Sexual safety - Abortion
What is abortion?
Abortion is a safe and legal medical procedure to end a pregnancy. There are a set of steps that are required by law and which need to be completed before you can have an abortion. This means it is best to visit the Family Planning Clinic or doctor as soon as you think you might be pregnant.
How does an abortion happen?
There are two types of abortion. The most common abortion method used in New Zealand is surgical abortion. The other is medical abortion. With a surgical abortion the contents of the uterus are sucked out using a suction curette. Surgical abortion is a safe, simple and low risk procedure.
Medical termination of pregnancy or medical abortion is a process where a woman is given medication to cause the pregnancy to end and a miscarriage to occur. It requires the same legal steps as a surgical abortion. It requires the woman to make two trips to the clinic as the medications are given 24 to 48 hours apart.
Where can I get an abortion?
Abortion services are not available in all New Zealand towns and cities. Medical abortion is currently only available in six centres. Your Family Planning Clinic or GP will be able to tell you about the services you are able to access.
Whose choice is it to have an abortion?
It is the woman’s decision to request an abortion. So is the decision not to have one. No one has the right to make a woman consent to an abortion. That includes her parents, family, the guy involved or any social workers. Part of the process is having two certifying doctors agree to an abortion.
How long is it too late to wait before you have an abortion?
It is really important to get medical care as early as possible in your pregnancy – this is regardless of whether you want an abortion, or to continue with the pregnancy. The earlier a pregnancy is terminated the less traumatic it is likely to be.
Does the guy have any say about the abortion?
The male does not legally have a say in the pregnancy, the law says that it’s the female’s final decision to keep, adopt or abort. This is because the pregnancy is taking place in her body so it’s her decision. But, this doesn’t mean that fathers don’t have feelings and might need someone to talk to as well.
If you want to have a say, you may want to talk with her about it and tell her what you can do to help. Be honest about what level of support you feel you can offer.
If she does decide to go through with the pregnancy, you will be legally and financially responsible for the child until its 19th birthday. If you are under 18 then the financial responsibility falls on your family.
