Abortion Pill
Surgical Abortion
Booking a Consultation
What to Expect
STI Testing
Abortion Pill by Post
Contraception
Abortion Aftercare
Abortion Counselling
NHS & Private Abortion
Abortion in Northern Ireland
lnternational Patients
Termination For Medical Reasons
Advice for Partners
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow Does an Abortion Work?
What is an Abortion?
An abortion or a ‘termination of pregnancy’ is when a pregnancy is expelled using medication or surgical methods. People have abortions for many different reasons including, not wanting to be pregnant, not being able to raise a child in their current environment or situation, pregnancy complications and health risks, as well as many other reasons. Abortions are accessible in the UK up to 23 weeks and 6 days pregnant. Read on to learn ‘how does an abortion work?’
Abortion Options: How Does an Abortion Work?
NUPAS provide advice and support for people to learn about their options and fully understand what’s involved in abortion care before going ahead with one. We are non-judgmental and will never persuade you to make any decisions about your body. Your choice about your pregnancy is yours to make.
The type of abortion you’ll receive depends on the gestation of your pregnancy as well as personal preference. During a consultation, your nurse will discuss your options, how to take the medications and the side effects as well as aftercare. You will have an ultrasound scan appointment to date the pregnancy before your telephone or clinic consultation.
Medical Abortion (Abortion Pills)
A medical abortion can be carried out either in a clinic or, if you are less than 10 weeks pregnant, sometimes at home with our ‘pills by post’ service. It involves taking two medications prescribed by a doctor: mifepristone and misoprostol.
How Does a Medical Abortion Work?
First, you take one mifepristone tablet, wait for one to two days, and then take misoprostol, which may come as tablets that dissolve in your mouth or are inserted into your vagina. Within 4 to 6 hours after taking the second medication, the pregnancy should start to pass through the vagina. If the pregnancy is not fully expelled, an additional dose of misoprostol may be needed, which should be discussed with a doctor or nurse.
Let them dissolve for 30 minutes, then swallow any remaining pieces with water or another liquid.
Bleeding usually begins around 2 hours after taking the second pills. There will also be some pain and cramping. Most people will not bleed after taking the first pill. The abortion usually takes place between 2 - 12 hours after taking the second pills.
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion is typically performed after 10 weeks of pregnancy but can also be done earlier.
How Does a Surgical Abortion Work?
There are two types of surgical abortion: one uses suction to remove the pregnancy through the vagina, which is usually performed between 7 and 14 weeks and takes about 5 to 10 minutes; the other uses forceps to remove the pregnancy through the vagina, typically starting around week 15. Before the procedure, you will receive either a local anaesthetic to numb your cervix, a general anaesthetic to put you to sleep during the operation, or sedation to keep you relaxed while awake. Most patients can go home the same day. However, if you have a general anaesthetic, you should not drive and should have someone stay with you for 24 hours.
What Happens During an Abortion?
The first medication, mifepristone, blocks progesterone from supporting the pregnancy. Afterwards, the second pills, misoprostol, cause your uterus to cramp and contract, while softening the cervix, which helps expel the uterine lining and its contents.
Where to Get an Abortion
NUPAS are one of many abortion providers in the UK that are part of the NHS, meaning all UK citizens can access our abortion care services free of charge. NUPAS have clinics across England offering several abortion care services and advice.
Get in touch with NUPAS
Give us a call:
The midwife was very nice and good to me and treat me well.
NUPAS Woolwich
I got good service from NUPAS.
NUPAS Twickenham
All of the staff were very lovely. I felt confident to be around them.
NUPAS Stoke
Every member of staff I encountered was incredible and even though I was so nervous, from the receptionist on the phone to the nurses and midwives who supported me, I am so grateful. At a very sad and difficult time, I was supported and felt no judgement.
NUPAS Stockport
Everybody I interacted with were extremely friendly, helpful and professional. Including the midwife I saw for the scan as well as the multiple ladies I spoke to on the phone. It made the whole process so much easier for me. Thank you.
NUPAS Reading
The woman I spoke to during my phone call consultation was very understanding and helpful. She made me feel very at ease and calm. Just want to say a massive thank you.
NUPAS Pills by Post
The staff made the experience a lot easier and made me less anxious. It was a safe environment and my choices felt supported.
NUPAS Manchester
Telephone Consultant was very kind and professional and knew what they were talking about, very good at their job.
NUPAS Maidenhead
I went for scan today. It was my first time. So I was very nervous about it. But when i reach the lady of NUPAS feel me comfortable and explain everything in detail. I like that. Thank you.
NUPAS Finchley
The consultant was very professional and knowledgeable, she explained everything in details.
NUPAS Essex
The nurse I saw was fantastic, she was warm friendly calm and informative! I felt well looked after with her as she was very thorough with her checks when scanning me.
NUPAS Cannock
Made to feel very comfortable and supported.
NUPAs Burton
Great team and great service. I was very scared, and confused but they have reassured me effectively and discussed all my options.
NUPAs Bolton
I have nothing but positive things to say about my whole experience ! Everyone was spectacular, I felt so supported and listened to.
NUPAS Battersea
Everyone at NUPAS were absolute angels. They made me feel so safe and reassured. They gave me all the information I needed and the number to contact if I needed to. When I did have questions or needed something changed they were great. From the man that took my request at the very start to the lady that got me ready to go home after my procedure everyone was amazing. I really can not thank you NUPAS enough.
NUPAS Aylesbury
“I am very pleased with how I was treated at NUPAS and how quick it is for your waiting times. I couldn’t thank the staff enough for how they looked after me during my time there, they were so supportive and looked after me during every second and took care of my needs. I’m so grateful for the way I was taken care of. They most certainly do a brilliant job! Without the support I had off members of staff, I wouldn’t have got through my procedure the way I did. Again thank you so much NUPAS team at stoke.”
NUPAS Stoke
“Queen was fantastic! She listened to me and answered all of my questions. She was empathetic, calm and patient. She made me feel safe to express any concerns I had about a termination and I would highly recommend the service. It’s been excellent from start to finish. Thank you”
She was empathetic, calm and patient
“Truly cannot thank the nurses/the team for everything they have done, they were truly so kind and understanding, made the process so much easier – I felt so safe and listened to, all of my questions were answered and I felt just so at ease the entire time! The small talk throughout and the fact I had a hand to hold throughout truly meant the world to me! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! You as a team are so appreciated!!”
I felt just so at ease the entire time!
