Ending a Pregnancy
If you have made the decision to end a wanted pregnancy because of problems detected in your baby, it is very normal to experience painful emotions. You may also be very worried about what you will have to go through.
Nothing can make this experience easy, but good information and individualised support can help to prepare you and to think through your options. At ARC we have lots of experience of supporting people through these difficult experiences.
Your hospital may have given you a copy of the ARC Parents’ Handbook, which contains information about the practical and emotional issues you will face in ending a pregnancy. If not, please get in touch with ARC for a free copy. We can also put you in touch with trained volunteers who have been through a termination after a prenatal diagnosis.
Methods of termination
This is just a short summary of the methods used to end a pregnancy:
- Less than 13 weeks pregnant - you will probably be given a dilatation and evacuation (D&E) under general anaesthetic.
- More than 13 weeks pregnant - you will almost always have to go through labour to deliver your baby. *
- In some hospitals there are obstetricians who can perform terminations under general anaesthetic after 13 weeks. *
- More than 21 weeks pregnant - it may be suggested that the baby is given an injection. This is to ensure that the baby dies before the pregnancy is induced. This procedure is usually done in a specialist fetal medicine centre.
- Most hospitals give a tablet of Mifepristone 24-48 hours before admission to hospital. If you find this is too long to wait, you can ask for admission to hospital 12 hours after taking the tablet. There is a 1% chance you may begin labour earlier than expected. If there are any signs, for example a ‘show’ or pains, do go straight to the hospital. If you have any concerns after taking the tablet, do contact your doctor or midwife.
* It is possible to have a termination under general anaesthetic after 13 weeks (and up to 24 weeks) with an independent abortion provide, such as BPAS or Marie Stopes International. Although independent services in the UK are highly competent and professional, for some women it can feel difficult being in an environment where most terminations are being carried out because the pregnancy is unwanted. Please call us if it would help to talk through these and other issues involved in ending a wanted pregnancy.
Further support: ARC offers a number of support services for women and couples who have been through a termination for abnormality, and for their families. More support information is available here.
