A medical termination can be performed up to 24 weeks. This involves giving the patient a course of two different types of tablets. The termination usually occurs within 12 hours of beginning the second course of tablets when the woman passes the pregnancy vaginally. Pain is often experienced but pain relief will always be available. The type of termination a woman is offered will depend upon the length of her pregnancy, the facilities that are available to her at her clinic or hospital and also her personal preference.
Fewer complications arise if the pregnancy is terminated within ten weeks.
If a woman suspects that she is pregnant, and does not want to continue with the pregnancy, she should contact her GP as soon as possible. There is no such thing as an operation or procedure that is completely risk-free. Termination of pregnancy whether medical or surgical is a very safe procedure but complications are encountered. After the abortion it is normal to bleed for a couple of days. After that, the bleeding will decrease for a couple of weeks.