Abortion (Termination of pregnancy
 

We offer a comprehensive TOP service. We aim to create an emotionally caring, private and confidential environment as this can be an emotionally traumatic experience. Counselling forms an integral part of our service - the counselling is informative, non-directive and according to the needs of the client. All information is kept strictly confidential!

Termination of pregnancy (TOP) is a term to describe abortion. Abortions in South-Africa was legalized in 1997. Women can go to any doctor, hospital or clinic to ask for an abortion. Trained medical personnel at approved clinics and hospitals like our Reproductive Choices Clinic can perform TOP. 

We perform surgical and medical abortions at our clinic.

Terminations are performed between 6 and 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Our doctors have appropriate training and experience. Local anaesthesia is administered cervically and we advise patients not to eat a big meal 3-4 hours prior to the time of the procedure. The client can bring her partner/friend/family member to accompany her.

To ensure quality care, prepare yourself to spend about 1-2 hours at the clinic. The procedure itself will only take about 15 minutes, but we need enough time to take an accurate medical history, do some tests, e.g. sonar.

We use the latest vacuum aspiration method, which has been used in Europe for many years. This is considered to be a very safe method and does not affect the patient's future fertility in any physical manner.

Between 12 to 16 weeks of pregnancy, the aspirotomy technique is used.

We allow enough time to rest comfortably before leaving the clinic.

You can have a light meal before the appointment. Coffee or tea is provided after the procedure.

Wear comfortable clothing, preferably two-piece, loose fitting outfit, socks, full panties and a sweater.

We provide a sanitary pad.

Full payment is required the day of the procedure.

Please check with your medical aid - if the procedure is covered, we will provide a specified amount, which you can then submit to the medical aid claims department.

Counselling services are also offered to the partners or parents. Post-abortion counselling is available to all our clients should they require further support.

Medical abortion is when specific medication is administered to women for termination of pregnancy - it is also known as the French Pill. This specific medication is approved by the South African Medicines Control Council and must be taken strictly as prescribed.

A woman can have a medical abortion as soon as her pregnancy has been confirmed.

Medical abortions is only effective within the first 56 days of a woman’s pregnancy. This implies 56 days since the first day of her last menstrual period

The woman should be willing to have a surgical abortion if the medical abortion does not work

The women should be willing to return to the clinic within 48 hours after taking the first medication and again 10 to 14 days later for a follow-up visit.

A women cannot have a medical abortion if one of the following is present:

	An entopic pregnancy is suspected (a pregnancy outside the womb)
	Her adrenal glands does not function normally
	If she is taking long term corticosteroid medication. i.e. for asthma or blood thinning medication
	She has a history of a bleeding disorder
	She has severe and uncontrolled asthma
	She has porphyria
	She has an intra-uterine device in her womb
	She has severe cardiovascular problems
	She has severe high or low blood pressure
	She cannot return to the clinic for her two week follow-up visit
	She cannot go to a clinic or hospital in case of emergency
	She has severe anaemia

Medical abortion is effective in 95% of cases. When the abortion is not complete, the surgical procedure is performed at the two week follow-up appointment free of charge.

Having a medical or surgical abortion will not affect a women’s chance of having a baby in future

Two sets of medication is administered to terminate the pregnancy

The first set of medication ( 3 tablets) is given orally to the women at the clinic and will weaken the attachment of the pregnancy to the womb. The second medication is given two days later either orally or vaginally to the women again at the clinic. The second set of medication causes the womb to contract and bleed .This expels the pregnancy.

ONCE A MEDICAL ABORTION IS STARTED, IT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO THE FOETUS. BOTH SETS OF MEDICATION, THEREFORE, NEED TO BE TAKEN CORRECTLY

Both the medical and surgical abortion is appointment based and includes a counselling session beforehand, a sonar and a two week follow-up appointment after the procedure.

Partners or significant others for support are welcome to accompany the woman.