Marie Stopes South Africa is dedicated to providing safe abortion procedures in facilities that are clean and easily accessible to the public. Medication and surgical (in-clinic) abortions are administered/performed by qualified medical professionals.
Last year, we launched the Blue Ribbon initiative, which is aimed at providing women with correct information and resources about abortion in South Africa. We want to empower women by letting you know that it’s your legal right to have a safe abortion. It’s your body, your choice.
Marie Stopes South Africa offers two types of safe abortion procedures:
- The Marie Stopes Medication Procedure (also known as the abortion pill)
- The Marie Stopes Procedure (a minor, same-day surgical procedure)
The Marie Stopes Medical Process (also known as the abortion pill)
When pregnancy is detected via an ultrasound test, you can choose to have a medication abortion. The window period for this safe abortion method ranges from four up to nine weeks (63 days). After nine weeks, an in-clinic surgical abortion is necessary.
The Medical abortion is completed by using a combination of two medications which work in tandem to terminate the pregnancy. The first pill is called mifepristone (commonly known as the abortion pill.) It stops your ovaries from producing the hormone, progesterone – which is required for pregnancy.
The second pill is called misoprostol. It must be taken 6 to 48 hours after taking the first pill. It triggers cramping and bleeding, which results in the emptying of your uterus.
The Marie Stopes Procedure (a minor same-day surgical procedure)
Surgical abortion is usually performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, (up to 12 weeks); at this point, it has a low complication rate. The safe abortion procedure can also be performed when you’re in your second trimester (up to 20 weeks).
During a surgical abortion procedure, the doctor or nurse will:
- Inspect your uterus
- Insert a speculum into your vagina
- Inject a numbing medication into, or nearby, your cervix
- He/she will stretch the opening of your cervix with dilating rods.
- He/she will insert a thin tube into your uterus.
- He/she will use a small, hand-held suction device or a suction machine to gently remove the tissue from your uterus.
- He/she may also use a surgical instrument called a curette to remove any leftover tissue in your uterus.
The surgical abortion procedure takes approximately five to 10 minutes.
We are with you every step of the way. There is no need to feel scared, embarrassed or humiliated.
Other services provided by Marie Stopes South Africa
We ensure that you will receive the highest quality of healthcare from experienced medical professionals. We also offer numerous women’s sexual and reproductive health services which include
- Contraception
- HIV and STI testing
- Pap smears
- Pregnancy care and;
- Women’s Wellness check-ups
Schedule an appointment at your nearest centre. Our staff and medical professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about our safe abortion procedures.