What the Pregnancy Advisory Service offers

Many women are faced with an unplanned pregnancy and find it hard to make a decision about what to do. At the Pregnancy Advisory Clinic we are here to help and support you in making this decision. It is not our intention to encourage you into making a particular decision but to help you gain the support, advice and information to make the right decision for you at this particular time.

If you suspect you are pregnant, you need to confirm this with a pregnancy test. You can buy a home test from a pharmacy or you can obtain a test from your GP, Health Centre, Contraception/Sexual Health Clinic or Youth Advisory Service.

If you are pregnant then you have three basic choices:

Continue the pregnancy
Continue the pregnancy and place the baby for adoption
End the pregnancy by having an abortion

It is quite normal to have mixed feelings about being pregnant and about each of the choices open to you, making a decision can be difficult and frightening. In making your decision it is helpful to be clear about your feelings by listing and exploring them.

If you cannot decide, you may find it useful to discuss your options and obtain more information regarding health issues and social support. A referral to the Pregnancy Advisory Service can be arranged for a consultation with the Pregnancy Advisory Nurse Specialist. She will be able to provide you with support and where necessary, arrange referral to other professionals, i.e. Teenage Pregnancy Midwife, Drug Misuse Midwife or Social Worker, to enable you to make a decision about the pregnancy.

If you decide you wish to go ahead with an abortion this is free.

This can be obtained from:

A GP (if you think your own GP may not be sympathetic or does not make referrals for religious grounds you can go to another doctor).
Contraception/Sexual Health Clinics/Youth Advisory Service.
Or you can refer yourself on 01792 200303.

Please phone Monday to Thursday between 8.00am and 2.00pm, or Friday 8.00am- 12pm. Please ring this number if you no longer require a referral.

If you change your mind before your appointment please telephone to let us know. We can then give the appointment to someone else.

What will happen at the specialist appointment?

The health professional will ask you questions via telephone. An ultrasound scan may be done in some cases (not all) to determine how advanced your pregnancy is (you do not have to watch the screen) or if clinically indicated.

The health professional will then discuss the options available to you and will advise you on the method of abortion which will be best suited for you and explain the procedure. The health professional will answer any questions you may have. If you are going ahead with the termination arrangements will be made for you to attend the hospital for a scan or to collect the medication. This is usually within the next couple of days.

Can I change my mind?

Seeing the health professional does not mean you have to proceed with an abortion. You can change your mind any time up until the procedure is commenced. If you feel under pressure, if you feel upset or unsure about what to do or if you simply need time away from everything to think through your decision, please ask for a further appointment.

We can provide you with support and help you to make your own decision. We can advise you about alternatives to an abortion such as adoption or organisations that can support you if you decide to go ahead with the pregnancy. We may also suggest you see a counsellor if you feel this would be beneficial.

How is the Abortion done?

An abortion is a way of ending an unwanted pregnancy. This will involve medication but the procedure will be determined by the gestation of the pregnancy and your medical history. using medicines or a surgical procedure. Both types may be used at different stages of pregnancy. The different types of abortion will be discussed during your telephone consultation.

Medical Abortion: 4 weeks to 9 weeks and 6 days

You will be provided with 2 different medicines. The first tablet is Mifepristone which blocks the hormones to the pregnancy. The 2^nd medication (misoprostol) - is administered 48 hours after the first tablet. You will be given detailed instructions about when and how to use the medication. Misoprostol is a hormone that makes your uterus (womb) expel the pregnancy, usually within 4-6 hours- however, it can take longer than this for some people. Pain varies and you will be provided with pain relief. You will continue to bleed for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. You will be asked to do a pregnancy test 3 weeks after your termination. This is generally performed at home unless clinically unsuitable, when arrangements will be made for you to attend hospital.

Medical Abortion: 9 weeks and 6 days to 17 weeks and 6 days.

For this procedure you will take the same medicines as you would for an early medical abortion (see above). At this stage, however, abortion can take longer and you will be provided with misoprostol 3 hourly and extra pain relief if needed. If you have a medical abortion at a gestation of between 9 weeks and 6 days, and 17 weeks and 6 days, you will be cared for in hospital by an experienced team of nurses and doctors. Most people who choose this method only need to stay in hospital for one day. However, an overnight stay may be necessary.

After the Abortion

Whichever method is used you may bleed for up to two weeks, although this will not be heavy. Small clots can be normal. If you experience any problems please contact us directly.

You are more likely to get problems in the 2 weeks after the abortion than at the time of the procedure itself.

Up to 1:100 women develop an infection after an abortion.
The uterus may not be emptied completely of its contents (retained products) and further treatment may be needed.

How will I feel?

For many women there is no easy decision about having an abortion. Even if it seems clear to you that you ought to go ahead, it is possible that you will also feel some regret and upset as well.

So although you may experience relief when the procedure is over, you may find yourself feeling quite low and tearful for a while afterwards. This reaction is quite common and will normally pass given time. If it does not, it may be because you find it difficult to discuss your feelings with anyone, or it may be that there is no one around to give you support at home.

If this is the case, please do not hesitate to telephone 01792 200303 Monday- Thursday 8.00am until 2.00pm and Friday 8.00am until 12.00pm.

What about future contraception?

You should start using contraception straight away. This will be discussed with you at the clinic. We will provide your choice of contraception before you are discharged or can arrange an appointment at the Sexual health Clinic on 0300 555 0279.

Blood Groups

If you are found to be RhD Negative, you will be offered an anti-D injection after your termination only if you are over 9 weeks and 6 days pregnant and choose a medical abortion. This will be explained in more detail if needed. You can go to the NICE website here to find out more information on this in Routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for women who are RhD Negative: information for patients.

Fertility

If there were no problems with your abortion, it will not affect your chances of becoming pregnant in the future. Abortion does not increase your risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or low-lying placenta in future pregnancies.

Telephone contact details

To make, cancel or change an appointment 01792 200303 8.00am – 2.00pm Monday to Thursday, 8.00am - 12.00pm Friday