Getting an abortion in Victoria

Getting an abortion involves following these steps:

1. Confirm your pregnancy

2. Talk to a health professional

3. Consider the available types of abortion

4. Find an abortion service

5. Follow up care

Steps

1. Confirm your pregnancy

The first step you will need to take is to confirm that you are pregnant. You can do this by:

• home pregnancy test – a urine test purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket; or
• blood test or ultrasound by a GP.

Find out more about pregnancy testing.

2. Talk to a health professional       

You will need to talk to a health professional about the next steps. All of these steps take time so it’s important to take action as soon as you can. Depending on the health service that you go to for an abortion, you will need to consider:

• A referral from a GP for an ultrasound to confirm how many weeks pregnant you are.
• A referral from a GP for a blood test
• Discussing with your health care provider the most appropriate type of abortion for you. You will need to consider your gestation (how many weeks pregnant you are), any other health conditions that you have, your financial situation, which services are available in your local area, and your health care preferences.

You have the right to accurate and reliable information that will help you to make the right decision for you. Under Victorian law, a health practitioner who has a conscientious objection to providing abortion information must refer any woman seeking information about abortion services to another doctor who doesn't object. If you feel your doctor has not done this you can make a complaint via the Health Complaints Commissioner or Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

3. Consider the available types of abortions

Depending on how long you have been pregnant - as well as service availability, cost, and any prior medical conditions that you have - you may have the option of either a medical or surgical abortion.

• Medication abortion is generally available for pregnancies up to 9 weeks gestation. A medical abortion uses drugs given in doses over two or more days that induce miscarriage-like symptoms. Find out more about medication abortion.
• Surgical abortion  is usually performed by an operation called suction curette, under a general anaesthetic (with the woman asleep), and as a day procedure. Surgical abortion is a safe and common procedure performed in clinics and hospitals across Victoria. There are some differences in the procedure for abortions that take place after 12 weeks gestation. Find out more about surgical abortion.

4. Find an abortion service

You can ask your GP or other healthcare provider about abortion services close to you. You can also call 1800 My Options 1800 696 784 to find out about services in your area, or search for providers.

It is important that you ask your health care provider as many questions as you need to feel safe and comfortable about the procedure, and about what to expect. Some of these questions might include:

• What are the anaesthesia options for surgical abortion?
• What are the pain relief options for medical abortion?
• Is there anything that I should do to prepare before the abortion?
• Is there anything that I should or should not do after the abortion?
• What should I expect after the procedure, and how long might I expect to experience any symptoms?
• What should I do if something unexpected happens after the abortion?
• Will any of my current medical conditions effect my ability to access an abortion?
• Should I have a support person with me?
• What costs are involved in the procedure? How much money can I expect to receive in Medicare rebates?
• Do you have discounts for healthcare card holders?
• Can I pay for this procedure with a payment plan?
• Can I use my private health insurance?

Take your time to make sure you have the information you need. Your health care professional should give you the time you need to ensure you fully understand the procedure.

Other things to consider

• It can be helpful and important to have a support person you trust, and who is supportive of your decision to come with you on the day. Some doctors require you to have a support person to take you home safely after the procedure, particularly following a surgical abortion.
• It can be helpful to have a support person you trust with you as support during a medical abortion.
• If you are not sure if your doctor will be supportive of your decision to have an abortion, you may want to ring your GP clinic in advance to ask to see a pro-choice doctor.
• All GPs should be able to provide an interpreter service by phone.
• In addition to the cost of the procedure there may be other costs to factor in such as child care, contraception, ultrasound, etc. Costs can also vary depending on whether you have a healthcare card, Medicare card or private insurance.
• You may need to take leave from work or child care responsibilities to give yourself time to have the procedure and recover.

5. Follow up care

How you feel after an abortion will depend on your reasons for having one and how comfortable you were about your decision. The majority of women feel relieved and know they made the right decision for them.

After the abortion, some women want to talk about their experiences with a doctor, nurse or professional counsellor. Issues such as physical and emotional recovery, and contraceptive options are usually discussed.

If you find you need additional support, please let your abortion provider know, as some providers may be able to provide follow-up support or refer you to an appropriate support service. You can also find a list of non-biased, professional counselling and support services.