A medical abortion involves taking 2 medicines to end the pregnancy. You will not need surgery or an anaesthetic. It's done free of charge.
Your abortion is private. We will not share information with your GP or any other doctors without your consent.
Before a medical abortion
You have to have a pre-abortion consultation. This has to be at least 3 days before the abortion.
You must be no more than 12 weeks pregnant on the day of the abortion. This is unless you are having an abortion under exceptional circumstances. This is the law.
If you are more than 9 weeks pregnant, you will have the medical abortion in hospital. Your GP or doctor will refer you.
What happens during a medical abortion
A medical abortion usually involves 3 steps.
The doctor will check and confirm that you are still no more than 12 weeks pregnant on the day the abortion begins. 12 weeks is no more than 84 days since the first day of your last period.
You will be asked to sign a medical abortion consent form (PDF, 1.6 MB, 1 page).
Step 1 — first medicine (mifepristone)
You first take a medicine called mifepristone. Mifepristone comes as a tablet.
The tablet stops the hormone that allows the pregnancy to continue. The lining of the uterus breaks down and the pregnancy cannot continue.
You'll be able to do your normal activities afterwards.
Once you take mifepristone, the abortion will begin. It cannot be reversed. If you decide not to take the second tablet, there is a risk of harm to the fetus if you continue with the pregnancy.
After taking mifepristone, you might also feel like you need to vomit. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking this tablet, contact your GP or doctor as soon as possible. You will need to take the tablet again.
Most women do not have bleeding or pain after taking mifepristone. But if you think the pregnancy has left your body before taking the second medicine call the My Options helpline on freephone 1800 828 010.
If you are rhesus negative
Your doctor will discuss an anti-D injection with you if your blood type is rhesus negative. This is recommended for all women over 10 weeks who are rhesus negative.
Step 2 — second medicine (misoprostol)
Usually 24 to 48 hours later you take a second medicine called misoprostol.
Misoprostol comes as 2 or 4 tablets that you take at the same time.
You will take the tablets at home or in hospital, depending on what stage of pregnancy you're at.
You place each of these tablets between your gum and cheek and let them dissolve in your mouth.
Misoprostol makes the womb contract, causing cramping and bleeding. Heavy bleeding usually starts 2 to 4 hours after taking misoprostol. But it may start sooner or later.
You should plan this process so that it fits in with your daily schedule. Take time off and make sure that you have support available at home.
Bleeding and cramping usually last for at least a few hours. You will probably need to take pain relief medicine (ibuprofen) at this stage.
You might also:
- feel dizzy
- feel sick or vomit
- have a headache
- have diarrhoea
- have temporary flushes or sweats
Step 3 — abortion completed
Within 2 to 4 hours of taking the second tablet, the lining of your womb will break down. This will cause bleeding. For most women the pregnancy will leave your body.
If you are 9 to 12 weeks, you will have to stay at the hospital while this happens.
For others it may be quicker or may take longer. It can sometimes take a few days.
You may see large blood clots or tissue at the time of the abortion.
Under 8 weeks, you are only likely to see the sac where the early pregnancy is developing.
Disposing of the pregnancy remains
You can decide how to dispose of the pregnancy remains. They can be flushed down the toilet, or wrapped in tissue and disposed of as you wish.
Bleeding after a medical abortion
You will generally bleed for 2 weeks afterwards. This bleeding will be like your regular period.
Some women may have light bleeding or spotting for up to 4 weeks afterwards.
If you are worried about how much you are bleeding or how long it is lasting, contact your doctor or My Options.
Pain management
Most women will have strong cramping during a medical abortion. These cramps are stronger than usual period pains.
You can lessen the pain if you:
- wear comfortable clothes
- apply a heat pad or hot water bottle to your lower tummy
- use pain medicine like ibuprofen
Your doctor can give you a prescription for pain medicine if you need it.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with these medicines.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.
After a medical abortion
Your GP or doctor will give you a special pregnancy test to take at home 2 weeks after the abortion.
This is a low-sensitivity test. It is different to a normal pregnancy test. This is to confirm that the pregnancy has ended.
It's important to take this test. If the abortion does not work, the pregnancy could be continuing. If the pregnancy continues and goes over 12 weeks, you will not be able to have another abortion, unless in exceptional circumstances. This is the law.
The risk of an ongoing pregnancy is:
- between 9 to 12 weeks - 2 in every 100 medical abortions
- under 9 weeks pregnant - 1 to 2 in every 100 medical abortions
Post-abortion check-up
You will also have the choice to visit your GP or doctor for a post-abortion check-up about 2 weeks after the abortion. The doctor will make sure the abortion is complete and that you are healing properly.
This final visit is optional. But it is free and you should attend it.
If you do not go to your post abortion check-up, the doctor might call you instead.
Risks and complications
Medical abortions are generally very safe. Most women will not experience any problems.
But like any medical treatment, there is a small risk that something could go wrong.
Risks and complications of a medical abortion include:
- the abortion may take longer than you thought
- infection - this happens in 1 to 2 in every 1,000 abortions
- excessive bleeding, possibly needing a blood transfusion - this happens in less than 1 in 1000 women
- irregular or prolonged bleeding after the abortion
There is also a small risk that pregnancy tissue can remain in the womb after the abortion. This happens in 2 to 3 in every 100 abortions. A minor surgical procedure may be needed to remove the remaining tissue.
Common side effects
It is common to experience some pain after the procedure. You may also experience:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- headaches
- dizziness
- fever or chills
Further treatment
You may need further treatment if complications happen.
This could include:
- surgical abortion - in cases of failed or incomplete abortion
- blood transfusion - if there is very heavy bleeding
- antibiotics - if you have an infection
Success rate of medical abortion
A medical abortion has a 98% success rate of ending pregnancy.
But there is a small chance that it will not be successful.
You may need to have a surgical abortion or further medicine if the abortion fails to end the pregnancy.