If you are pregnant and considering having an abortion, we encourage you to see a GP or women’s health specialist as soon as possible.
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Health outcomes for women are improved when abortion services are provided in the early stages of pregnancy. Accurate information about your options and supportive non-judgemental counselling can help you decide what’s best for you.
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Abortion is a health issue
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In 2008 the Victorian Parliament passed the Abortion Law Reform Act, which aligns the law with clinical practice and community support for health professionals to offer abortion as part of comprehensive, high quality women’s health care.
This law reform has decriminalised abortion when it is performed by a medical practitioner with a woman’s consent. Terminating a pregnancy that has passed 24 weeks gestation is lawful when two doctors have considered all the circumstances and determined that an abortion is appropriate.
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Abortion service providers in Victoria
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The Royal Women’s Hospital is one of a number of abortion service providers in Victoria.
The Better Health Channel provides information about public and private abortion service providers in Victoria. This includes information about what different service providers charge, where they are located and their contact details, as well as evidence based fact sheets about counselling and abortion procedures.
To talk to someone about your options for having an abortion, please call the Women’s Pregnancy Advisory Service - see quick information for the contact details.
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Abortion services at the Women’s
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The Pregnancy Advisory Service (PAS) is a pregnancy counselling service that can provide information, counselling, support, crisis intervention, advocacy and referrals to community service. PAS provides a comprehensive response that is sensitive and responsive to each woman’s individual and unique needs and circumstances.
PAS can make an appointment, subject to availability, for a medical consultation at the Women’s Hospital about having an abortion. If no appointment is available at the Women’s Hospital, PAS will provide contact information for other abortion service providers.
If you have particular needs, are experiencing hardship or any other difficulties, then PAS’ counsellors can help you to access other services and support at the Women’s or in the community.
PAS operates during business hours from Monday to Friday.
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The procedure
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Abortion is one of the safest procedures available in the health system when it is performed by qualified health professionals, with proper equipment and appropriate medical technique.
Most abortions are performed between 6 and 12 weeks of pregnancy (counted from the last menstrual period or measured by ultrasound). The Women’s offers medication and surgical methods of abortion.
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- A surgical abortion is usually performed by an operation called suction curette, under a general anaesthetic (with the woman asleep), and as a day procedure
- A medication abortion uses drugs given in doses over two or more days that induce miscarriage-like symptoms.
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At your medical consultation, your doctor will conduct a clinical assessment that takes account of your medical history and other relevant factors, discuss with you the most appropriate method of abortion and obtain your consent to the procedure.
If you have any of the following documents, please remember to bring them to your medical consultation at the Women's:
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- a Medicare Card
- a Health Care Card
- a blood group card
- the report of the ultrasound examination, if you have had one, and any other tests done by your doctor,
- a letter of referral from your doctor confirming your pregnancy.
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Most women experience unplanned pregnancy as a difficult health issue, but the evidence shows that there are rarely lasting negative consequences for women who choose to have an abortion. Many women find that when they have made a considered and informed decision, and have been supported in their decision by their partner, family and/or health professional, then the outcome is positive. Some women report feeling mixed emotions, such as relief as well as a sense of sadness and loss after the procedure, which diminish over time.
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Follow up services
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Abortion services at the Women’s are offered as part of our comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services. At the follow-up appointment, you can talk to your doctor about your ongoing contraception needs and any other counselling, support or referrals that may be of benefit for your health and wellbeing.
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