Back

July 13, 2026

Aman

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

In the UK, every woman has access to legal, safe abortions. Depending on the length of your pregnancy, you can even choose to carry out the termination from the comfort of your home, giving you a discreet option that avoids face-to-face consultations.

Even with safe systems in place, though, abortions can still be daunting. To help calm your nerves and make sure you’re ready for the next step, we’ve put together our professional insights on preparing for an abortion. Learn more about your options, what to expect, and how you can make the process easier in this guide. 

How to Get an Abortion in the UK

If you’re considering having an abortion, start by exploring the methods you can choose. A clear understanding of the procedures and how they differ can give you the confidence to make the right choice, whatever that may be for you.

At Gynaedoctors, we offer the following abortion services:

Medical Abortion

A medical abortion (or the abortion pill) is a nonsurgical procedure that involves taking prescription medication to terminate your pregnancy. This can be done with clinic consultations and screenings, but is most often carried out by yourself at home, using a service known as Pill by Post. 

If you opt for a medical abortion with Gynaedoctors, you’ll have a virtual consultation to make sure you’re eligible for an at-home abortion. This is purely to assess your health and check you’re safe, and give you an opportunity to ask our team any questions you have. 

We’ll then send your medication discreetly in the post, alongside guidance on how to take it and aftercare tips for a safe abortion.

We also offer medical abortions with clinic consultations. This includes an ultrasound scan and face-to-face follow-up appointments to confirm a successful termination. 

Do note that medical abortions can only be carried out at up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. After 10 weeks, you’ll need a surgical abortion. 

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortions are performed in a clinic by a trained professional. You’ll be sedated throughout the procedure, ensuring you’re asleep and don’t feel a thing. 

The procedure itself is straightforward, with gentle suction used to empty your uterus and terminate the pregnancy. At Gynaedoctors, the vast majority of our patients are in and out on the same day, and we have a very high satisfaction rate.

Surgical abortions can be performed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, and often don’t need follow-up appointments. We will, however, provide aftercare whenever it’s needed, giving you the peace of mind that you’re in good hands.

Is an Abortion Painful?

Both medical and surgical abortions cause pain that’s often likened to intense period cramps. The level of discomfort varies from person to person, with factors like the length of your pregnancy affecting how much pain you feel. Typically, the further along you are, the more painful your abortion will be.

Some women experience severe cramping for several hours, and can have cramps in the days and weeks after the abortion as bleeding continues. Other women may experience very little pain that stops quickly, usually once the pregnancy has passed.

We recommend taking over-the-counter painkillers before you begin your abortion (we’ll explain timings and dosages in your consultation). We can also supply heavier painkillers, like codeine, to relieve pain from intense cramps. 

Use a hot water bottle over your stomach to ease the pain, just as you would for period cramps. Some women also find taking a warm bath or shower helpful, especially for severe pain.

How Do You Prepare for a Medical Abortion?

Preparing for a medical abortion is essential, ensuring you’re safe and as comfortable as possible throughout the process.

You’ll usually start cramping and bleeding within 4 hours of taking your second abortion pill (this will be a prostaglandin, like misoprostol). Some women take longer to begin bleeding, but you should see blood within 48 hours. 

Make sure you have a safe, private space to rest in during this time, and you’re not required to work or leave your environment. It’s a good idea to have someone you trust with you, too, who can help you through the experience. 

In terms of what you need for an at-home abortion, here are some essentials we recommend:

• Over-the-counter painkillers (both ibuprofen and paracetamol work well)
• Heavy-flow menstrual pads or maternity pads
• A got water bottle or heating pad
• Plenty of water or electrolyte drinks
• Easy-to-eat snacks (like crackers, crisps, and fruit – nothing that you need to prepare)

Wear comfy clothes and don’t plan anything for the day of your abortion. You might also want to keep the next day or two free, just in case any heavy cramping and bleeding continues. 

How Do You Prepare for a Surgical Abortion?

When you choose Gynaedoctors, we’ll help you prepare for your surgical abortion so that you feel confident before your procedure. 

It’s important that you don’t eat or drink anything (excluding water) in the 6 hours leading up to your surgery. You can drink water up to 2 hours before the procedure. At every step, you’ll be helped by our competent team, who will be more than happy to answer your questions and calm your nerves.

We highly recommend asking someone you trust to come with you to the clinic and help you get home (you won’t be able to drive). Bring comfy clothes to wear after your procedure, and be aware that you may experience bleeding immediately after your surgery.

Just as with a medical abortion, stock up on over-the-counter painkillers, a hot water bottle, and heavy-flow menstrual pads or maternity pads. 

How to Make an Abortion Less Painful

Unfortunately, you can’t make an abortion less painful. There are ways you can manage the pain, though, including by taking pain medication and using a hot water bottle.

With medical abortions, your cramps should become less severe when you’ve passed your pregnancy, which usually happens within the first 24 hours.

If you’re worried about the pain, consider a surgical procedure rather than a medical abortion. While this definitely doesn’t rule out severe cramping, some women find it less painful and experience fewer cramps.

One study, for instance, found that 92% of women were satisfied with a surgical abortion, compared to 82% for medical abortions. Higher satisfaction rates were associated with less pain and fewer negative symptoms. 

You might also experience less pain by having your abortion as soon as possible. Medical abortion pain at 4 weeks, for example, could be less intense than at 9 weeks, though this isn’t guaranteed.

How Much Will You Bleed After an Abortion?

After an abortion, it’s completely normal to experience heavy bleeding. This is typically like a period or heavier, which is why we recommend heavy flow pads.

If you’re bleeding very little or you feel like you haven’t passed the pregnancy, reach out to our team, and we’ll discuss next steps.

If you’re soaking through two or more heavy flow pads in an hour, seek immediate medical help. The same applies if you’re passing blood clots that are larger than a lemon.

For medical abortions, bleeding can last anywhere from a week to 8 weeks. Surgical abortions typically result in less bleeding, and it’s normal if yours stops after a few days. It can, however, continue for several weeks. 

There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how much you bleed, which is why we’re always here to help with any questions you have. You can reach out to our consultants after your abortion to make sure everything you’re experiencing is normal, or to book a post-abortion consultation.

What to Expect After an Abortion

After your abortion’s complete, you’ll experience a sudden drop in hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. This can trigger mood swings, and it’s normal to feel sad, angry, or more irritable than usual. Be kind to yourself and give your body time to readjust.

Your next period should happen in around 4-6 weeks after you’ve stopped bleeding. It’s normal for your first few periods to be heavier than normal, so keep stocking up on heavy flow pads.

How Long Does Grief After an Abortion Last?

Feeling grief after an abortion is entirely natural, even if you know it was the right choice for you. There’s no set timeline on how long this will last, and you don’t need to be in a rush to feel okay. The best way to recover is to feel your grief, allowing it to naturally rise to the surface when it needs to.

It’s also completely normal not to grieve after an abortion. Many women feel relieved and even happy when the process finishes, and this shouldn’t be a cause for guilt.

Regardless of your emotions, the healthiest way to process your abortion is to acknowledge your feelings without shame, and to let yourself feel what you need to.

Book a Free Call With Our Team

Our trusted clinic in London offers abortion services to women across the UK. We focus on discreet, stress-free services tailored to your needs, and our qualified team will be ready to help whenever you need us. 

For medical and surgical abortions, book a free call with our professional consultants today.

Back