FAQs

The best way to confirm if you're pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are reliable and widely available. You can get a pregnancy test from a pharmacy, chemist or Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinic. 

Am I pregnant?

Yes. At home pregnancy tests work as long as you follow the instructions carefully. You can get a pregnancy test from a pharmacy, chemist or Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinic. 

Wait at least a week after you’ve missed your normal period to take a pregnancy test. Do the test first thing in the morning, when your urine (pee/mimi) is most concentrated.

A positive pregnancy test means you are pregnant.

A negative pregnancy test means you are not pregnant.

If you returned a negative pregnancy test but still feel you might be pregnant, contact Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa or your GP or health practitioner.

If the test result is negative and you don’t want to get pregnant, check out contraception options at Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa or with your nurse or doctor.

Contraception options

If you've had a negative pregnancy test result but still feel you might be pregnant, contact Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa or your nurse or doctor. You might have to do a repeat pregnancy test or a blood test. 

If you're having sex (penis in vagina sex), using contraception is the best way to prevent pregnancy.

Some types of contraception also protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are many different types of contraception. Some work better than others. Talk to your abortion provider or visit Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa for information about contraception.

Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa website

Abortion is a medical or surgical procedure to end a pregnancy. It's also called a termination of pregnancy. The two main methods of abortion used in Aotearoa New Zealand are medical and surgical abortion. Both are safe, well-established health care procedures. 

Abortion types

Yes. Any pregnant person in New Zealand has the right to seek an abortion from a qualified midwife, nurse or doctor. Any pregnant person of any age can have an abortion, so long as they can give informed consent (understand what is happening and can agree to it).

Abortion and your rights

No. You don't need a referral from your GP or health practitioner to have an abortion. This means you can contact an abortion provider directly to find out about abortion services that meet your needs. 

Any pregnant person of any age can have an abortion, so long as you can give informed consent. This means you understand what is happening and can agree to it.

Abortion and your rights

There's no legal upper time limit on having an abortion but very few abortions in Aotearoa New Zealand happen later than 20 weeks of pregnancy. Generally, the earlier the procedure, the less complicated it is. After 20 weeks of pregnancy your health practitioner will need to consult a second health practitioner, and decide whether an abortion is clinically appropriate. You might need to travel to another region for the abortion.

Abortion types

No. No one else needs to know about your pregnancy or abortion. It's your decision who you tell. No one will be told without your permission. Your abortion provider will discuss support you may need.

Abortion and your rights

No. It's your choice who you tell about your pregnancy or abortion. No one will be told without your permission. Legally, it's only YOU who makes the final decision whether or not to have an abortion.

If you're a young person, it's a good idea to talk to a parent or another trusted adult if you can. If you do choose to have an abortion, it's good to have adult support.  

Abortion and your rights

Abortion care isn't just for cis women. Transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive people who were assigned female or intersex at birth might experience pregnancy and can decide to have an abortion. 

New Zealand citizen/resident

Most abortion services are free for most New Zealand citizens and residents. 

Check if you're eligible for publicly funded health services in New Zealand.

You may need to pay for an ultrasound. Your abortion provider should let you know if there are any costs.

Non-New Zealand resident

If you're not a New Zealand citizen or resident (non-resident), or not on a minimum two year working visa you'll likely have to pay for an abortion and any after care costs. Abortion costs for non-New Zealand residents vary between NZ$950 and $5,500, depending on the provider and type of abortion.

Contact your local abortion provider for information on their costs for non-New Zealand residents, or contact The Women's Clinic on 0800 226 784 for the costs for telemedicine (phone) early medical abortion anywhere in New Zealand. 

If you're not a New Zealand citizen or resident (non-resident), or not on a minimum two year working visa you'll likely have to pay for an abortion and any after care costs. Abortion costs for non-New Zealand residents vary between $NZD950 and $5,500, depending on the provider and type of abortion.

Contact your local abortion provider for information on their costs for non-New Zealand residents, or contact The Women's Clinic on 0800 226 784 for the costs for telemedicine (phone) early medical abortion anywhere in New Zealand. 

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. 

 

No. You don't have to have counselling to get an abortion. For some people it can be helpful to talk about their feelings with a professional counsellor. You can ask to have counselling before or after your abortion. Abortion counselling is free for most New Zealand citizens and residents and can be organised through an abortion provider.

Abortion ends a pregnancy. Emergency contraception prevents a pregnancy from happening.

The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) (formerly known as the ‘morning after pill'), can be taken up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex (penis in vagina sex where you have not used contraception or it has failed).

