Abortion FAQ

1. If I am pregnant and go to a doctor, will she inform my parents and others?

If you are an adult (18 years of age or older), your doctor is not supposed to share any information about your pregnancy with your parents, partner, or anyone else without your consent. This is in line with the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.

However, there are exceptions:

If you are a minor (below 18 years of age), the doctor may need to inform your parents or guardians, as minors are generally not considered capable of making certain medical decisions independently.
In cases of life-threatening conditions, if the doctor believes that involving your parents or guardians is necessary to ensure proper care and safety, they may disclose information.

If your doctor pressures you to inform your parents or partner against your will, it could be considered a violation of medical ethics.

2. Is a husband or father needed for abortion?

If you are above the age of 18, you do not need a father, mother, husband, or anyone else to give permission for your abortion as long as the pregnancy is under 20 weeks (or up to 24 weeks in certain circumstances).

However, for minors, parental consent is needed for an abortion, and in some cases, a court’s intervention may be required.

3. I am unmarried, can I get an abortion?

Yes, an unmarried woman can legally undergo an abortion in India. According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, and its amendments (the MTP Amendment Act, 2021), the decision to have an abortion is based on the woman’s health and the stage of pregnancy, not her marital status.

Instead of marital status, the only thing to be made sure of is the medical criteria and ensuring that the pregnancy is within the permissible time frame. This means that the procedure can be carried out if the pregnancy is under 20 weeks (or up to 24 weeks in certain cases, such as foetal abnormalities or risks to the woman’s health).

For women under 18, parental consent is required.

4. Where can I go to get an abortion?

You can visit government or private hospitals, family planning clinics, or qualified doctors for an abortion, as long as they comply with the legal and medical standards set under the MTP Act.

Government Hospitals: Public hospitals across the country are equipped to provide abortion services. These hospitals follow the legal requirements and medical protocols for safe abortions.
Private Clinics and Hospitals: Any private healthcare providers also offer safe abortion services, provided they are registered under the MTP Act and have qualified doctors (such as gynaecologists) to carry out the procedure.
MTP Centres: Some specialised centres, often affiliated with government hospitals, focus on providing safe abortions, particularly for pregnancies within the first 20 weeks.
Family Planning Clinics: These clinics, often run by the government, offer abortion services following the same rules set by the MTP Act.
Qualified Doctors: Only registered and qualified medical professionals, typically a gynaecologist or obstetrician, who is authorised to carry out the procedure within the legal framework.

5. What happens if I take abortion medicine on my own?

Taking abortion pills on your own is not safe and can be very dangerous. They should only be taken under the supervision of a qualified doctor.

If you take them without medical advice, there could be serious risks, including:

Incomplete abortion, which could lead to more complications.
Heavy bleeding, infections, or injury.
Delayed treatment: If something goes wrong, you might not get the care you need in time.
Fatal, in extremely rare situations it can lead to death also.

It’s really important to talk to a doctor before taking any abortion medication. They can make sure it's safe for you and guide you through the process. Self-medicating not only puts your health at risk but also goes against the law, which requires abortions to be performed by a licensed professional under the MTP Act.

Not all abortions can be done through taking a tablet. In some cases, an ectopic pregnancy can happen where, instead of the uterus, the fertilization happens in the fallopian tubes. Only an ultrasound can see if the pregnancy is normal or ectopic. In such a case, separate medication or a procedure is needed as will be determined by your doctor.

6. Is the doctor allowed to refuse treatment?

Under the MTP Act, a doctor can refuse an abortion based on personal or medical reasons. However, they are required by law to refer you to another healthcare professional who can perform the procedure.

Different types of abortions: Based on the stage of pregnancy and medical criteria, there are mainly two types of abortions.

