Booking an Abortion Consultation

Yes, an abortion consultation is a legal requirement for providing abortion care. You will need to have a consultation with a clinician before the treatment is offered. This consultation can be conducted face-to-face or over the phone. If you are under 16 years old, you will need to be seen at one of our clinics.

During the consultation, the clinician will review your medical history to determine the best treatment options for you. They will explain what the abortion procedure involves, including potential risks and complications, to ensure you can provide informed consent. The clinician will also be available to answer any questions you may have.

If you need more time to make your decision, please let us know. We can arrange for you to speak with a trained counsellor if you think it would help you feel more confident in your decision.

If you start feeling unsure about having an abortion after your consultation, don’t worry. You can change your mind at any time before the treatment begins. If you decide not to proceed, just inform us so we can cancel your appointment.

If you change your mind after taking the first medical abortion tablet (Mifepristone) and decide to continue the pregnancy, please inform us as soon as possible. While Mifepristone is not known to cause birth anomalies, there may be an increased risk of miscarriage later in the pregnancy. We also recommend informing your GP and midwife.

There are no clinical guidelines that recommend any medications to reverse a medical abortion.

You can let us know if you are taking any regular medication during your clinical assessment. If you are taking prescribed medication you should continue to take these as normal. If you are prescribed Aspirin, Warfarin or Clopidogrel (Plavix), please tell the clinician during your consultation.

For your consultation please have a list of any medicines or inhalers that are prescribed to you.

• For your abortion treatment:
• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
• Have a supply of sanitary towels that are suitable for a heavy flow (not tampons).
• Have a supply of pain relief at home, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, or any regular pain relief medication you would normally use.
• Heat pads or a hot water bottle can also be effective at managing pain.

If you are having a surgical abortion with sedation or general anaesthetic, we will give you instructions on how to prepare for treatment.

NUPAS offer free pregnancy testing. Book a consultation for pregnancy advice.

If you’re unable to do a pregnancy test yourself, you can bring a urine sample to your consultation. For accurate testing, bring a sample of the first wee in the morning as this will contain higher levels of the hormone we detect for pregnancy.

Alternatively, you may be able to get a free pregnancy test from your GP.