How long after being 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 | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
What is an abortion?
An abortion (or termination) is the medical process of ending a pregnancy so it does not result in the birth of a baby.
Depending on how many weeks you have been pregnant, the pregnancy can be ended by taking medication or by having a surgical procedure.
An abortion is not the same as a miscarriage, where the pregnancy ends without medical intervention (although medical treatment may be needed after a miscarriage).
Why do women have abortions?
There are many reasons why a woman might choose to have an abortion. Deciding to have an abortion is a deeply personal choice and in many cases, a very difficult decision to make.
For example, the pregnancy may be unplanned and the woman’s personal circumstances might make it difficult or impossible to raise a child. These reasons could include financial considerations, being in an abusive relationship, where assault is involved, not being the right time, or the woman may not want to have a baby.
Some women may discover there is something wrong with their baby or that continuing with the pregnancy may put their own health at risk.
Whatever the reason a woman decides to terminate a pregnancy, the choice is hers to make.
When can I have an abortion?
There are 2 different types of abortion that you could have based on your stage of pregnancy. The earlier you talk to your doctor or clinic about having an abortion, the more choices you will have.
Surgical abortion
The most common type of abortion is a surgical procedure called a ‘suction curette’. This involves removing of the lining and the contents of the uterus by applying gentle suction to the inside of the uterus with a small plastic tube. Surgical abortion is a safe and straightforward day-surgery procedure most often performed in the first trimester (up to 14 weeks’ gestation). The procedure takes about 15 minutes, but you will need to be at the clinic or hospital for about 4 hours.
Medical abortion
A low-risk alternative to surgery used for terminating pregnancies earlier than 9 weeks (depending on the clinic) is a medication called mifepristone (RU486). It is sometimes called ‘the abortion pill’ and is the most widely known medication used for this procedure.
Medical abortion is a 2-stage process. The first stage involves taking a tablet that blocks the hormone necessary for the pregnancy to continue. This is followed 36 to 48 hours later by a second medication that causes the contents of the uterus to be expelled.
What is a 'late-term' abortion?
A late-term or second trimester abortion is when a pregnancy is terminated after 14 weeks. The process is similar to a surgical abortion, but instead of suction, instruments are used to remove the fetus.
You may need to travel interstate to have a late-term abortion since states and territories have different laws on how late an abortion can be performed.
Is abortion legal in Australia?
Abortion law in Australia varies across states and territories. Abortion is legal in all states and territories under certain circumstances and when it is done by a registered medical professional.
In most states and territories, it is illegal to protest within 150m of a clinic or service that provides abortions.
ACT
Abortion is legal and must be performed by a medical professional including a nurse.
New South Wales
Abortions can be performed at up to 22 weeks' gestation. After that, 2 doctors must approve the procedure.
Northern Territory
One doctor can approve and perform an abortion at up to 14 weeks. Between 14 and 23 weeks, a second doctor also needs to approve. After 23 weeks, an abortion can only be performed if the life of the woman is at risk.
Queensland
Abortions can be performed at up to 22 weeks. After 22 weeks, 2 doctors must approve the procedure.
South Australia
Abortions can be performed at up to 22 weeks and 6 days. Abortions performed after this time, must be approved by 2 doctors and only if they agree that the health or mental wellbeing of the woman is at risk, to save another fetus (multiple pregnancy) or the fetus has a serious abnormality.
Tasmania
Abortions can be performed at up to 16 weeks.
After 16 weeks, 2 doctors must approve the procedure.
Victoria
Abortions can be performed at up to 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, 2 doctors must approve the procedure.
Western Australia
Abortions can be performed at up to 20 weeks. Termination after 20 weeks is very restricted.
How much does an abortion cost?
The cost of an abortion will depend on whether it is a medical or surgical abortion, how far along you are and whether you are using a public service or a private clinic.
Not all GPs can prescribe a medical abortion and not all chemists stock the medication required. Depending on where you live, you may need to go to an approved clinic or a hospital.
Hospitals and GPs may offer bulk billing or they may be partially covered by Medicare. For a private clinic, the consultation can cost several hundred dollars. The medication costs around $50, less if you have a healthcare card.
Surgical abortions cost around the same as a medical abortion, but this cost can vary depending on how many weeks along you are and whether you are a public or private patient.
Apart from the cost of the actual procedure, many women may need to travel to get an abortion. Termination services are not easily accessible in rural and remote areas and depending on the law in your state or territory, you may need to travel interstate to have an abortion.
Some clinics can offer medical abortion consultations via telehealth video call. Speak to your GP or clinic to find out if this option is available to you.
