Just read a post on a different forum that the NHS only do free abortions if its for medical purposes... can anyone confirm or deny this?

Hi there,

So I just found out today that I am pregnant but I'm postive that I'm having an abortion due to many reasons (such as I'm still at uni, living the poor student life with no job) and my bf feels the same.

Went to the doctor today who made me feel totally terrible about it... "You can't turn back time. You'll always be the person who aborted their pregnancy" and all that.

But I went to my local GUM clinic who told me to come by the drop in thingy tomorrow which I will do.

I just had a couple of questions:

1) I know that 2 doctors have to give their permission etc but someone said that its only free on the NHS if your going to be mentally or physically better off (not worded right but you get the idea...) and since I most definately cant afford to go private... can you tell me if there is a chance that I will get refused?

2) What can I expect during and after it's done? I reckon I'm about 6 weeks so will have the medical one and I've read up on it - bleeding, stomach cramps etc but how bad is it? Not that this will change anything but still...

Think thats all... any more words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated

Thank you xx

but that could be due a different country.Over here if you go public then a doctor has to refer you, and you have about a 6wk wait.I chose to go private for this reason, again a doctor refers you.
But at both clinics, a counsillor signs a consent, then the operating doctor, and then 1 other doctor.
I have been turned down once in this proceedure,BUT that was due to the fact i didnt want the abortion my Bf was pressuring me, this obviously came thru loud and clear to the docs, and i was told that if i could come back after the wkd and tell them i was wanting it done for ME then they would go ahead, consequently i never did, it was all i needed to hear for the go ahead in my mind, my daughter is now 10yrs old.

Just wanted to say that by 2 doctors they mean your gp who you see initially ( or family planning etc) and then the doctor who performs the termination. they both have to sign a form and in my experience they dont generally go over your reasons for having one as they seem to realise that by being there you have been over the facts and have made the decision for your own reasons which they dont question, the only thing they do seem to ask is whether you are being pressurised into it by anyone and i presume they can tell from speaking to you whether there is any doubt that you are.

ive just read others saying that you need to doctors to say that you can have an abortion, i wrote that you didnt. but im not sure because i went to my local g.p and i never saw any other doctor sign it, only the doctor at the hospital. so sorry for the confusion. also i had my abortion on the nhs and i had no medical problems or anything other than my youngest baby is only 5months old. x

i had my abortion last week, i went to see my doctor and he phoned the hospital up and made me an appointment for me. the next week i was in having it done. i had no stomach cramps what so ever, i didn't even bleed for over a week. i had very light spotting the week later. but the day after i felt absolutely normal and fine. and i was 12 weeks gone.and secondly you don't need to doctors to refer you. you just see your normal g.p and the consultant at the hospital. i hope this helps you xxx

I went to my doctor and asked for an abortion and he just got out a form and filled it out and told me to ring the number on the bottom, I only had one doctor refer me and he didnt even ask my why. I saw him Wed and went to clinic on fri and am going back in bout 20 minutes for the second pill. Ive had my through the NHS with no problem, I had a phone consoltion and they asked my why then, I just told them i already have a baby of 11 months and have split with my partner and am going to be living on benefits so would not be able to cope.Good luck

Sorry to hear your doctor was unsupportive. I had an abortion when I was 17 (7 years ago now) and the doctor I had then acted the same, and with my best friend too.

The doctors and nurses at the bpas clinics are very supportive and they are not there to judge you.

I went to the clinic this Tuesday as I was considering a termination and noted financial difficulties as one cause and being unplanned due to an illness as the other, and they were fine with that.

Do make sure it is the right choice for you though hun, only you will know. I have now changed my mind and know I am making the right choice as I feel better and more content in myself since doing so. And as for the past abortion, it took about a month to hit me and then a felt low for some time. I didn't have anyone to turn to and talk it out, so please make sure you know you have friends and family around you can be honest with. After which though, and even now I know it was the right choice then, have made the most of the last 7years in respect of my choice.

