Advice for facing an unintended pregnancy
- If you’ve had a pregnancy test which is positive, you need to think about what you want to do. You may want to consider continuing with the pregnancy and becoming a parent, continuing with pregnancy and considering fostering or adoption, or ending the pregnancy through abortion. Consider all three options when making your choice.
- Although it may be difficult, it is best to make your decision as quickly as possible. Your options may be limited the later you make your decision.
- You may wish to talk to your partner, friend or someone else you trust or feel close to for support and advice. However, talking to somebody impartial can be helpful – you may wish to consider contacting a counsellor at Marie Stopes International for example (0845 300 80 90).
- If you decide to have an abortion, seek good medical advice from your GP or a specialist organisation such as Marie Stopes International about the different abortion methods available to you. Accessing information on all treatment options is essential to enable you to make an informed choice. You can seek an NHS referral for a free abortion from your doctor or a family planning clinic or contact the clinic yourself to go privately. Normally it does not take more than a few days to get an appointment NHS or privately depending on the area you live.
- Talk to your GP, family planning centre or Marie Stopes International centre about your contraceptive options – some long-acting contraceptive methods can be fitted at the same time as the abortion.
- After the procedure, if you require physical or emotional support, do not hesitate to contact your provider who will be able to help you to recover as quickly as possible.
- If the choice to continue with your pregnancy is taken away from you due to foetal death or your ill-health for example, you may wish to consider seeking specialist help from a local bereavement counsellor. Talk to your GP for further advice.
VIP’s advice brought to you from:
Marie Stopes International (MSI) is the UK`s leading provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services. The nationwide network of sexual health clinics provides information, advice and professional care to over 100,000 men and women each year. Services include contraception, unplanned pregnancy counselling, abortion information and advice, abortion pill and other abortion treatment options, vasectomy information and procedure, female sterilisation and health screening. A registered charity, Marie Stopes International also works around the world in 43 countries. Surplus funds from the UK clinics, help support vital sexual and reproductive healthcare programmes in some of the world’s poorest regions.
For more information contact Marie Stopes International
0845 300 80 90 (24 hours)
Veena V Says:
Marie Stopes were fantastic. Before you go in for your appointment they talk through everything with you on the phone; the different procedures of termination, if you’re sure you want to go ahead with the abortion, what conselling is available. Don’t be scared about asking questions and don’t let anyone pressure you into having or not having an abortion.
