Abortion – EVERYTHING you need to know about this procedure

An abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. For millions of women, girls and others who can become pregnant, it forms part of essential healthcare – it is estimated that, worldwide, one in four pregnancies ends in termination each year.

As common as this procedure is, it is rarely talked about. In recent years, this has given rise to a wave of misinformation that does nothing to help women seeking reliable information. Behind such a taboo lie all sorts of different stories – some happy, some less so – but also a great deal of controversy and conflicting debate. Today we're calling things by their proper names: from what an abortion actually is, to the different types, the preparation, how it's carried out, the recovery afterwards, and how to access it on the NHS, where it is free of charge. And we answer plenty of questions you, as a woman, have very likely asked yourself.

What is an abortion?

The definition of an abortion depends on how it comes about. The term therefore refers either to the sudden loss of a pregnancy up to the 20th week of gestation (miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion) or to the deliberate ending of a pregnancy using medication or a surgical procedure (induced abortion).

An abortion means the ending or termination of a pregnancy through a procedure (in hospitals or clinics) in which the womb is emptied and the embryo or foetus is thereby removed.

Types of abortion

A woman who wishes to terminate a pregnancy should know that there are several types of abortion, and that the procedure is only possible up to a certain point in the pregnancy. After 24 weeks, a termination is only permitted in limited circumstances under the Abortion Act - for example if the woman's life is at risk, to
prevent grave permanent injury to her health, or in cases of severe fetal abnormality. By definition, an abortion means the death of the foetus or its removal before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Depending on the method of termination chosen, there are several types – and we'll be talking about all of them now.

Medical abortion (with tablets)

Medical abortion, also known as the "abortion pill", is a non-surgical method of ending an unwanted pregnancy and involves taking two medicines in tablet form. The first brings about the actual ending of the pregnancy; the second – taken 72 hours later – triggers the expulsion of the contents of the womb. This method can be used in pregnancies up to a maximum of 9 weeks and is 95–98% effective.

Compared with the surgical procedure, medical abortion carries considerably lower risks. Symptoms that may occur after taking the tablets include: cramping in the lower abdomen (like period pain), period-like bleeding (sometimes heavier) along with the expulsion of the gestational sac, and blood loss that may last from a few days to 1–3 weeks. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, weakness, fever and chills – all of them short-lived.

A medical abortion is also possible for women who are breastfeeding, who have already given birth (including by caesarean section), or who are in their first pregnancy – regardless of whether they are under 18 or older. However, this method is not recommended in the case of an ectopic pregnancy (or where one is suspected), where an IUD is in place (this must be removed beforehand), in cases of adrenal insufficiency, during steroid therapy, where there are allergies, or where other contraindications apply.

Risks and contraindications of medical abortion

In principle, medical abortion is safe for most women, provided it is carried out on medical advice and in accordance with instructions. Nevertheless, there are risks – genuinely lower ones – which depend on how far along the pregnancy is.

If a medical abortion is carried out before the 14th week of pregnancy, there is a risk of 70 in 1,000 that pregnancy tissue will remain in the womb and a further procedure will be needed to remove it. In 1 in 1,000 women who have a medical abortion in the first 14 weeks, more serious complications also occur, such as heavy bleeding, problems with the womb, or sepsis.

From the 14th week of pregnancy onwards, the risk of needing a second procedure to remove retained tissue from the womb rises to 13%. On the other hand, the risk of serious complications falls – very few women suffer infections or injuries to the womb.

To avoid complications, medical abortion is contraindicated in ectopic pregnancies (or where one is suspected), as well as in patients with an IUD in place, with an allergy to the ingredients of the abortion tablets, or who are being treated with steroid medication.

Surgical abortion (curettage)

Surgical abortion, also known as curettage, comes in two forms: vacuum aspiration and dilatation and evacuation. Women whose pregnancy has progressed to 14–16 weeks can undergo a vacuum aspiration procedure, while terminations by dilatation and evacuation are generally carried out from the 14th–16th week of pregnancy onwards.

Both procedures take less than 30 minutes. The side effects women most commonly experience include cramping, nausea, sweating and faintness. The risks are higher than with a medical abortion: heavy bleeding, blood clots, injury to the cervix or perforation of it can occur. It's best to talk to your doctor about what suits your situation best.

