Having an Abortion for Medical Reasons

People decide to have abortions for many different reasons, including medical ones. You might decide to have an abortion in order to protect your own health. Abortions can also be performed if there is a health problem affecting the baby.

Why Do People Have Abortions for Medical Reasons?

Some of the medical reasons for having an abortion include:

• Severe pregnancy complications are making it impossible for you to continue with the pregnancy
• You need a treatment such as chemotherapy or medication that you can’t have while you’re pregnant
• The pregnancy is putting your health or life at risk
• Giving birth would put your health or life at risk
• You are at high risk of a miscarriage or stillbirth, so it is safer for you to have an abortion
• A serious or fatal foetal abnormality was found during your antenatal tests
• The pregnancy isn’t viable, for example if you have an ectopic pregnancy

Deciding to Have an Abortion for Medical Reasons

Having an abortion is always a big decision, but it can be particularly difficult when there is a medical reason not to continue with the pregnancy. You may be learning about a medical condition you’ve never heard of before or trying to understand what the results of your antenatal tests mean. If the pregnancy was planned then it can be extremely hard to decide what’s best. Even if it was an unexpected pregnancy, it can be upsetting to feel as if factors outside your control are influencing your decision. You may also be suffering from symptoms that make it harder to think clearly.

Even though it’s difficult, you need to take some time to consider what’s best for you and your family. It’s important to be aware of the risks so that you can make an informed decision.

• Make sure that you understand your diagnosis or test results. Ask your doctor to explain the problem and the risks in detail. If you’re unsure about anything, ask more questions until you know what you need to make the decision.
• Try to imagine what would happen if you had the abortion. How would you feel about your decision now and in the future?
• Think about what could happen if you continued with the pregnancy. What are the risks to you and to the baby? Are there treatments that can help? What are the most likely effects and what is the worst-case scenario?

It’s important to get all the information you can from your doctors when making any kind of medical decision. Unfortunately, sometimes it isn’t possible to say for sure what the effects could be. Your doctor might only be able to tell you how likely certain effects will be for you or your baby. We know a lot about some conditions, but there might not be much information about others.

Where to Find Support

Your doctors are an important source of information and support, so make sure you talk to them and ask as many questions as you need. You might want to see your GP, an obstetrician, or a doctor at an abortion clinic to get different kinds of advice.

It’s also important to get support from your friends and family. You might want to talk to your partner, a relative, or someone else who is a good listener. Even if all they can do is listen to how you feel, it can still be good to talk.

If you need additional support before or after making your decision, then you may also want to see a therapist or counsellor. You could also use a helpline or look for support through organisations such as ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices).

Talking to other people can be helpful, but it’s important to remember that this is your decision. There is no right or wrong choice that will suit everyone. The best option for you will depend on how you feel about the pregnancy, your attitudes to abortion, and your unique circumstances. What is right for one woman isn’t always the best option for another, even when the situation seems very similar.

If you want to get unbiased advice on abortion then you can arrange a consultation with Mr Michael Stafford at the 132 Healthwise clinic in London. He will explore the options with you and support you while you make your decision.