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June 11, 2025 
admin Pregnancy can be either the happiest time of your life or it might be extremely difficult, filled with challenging thoughts and emotions as you consider what your future looks like and your next steps.
If you are struggling to come to terms with your pregnancy and you’re considering abortion, this article was written for you. In this safe and confidential space, we will share your options for private pregnancy termination so that you have the information you need to make a confident and informed choice.
The Two Types of Pregnancy Termination
There are two main types of pregnancy termination in the UK: surgical termination and medical termination.
In this article, we seek to help you understand the various routes to pregnancy termination and the options that are available to you. We seek to empower women to make informed choices that benefit their future health and happiness.
Pregnancy Termination: Understanding Your Options
Perhaps you’ve never been pregnant before, let alone considered your options surrounding the topic of pregnancy termination.
We understand it can be a difficult decision to make and certainly a confusing one with so much conflicting information available online. That’s why we’re committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision.
Your Route to Pregnancy Termination
The route you take to terminate your pregnancy will be determined by a number of things, including but not limited to:
- Your personal choice
- How far along you are in your pregnancy
- Any medical requirements you have
Let’s talk through your options.
All About Surgical Pregnancy Termination
Surgical pregnancy is a surgical procedure during which the pregnancy is removed from your uterus. It involves a minor surgery and is typically performed in one of two ways:
Surgical Aspiration
This involves using a gentle suction to remove the pregnancy. This type of surgical pregnancy termination can be carried out up to 12 weeks gestation. So, if you are further along in your pregnancy than 12 weeks, it won’t be an option that’s available to you.
Pain Relief: surgical aspiration is typically carried out while you’re under local anaesthesia which means you’ll be awake during the procedure but you won’t be able to feel anything.
If you would prefer not to be awake, let us know as it might be possible to put you under for the procedure. However, in general we find that many women find it comforting to be awake during the procedure.
Dilation and Evacuation
For women who are 13 to 24 weeks pregnant, a dilation and evacuation procedure will be necessary as the pregnancy is further along. This process involves taking medication to help dilate your cervix. Once dilated, the pregnancy is removed using forceps.
Pain Relief: As above, you can undergo this procedure either under local or general anaesthesia. Generally speaking, it’s common for women who are further along in their pregnancy to be asleep while the surgery takes place as some women report feeling tugging or slightly uncomfortable sensations during the procedure.
Symptoms You Can Expect Following a Surgical Abortion
As with any post-surgery recovery, it is important to give your body the time it needs to recover from a surgical abortion. During your recovery you will probably experience some (if not all) of the following symptoms:
- Stomach cramps
- Vaginal bleeding
- Nausea and diarrhoea
You will likely experience symptoms following a surgical abortion such as, vaginal bleeding and stomach cramping for a couple of days. If the pain becomes unbearable or you are bleeding through a sanitary towel every 30 minutes, you should seek medical advice as this might be the sign of an emergency.
Rest as Much as You Can
If you want to recover quickly from your surgical pregnancy termination, it’s important to rest as much as you can. Having an abortion is an emotionally and physically difficult experience. Therefore, it’s likely you won’t feel yourself for a few days.
You may feel sore, emotional, achy, and even angry. Give yourself grace. It takes time to heal and it’s important to give yourself the time you need to recover fully.
To help you recovery go as smoothly as possible, here are a few things to prioritise post-surgery:
- Rest as much as you can
- Avoid having sex for a week or two
- Take it easy on yourself
- Seek support from someone you trust
- Use sanitary towels instead of tampons to avoid infection
Whatever kind of person you are; whether you’re a get-up-and-go kind of person or someone who finds it easy to rest and relax, it’s important to take things slowly in the first few days following your surgical termination.
So, take some time off work and stay in bed as much as you can. The more rest you give yourself, the faster your body will heal and recover.
The Risks of Surgical Termination
While the procedure itself is safe and risks are generally rare, you should be aware that surgical pregnancy termination carries the following risks:
- Injury to the womb or cervix
- Infection post-surgery
- A failed abortion and an additional procedure required
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
It’s important to monitor your health closely following a surgical abortion. As soon as you notice anything unusual, you must contact a medical professional.
All About Medical Pregnancy Termination
Medical abortions are a type of pregnancy termination procedure available to women who are in the early days of pregnancy (before 12 weeks). The medical pregnancy termination procedure involves taking prescription pills to trigger a miscarriage and end a pregnancy.
Most women in their first trimester are considered eligible for a medical abortion. However, your eligibility will depend on your health, how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether you have an ectopic pregnancy.
The Medical Abortion Procedure
Having a medical abortion involves taking prescription-strength pills, 24 hours apart. One of the pills stops your body from making more progesterone (the hormone that is needed to support a pregnancy) and the second pill causes cramping and bleeding, essentially causing a miscarriage so that the pregnancy exits your womb.
Medical Abortion Symptoms
Many women opt for a medical pregnancy termination because it feels like a more natural method of pregnancy termination. And most of the symptoms of a medical abortion can be endured at home, rather than during a hospital stay.
After a medical abortion and successfully passing the pregnancy you may experience the following symptoms:
- A period for up to 3 weeks
- Manageable cramping
- Tenderness
If you experience heavy bleeding that is causing you to soak through a sanitary pad every 30 minutes, you should contact your medical provider immediately. Excessive bleeding following an abortion is not normal and needs to be addressed as it could be a sign of a more serious problem.
When You Should Seek Medical Attention
Pregnancy termination can take a toll on your body, no matter how straightforward the procedure you’ve chosen is. That’s why it’s important to understand the process, be aware of the symptoms, and know when your body’s showing signs that something isn’t right.
As with anything else, knowing the symptoms that something’s wrong could save your life. So, before you go through a pregnancy termination it’s important to know when to seek medical advice. Here’s what you should know:
- You have developed a fever
- You are experiencing heavy bleeding (soaking through a sanitary towel every 30 minutes for 2 consecutive hours)
- You are passing blood clots larger than golf balls
- You are experiencing severe cramping and pain
Each one of these symptoms could indicate that something is seriously wrong, from an infection to haemorrhaging. So, if you experience any of these symptoms it is vital you contact your healthcare provider or the emergency services straight away.
How to Choose
When you’re exploring your options for pregnancy termination, it can be difficult to decide which route to take. If you’re finding it difficult to make a decision, please reach out to us.
We understand the multi-faceted nature of pregnancy termination and how making the right choice isn’t always straightforward. If you would like to talk it through with a member of our team, ask any further questions, or receive some personal advice, we’re here to help.
Learn More About Pregnancy Termination
If you would like to learn more about pregnancy termination, what it involves, and how to aid your recovery, check out our blog. We share all things Women’s Health and encourage you to read our content to learn more about your body and the options available to you.
To Conclude
Your health is of our utmost priority – and it should be your priority, too. When deciding on your options for pregnancy termination, we are here to guide and support you every step of the way. That’s why every decision we make is with your health and wellbeing as priority.
We hope you have found this article informative and interesting. For more information on the topic of pregnancy termination, check out our blog or get in touch with us, we’d be happy to help.