Risks and contraindications of surgical abortion

As with medical abortion, the risks of the surgical procedure vary according to how far along the pregnancy is, that is, before and after the 14th week.

Up to 14 weeks, the risks of surgical abortion are comparable to those of the medical method: 35 in 1,000 women need a further procedure to remove retained tissue from the womb, and 1 in 1,000 women suffers more serious complications such as heavy bleeding, injury to the womb, or sepsis.

After the first 14 weeks, the main risks of a surgical abortion are the need for a further procedure to remove retained pregnancy tissue (in 3% of cases), heavy bleeding (in 1% of cases), and infection and injury to the womb or cervix (very rare).

There are hardly any contraindications to surgical abortion, provided the procedure is carried out correctly and by a specialist.

Induced labour abortion

An induced labour abortion takes place in the second trimester of pregnancy. It may be an option if the pregnant woman is beyond 24 weeks, as dilatation and evacuation is no longer possible at that stage. The woman is given the necessary medicines, which bring on contractions. The womb contracts in order to expel the pregnancy. The gynaecologist may also use further methods, such as vacuum aspiration, to clear the womb.

Termination of pregnancy at 5 months

We're focusing on the following keyword: "termination of pregnancy at 5 months"

By the fifth month of pregnancy, the foetus's muscles are already beginning to develop and the mother may be able to feel its movements. The risks of a termination at 5 months include heavy bleeding, complications from the anaesthetic, injury to the cervix, and infection. Even so, there may be reasons at this stage of pregnancy that make a termination necessary.

Health problems affecting the mother (e.g. thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, certain sexually transmitted infections or other conditions that increase the risk of complications in pregnancy), certain infections, or foetal abnormalities are among the most common reasons for a termination at 5 months. In such cases the doctor will carry out a series of investigations (ultrasound, blood tests and so on) and will generally recommend a surgical termination.

Miscarriage (spontaneous abortion)

Also known as spontaneous abortion, miscarriage refers to the unintended (not deliberately brought about) death of the embryo or foetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. A miscarriage is an event that results in the loss of the foetus in the early stages of pregnancy, usually in the first trimester (the first three months). It is often a difficult experience – not only because of the physical symptoms, but above all because of the emotional consequences. We know this is a sensitive subject for many women, which is why we have devoted a separate blog article to it, in which we cover everything about miscarriage and also what happens afterwards.

The causes of miscarriage vary from woman to woman, but it is often because the foetus isn't developing normally. Such abnormalities are difficult to detect, but the causes of miscarriage also include:

• Gene or chromosome abnormalities – these arise by chance as the embryo divides and grows, and are not inherited from the parents.
• Maternal conditions: diabetes mellitus, various infections, hormonal disorders, thyroid disease, problems with the womb or cervix.

To clear up a few myths as well, it's worth knowing what does NOT cause a miscarriage:

• Sport and exercise
• Sexual intercourse
• Work (provided there is no exposure to harmful substances or radiation)

The main signs of a miscarriage include:

• Vaginal bleeding accompanied by cramping and pain in the lower abdomen – not every instance of bleeding is a sign of miscarriage; in the first trimester it is in fact quite normal. Even so, you should tell your doctor straight away so that the situation can be monitored.
• Back pain of varying intensity, from mild to severe
• Weight loss
• Whitish-pink discharge
• A sudden easing of pregnancy symptoms, or their temporary disappearance

Although a miscarriage can be extremely difficult both emotionally and physically, it does not necessarily mean that a woman cannot become pregnant again. Most women can go on to have a healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage.

The stages of abortion

Depending on the clinical stage, a further distinction is made between:

• Threatened miscarriage – occurs when there is vaginal bleeding but the cervix is not dilated and remains completely closed; these pregnancies usually proceed without problems, as the bleeding is in fact a result of the fertilised egg implanting in the wall of the womb;
• Inevitable miscarriage – occurs when the cervix dilates or shortens and there are clearly noticeable contractions;
• Incomplete miscarriage – when only part of the embryonic tissue has been expelled, and bleeding and cramping may continue;
• Complete miscarriage – when all the embryonic tissue has been expelled and the bleeding, along with back pain and cramping, should stop quickly; this form often occurs before the 12th week of pregnancy and can be confirmed by ultrasound or by surgical curettage;
• Missed miscarriage – occurs when the embryo has died but has not been expelled; the signs are the disappearance of pregnancy symptoms and the absence of a foetal heartbeat.

