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Abortion care

Abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy. An abortion is done either by taking pills to expel the pregnancy or by surgery. Having an abortion is common and very safe.

Advice around getting an abortion 

If you are pregnant and not sure if you want to be, you may want some advice to help you decide what the best course of action is for you.  

The local abortion care provider MSI Reproductive Choices UK offer advice about abortion – even if you are not sure you want one. They can help talk you through things and provide support to help you make the right decision for you. 

You can also discuss options with your GP, and although we do not provide abortions at SHAC you can make an appointment with the SHAC Health Adviser team to discuss your options by calling 01273 523388 option 2.

Phone lines are closed on Bank Holidays.

Monday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

Tuesday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

Wednesday: 12.30pm to 4.30pm

Thursday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

Friday: 9.15am to 4.30pm

How to get an abortion in Brighton and Hove 

If you live in Sussex and a registered with a GP here, you can self-refer to MSI Reproductive Choices UK by calling 03453008090 which is their 24 hour advice line. If you are visiting or have a GP registered elsewhere you can still ring MSI for advice.

Abortion care is free of charge if you are eligible for NHS care. MSI offers medical abortion under 10 weeks (up to 9 weeks and 6 days) which involves taking pills at home as well as surgical abortions under 24 weeks (up to 23 weeks and 6 days) at the treatment centre in Hove. They also offer post abortion support and contraception.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about having an abortion

You can have an abortion up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy (under 24 weeks). It is however important to seek advice as soon as you find out you are pregnant if you think you may want an abortion as the earlier you contact providers the more options are likely to be available to you. 

f you need to estimate how many weeks pregnant you are you can use the gestation calculator on the MSI website: Abortion gestation calculator – MSI Reproductive Choices UK 

At MSI reproductive choices UK you can have a medical abortion (with pills) at less than 10 weeks (up to 9 weeks and 6 days). This is done at home. Surgical abortions can be done at less than 24 weeks (up to 23 weeks and 6 days)  of pregnancy and are provided at their treatment centre in Hove.

MSI reproductive choices UK  will offer post abortion care and support. They can offer access to post abortion contraception including long acting reversible methods which may be fitted immediately at a surgical abortion. 

If you would like further information about contraception after an abortion: Contraception after an abortion  – MSI Reproductive Choices UK 

Yes, you can. If you are under the age of 16 you do not have to tell a parent or carer but you will be encouraged to involve a supporting adult to give you support with the abortion. The team will check that you fully understand what is involved, that the decision to have an abortion is yours alone and in your best interest.  

Abortions are generally very safe. As with any medical or surgical procedure there are potential risks involved, and the abortion service will go through these in detail with you when they explain the method so that you are fully informed. 

The NHS provide information about possible complications of abortions.

Having an abortion is a very safe procedure and should not affect your ability to get pregnant again in the future. Fertility can in fact resume very quickly so it is important to use contraception to prevent becoming pregnant again should you not want to.  

No, you do not need to tell anyone about your abortion if you do not want to. As long as the team caring for you are certain you fully understand what is involved and that the decision to have an abortion is yours and in your best interest. You will always be encouraged to inform a next of kin or someone close to you so they can support you during/after the abortion. 

The person you became pregnant with has no legal right to make decisions about your pregnancy and does not need to agree to the abortion or know about the abortion if you do not want to tell them. 

Unless you specifically agree then information about your care is confidential and will not be shared with others. However, if your own safety or the safety of somebody else is thought to be at risk, then the team may have to pass that information on but would always discuss that with you first. 

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