What is medical termination?
A medical termination uses medication to end a pregnancy. It is safe and effective for pregnancies up to nine weeks gestation. Women may have a medical termination due to an unintended pregnancy or because pregnancy complications require a termination.
What do I need to do to prepare for a medical termination?
A termination can be stressful and upsetting, especially if this is happening because of pregnancy complications. Think about who can support you during this time and consider taking time off work or study.
You may want to talk to your GP about a referral to a counsellor or contact the following support lines:
- Family Planning NSW: 1300 658 886
- Pregnancy Counselling Australia: 1300 737 732
What will happen during a medical termination?
The doctor will go through your medical history. They will also do an ultrasound.
Stage One
You will be given a medication called mifepristone. This stops the body from sustaining a pregnancy. Some women experience bleeding but most report no side effects.
If you have already miscarried, the service will skip this medication and move straight to stage two.
Stage Two
You will be given a second medication to take at home 24 to 48 hours after the first. If you have already miscarried, the service will give it to you to take straight away.
This medication is called misoprostol. This will cause you to experience something similar to a miscarriage.
Most women will experience bleeding and cramping in the first four hours. Strong cramping may be felt for the first 24 hours. 90 percent of women will have expelled all pregnancy tissue in the first 24 hours. Most women describe it as more than a normal period.
If no bleeding has occurred in the first 24 hours, contact the clinic as you may need a second dose.
If the cramping is painful, you can use over the counter pain medication. Your doctor may have prescribed something for the pain as well.