Can I get counselling before an abortion?
Yes, you can. Counselling is an important part of the decision making process when you are considering whether to have an abortion. You should understand all of your options and make the decision that is right for you.
Your doctor or clinic will talk to you about your choices and offer support services so you can talk to someone.
If you can, talk to family and friends, but you shouldn’t allow anyone else to pressure you. You should also make sure you seek advice and support from counselling services that will give you unbiased information and won’t try to talk you into making a decision that is not right for you.
When can I start contraception after an abortion?
After you’ve had an abortion, your normal menstrual cycle will resume. This means it’s possible for you to fall pregnant again. You should talk to your doctor or clinic about the best type of contraception to use.
How do I find an abortion clinic?
You can contact the Family Planning clinic in your state or territory. You can also use the Find a Health service or call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to get help finding a service near you.
How is the 'morning after' pill different from an abortion?
Emergency contraception, sometimes called the ‘morning after pill’, can be taken up to 5 days after having unprotected sex. Unlike an abortion which ends a pregnancy, emergency contraception prevents a pregnancy from happening.
There are 2 types of medication available to prevent pregnancy in Australia. The levonorgestrel pill can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex.
Both are available over the counter from a pharmacist without a prescription.
Australia has safe and supportive abortion and family planning clinics that can provide reliable advice.
To find these clinics, and for reliable, unbiased information about abortion in your state or territory, contact:
- Family Planning Alliance Australia
- MSI Australia
- Children by Choice (Queensland)
- 1800MyOptions (Victoria)
- NSW Pregnancy Options Helpline (1800 131 231)
You can also discuss your options with your doctor, or call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak with a maternal child health nurse for information and support.
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Terms of termination of pregnancy (abortion)
Contents
How long can you terminate a pregnancy (abortion)
Termination of pregnancy - removal of the fetal egg from the uterine membranes using various methods.
If earlier abortion was performed only with the help of surgical intervention, today women have access to a medical and vacuum method. These are safer methods of abortion, but they can only be used for certain periods. nine0003
Terms of termination of pregnancy:
— medical termination of pregnancy in the Russian Federation can be done up to the 6th beginning of the 7th week of pregnancy or 42nd delay of menstruation;
- vacuum abortion can be done from 2-3 weeks to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
- more than 12 weeks can be done for medical reasons with a surgical method.
Legislative framework for the timing of abortions
Legally, termination of pregnancy is allowed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy at the request of the woman, and if the period is higher, then for medical reasons at any time, if there is a threat to the life of the fetus-mother or defects incompatible with life. On the basis of Order 572 and Federal Law 323, an algorithm and requirements for performing artificial termination of pregnancy were approved.
For medical abortion in the Russian Federation, drugs are registered that are not sold in pharmacies, but are supplied to medical institutions that have the appropriate license to provide this type of service. Abortion pills are used strictly according to the instructions for drugs according to the approved scheme and are prescribed only by a gynecologist. nine0003
Is it possible to have an abortion on the same day?
This question is often asked by women when making an appointment with a gynecologist at a medical institution. Let's take a closer look. Returning to the law on artificial termination of pregnancy, which states that during the initial visit to a medical institution, an ultrasound is done to determine the gestational age. If the period is 4-7 weeks, the silence time is 48 hours, i.e. time to make a final decision and reapply the woman for the interruption service. At this time, the woman is sent for a consultation with a psychologist, or a gynecologist can conduct the same conversation.
For a period of 8-10 weeks - the time for reflection is at least 7 days, for a period of 11-12 weeks - at least 48 hours. nine0003
Safe terms
Abortion is a complex surgical intervention that can have a lot of consequences for women's health. Often, termination of pregnancy leads to infertility. In order for an abortion to take place with minimal risks, one should carefully approach the choice of a medical institution and a doctor. In our Clinic "Narvskaya" there are doctors with extensive experience who individually solve the problem of each patient. Specialists help to choose the best way to terminate a pregnancy, focusing on the term, health status, anamnesis, the presence of children, etc. All manipulations are carried out at the modern level in absolutely sterile conditions. And if this is still an unwanted pregnancy, it is necessary to resort to the method of interruption as soon as possible, due to the fact that the longer the period, the greater the number of complications can be.