Abortion in the UK – up to which week is it possible?

In England, Scotland and Wales, abortion is legal under the Abortion Act 1967 when certain conditions are met:

• The pregnancy must not be past 24 weeks, and two doctors must agree that the legal grounds are met (the clinic arranges this).
• There is no mandatory waiting period or counselling certificate. You can contact your GP, a sexual health clinic, or an abortion provider such as BPAS or MSI Reproductive Choices directly; counselling is available but optional.

A doctor may also end a pregnancy after the 12th week if it is medically necessary – for example where there is a risk to the pregnant woman's life or health; in these cases there is no fixed time limit, and a termination is possible up until birth. Termination after rape is accessed in the same way as any other
(up to 24 weeks); specialist support is available through the NHS and organisations such as Rape Crisis.. Important to know: on medical grounds, then, a termination is also possible after the 12th week. (As at 2026: since the Crime and Policing Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, women in England and Wales can no longer be prosecuted for ending their own pregnancy; the Abortion Act 1967 and the 24-week limit are unchanged. Northern Ireland has separate rules.)

 

Abortion at 20 weeks – is it possible?

The vast majority of miscarriages occur up to the 20th week of pregnancy. Even so, there is still a risk of miscarriage after that point.

Very few pregnancies are lost after 20 weeks, and when they are it is usually as a result of foetal abnormalities, an unhealthy maternal lifestyle, or infection or injury to the womb (therapeutic termination).

In the case of a termination on request after the 20th week of pregnancy, a gynaecologist will in most cases only carry it out surgically – and only where foetal abnormalities are identified or the woman's health is at risk.

The risks of an abortion at 3 months

We're focusing on the following keyword: "risks of an abortion at 3 months"

During the first trimester, both the mother's body and the embryo undergo a great many changes. By the 3rd month, that is, the 12th week, the foetus's organs (heart, brain, lungs) have already formed, as have its facial features.

But certain maternal conditions, or the fact that a woman only found out about the pregnancy late, may make a termination necessary. The doctor may recommend a medical or surgical termination. However, the risks of an abortion at 3 months, which apply to both procedures, must be taken into account.

Infections with fever, heavy bleeding, and abdominal and back pain can occur, which doctors guard against by recommending antibiotics and avoiding swimming, vaginal douching and sexual intercourse for 3–4 weeks. The possibility of an incomplete termination (where pregnancy tissue remains in the womb), bleeding, and injury to the womb or bladder are also among the risks of an abortion at 3 months.

It's important to identify a pregnancy as early as possible and to decide on the next steps in good time, so as to avoid complications. HERE we've told you more about the first signs that point to a pregnancy.
 

Preparing before an abortion

In the case of a termination on request, the woman should fully understand the procedure and everything it involves.

Before the procedure, the pregnant woman attends an appointment to discuss the reasons for her decision, to establish which method is available and suitable for her, and to be informed about the risks and possible complications associated with that method. She is then examined and a pregnancy test is carried out to confirm the pregnancy. The doctor may also recommend a series of laboratory tests before the procedure.

For a termination of pregnancy, it's essential that the pregnant woman turns to a gynaecologist and not to unqualified individuals – because her life may be put at risk, and an improperly performed procedure can lead to complications such as infertility.

Recovery after a termination of pregnancy

After a termination, the doctor gives the woman recommendations and instructions for aftercare. Sometimes these recommendations aren't enough to ease the unpleasant side effects during the recovery period. In that case, the following may also help:

• A warm heat pad or a hot water bottle to ease abdominal cramps.
• Drinking plenty of fluids, especially in cases of vomiting or diarrhoea.
• The support of someone you love, which can be a great help at such a sensitive time.
• Taking pain relief and gently massaging the abdomen where the cramps are felt.

To make this time easier physically too, gentle exercise is usually recommended – physical activity that doesn't put excessive strain on the body. A doctor can generally suggest suitable exercises. Diet is also very important: it isn't about following a particular diet, but do look after your balance by making the healthiest choices you can, which help the body recover more quickly.

