Here to Help
Termination/Abortion
Whose decision is it to have an abortion?
As a woman: it is your right to decide whether to have an abortion or not. No one else can make the decision for you or force you to have one.
As a man: Legally you have no rights to determine whether a woman can or cannot have an abortion.
As a parent: Legally you have no rights to determine whether your child can or cannot have an abortion. If they are under 16 and assessed by doctors to be mature enough to make the decision you cannot make it for them.
Wherever possible the decision should be made together with your partner or family. This is not always appropriate or possible. WYPS and Options are here to support you to make the decision that is right for you.
How do I go about getting an abortion?
Abortions are provided free by the NHS. If you are a Tower Hamlets resident you can access an abortion by contacting your GP, going to a family planning/sexual health clinic or calling WYPS on 020 7377 7870. If you are under 25 you can attend one of the young people’s clinics run by Options or call on 020 8223 8429.
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How late into the pregnancy can I have an abortion?
You can have an abortion up to the 24 th week of pregnancy. To have a late abortion you must book your first appointment by the 22 nd week of pregnancy. The earlier you have a termination the better. It can be a difficult decision to make and our team is here to support you so give us a call or make an appointment and we can talk things through.
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How old do I have to be to have an abortion?
It does not make any difference what age you are.
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Who will I have to tell if I have an abortion?
If you are over 18 you will not have to tell anyone. If you are under 18 you will have to tell one adult (someone over 18) because they will have to accompany you to the abortion appointment. If you are under 16 you do not have to tell your parents/carers and we will not tell your parents/carers if we assess you to be mature enough to make your own decisions and if we are certain that you are not at any risk of harm.
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How will I feel after I have had an abortion?
Some people may feel absolutely fine, others may have mixed emotions about their decision. Both reactions are perfectly normal and we provide follow up care for everyone who has been through the service. If you would like to speak to someone about how you are feeling call us on 020 7377 7870 or you can call the Marie Stopes hotline on 0845 300 8090 (open 24 hours).
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If I have an abortion will it mean that I can’t have children in the future?
No, there is no connection between abortion and infertility. Abortions are medical procedures so there is a remote risk that.
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What are the risks?
Having an abortion is a safe procedure. There are less risks associated with having an abortion than there are with giving birth.
There are lots of myths about abortion. It will not make you infertile (unable to have children), it won’t make you go blind or mean that you have deformed children in the future. If you do not want to continue a pregnancy but have concerns about abortion contact us on 020 7377 7870.
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Family Planning & Sexual Health