But the best solution would be to keep the pregnancy. But this is decided only by the woman herself and no one has the right to condemn her for this. After termination of pregnancy, the doctor prescribes rehabilitation courses for reproductive and menstrual functions. Following the doctor's recommendations will help maintain the health of the reproductive system and take care of future childbearing. Also, the specialist is ready to advise on modern methods of contraception that are right for you. nine0003
Terms for medical abortion
Medical abortion is done up to 42 weeks of delayed menstruation or 6 to 7 weeks. In the instructions for medicinal products that are used for this service, the above period is indicated everywhere. Although in many countries the tablet method can take up to 63 days of delay. In the Russian Federation, so far the method is carried out only according to the instructions for the preparations.
Until how many weeks is vacuum aspiration done?
Vacuum aspiration is performed up to 12 weeks of gestation and is an alternative to surgical abortion.
It is carried out in the conditions of day hospitals of medical centers, clinics. In the presence of a burdened history (a scar on the uterus, large uterine fibroids, the presence of anomalies in the development of the genital organs, severe allergic reactions), vacuum aspiration is carried out in a hospital. nine0003
Surgical abortion
Due to its trauma and a large number of complications, it is used less and less. With this method, the effect of general anesthesia and mechanical impact on the walls of the uterus, negatively affect the female body. The recovery period is also longer than with other methods of interruption. The earlier a woman has an abortion, the less traumatic the procedure will be for her health.
Early termination of pregnancy
Within 49days from the beginning of the last months, you can get rid of an unwanted pregnancy by medication. The drugs are taken in two stages and under the supervision of a doctor. Then there is a natural rejection of the fetus, as in a normal miscarriage.
After a pill abortion, it is imperative to do a control ultrasound. If the fetus is not fully released, additional intervention will be required.
The medical method of abortion today is one of the safest for women's health. It is especially recommended for young girls who are planning a healthy childbearing in the future. nine0003
All pharmaceuticals should only be taken as directed by a doctor! Medical termination of pregnancy, like a conventional abortion, requires special preparation and stay under the supervision of a specialist for several weeks after the procedure.
In the early stages up to 5 weeks, the vacuum aspiration method is performed, in which the fetus is removed from the uterus using a vacuum, without the use of surgical instruments. The duration of the procedure is up to 10 minutes. A mini-abortion is performed under local anesthesia. After a few hours, the woman can leave the medical facility. nine0003
Often young girls who want to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy are afraid to go to the doctor and look on the Internet for ways to provoke a miscarriage using folk methods.
We do not recommend doing this under any circumstances. There is a great risk to health and even life. It is better to spend time looking for a qualified specialist in private clinics and make an abortion on confidential terms.
Vacuum method up to 12 weeks
A woman can voluntarily terminate a pregnancy up to 12 weeks. At a later date - only if there are serious indications. At a period of 6-12 weeks, when it is too late to use medications and a vacuum, a classic abortion is performed. The fetus is scraped out of the body of the uterus using surgical instruments. Most often, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia or sedation (if such a method is practiced in a medical institution). nine0003
Late-term abortions
From 12 to 22 weeks, abortion is indicated only for serious medical and social reasons. Medical indications are diseases in a woman that are of great harm both to her and to the health of the fetus. An abortion can also be indicated if the pregnant woman has a pathology that may interfere with the full care and upbringing of the child.
Indications for late abortion:
- Progressive diabetes mellitus. nine0064
- Tuberculosis.
- Severe heart defects.
- Oncology requiring chemotherapy.
- Active phase of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome.
- Severe mental disorders.
- Neurodegenerative diseases.
- Pathologies of the kidneys and liver, accompanied by serious disorders in the functioning of the organs.
- Autoimmune diseases in the acute stage.
Medical indications for termination of pregnancy on the part of the fetus - chromosomal disorders and pathologies incompatible with life. Since 2012, in the Russian Federation, there is only one social reason why you can have an abortion at a later date - the conception of a child occurred as a result of rape. nine0003
For an abortion for more than 12 weeks, the conclusion of a medical commission is required, which includes: the head physician of the medical institution; a gynecologist observing a woman; narrow specialists who have identified a disease that prevents a healthy pregnancy.
Termination of a late pregnancy is a complex and responsible procedure, which is best performed in medical facilities with an intensive care unit. An abortion is performed in two ways - with the help of drugs that stimulate contractions and the natural exit of the fetus from the uterus; removal of the fetus through an incision in the abdomen (small caesarean section). nine0003
After 22 weeks of gestation, any termination for indications is carried out only by delivery. This procedure is no longer called abortion, but premature birth.
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 reasons - 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. nine0003
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 termination of pregnancy. 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. nine0003
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? nine0005
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. nine0003
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.
nine0003
It is also not advisable to overcool, be subjected to excessive stress and physical exertion for a while. 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. nine0003
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.
