What to expect before an abortion

A pre-abortion consultation is a normal and important part of the abortion process. It will help you:

• make an informed choice that is best for your health and wellbeing
• make sure that having an abortion is the right decision for you
• understand what to expect
• access required tests, counselling and other support you might need.                              

It’s important to tell the nurse, doctor or midwife about:

• any health problems you might have and any drugs or medication you are taking
• any cultural support or disability assistance you want
• anything about you that you want them to know about
• any concerns you have.

• ask you about your medical history and health
• do a pregnancy test and/or ultrasound scan to confirm your current gestation (weeks of pregnancy) 
• order blood test and swabs
• discuss abortion types available to you
• explain how the procedure works, the side effects, and possible risks and complications
• discuss what happens to pregnancy remains (foetal tissue or 'products of conception')
• advise you how to get counselling, if this is something you want
• get you to sign consent to (agree to) having the procedure.

• contraceptive advice and a prescription, if needed
• information and advice on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You can change your mind about having an abortion at any time before it takes place. If you're having an early medical abortion, once you have taken the first medicine, you can't safely stop or reverse the abortion.

People having a medical abortion take two different types of medication - mifepristone and misoprostol. RANZCOG, the leading body of obstetrics and gynaecology and women's health in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, do not support the use of progesterone to reverse an abortion. 

Read the RANZCOG statement. 

You don't have to have counselling to get an abortion but for some people it can be helpful to talk about their feelings with a professional counsellor before making a decision. 

If you're unsure, contact your local abortion provider and ask for pregnancy options counselling. 

Your abortion provider will give you instructions about how to prepare for your abortion. 

If you're having an abortion at a clinic, you'll be provided with information about what to bring to the clinic and what you to expect. 

Blood tests are usually required before, and sometimes after an abortion. You may also need an ultrasound scan to confirm how many weeks pregnant you are. Your abortion provider will let you know what they require, and arrange this for you if needed.

Talk to your abortion provider about what will meet your specific cultural needs.

You can go to your first abortion appointment on your own or bring your partner, a friend or whānau member. You'll have the chance to talk to the nurse or doctor in private. This is so you can provide information in confidence. This also allows the nurse or doctor to confirm that the decision you're making is yours.

If you're having an early medical abortion, have a support person/tangata tautoko with you at home. Also, have access to a telephone and transport in case you need advice or help.

With later medical abortion at a clinic, it helps to have your support person/tangata tautoko with you to support you through the procedure.  

Normally, for surgical abortion, your support person/tangata tautoko is not allowed to be present during the actual procedure.

If you're having a later abortion procedure at a clinic you can't drive for 24 hours after the procedure. You'll need to arrange transport to and from your appointment. If you're having the procedure in a hospital or clinic outside your region, you might be able to get help with transport. Ask your abortion provider about this.