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Abortion FAQs


How will I make an appointment

To make an appointment phone the day surgery closest to you and staff will give you an appointment at a suitable date and time.  It is not necessary to have a referral from a doctor, however a confirmed pregnancy test is advisable.

What questions will I be asked over the telephone?:

  • What was the date of the first day of your last period; from this date, we will determine your gestation in weeks.  You must be at least 6 weeks pregnant in order for a termination to take place.
  • Your full name, current address and contact telephone number
  • Date of birth
  • The name and telephone number of your next of kin
  • The name and telephone number of a responsible person to collect and escort you home
  • Medicare card number and Health Care Card Number, expiry and reference number.

In preparation for your day surgery:

What to bring with you:

  • A letter from your doctor if you have one
  • Your medicare card
  • Your Health Card/Pension Card
  • Legal identification (such as a driver’s license, student card)
  • Your blood group and RH factor
  • A recent Ultra sound if you have one
  • The fee.  This would have been quoted to you at the time of making the appointment.  This can be payable in Cash, eftpos or credit card.  Personal cheques are not accepted.
  • 2 clean pairs of panties (no G Strings)
  • 2 individually wrapped adhesive sanitary pads
  • A Warm jumper, cardigan, dressing gown or jacket
  • A pair of clean socks
  • Bring any daily medication you are taking
  • You may have ONE support person accompany you on the day, who would normally leave after your admission.

Things to note :

  • No facial body piercing
  • No nail polish
  • You must fast, i.e. nothing to eat, drink, smoke, sip or chew from midnight prior to your appointment time
  • No extra money or valuables to be brought into the clinic
  • You must have a responsible adult escort you home.
  • You cannot drive a car for 24 hours after an anaesthetic (do not bring your car).

For this reason, you should arrange for a responsible person to collect you and accompany you home.

  • Please notify us if you use or have ever used IV drugs and/or have tested positive for Hepatitis B or C, HIV or TB
  • You can expect to stay with us between 3 and 5 hours
  • Children are not permitted in the clinic; we do not have child minding facilities.
  • Please confirm your appointment 2 days before

How much will it cost?

In Australia Medicare pays for the abortion, however there is a separate charge for your theatre fee.

This fee varies from clinic to clinic; also it depends of how far pregnant you are.

For example, if you are under 12 weeks, the approximate cost to you will be between $300 and $700, however if you are 13 weeks, it will cost more than this, because as each week progresses, the procedure takes longer, the risks increase, and it is more complicated.  You will be quoted a fee after a confirmed ultrasound is done.

Women without a medicare card can expect to pay $750 and extra for any pathology required on the day.

What happens when I  come to the surgery on the day of the procedure?

Firstly you will be greeted at reception.  Most of your details will already be recorded on your admission form, however you will be required to answer further questions regarding your health and read information pertaining to consent for the procedure and the risks associated with the procedure.

After this, you will be seen by the Admission’s Offficer.  Your partner or escort would normally leave after this process. 

You will then be shown through to the pre-operative change and waiting room.  You will change into a gown, and your belongings will be placed in a basket which you will keep with you at all times.

The operating doctor will introduce herself/himself and escort you to her/his office.
Here the doctor will perform an ultrasound, discuss any questions you may have about the procedure.  Once you are satisfied, you and the doctor will sign the consent form, in confirmation in proceeding with the procedure.

The Anaesthetist will consult with you next and discuss the anaesthetic options you have.

Next, a theatre nurse will introduce herself and then escort you through to the operating room.  She will not leave your side from this point one, until the operation is over and you are transferred to the recovery room.

In Recovery, nurses will take your observations and when you are awake and well enough, then assist you in getting dressed.

You will then go to the post operative lounge where you will help yourself to food and drink.  The nurses will check on you again, until they satisfied that you are well enough to be discharged.

In the meantime, your escort home has telephone the surgery, and we have given him/her the time that you will be discharged from the premises.  They will meet you at Reception.

This process takes between 3 and 5 hours.

What types of anaesthesia are offered?

There are three types of anaesthesia available at the PPA day surgeries.

  • General Anaesthetic (going to sleep)

The doctor inserts a cannula and injects a combination of drugs to calm and relax you.  When this has taken effect he/she will ask you to breathe in oxygen through a special mask and while you are doing this he/she will send you to sleep.  As the procedure is short, you will wake up soon after being transferred to a trolley bed and taken to recovery.  You will not wake up during the procedure.

