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For NSW residents:
Surgical abortion is a safe and effective day surgery procedure.
It is done in a surgical theatre, in a clinic or hospital. Day surgery means you do not have to stay overnight at the clinic or hospital.
In the ACT, surgical abortion is usually available up to 16 weeks gestation at MSI Australia. MSI Australia is a private clinic specialising in abortions.
Sometimes abortion is available after 16 weeks at the Canberra Hospital. This will be a different process to what we describe on this page.
Surgical abortions use gentle suction, and sometimes, medical tools, to remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus. The uterus is medical term for the womb. Pregnancy tissue is the cells that start to grow in the womb when you become pregnant.
If the pregnancy is at a later gestation, you may need to take a medication to prepare your cervix before the procedure. Your cervix is where the uterus becomes narrow and connects to the vagina.
Surgical abortion can be done under anaesthesia. Anaesthesia means drugs that are used to stop you from feeling pain during a medical procedure.
Surgical abortion usually uses a type of anaesthesia called twilight sedation. Twilight sedation reduces your pain and your awareness. You will feel like you are asleep. You will not be aware of the procedure. It is safer than other types of anaesthesia.
Surgical abortion is very effective at ending a pregnancy.
For every 100 people who have a surgical abortion, 96-97 are complete. This means the person is no longer pregnant and no further treatment is needed.
For every 100 people who have a surgical abortion, 3-4 are incomplete. Incomplete means the surgical abortion didn’t work or that there is still some pregnancy tissue in the uterus.
If this happens, you may need to take abortion medication or have another surgery to complete the abortion.[1]
Surgical abortion is safe and common. However, there are some risks like with any surgical procedure.
The risk of serious problems is low.
About 1 in 1000 people have a serious problem. These can include infection, severe bleeding or a hole in the uterus or womb.[2]
Surgical abortion can usually be done in a single visit to a clinic. It involves:
You will need to:
This consultation is to discuss your medical history. You will need to give your informed consent for the abortion.
This is also a good time to ask any questions you may have about having an abortion. You can prepare any questions you have before your appointment.
You can use the Health Direct Question Builder to help you with this. Question Builder is for all heath conditions, no just abortion.
An ultrasound to confirm the gestation of the pregnancy and to make sure it’s safe for you to have a surgical abortion. If you consent, you may also do a blood test for sexually transmissible infections.
Your doctor will have a conversation with you about contraception options [Link] if you would like to.
This will include an option to access an intra-uterine device (IUD) or contraceptive implant. This is free if you live in the ACT.
An IUD or implant can be inserted during the surgical procedure.
A doctor will give you twilight sedation or anaesthesia to reduce your pain and awareness. You will feel like you are asleep. You will not be aware of the procedure.
The surgical procedure will usually take 10 to 15 minutes.
The doctor puts a small tube through the cervix and gently removes the pregnancy tissue from the uterus using suction or in some cases, medical tools.[3]
Spending some time in recovery at the clinic. You will spend anywhere from 2 hours to half a day at the clinic.
Having a support person drive you home.
You may experience cramping and bleeding after the procedure. You can take over-the-counter pain relief for this.
Take it easy! Rest, avoid alcohol and don’t operate machinery or sign legal documents for the rest of the day because you will be affected by the anaesthetic.
Follow up care with the doctor or your regular doctor, if needed.
Visit MSI Australia or Healthdirect for more information on the surgical abortion process.
You can also refer to this page for other things to know before an appointment.
You will be able to return to work and exercise as soon as you feel well enough. You may wish to avoid physical work or intensive exercise for about 1 week after the procedure.
Don’t put anything into your vagina for 1 week after the abortion procedure to reduce any risk of infection. This includes tampons, menstrual cups, fingers or having penis in vagina sex.
You should also avoid swimming or baths during this time.
Your period should happen 4-6 weeks after the procedure, unless you are using a type of contraception that affects your period.[4]
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