Surgical abortion is a safe, legal and common way to end a pregnancy. Surgical abortion is safe when performed by a trained medical professional. However, all surgery has some risks.
What to expect
Surgical abortion is performed in a clinic or hospital. It is a day procedure usually done when the patient is asleep under a a general anaesthetic. You can expect to be at the clinic or hospital for five to six hours. It is necessary to not smoke, vape, eat or drink for about 6 hours before the procedure.
The type of procedure depends on the length of the pregnancy. For a pregnancy under 12 weeks, the procedure takes about 15 minutes. For a pregnancy of more than 12 weeks it takes more time and may involve extra steps. The clinic will give you the information that suits your situation.
After the surgery
For 14 days after the abortion do not place anything into your vagina. This is to reduce the chance of infection. It includes no:
- vaginal sex
- tampons or menstrual cups. Use pads instead
- swimming
- baths; however, showering is safe.
Bleeding
Bleeding after a surgical abortion is different for everyone. Some people have:
- no bleeding at all
- bleeding that stops and starts
- a heavy flow for a few days
- spotting for up to four weeks.
These are all normal. A normal period should come four to six weeks after the abortion.
What are the risks and complications?
Abortion is a safe procedure and major complications are rare. Some complications can include infection and excessive bleeding. Risks are greater the further along the pregnancy.
Contraception
An abortion is a good time to discuss ongoing contraception, so you can plan for any future pregnancy. Long-acting reversible contraception such as a contraceptive implant or Intra Uterine Device (IUD) is reliable and cost-effective. These can be fitted during a surgical abortion procedure. Other hormonal methods, such as “the pill” can be started the day after a surgical abortion.
Feelings after an abortion
It is normal to have many different feelings after an abortion. These often depend on why you had the abortion, how you feel about it, and if you have people around you who support your decision. Often, people feel relieved that they have made the decision that was best for them at the time. There are supports available to talk through your feelings. Contact 1800 My Options for more information about the supports available.
Related information
- 1800 My Options For information about contraception, pregnancy options, abortion and sexual health services
- Better Health Channel Abortion information in many languages
Disclaimer
The Women’s does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided on the Website or incorporated into it by reference. The Women’s provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.