Hope that helps a little. Take time to think and YOUR own choice xxx

Well i had an abortion 12yrs ago, at the time my bf and i knew all the reasons we couldnt carry on with the pregnancy, and the consent was signed by both doctors.However i suffered greatly after that abortion, 18mths in counsilling and terrible terrible thoughts.I found myself back in that situation this week, i had my abortion last Tuesday.My biggest fear was how my mental health would suffer as a result, i was shocked that again i was given the consent and no one really bothered too much about the fact i hadnt handled it well last time.
In my country they do the proceedure while awake.Yes i knew what they were doing every step of the way, yes it hurt, and yes i will always remember it.this differs from my previous abortion where i was given something that made it all very blurry, and i have very little memory.I had the surgical option, i went in for the medical but couldnt have it due to medical reasons.
Big hugs with what ever you decide

sorry you had a insensitve docter,but please dont worry about it if you have to back and see them request to see another doctor at your surgery.

it is true that in the uk 2 doctors must sign the form one from your surgey and one from where the termination will be taking place.

however given your situation if you dont fell like youd be able to cope at all ie due to monney worries and studies which could lead to stress especialy with an added baby, etc they might sign the form.

i realy sorry i cant give you any more info on how the process works, when i had my termination on the nhs about 6 months before i just came off my medication for depression and anxity

i had the medical termination at 8 weeks and realy my treatment on the nhs was fantatic.

you go to the ward and they put a pessery in after about an hour they take you to theater i was fully knocked out for mine and woke up in another room by a nurse and taken back to the ward. however i have read from some other posts on here that some people have been awake through this type of termination but due to complications,

i didnt even feel like i had an op and after i felt quite peaceful and calm.
you do bleed and have a few cramps but nothing more than a bad period if that.

while your there if you get a nhs termination they will also sti test you and ask you about what controception methed you are or wanting to use but nothing to worry about

all the best to you poppet hope my post has helped xxx
feel free to pm me if you want to know any more

"Thanks "

Thanks for your advice. Almost wishing I hadn't come here though coz I'm seeing loads of posts regretting abortions. But I know it's right for me...

The only thing that worried me was when you said "they might sign the form". What am I going to do if they decide that I'm fit to have a baby?! Also the doctor at my surgery said she doesn't refer people for abortions but there are 2 doctors at the GUM clinic (or whatever clinic it is) that will sign. Will this also do?

i only said might coz im not fully aware of the forms criterior, it sound like you suffering emotionaly and your panicky, they will take this into account so they will sign it as it could cause futer problems. pleas dont worry most doctors do sign the forms.

it also sound like your gp disagrees with abortion if this it the case by law you have a right to be referd to another doctor asap to have your case reviewed! so ask to see a diffrent docter at your surgey, as the inital signature comes from a doctor at you surgey the 2 doctor at the hospitil signature if for reviewing your notes and agreeing that you are fit enought to have an op.

i know my termination was right for me but personaly i think there are a few pro lifers that come on to this site and try to make ppl regret it more when they dont need it. a young girl on one post was basicly told by a pro lifer she was commiting to a part of moden day genocide! and in other posts were are bible bashed and murders apparently and that coils cause abortions. but when looking for pratical advice id ignor these post as they havent been there in that situation and i dont think they know what there talking about.

im glad you know its right for you you always know the answer deep down anyway.

please dont worry all the best and lots of love didds XX

im not sure if doctors at the GUM clinc sign the form or not (i couldnt tell, you sorry theres not a GUM clinc where i am) but i cant think of any reason why they wouldnt after all they are also medical profesionals.
XXX

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You're a star

Just read a post on a different forum that the NHS only do free abortions if its for medical purposes... can anyone confirm or deny this?

I had my abortion last Friday on the NHS, not due to medical reasons but the fact I already have teenage children and felt to old to start again. I am also single, this was the result of a breif relationship. I went through the BPAS but I had to travel quite a distance to a clinic as my local hospital only do them for medical reasons.
Physically I have been fine since but emotionaly its been difficult even though I am sure it was for the best.
Take care and do what you think is best for you.

no any one consided as british citizen can have any treatment free on the nhs, for whatever the cause, thats why we pay our taxes right!
XXX