Termination of pregnancy (abortion) is a procedure carried out
for pregnant women to end a pregnancy.
Before making the decision to have a termination it might be
helpful to talk to someone about this. There are a number of
services that can offer you counselling while you are making
your decision. Go to our Termination of
Pregnancy/Abortion section for more
information. All staff are trained to listen and support you during
this time and will not pass judgment or push you into a decision.
You can also download a number of leaflets, which will
provide you with useful information, help answers your questions
and help you to make a decision.
UK law states that termination of pregnancy (abortion) can
legally take place up until the 24th week of your
pregnancy. However, at the moment terminations over 18 weeks
are rarely carried out in Glasgow. If you are over 18 weeks a
termination can be carried out through BPAS (the British Pregnancy
Advisory Service). Using a BPAS service will involve travelling to
England and being away from home for one or occasionally two
nights. Funding for the BPAS service is available from the NHS.
Early terminations (those that take place before 12 weeks) are
generally safer than later terminations (those taking place over 16
weeks) so although you need to take time to think through this
decision carefully, it is important to take action quickly once you
have made it.
You will need to see at least two doctors before you can have a
termination. The first will refer you on to the second. At
Sandyford you can start a medical termination immediately you have
decided to do so. It is possible that your own GP may have
chosen not to be involved in referrals for termination, but they
must refer you to another doctor or another service that will.
If you are under 16, you have the right to treatment including
abortion, as long as the doctor who sees you decides you fully
understand the procedure and implications of the treatment. Your
parents do not have to be told. However, deciding to have a
termination is difficult and it is important that you have adult
support. Your doctor and or other health professionals will advise
you to talk to a parent or carer.
If you do decide to have a termination, you will be offered
counselling following the termination, and again given the
opportunity to talk to a trained professional.