to 22 weeks. Medical indications are considered to be the presence of diseases in a woman that pose a threat to her life and health during pregnancy and childbirth; serious illness in the unborn child. These indications are contained in the List of medical indications for artificial termination of pregnancy (approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 302 of December 28, 1993).

Abortion for social reasons: minority of a pregnant woman, large families, stay in a correctional institution, pregnancy during the war, etc. (their list was approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 567 of May 8, 1996) is carried out after consideration of each specific case by a special commission.

Underage pregnant women under 15 years of age have an abortion only with the consent of their parents or persons replacing them (Article 32 of the Fundamentals of Legislation on Healthcare of the Russian Federation).

Medical termination of pregnancy in the early stages in Nizhny Novgorod at the Tonus clinic, medical abortion, mini abortion

Termination of pregnancy is an important step in the life of a woman who is going to do this. It is important to think carefully about everything, and also, to choose a clinic where you would like to have an abortion. After you have made up your mind, the question arises, where to have an abortion? Not all clinics are licensed to perform abortions, so if you want to do abortion, clinic , in which this will be performed must have the appropriate permission.

In our country, at her own request, a woman can have an abortion for up to 12 weeks. There are also various indications for termination of pregnancy. Abortion for social reasons a woman can do up to 22 weeks, for medical - at any stage of pregnancy.

Abortion in this case is performed after determining the indications for it by a gynecologist and related specialists. The reason for termination of pregnancy for medical reasons can be both a serious pathology on the part of the woman and on the part of the fetus. Only a competent and experienced gynecologist will help you decide on the choice of the method of abortion - medical, mini-abortion or surgical.

The best is early termination of pregnancy . Early termination of pregnancy reduces the risk of complications in the future and can be carried out without the use of invasive techniques.

Early abortion. Medical abortion

Medical abortion is one of the safest methods and an excellent alternative to surgical abortion. Medical abortion is performed up to 6 weeks of pregnancy. When holding medical termination of pregnancy in the early stages, drugs are used that, according to their mechanism of action, inhibit the synthesis of progesterone.

Medical abortion is performed only under the strict supervision of a gynecologist. After medical termination of pregnancy, an ultrasound scan is required to examine the uterine cavity.

Early termination of pregnancy using medical abortion method does not impair the woman's reproductive function. According to many studies, after medical termination of pregnancy, ovulation is restored in the shortest possible time. An additional positive quality of medical abortion is the possibility of its implementation directly on the day of treatment.

Early termination of pregnancy - mini-abortion

Mini-abortion as a method of early termination of pregnancy can be performed from 6 to 12 weeks. The main technique for mini-abortion is vacuum aspiration. The fertilized egg is removed from the uterine cavity using a special electric suction. This option for early termination of pregnancy is more gentle than the standard options for surgical abortion.

We must not forget that the sooner have an abortion , the lower the risk of complications.

The procedure takes about 5 minutes and the woman can go home within a few hours after the procedure. The uterine mucosa, unlike curettage, is slightly injured. A contraindication to abortion in this way is the presence of infection in the acute period. After the mini-abortion, a control ultrasound examination of the uterine cavity is performed.

Where to have an abortion?

Many women (especially young women), in order not to advertise their pregnancy, start looking for options, where to have an abortion . It must be remembered that it is most correct to have an abortion in a clinic, under the supervision of specialists, and not with the help of folk remedies.

An abortion made outside the walls of a medical institution that has the right to perform this manipulation is called criminal. A self-performed abortion by untested means can lead to serious consequences. In this case, a woman risks not only the possibility of having children in the future, but also her health.

Medical abortion

Termination of pregnancy by indications or at the request of a woman for a period of 6 to 12 weeks can be performed by curettage of the uterine cavity. This procedure is a surgical procedure and requires preparation. As with any other operation, all the necessary tests are given. Termination of pregnancy is carried out on an empty stomach, as the woman is given anesthesia.

In the postoperative period during the month you need to refrain from sexual intercourse, do not go to the sauna, bath, bathing in water, it is not recommended to take a bath. All these measures are aimed at preventing infection.

It is also not advisable to overcool, be subjected to excessive stress and physical exertion for some time. It is necessary to give the body a rest, so that in the future there will be no problems with conception.

After the abortion, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist. During the appointment, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination with obligatory ultrasound control, as well as select the optimal method of contraception, which will help to avoid unwanted pregnancies in the future, and therefore new abortions. A large number of abortions brings with it a large number of complications that can affect the reproductive potential of a woman.

Psychological support for a woman is also important, both before and after an abortion. The doctor in this case should be not only a competent specialist, but also a sensitive psychologist who can encourage the patient.

A great role is given to conversations with a woman, since she must understand that the doctor is on her side and in no case condemns the perfect act.

Within a month after the abortion, women should monitor their well-being.

If you experience pain, bleeding, fever or other unusual phenomena, you should definitely visit a gynecologist for a comprehensive examination and identify the cause of the symptoms.

Where to have an abortion in Nizhny Novgorod?

Termination of pregnancy in Nizhny Novgorod is performed by experienced specialists at Tonus Medical Center. It is possible to carry out manipulations at various stages of pregnancy. An abortion performed at Tonus Medical Center is a safe procedure carried out by highly qualified doctors who choose an individual approach to each woman and provide reliable medical care.