Compare abortion procedures
You may have a choice between an early medical or surgical abortion. Here's a summary of the main differences between them.
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The following information is intended as a general guide only. The procedure may vary at individual clinics, depending on the nurse, doctor or midwife providing the procedure. Your abortion provider will discuss what to expect with you.
Early medical abortion
Early surgical abortion
Also known as? - First trimester medical abortion.
- EMA.
- The abortion pill.
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP).
- First trimester surgical abortion.
- Vacuum aspiration.
- Suction termination.
- Surgical Termination of Pregnancy (STOP).
How far along in the pregnancy can I be? - Up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
- Within the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Up to about 14 weeks of pregnancy.
- First trimester of pregnancy.
Where does the procedure take place? - You may see a nurse, doctor or midwife in a clinic and receive two medicines (tablets) to take at home.
- With telemedicine EMA you may talk to a nurse, doctor or midwife on the phone and then collect the medicines from a pharmacy, clinic or get them sent by courier.
- Abortion occurs at home.
- With a doctor in a hospital or community clinic.
- Abortion occurs at the clinic.
Time commitment? Process may vary with individual providers.
- Usually 2-3 consultations with the abortion provider.
- Most people take maximum of three days for the treatment.
- Stage 1 - Blood test followed by first medicine (day one).
- Stage 2 - Second medicine (24 to 48 hours after first medicine).
- Stage 3 – Pregnancy tissue passes (miscarry) and recovery at home (several hours or days).
- Stage 4 - Blood test one week after second medicine taken, to confirm pregnancy has ended.
Process may vary with individual providers.
- Usually two 3-4 hour visits to the abortion provider.
- The abortion itself takes 5-10 minutes but you will spend 1-3 hours at the clinic.
- Follow-up appointment two weeks later, if needed.
Time off work/study? - Usually return to work or other normal activities the next day after the abortion.
- Usually return to work or other normal activities the next day after the abortion.
How painful is it? - From mild to strong cramping off and on throughout the abortion (commonly 1-4 hours but may be longer).
- You will be given medicine to help with the pain, as needed.
- From mild to strong cramping during the abortion (commonly a 5 to 10-minute period).
- You will be given medicine to help with the pain during and afterwards.
How much will I bleed? - Heavy bleeding and clots to pass the pregnancy.
- Usually light to moderate bleeding after the abortion, which may last up to two weeks.
- Usually light to moderate bleeding, which usually settles within a few days. May last up to two weeks.
How safe is it? - Very safe and serious complications are very rare. It is extremely rare for future fertility to be affected (your ability to get pregnant again).
- Very safe and serious complications are very rare. It is extremely rare for future fertility to be affected (your ability to get pregnant again).
How successful is it? - Between 90 to 99% of medical abortions are successful.
- If it fails, a surgical abortion or further abortion medication will be necessary.
- Usually successful (99%) but if it fails it will need to be repeated.
How much does it cost? - Free to most New Zealand citizens and residents. Non-NZ residents will have to pay for abortion. Prices for non-NZ residents vary depending on the abortion provider.
- Free to most New Zealand citizens and residents. Non-NZ residents will have to pay for abortion. Prices for non-NZ residents vary depending on the abortion provider.
Some people prefer this method - It can be carried out very early in pregnancy.
- It may feel more natural, like a miscarriage.
- It enables people to self-manage their abortion, and provide a feeling of autonomy and mana motuhake.
- It can occur in the comfort, privacy and familiarity of home with support people.
- No anaesthesia is required.
- It reduces the time and costs of travel.
- There is no surgical procedure (unless it fails).
- It can be done after 10 weeks' pregnancy.
- The actual procedure is quick, over in a few minutes.
- It is highly successful.
- For most, there is less cramping and bleeding than with an EMA (both during and after surgical abortion).
- Medical staff are present.
- There is less bleeding than with an EMA and the person does not have to see any possible evidence of pregnancy remains, unless they want to.
Some people dislike this method - It takes several days to complete the process.
- How long it takes can’t be predicted.
- Cramping and bleeding can be severe and last for longer than with a surgical abortion.
- It fails slightly more often than surgical abortion (depending on how many weeks pregnant you are).
- There is a procedure. A clinician must insert instruments inside the uterus. The vacuum aspirator may seem noisy.
- Anaesthetics and drugs to manage pain during the procedure may cause side effects.
- They have less control over the process and who is with them during the procedure.
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Later abortion procedures
If you are over about 14 weeks pregnant and want an abortion, you will need to have a later abortion procedure.