Having a child is a life changing experience which needs careful consideration of many factors. Some young people feel they are not ready to be parents yet and make the decision to terminate their pregnancy.
It is important for anyone to take their time considering what they want to do if they find out they are pregnant. However if you are thinking about terminating your pregnancy your options will change over time.
In terms of the law, in the same way as when you seek advice about contraception, you are entitled to confidential advice and treatment regarding terminating a pregnancy. The only way your confidentially would ever be broken would be if a professional thought you were at risk of harm unless they referred on your case. If this was to happen the professional would always try to discuss this with you first.
To have a termination in the UK two doctors must agree to the procedure taking place. You can ask your own doctor, the Doctor at any of the Choices Health and Support services or local family planning service if you wish to have a termination. They will refer you to another doctor who reviews your case and makes arrangements for the procedure to take place.
You will be counselled if you take the decision to terminate a pregnancy and also will be offered post procedure counselling. Some people do feel distress after going through this but not everyone does. It is all down to individual circumstances.
The majority of women cope well in the long-term with this difficult decision.
What is important to remember is that although deciding on a termination is a difficult decision, it is your right to decide, you should neither be forced to have a baby or a termination.
If you feel under pressure regarding what to do about your pregnancy, remember Choices Services are there to help and will talk through any of your concerns and never make judgements about your situation.
Further information regarding this issue can be found on the Brook Advisory Centre website and the
Family Planning Association website.
Terminations can be carried out up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy but mainly happen between 6 and 18 weeks. The earlier a termination takes place the more options you will have regarding the procedure. However after 24 weeks some procedures do still take place when the woman’s health is severely at risk or if the child is found to be seriously disabled.
If you are living in North East Lincolnshire you are able to have a termination at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital up to 18 weeks or at Scunthorpe General Hospital up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. You can be referred to a hospital outside of the area to have a termination after these times.
Terminations can be carried out using drugs which make the body expel the pregnancy or by surgical procedures to remove it. The following links will tell you more about this:
