Deciding to end a pregnancy
In some cases, people may feel certain about their decision to end a pregnancy. Others may find it more difficult. If you’re considering an abortion, it’s important to remember that the decision is yours.
There is support and information available if you’re having trouble deciding.
You can speak to your doctor and organisations such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) and MSI Reproductive Choices. You can also choose to speak to a counsellor who has experience in this field.
You may want to speak to friends or family members, but remember that you don’t have to speak to anyone you don’t want to and that, ultimately, the decision is yours alone.
Abortion services are confidential. If you’re concerned about who may be told about your care or what information may be recorded or shared, you can ask your healthcare provider to explain their confidentiality policy.
If you’re under 16, you’ll usually be encouraged to tell a parent or trusted adult; however, your parents don’t usually need to be told.
In this video, person-centred counsellor Berny Sansome MBACP explains how counselling can support you through the termination of pregnancy.
Abortion and termination: understanding the terms
You may also hear abortion referred to as a "termination of pregnancy" or "termination". These terms refer to the same thing, but people may have different preferences about the language they use. You can use whichever term feels most comfortable for you.
How to access abortion services
Once you have come to the decision to end your pregnancy, there are several ways you can get an abortion:
- You can visit your GP, who will refer you to an abortion service.
- You can visit your local sexual health clinic.
- You can also contact an abortion provider such as BPAS, MSI, or NUPAS directly.
An abortion can generally be carried out up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy. From 24 weeks, it can only be carried out in limited circumstances.
What happens before an abortion
Before having an abortion, you'll have an assessment with the abortion service. This gives you the opportunity to discuss your options and ask any questions you may have. Depending on your circumstances, you may be offered blood tests, tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or an ultrasound scan to check how long you've been pregnant.
You should also be offered the chance to talk things through with a counsellor if you think this would be helpful.
Types of abortion
There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. The options available to you will depend on factors including how long you've been pregnant. Where possible, you should be given the choice.
- Medical abortion. This involves taking medicines to end the pregnancy.
- Surgical abortion. This is when a minor surgical procedure is used. You will normally be able to go home soon after.
You will be able to change your mind at any point up until the procedure starts.
What happens after an abortion?
After an abortion, you may experience some discomfort and bleeding. Your abortion provider should explain what to expect and when to seek medical advice.
Everyone’s experience of abortion is different, and there is no right or wrong way to feel afterwards. You may experience a range of emotions, and these feelings may change over time. If you’re finding things difficult or would like to talk about your experience, counselling can offer a space to explore how you’re feeling.
Abortion counselling
Counselling after an abortion can provide a safe, non-judgemental space to talk through the emotions you may be experiencing. Different therapeutic approaches may be helpful depending on what you'd like support with.
Therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you explore how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected and develop ways to cope with difficult feelings.
If you are struggling to show yourself kindness, you may also want to explore compassion-focused therapy, which focuses on developing greater self-compassion.
There may be times when you want some extra support or simply a space to talk. Counselling can offer a safe, non-judgemental place to explore your feelings at your own pace.
Finding a counsellor for abortion support
While there are no official rules that specify the level of training and experience an abortion counsellor needs, it’s worth checking that your therapist has experience supporting people in this area.
You may also want to check whether they belong to a recognised professional body and ask about their experience of supporting people before or after an abortion.
Overall, your counsellor should be in a position to go through all of your options with you without bias. Rather than give you advice, a good counsellor will offer support both as you make your decision and after the procedure.
If you'd like emotional support around an abortion, you can find a counsellor with experience in this area.
