Supporting Women’s Rights to Safe & Legal Abortions
OUR SERVICES > SAFE ABORTIONS
‘My Body, My Choice.’ The Blue Ribbon campaign supports women’s rights to safe and legal abortions.
Furthermore, we aim to empower women with access to accurate information and resources about safe abortions so that they are able to make an informed choice about their sexual and reproductive health.
Looking for more information about Safe Abortions?
Have a look at our frequently asked questions, if you don’t find the information you need, contact us directly and one of our trained professionals will contact you
Safe Abortion FAQs
Providing access to safe abortion and post-abortion care is at the core of our mission.
I just found out that I am pregnant, what are my options?
- You have three options when facing an unplanned pregnancy. You can carry the pregnancy to term and raise a child yourself. You can continue with the pregnancy and place the child for adoption or in foster care, or you can choose to have an abortion to terminate the pregnancy. You must take the time to consider all of your options and discuss the issue with your partner, a friend or a family member (if you feel safe and comfortable doing so). Ultimately the decision of whether or not to continue with the pregnancy should be yours.
What if I want to have an abortion?
- If you choose to have an abortion, ensure you choose a safe and legal provider like us, Marie Stopes South Africa. `there are many unsafe, backstreet abortion providers out there. Coming into our centres is easy, you just need to book an appointment online or call us on 0800 11 77 85. Our team will tell you what to expect and let you know what plans to make for the day of your appointment.
What safe abortion options are there?
- There are two options available to you which are the Marie Stopes Medical Process i.e the safe abortion pill (4-9 weeks) and the Marie Stopes Surgical Abortion (4-20 weeks).
What if I’m not sure I’m pregnant?
- All our centres offer ultrasounds as well as a pregnancy test to confirm if you are pregnant and, if so, the stage of the pregnancy.
At what age is it legal to have an abortion?
- The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act states that a women can have an abortion at any age- you should never be denied the service because of your age. If you’re young we advise you to chat to a trusted adult (a parent, aunt or teacher) and ask someone to accompany you to the centre for your appointment, but this is not required.
Can I get an abortion at Marie Stopes if I am not from South Africa?
- Yes, we can assist women from anywhere in the world. If you are travelling from another country, we may not be able to provide you with the option of the Marie Stopes Medical Process as in requires an in-country follow-up appointment after three weeks.
What will happen during my appointment?
- You will have a consultation with a nurse who will explain your options to you. She or he will take your medical history; it is important to be honest and disclose a full history; your confidentiality is assured. She or he will then perform a physical examination, including a vaginal exam to determine the stage of your pregnancy. This may include an abdominal ultrasound/scan. If you are more than 12 weeks pregnant, your procedure will need to be performed by a doctor. We may need to book an appointment for you to return on a separate day, depending on the doctor’s availability.
Why do you only start offering abortions at 4 weeks?
- Before four weeks, pregnancy can be difficult to detect on a scan or by doing a physical exam. Sometimes even at 4 or 5 weeks, a pregnancy can be too small to detect on a scan, and you may be asked to rebook and visit the centre in another week. This is for your safety.
Why do you stop offering abortions at 20 weeks?
- The law which governs abortion in South Africa restricts procedures at 20 weeks except in some cases where there is a threat to the woman’s health. Marie Stopes South Africa is only designated to provide abortion services for up to 20 weeks.
Safe Abortion Pills vs Surgical Abortion: What are the differences?
Which option is better?
- Neither option is better than the other- it’s a question of both personal choice and medical history that will determine the method that is best for you. Some women say they prefer to finish the procedure in one day; others feel that the medical process more suits their lifestyle. A nurse will provide all the details to help you decide during your consultation.
How do I know which option(s) I am eligible for?
- On the day of your appointment, one of our supportive nurses will offer you a consultation session, including a physical exam. Once the stage of your pregnancy is confirmed you’ll be asked some questions about your medical history- it’s important to provide all of the relevant information requested (i.e. if you have a blood disorder like anaemia or deep vein thrombosis).
What if I have had a cesarean section?
- Your eligibility for the Marie Stopes Medical Process may be affected by previous pregnancies and deliveries. It will depend on how many cesarean sections you have had and how recently.
What kind of pain management is available?
- One of the Marie Stopes’ staff will be talking to comfort you and relieve pain without medication during the procedure. This is called the Vocal Local method. Some of our centres also have an option called conscious sedation, which makes you sleep during the procedure.
What is conscious sedation?
- Conscious sedation is available at selected Marie Stopes centres. It is a form of anesthetic that allows you to feel sleepy and relax or fall asleep during the procedure. If you decide to opt for sedation its important to let us know when you make your booking so that we schedule you on the appropriate time and date. You will also receive a set of fasting guidelines to follow, so you know when to stop eating and drinking.
What if I think I’m still pregnant after the abortion?
- In approximately 1% of medical processes, the pregnancy may continue even after taking the medication. If you have continued symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness you should contact our Client Services centre. A positive pregnancy test 2 to 3 weeks after your process began does not indicate a continued pregnancy. This may just be caused by the pregnancy hormones still in your system. If the pregnancy is continuing after the Marie Stopes Medical Process, we will perform the Marie Stopes Surgical Procedure at our centre at no cost to you.
When can I have sex again after an abortion?
- We advise that you do not have vaginal intercourse or insert anything into your vagina for one week.
Can I fall pregnant after an abortion? How soon after?
- You can conceive again as early as one week after an abortion so, it’s important to talk to a nurse about a contraceptive method that’s right for you. We have a wide range of contraceptive and family planning methods available from which you can choose.
Do I need to come back to the centre after my process or procedure?
- If you opt for the Marie Stopes Procedure you do not need to come back to the centre unless you have a question or would like another service. If you choose the Marie Stopes Medical Process you will need to come for a follow up visit 3 weeks later. Call us on 0800 11 77 85 or make a booking for your follow-up consultation.
What if I think I’m still pregnant after the abortion?
- In around 1% of medical processes the pregnancy may continue even after taking the medication. If you have continued symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness you should contact our Client Services centre. A positive pregnancy test 2 to 3 weeks after your process began does not indicate a continued pregnancy. This may just be caused by the pregnancy hormones still in your system. If the pregnancy is continuing after the Marie Stopes Medical Process we will perform the Marie Stopes Surgical Procedure at our centre at no cost to you.
When can I travel after my abortion?
- You can travel as soon as you feel well enough to after the procedure but we do not recommend the Marie Stopes Medical Process for women who are travelling a significant distance (by air or road).
What if I started an abortion at home or from someone that doesn’t work for Marie Stopes South Africa?
- Because we do not have triage facilities if you are already in the process of an abortion we recommend you present yourself at your nearest hospital for treatment. If you have purchased “abortion pills” from someone who is not a designated provider do NOT consume the medication. Call us on 0800 11 77 85 to book a safe abortion.
Centres that offer Safe Abortion Services
Marie Stopes has 17 centres across South Africa that offer abortion pills, safe abortion procedures and support. Find an abortion centre near you. To make an appointment for a safe abortion book online or call us on 0800 11 77 85.
We know that an unplanned pregnancy can be stressful and that abortions raise a lot of questions.
We’ve tried to answer as many of them in our Frequently Asked Questions section but if there’s something we missed give us a call on 0800 11 77 85 or ask us a question.