Medical Abortion (Pills or Medication): It's non-invasive and can be done at home under the supervision of a doctor the first 7 to 9 weeks of pregnancy.
It involves taking two medications: Mifepristone (to stop the pregnancy) and Misoprostol (to expel the pregnancy from the uterus).
Surgical Abortion: This is performed under two circumstances: if the pregnancy is beyond 7-9 weeks or if medical abortion is not suitable.
The two main types of surgical abortions are

Vacuum Aspiration: Commonly done between 6 to 12 weeks, here a gentle suction device is used to remove the pregnancy tissue.
Dilation and Curettage (D&C): This is a more invasive procedure, done typically in the second trimester (after 12 weeks), where the cervix is dilated and the pregnancy is removed using surgical instruments.

7. What happens before and after?

Before the Abortion: To ensure that the abortion procedure is safe, informed, and legally compliant, the following steps are followed.

Consultation: This is done by the doctor to understand your medical history, reason for the abortion, and to review your overall health.
Pregnancy Confirmation: A pregnancy test and ultrasound (USG) is done to confirm the pregnancy and estimate how far along you are. This helps rule out issues like ectopic pregnancy.
Note - USG is necessary before an abortion in India to ensure the procedure is medically appropriate, legally compliant, and safe for the woman. It helps in determining the pregnancy's status, gestational age, and any potential complications, which are critical factors in the decision-making process for an abortion procedure.
Discussing Options: The doctor explains the abortion options based on how far along you are (medical abortion for up to 7-9 weeks, surgical for later stages) and if there are any risks involved.
Consent and Counselling: You'll be informed about the procedure and asked to sign a consent form. Counselling may be offered to ensure you understand the emotional aspects.
Eligibility Check: If under 20 weeks, the doctor will confirm if you are eligible for the procedure. For pregnancies beyond 20 weeks, approval from a medical board may be needed.
Pre-procedure Instructions: The doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

After the Abortion:

Immediate Care: You’ll be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no complications, like heavy bleeding or signs of infection. For surgical abortions, cramping or spotting is observed for a few days.
Rest and Recovery: For medical abortion, bleeding and cramping for several hours or a few days is expected. However, for surgical abortion, it can take a few days to recover. You may be advised to take pain relievers and avoid strenuous activities.
Follow-Up: A follow-up with the doctor within 1 to 2 weeks is needed to ensure the abortion was successful and there are no complications.
Emotional Support: It's normal to have mixed emotions after an abortion. Counselling or talking to someone you trust can help. Some clinics also offer emotional support or counselling services if needed.

8. Important side effects to watch-out for?

Common side effects after an abortion include:

Light to moderate bleeding is normal, but heavy bleeding or large clots need medical attention.

Mild cramping is common; but severe pain needs medical attention
A mild fever is normal, but a high fever could signal infection.
Watch for foul-smelling discharge, chills, or persistent fever as it could be a sign of an infection.
Nausea due to the procedure or medications.
Emotional Changes after the procedure.

However, immediately seek doctor’s help if any of the following is observed

Heavy Bleeding: Soaking through two or more pads an hour for several hours.
Severe Pain: Intense cramping that doesn’t improve with pain relief.
Signs of Infection: Fever, chills, or foul-smelling discharge.
Dizziness or Fainting: Could indicate excessive blood loss.
Lingering Symptoms: Persistent bleeding or cramping beyond a couple of weeks.
Emotional Struggles: Overwhelming sadness or anxiety may need professional support.

9. After an abortion, how soon can I get pregnant?

Pregnancy can occur quickly after an abortion as soon as you start ovulating, which can happen within 2 weeks after an abortion, even if you haven't had your first period yet, so it's recommended to use birth control to prevent unintended pregnancy.

10. Till when can someone get an abortion in India

In India, as per the current law, abortion can be done:

Up to 24 weeks: Abortion is allowed only if the pregnancy poses a risk to the woman’s physical or mental health or if there is a risk of foetal abnormality. This can be done with the approval of a medical board. Minors or survivors of rape or incest are also permitted to seek abortion within this time frame with the necessary medical consultation.
More than 24 weeks: Abortions are only allowed in cases where continuing the pregnancy poses a significant risk to the woman’s life or there are severe foetal abnormalities, but this requires approval from a medical board.