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Before the Operation

Consultation

An abortion consultation involves a number of procedures. These include a physical examination (including an internal examination where the doctor places her/his fingers in the vagina and feels the uterus), a blood test to find out blood group and check for anaemia, and a review of medical history to establish physical fitness and general health. Sometimes an ultrasound scan is done to confirm your dates.

The quality of the consultation depends mainly on the attitude of the doctor or counsellor - some may be judgmental, but many are sympathetic and understanding.

Practical information

You should get an explanation about how the operation will be performed (with as little or as much detail as you want), the type of anaesthetic and possible risks, the length of stay, when your period is expected to return, and follow up appointments. These are usually two to six weeks later, at the hospital, clinic, doctor's surgery or family planning clinic.

Many abortions are done as day surgery so you may go home the same day.

Advice about problems

You should be told how to recognise possible complications and who to contact if they rise.

Screening for Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Britain. The majority of women who are infected don't know they are carrying it. If it spreads from the vagina into the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries it can cause a serious infection (called pelvic inflammatory disease) which may lead to fertility problems in the future. If caught early, treatment is simple: a course of antibiotics. This will clear up the infection very quickly and the operation need not be delayed. If chlamydia is present, it can be spread by surgery. We recommend that women are tested for it before an abortion (or any procedure where the cervix is opened, such as insertion of an IUD or a D&C). This is a sensible precaution to prevent serious infection. You may not be offered this test as a matter of routine so you may have to ask for it, or organise it yourself. You can have it done at your local genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic. There should be one at your local hospital. You do not need a referral from your GP, and at many you don't need an appointment. If you are found to have chlamydia, your partner(s) must also be tested and given treatment, otherwise you will be re-infected. Your local GUM clinic will help you.

Rhesus Immunisation

Women who have a blood type known as Rhesus negative and who have a Rhesus positive fetus can develop blood antibodies at the time of an abortion. These antibodies may harm future wanted pregnancies. Make sure you know your blood group at the start of the operation. If you are Rhesus negative you should be given an injection of anti D gamma globulin before you leave the clinic. This will prevent the formation of antibodies.

Contraceptive Advice

It is possible to become pregnant again very soon after an abortion, even before you get your next period, if you have unprotected intercourse. You should be offered contraceptive advice before the operation. You may feel pressured into making decisions about using one particular method over another. It should be your choice. It might be a good idea to wait until you are completely recovered physically and no longer under the stress of an unwanted pregnancy before making a permanent decision about birth control. If you have already planned to use the pill, you can start taking it the day after the abortion.

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SOME OF THE INFORMATION ON THESE PAGES HAS NOW BEEN SUPERSEDED

Based on leaflets written by Lesley Dike
and Women’s Reproductive Rights Information Centre. This edition revised by Women’s Health 1999.

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