You can get the ECP on prescription from Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, your GP or health practitioner, or you can buy it from a pharmacy. It can be taken up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex (penis in vagina sex where you have not used contraception or if the contraception has failed).

There's no evidence that shows that having an abortion increases your risk of developing breast cancer.

If you're unsure, feel uncertain or are finding it hard to make a decision, you can talk to us. We offer free, confidential contact with trained specialists. 

You do not need to have counselling to get an abortion but you can ask for counselling at any stage of the abortion process. You can get:  

• Pre-decision counselling (talk to a health professional about your pregnancy options)
• Pre-abortion counselling (talk to a health professional before you have an abortion)
• Couple and whānau counselling (talk to a health professional together, before and after an abortion)
• Post-abortion counselling (talk to a health professional after an abortion)

Abortion counselling is free for most New Zealand citizens and residents and can be organised through an abortion provider.

Check if you're eligible for publicly funded health services in New Zealand.

Non-New Zealand residents will have to pay for abortion counselling. Prices for non-residents vary depending on the provider.

If your partner agrees, you can have joint counselling through the abortion provider. This is generally free. There isn't a free counselling service for partners or whānau without the pregnant person.

There's no medical or legal restriction on the number of abortions someone can have.

Yes. It's safe to have an abortion if you're breastfeeding. Your abortion provider will discuss this with you.

Read about possible side-effects if you're breastfeeding and taking medicines used in early medical abortion (EMA).

No. But if you have any health conditions this may affect what type of procedure you can have.

Blood tests are usually required before, and sometimes after an abortion. Not all providers of early medical abortion require a blood test. Your abortion provider will let you know what they require, and arrange this for you if needed.

If you know the date of your last period you may not need to have a scan before an abortion. Your abortion provider will let you know what they require, and arrange this for you if needed.

Early medical abortion (EMA) is an option in the first ten weeks of pregnancy, which can be completed at home.

Medical abortion, is a later abortion procedure that is an option after about 10 weeks of pregnancy (depends on the provider). It's also called second trimester medical abortion, labour induced abortion or induction of labour. It involves using medicines to start labour and delivery of the foetus. This procedure usually requires a hospital stay.

If you can't or don't want to visit a clinic, contact DECIDE directly from anywhere in New Zealand and, if clinically appropriate, we can arrange an early medical abortion over the phone for you. We can arrange delivery of medicines directly to you, or to a pharmacy of your choice.

It's an option in the first nine to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Find out more about this service via the link below, or free call 0800 DECIDE (0800 332 433), or complete this ask for an appointment form for DECIDE's EMA by phone service. 

Learn more

An option in the first nine to 10 weeks of pregnancy (depends on the provider).

It depends on how many weeks pregnant you are, your medical history, what you want and what is offered in your region. You can arrange an early medical abortion over the phone with some abortion providers. See DECIDE's early medical abortion by phone service. 

Learn about abortion types

An option after about 10 weeks of pregnancy (depends on the provider).

It depends on how many weeks pregnant you are, your medical history, what you want and what is offered in your region.

Learn more about abortion types

An option up to the first 13 to 15 weeks of pregnancy (depends on the provider).

It depends on how many weeks pregnant you are, your medical history, what you want and what is offered in your region.

Learn more about abortion types

An option after about 14 weeks of pregnancy (depends on the provider).

It depends on how many weeks pregnant you are, your medical history, what you want and what is offered in your region.

Learn more about abortion types

Abortion is a very safe procedure with fewer risks than pregnancy or childbirth. Serious complications are very rare. It's more ideal to have an abortion before you are 12 weeks pregnant. 

• Most people have no complications during or after their abortion. However, as with any medical or surgical procedure, there are some risks.
• Rare problems can include bleeding too much (haemorrhaging), or damage to the cervix and uterus with a surgical abortion. The risk is very low. Your abortion provider will explain this to you and how to follow up. It's unlikely these will ever cause ongoing problems.
• The most likely risk is an infection in the two weeks after your abortion. You can lower the risk by following the instructions given to you by your abortion provider.
• There's no evidence that your ability to get pregnant again will be affected by having an abortion. 

For most people, abortion procedures have at least some discomfort, usually like strong period pain. Your abortion provider will give you information about how to manage any discomfort or pain.

• There's more information about what discomfort or pain to expect under each abortion type.
• For early medical abortion, people might get mild to strong cramping off and on throughout the abortion (commonly 1-4 hours but may be longer).
• For early surgical abortion, people might get mild to strong cramping during the abortion (commonly a 5 to 10-minute period).

In most cases, abortion works and the pregnancy is ended.

