Terminating a pregnancy

If you’re faced with this situation, a first step could be to talk over your options with someone with experience of these issues. You may have mixed feelings, and not be sure what you want to do. Remember that, although you have HIV, you can still have a healthy, HIV-negative baby. But it is up to you to decide if and when you have a child.

You could speak to someone at a contraceptive clinic, a sexual health clinic, your HIV clinic or your GP surgery. You could also call the helpline of sexual health charity FPA on 0845 122 8690.

Two main techniques are used for abortions done in the first three months of pregnancy: 

• Taking one tablet one day, and different tablets up to two days later. The pregnancy will end after a few hours, and may feel like a heavy period. This is often called ‘medical’ abortion.
• The suction method, where a tube is placed through the vagina to the womb and the pregnancy is sucked out, under a local anaesthetic. This is called a ‘surgical’ abortion.

Both techniques are as safe for women with HIV as for other women, and are carried out in the same way.

An abortion done during the first three months of pregnancy is more straightforward than one done later on. You won’t usually need to stay overnight if you have a surgical abortion. Other, more complex methods are used for later abortions.

Abortion is legal in England, Wales and Scotland up to 24 weeks (five months). After this, it is only allowed in exceptional circumstances.

Abortions are usually carried out at a specialist clinic. Your first visit will be an opportunity to ask questions, tell the doctor about any health issues, have tests and examinations, and to decide what you want to do.

Your GP, a doctor at a sexual health or contraceptive clinic or your HIV doctor can refer you to a clinic. The service will be free.

Some clinics are run by charities like the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) or Marie Stopes. It is possible to go directly to them - in many cases, their services will be paid for by the NHS but you may be asked to pay. There are also private clinics that provide abortions, but the NHS may not pay for this service. Costs vary depending on how many weeks pregnant you are and how the abortion is done, but will cost at least £500.

You can get pregnant again very soon after having an abortion, so it is important to use contraception if you still want to avoid pregnancy.