We provide confidential, client-based options counselling for people who have an unexpected or difficult pregnancy.
Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy. It is a medical procedure to stop a pregnancy. This way of ending a pregnancy (by the abortion procedure) is different to the medical event of ‘spontaneous abortion’ which is a naturally occurring miscarriage and does not involve an abortion medical procedure.
There are two kinds of abortion available to women in Australia – surgical and medical abortion.
Some of the differences are:
| Medical abortion | Surgical abortion |
| Avoids surgery | Surgical procedure |
| Can occur in the privacy of the patient’s own home | Day hospital admission |
| Can take days to complete | Completed in 5–10 minutes followed by 30 minutes to one hour of observation time |
| Somewhat and variably painful | Usually less painful; anaesthesia is available |
| ≥95% success rate within 1–3 weeks | 99% success rate |
| Generally much heavier bleeding than a period | Light bleeding |
| Typically 2–3 office visits plus ultrasonography and blood tests | Typically 1–2 office visits |
| Requires a support person to drive depending on anaesthesia |
In Victoria, abortion is available up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Beyond 24 weeks abortion occurs much less frequently. Abortion at this stage is not elective as the decision for abortion is made by medical doctors based on medical information, for example, where a mother cannot survive the pregnancy or a fetus cannot survive birth.
Are there any possible physical effects?
Many women report none or minimal problems. However, some women say that they experience longer term physical effects.
Read MoreAre the any possible emotional effects?
Many women report none or minimal problems. However, some women say that they experience longer term emotional impact.
The Morning After Pill
What do I need to know?
Mifepristone
What do I need to know?
Are there any other options?
You have the legal right to choose the outcome of your pregnancy. But real empowerment comes when you find the resources and inner strength necessary to make your best choice. Here are some other options.