• Very rarely the abortion may not end the pregnancy. This is more common with medical abortion. If this happens, your abortion provider will let you know what to do next.
• Usually between 90 to 99% of early medical abortions are successful. If it fails, a surgical abortion or further abortion medication will be necessary.
• Usually 99% of early surgical abortions are successful. If it fails it will need to be repeated.

For a surgical abortion, you'll need to visit a clinic or hospital.

For an early medical abortion, you might visit a clinic or hospital or have at least one appointment by phone. You'll need to get blood tests, and visit the clinic or hospital to pick up your medicines.

If you're having a telemedicine (phone) early medical abortion through DECIDE you'll need to get blood tests, and the medicines will be sent to you or a pharmacy of your choice.

If you're having a later medical abortion, you'll need to visit a clinic or hospital. 

DECIDE's early medical abortion (EMA) by phone service is for pregnant people located in New Zealand who can't or don't want to visit a clinic for an early medical abortion.

It's an option in the first nine to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Find out more about this service via the link below, or free call 0800 DECIDE (0800 332 433), or complete this ask for an appointment form for DECIDE's EMA by phone service. 

Learn more

A law was passed in Aotearoa New Zealand that means Safe Areas can be created around abortion providers to prevent people being harassed or intimidated.

Where an abortion provider has created a safe area around a service, it's illegal for anyone to harass you, intimidate you or try to talk to you about abortion.

If you're harassed or intimidated, with signs for example, or if someone tries to speak to you about abortion, you should report it to the abortion provider.

You can go to your first abortion appointment on your own or bring your partner, parent, a friend or whānau member. 

If you are 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.

Normally with a later medical abortion at a hospital or clinic, it is best if your support person/tangata tautoko is with you to support you through the procedure.  

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

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

If you're having a surgical or later medical abortion in a clinic or hospital you can talk to your nurse or doctor about taking the pregnancy remains (the foetal tissue or ’products of conception’) home.  

You might choose to bury the pregnancy tissue, returning the tissue and wairua to the whenua. Talk to your abortion provider about other options. 

Most people return to normal health within a day or so. Take it easy for several days after your procedure. Avoid strenuous activity for two weeks.

Following an abortion you can usually go back to work, study or other usual activities the next day. Take it easy for several days after your abortion. Avoid strenuous activity for two weeks.

If you require time off work for your abortion, your abortion provider should be able to provide a medical certificate (a 'doctor's note'). This is signed by the nurse, doctor or midwife caring for you and does not contain any confidential information.

Talk to your abortion provider about getting a medical certificate if you need one. 

Your abortion provider will give you instructions about how to care for yourself during the procedure and how to access care if you have any complications after the procedure (post-abortion care).

If you're feeling distressed and want counselling after your abortion (post-abortion counselling), ask your abortion provider to arrange that for you.

What to expect after an abortion

To reduce the risk of infection after an abortion, use sanitary pads rather than tampons or a menstrual cup for at least two weeks.

In the two weeks after your abortion, do not use a swimming pool, spa or have a bath. Have a shower instead.

You're likely to get your next period four to six weeks after the abortion, and it may be heavier than normal.

It's best not to have sex for at least two weeks after the abortion. If you do, use a condom, with lube, to protect yourself from infection.

You can get pregnant from two weeks after your abortion. Talk to your abortion provider about contraception when you're going through the process.

Find out about contraception

You can get pregnant from two weeks after your abortion.

• For oral contraception ('The Pill') it's recommended that you start the day after the abortion.
• For other forms of contraception (Depo Provera, IUD, Implant), you may be able to get these fitted by your abortion provider on the day of your surgical abortion. It should be in place before you start having sex.

Find out about contraception

There's no evidence that your ability to get pregnant (fertility) or future pregnancies will be affected by having an abortion.

Antibiotics are not routinely required for abortion. Your abortion provider will let you know what they require, and arrange this for you if needed.

The National Abortion Telehealth Service, DECIDE, is a Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand funded initiative, operated by Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (formerly Family Planning New Zealand) and Magma Healthcare. Our service connects people anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand to abortion services.

Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (formerly Family Planning) is New Zealand’s largest primary health care provider of sexual and reproductive health services and information. Operating since 1936, our range of services includes contraception, STI testing and treatment, cervical screening and abortion, as well as education and information. 

Visit Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa website

Magma Healthcare is an innovative provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services. Since 2016, Magma has been providing abortion services throughout New Zealand. 

Visit Magma website (The Women's Clinic)

DECIDE is the brand name for the National Abortion Telehealth Service.

If you're an abortion provider and want to update your provider listing on DECIDE, please let us know. 

If you're a health practitioner and want to offer abortion services, or want to have a provider listing on the DECIDE website, please contact Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health.