The hardest part of an abortion is probably the emotional aftermath. A termination isn't something you can simply brush aside; feelings of regret, guilt or shame can arise, and some women even experience depression.

If the need arises to talk to someone about these feelings, a woman should turn to someone she trusts or consider a few sessions with a psychotherapist. The partner may also be affected by the situation and therefore need support.

Bleeding after an abortion

It's normal for light, period-like bleeding to occur after a termination of pregnancy, which can last from a few days to a few weeks. As using tampons isn't recommended, we're here to help with ENROUSH organic pads. Inspired by the female body, made from 100% organic cotton and gynaecologically tested, they're especially gentle on your skin and protect you with a super-absorbent layer – every single day. So that you feel comfortable and get your confidence back, become part of the ENROUSH world, where everything is created with care for you and for the planet.

How long does bleeding last after a miscarriage or a surgical termination?

Bleeding after a miscarriage or a surgical termination can last from a few days to a few weeks. Periods return 4–6 weeks after the procedure.
 

How long does bleeding last after a medical abortion?

Bleeding after a medical abortion shouldn't last longer than 12 days. In cases of heavy bleeding, urgent medical assessment is required.

The first period after a medical abortion 

In most women, the first period after a medical abortion returns around 4–8 weeks after the procedure. The cycle may change, and bleeding may be heavier and longer than before (unlike after a surgical termination, after which the first few periods are usually shorter and lighter).

Premenstrual symptoms may also be more pronounced before the first period following a medical abortion, particularly back pain and abdominal cramps. Everything usually settles down after the first 2–3 cycles. However, do speak to your doctor if other worrying symptoms occur or if you notice unusual spotting between periods.

Pregnancy after an abortion

Surprising or not: pregnancy can occur almost immediately after a termination. This means that if you don't want to conceive, contraception must be used straight away, such as condoms or the contraceptive pill. Even if a termination took place at a more advanced stage of pregnancy, the procedure shouldn't affect a woman's ability to conceive later on – although if complications arise, there may be a risk of infertility. 

Frequently asked questions

To dispel a few myths, it helps to answer the most common questions.

Why are "home remedies" for terminating a pregnancy not advisable?

Because abortion was illegal until a few decades ago, women who wanted to end a pregnancy resorted to extremely dangerous methods at home to bring about a termination – whether spontaneous or not. During that period, many women became ill and suffered badly as a result of such "home remedies". Today we can no longer afford to put our health on the line. Always turn to professionals who can support you with proper advice, and choose to have a termination carried out solely in a medical setting.

Is it advisable to have an abortion at home?

The only form of termination you can carry out at home is a medical abortion – and only on medical advice. Any other form can endanger your health and trigger reactions in your body that you don't want.

Can you have sexual intercourse after an abortion?

As far as sex after a termination is concerned, doctors generally recommend waiting around two weeks before having intercourse, regardless of the method used – as part of recovery after the procedure.

When does your period come after a medical abortion?

Your period after a medical abortion comes either as usual or around 2 weeks later.

How long does a vacuum aspiration take?

The procedure itself takes just a few minutes and can be carried out under local anaesthetic. The woman recovers quickly, and a hospital stay of several days isn't required.

Sources

1. World Health Organization, "Abortion": https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion

2. NHS, "Abortion": https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/

3. WebMD, "What Are the Types of Abortion Procedures?": https://www.webmd.com/women/abortion-procedures

4. Planned Parenthood, "What facts about abortion do I need to know?": https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/considering-abortion/what-facts-about-abortion-do-i-need-know

5. Pristyncare, "5 Months Pregnancy Abortion - Procedure, Risks and Recovery": https://www.pristyncare.com/treatment/abortion/5-month-pregnancy/

6. Pristyncare, "3 Months Pregnancy Abortion - Procedure, Risks and Recovery": https://www.pristyncare.com/treatment/abortion/3-month-pregnancy/

7. Medical News Today, "When do periods start again after an abortion?": https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325542

8. Cleveland Clinic, "Medical Abortion": https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion

9. UCSF Health, "Medical Abortion": https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/medical-abortion

10. Medline Plus, "Abortion - procedure": https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm