A Difficult Decision ...

Choosing to terminate a pregnancy is one of the most difficult decisions a woman will ever have to make ...

Unplanned pregnancy is always a shock and presents a woman (and often her partner) with a dilemma of what to do. Bringing a child into the world is a great responsibility, and will change lives forever. If it is decided, that it would be better for all concerned, that the pregnancy should not continue, it can be terminated. This is most easily and safely done in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (weeks of pregnancy are calculated from the first day of the last normal menstrual period).

There are 2 ways to terminate a pregnancy:

Medical

This is a combination of treatment of a tablet and a vaginal pessary, given over a 12 hr period. The pregnancy miscarries , usually, at home. It can take up to 48 hrs for the medical termination to complete, and can be painful, like a bad period pain. Medical termination is available in Australia, but not in all states. There is no medicare rebate available for medical termination in Australia.

Surgical

A surgical termination is undertaken under intravenous sedation, by specially trained doctors. It is a simple procedure, which takes about 10 minutes, and involves a gentle emptying of the womb using special instruments. It is over quickly and definitively, and the woman is not aware of the procedure occurring. She can go home about an hour after the procedure is undertaken. Gynaecare, in Artarmon, North Sydney, offer surgical termination of pregnancy under intravenous sedation, and no referral is required. The all female staff at Gynaecare are caring and sympathetic.

Risks

As with any medical procedure, there are some risks associated with termination of pregnancy, but these are minimal. The main risk of termination (both medical and surgical) is that of incomplete emptying of the uterus, which is uncommon but easily rectified by having a D&C (dilatation and curettage) under sedation.

Emotions

Many women feel guilty about having a termination, and give a great deal of thought to the decision about what to do. Gynaecare is non judgmental regarding your choice, and aims to provide you with the best care possible, regardless of what decision is made when dealing with the unplanned pregnancy.

Where is Gynaecare Located?

Gynaecare's clinic is located in Artarmon on Sydney's north shore. For enquiries contact Gynaecare
(02) 9413 2538 or view their website:

www.gynaecare.com.au