  • Intravenous sedation/Twilight anaesthetic (heavily sedated); as above but instead of sending you to sleep totally, he/she will inject local into the cervix (opening of the uterus) to further numb and dull that area.
  • Local anaesthetic – this method uses only local anaesthetic to your cervix only.

The choice is between your anaesthetist and yourself on the day of the procedure.

It is important that you note:

  • that if you want general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation, you must have fasted (nothing to eat, drink, sip, chew or smoke) for at least 6 hours prior to your appointment, and
  • You must arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you from the clinic at discharge
  • That it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle for 24 hours after an anaesthetic, as the drugs remain in your system for up to 24 hours.
  • It is advisable also, not to operate machinery, sign any legal documents for 24 hour

How will I feel emotionally afterwards?

Women’s reactions to having an abortion are mixed and varied as are their reasons for having an abortion.  You may be feeling :

  • Sadness
  • Tearfulness
  • Relief
  • Guilty
  • Angry,
  • Or a combination of a few

In most cases these emotions felt after an abortion will dissipate with time and usually women are able to get on with their lives fairly quickly.  It helps to talk it over with a special girlfriend, family member, doctor or counsellor.  Sometimes just this simple process is all that you will need to make a full recovery.

Post Operative Care

As we are day surgeries, there are no after hour emergency facilities at the day surgery.  Should you experience any difficulties following your procedure, you should contact your Doctor or go to the nearest hospital.  If you have a medical emergency, please call 000.   Our after-hours telephone message will record this message.

How do I care for myself after the procedure?

  • Infection:
    To reduce the possibility of infection, do not put anything into your vagina for two weeks afterwards, i.e.
    • No sex
    • No tampons (pads only)
    • No bathing (showers only)
    • No swimming

What can I expect after the procedure?  What is abormal?

  • Bleeding :
    You may experience bleeding or no bleeding, you may have a burst of bleeding which will last only a short period and will settle down.  All is quite normal.  Soaking 2 pads in an hour for 2-3 hours is not normal so you should contact the day surgery.
  • Fever and/or clots:
    If you feel you have an elevated temperature (above 38.0 degrees) this may indicate an infection.  You should contact us immediately. 
  • Cramping:
    You may experience cramping, similar to period cramping; taking a pain relief tablet and placing a hot water bottle on your tummy will help dissipate this discomfort.
  • Activities:
    You may resume normal activity the day after the operation although you should avoid strenuous physical activity for one week or until the bleeding stops.

After an Anaesthetic or IV Sedation:
Even though you may be feeling fully recovered, it is important that you MUST NOT:

  • Drive a motor vehicle
  • Operate machinery
  • Consume alcohol
  • Consume any drugs not prescribed for you
  • Sign any important documents
  • Do anything that requires fine decision making skills until the next day.

Oral Contraception:
If you are taking the oral contraceptive pill, then start the pill on the night of the procedure, or the morning afterwards.  You must complete one packet of pills (one month) to be protected.

Other Contraception:
IUD’s and Implanon can be inserted between the first and third day of your first period

Pregnancy symptoms:
Nausea and urinating more frequently should subside over the next 2-3 days; if a pregnancy test was done, it would still be positive until the hormones return to normal.

Breast Engorgement:
Occasionally your breasts may enlarge, become tender and sometimes leak milk on the third day after your termination (more likely to happen over 12 weeks pregnant)  This is normal and is triggered by hormonal changes.  It will return to normal in a few days, in the meantime wearing a firm bra and not stimulate the breast will assist.

Can I get pregnant after the procedure?

Since ovulation (the time when you can get pregnant) occurs before a period, then yes you can fall pregnant again.  Be sure to use a reliable method of birth control.

When to expect your period after a termination?

You should get your period in 4-8 weeks; it may not be similar to your regular period, perhaps heavier.  If you do not get period before 8 weeks, then contact the day surgery immediately.

Post-Operative Checkup:

A check up is necessary two weeks after the procedure, or earlier if there are problems.  This can be done with your own doctor or Family Planning.  You will be given a doctor’s letter from us to give your doctor.

Remember:
If you are worried about anything, please give us a call.