Below is a number of frequently asked questions regarding termination. If you were unable to find any information through our regular pages, it should be below. Otherwise, please contact us anytime with questions or queries.
Is termination of pregnancy safe?
Surgical termination is the most common procedure for termination of pregnancy world-wide. It is an extremely safe and reliable operation for pregnancies from 3 to 19 weeks, and will be performed by a specialist medical team following both a counselling session and a meeting with the performing doctor to personalise the procedure to your individual medical needs.
Will it hurt?
Termination of pregnancy is usually performed while sedated, in which case you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. If you choose to have local anaesthesia only (i.e. awake throughout the procedure) you may experience varying degrees of discomfort or pain. The procedure is of short duration thus discomfort, if it occurs, is limited to a period of a few minutes. Women compare the discomfort of a termination of pregnancy to the discomfort of menstrual cramps.
Will termination affect my future fertility?
It is highly unlikely that a termination of pregnancy will limit your future fertility. In fact, regular fertility can return in as little as 10 days. Underlying gynaecological conditions, such as pre-existing pelvic infection, history of ectopic pregnancy, hormonal problems, age, endometriosis, etc, may have an impact on fertility in the future, but these have no association with pregnancy termination.
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Can pregnancy termination be performed after 12 weeks?
Yes. Our clinic provides terminations up to 19 weeks, however, if you are aware of your pregnancy early we encourage you to reach a decision early. If you are experiencing difficulty in the decision making process, you are welcome to attend for counselling.
Terminations after 12 weeks are still safe, however, these procedures require different techniques and greater expertise on the part of your operating doctor.
If you are over 12 weeks (in your second trimester) the operation will take longer but will still be completed in the same day. After 16 weeks, the procedure is performed over 2 days, i.e. in two stages. On day 1, after counselling and ultrasound confirmation, we will prepare your cervix and you will then leave the clinic. Over night, there will be a very gradual softening and dilatation of the cervix (considered world's safest practice). When you return to the clinic the next morning, you will put to sleep and the tissue of pregnancy will be evacuated. Both of these visits will average two to three hours. Costs increase with each week of pregnancy beyond 12 weeks and generally the length of your stay in the clinic will be longer. If you suspect your pregnancy may have advanced beyond 12 weeks, please do not delay in contacting the clinic for assessment and advice.
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Termination FAQ's
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Terminations
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Is the service confidential?
Yes.The clinic staff have a professional obligation to maintain your privacy. No information on a patient or her treatment will ever be provided other than by written request of the patient herself. Telephone requests for information on patients will be denied unless the patient herself has instructed clinic staff to answer questions. Medicare cannot provide information on your treatment under any conditions.
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Will my parents be notified?
No. Your right to privacy and your request for confidentiality will always be respected and complied with, however, if you are under 14 years of age please discuss this with the clinic staff when you telephone to set up an appointment as some special arrangements may need to be made for you. (Most parents respond with support and care and not necessarily the anger you may anticipate.) You are the person to decide in whom you can comfortably confide and the clinic staff would never pressure you to involve another person if you did not wish to do so.
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What happens after the procedure?
After the procedure, the tissue obtained is visualised by a clinician to confirm the pregnancy termination.If there are any doubts, further follow-up is arranged with the patient before they leave the clinic.
Nausea disappears quickly after the procedure, with breast tenderness taking up to 2 weeks to abate.
Normal post-operative bleeding is minimal, followed in 3 to 5 days with moderate to severe cramping lasting for a day or two. This is usually relieved by bleeding, or the passing of blood clots. Heavy flow may resume for a few days following the procedure, with spotting up to 4 weeks.
Pregnancy tests will remain positive for several weeks following the procedure.
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Do I need a referral?
No. A friend, relative or partner may refer you for treatment or you may self refer. A doctor’s referral is always valued and helpful, however if you are not comfortable confiding in your doctor concerning an unplanned pregnancy, it is not necessary to do so.
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Should my partner be involved?
This is a question only the woman can answer. In close relationships, decisions are usually made with the support of the partner. If the woman has concerns that her partner may pressure her, she may benefit from counselling in order to decide whether the involvement of her partner will be beneficial. There is no legal obligation for the partner to be involved in a woman's decision to terminate a pregnancy. Nor can a partner prevent a termination of pregnancy.
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How long will the operation take?
If you are less than 12 weeks from your last period the procedure will last approximately 5 to 10 minutes, however, your overall stay with us is app 3 hours.
If you are over 12 weeks (in your second trimester) the operation will take longer. After 16 weeks, the procedure is performed over 2 days, i.e. in two stages. On day 1, after counselling and ultrasound confirmation, we will prepare your cervix and you will then leave the clinic. Over night, there will be a very gradual softening and dilatation of the cervix (considered world's safest practice). When you return to the clinic the next morning, you will be put to sleep and the tissue of pregnancy will be evacuated. Both of these visits will average two to three hours.
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Can I be asleep?
Yes.Our doctors provide varying degrees of intra-veinous sedation. Your individual needs and expectations are discussed with your doctors before your termination procedure. This technique is safe, simple and minimises your stay in the clinic. This is preferable to general anaesthesia, as it is shorter, lighter and safer.
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Do you offer medical terminations?
Yes. Please see our medical termination information page
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How do I make an appointment?
A telephone call to our clinic is all that is necessary to arrange your appointment – call (02) 9221 1933, 7 days per week.
It is advisable to have a simple pregnancy test before setting up an appointment, however, if there is something preventing you from having a test prior to your appointment, every patient will have a confirming test with us.
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Preparation and what to bring?
There are a few things you need to know before coming in. Please read through this information
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What about fees?
Medicare rebates are available.The out-of-pocket, or non-claimable, portion may be paid by cash, Eftpos, Visa or Mastercard. If you are not an Australian citizen with Medicare, you will perhaps have a different medical insurer. If your fund agrees you are covered for termination of pregnancy, you are issued a receipt which can be used to lodge a claim.
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Where are you located?
We are conveniently - and discreetly - located in the centre of Sydney’s professional medical precinct. The clinic is located on the first floor, 195 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. For full contact details, as well as information on how to get to us through different modes of transport, please see our contact page