Frequently Asked Questions

Have you good reason for thinking this? If so, you can go along to one of our Care Centres for a pregnancy test which is free and confidential, it gives immediate results, and you also have the chance to talk with one of our skilled helpers. Call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 for details of your nearest Care Centre. Remember you are not alone, don't panic. We are waiting to hear from you and help you.

Has the pregnancy been confirmed? If not, you can go along to one of our Care Centres for a pregnancy test, which will give you immediate results. You say you can't have it, lets talk. Talking through your problems with someone you don't know can often help. It gives you time and space to think things through. Why not call our National Helpline 0800 915 4600 for a chat with one of ourskilled helpers, who are there to talk to you and talk through your problems.

If you call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 we can make arrangements for a skilled helper to talk with you both either together or seperately.

Before you go through with an abortion, you should first make sure that you have received the correct counselling, which will explain not only the correct medical procedure but also the emotional aspects. Post Abortion Syndrome is now a recognised heath condition. Why not call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 and talk through your feelings with one of our trained skilled helpers.

The method of abortion will depend on how pregnant you are. if you are still in the first trimester (first three months of pregnancy) one of the following methods is likely to be used.

Medical (i.e. chemical) abortion

Especially in the early stages of pregnancy the abortion pill may be used. This is called a medical abortion. This involves taking two drugs 48 hours apart. The first drug (mifepristone, also known as RU486) blocks the action of the hormone that makes the lining of the womb suitable for the new human being to live. A women will normally go home, returning 48 hours later for stage 2 of the process. The second drug (prostaglandin) is given 48 hours later and causes the womb to cramp and contract. The lining of the womb breaks down and is lost along with the baby through bleeding from the vagina. This part of the process can be painful although pain-killing medication can be given.

The drugs used in this process can make some women feel sick and in some cases they may vomit or have diarrhoea.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the safety of the RU486. A number of deaths and severe complications have been related to this form of abortion.

http://www.lifeissues.org/ru486/deaths.htm

Vacuum Aspiration

A plastic suction tube is inserted through the neck of the womb (the cervix). A pump is then connected to the tube and this sucks out the foetus along with other tissue associated with the pregnancy. The word foetus is Latin for 'young one' or 'offspring', it simply means baby. After a vacuum aspiration abortion there can be bleeding for up to 14 days. Vacuum aspiration abortions can be carried out under a local or general anaesthetic.

Dilation and Evacuation

This is carried out under anaesthetic. The process involves stretching the neck of the womb (the cervix) wide enough for forceps to be used to remove the baby. Vacuum aspiration may be used afterwards to ensure that no tissue is left inside the womb. If any parts of the baby are left inside the women, infection may occur. There may be some bleeding after the abortion for up to 14 days.

Between 20 and 24 weeks, there are two methods of abortion. The first is known as a surgical two-stage abortion. Each stage requires a general anaesthetic.

Stage 1 involves stopping the heart beat of the baby and widening the neck of the womb (cervix).

Stage 2 is carried out the following day and involves removing the foetus and other tissue associated with the pregnancy using the Dilation and Evacuation method. If the neck of the womb has not been opened enough forceps will be used to crush the head of the baby making it easier to remove. Surgical two-stage abortions usually require an overnight stay in hospital.

The second option is known as a medically induced abortion (or medical induction abortion) and is similar to a late miscarriage. The drug prostaglandin is injected into the womb and this causes it to contract strongly as in labour. This can last for around 6-12 hours. During the process the woman remains awake and may be given drugs to control the pain. The women will deliver the baby as if in childbirth. The abortionist will aim to kill the baby before birth using a poison. In some cases the baby may be alive for a short time after delivery. Afterwards the Dilation and Evacuation process may be necessary to ensure that the womb is completely empty, or else infection may occur.

Like a two-stage surgical abortion, medically induced abortions usually require an overnight stay in hospital. As with all abortions, if a woman experiences heavy bleeding after leaving the hospital, or a lot of pain or a high temperature, she should seek medical help.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp?TopicID=1&AreaID=2590&LinkID=1996

Try not to panic - Call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 and talk it through, remember you don't conceive every time you have intercourse. Talk to one of our skilled helpers, they will be able to clarify the situation.

Whatever decision is made here is going to hurt one of you and your relationship, unless you receive some counselling. Ask your wife to phone our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 if she would like to talk it through. We can talk to both of you by phone or put you in touch with a skilled helper. It is essential that your wife receives the correct advice before she goes ahead with the abortion. This should tell her not only about the medical aspect of the abortion but also the emotional health risk which goes with abortion. Post Abortion Trauma is a recognised woman's health issue.

This is very true of many women who undergo abortion, for whatever reason. You are not alone. We can really help you through this with our post abortion counselling service. Call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 which is staffed by experienced Skilled Helpers how are there to listen or can refer you to a local Skilled Helper. The National Helpline is open Monday to Friday 9-9pm, Saturday 9-5pm. Our counselling service is free and confidential. Please call us now.

LIFE may be able to offer you accommodation in one of the LIFE houses, but for further information please contact LIFE Housing on 0870 417 7777 or go to the LIFE Housing section of this site.

LIFE FertilityCare Programme is a method of managing fertility which enables couples to understand, and promote their fertility in a way which enhances their sense of self-worth and wholeness and their love for one another. It teaches couples how their fertility works. For further information on the LIFE FertilityCare Programme call 0151 228 0353 or go to the FertilityCare section of this site.

Benefits and entitlements frequently change. Up to the minute information is available from the Benefits Agency website. To find out more information get in touch with your local security office. For nearest office details look for the Benefits Agency display advert in the business numbers section of the phone book.

Sadly, for some women this can be true. At the time of the abortion infection can occur causing blockage of the fallopian tubes. A further complication can be perforation or rupture of the uterus caused by instruments used in abortion.

If you live near any of LIFE's Care Centre Centres you can get a free one with immediate results. Call our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 for information on the nearest care centre to you. Otherwise you may be able to get one from your GP's surgery, or buy one from a local chemist. if you need to talk following the results please call the National Helpline.

Contact our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 and we will put you in touch with your nearest LIFE Care Centre, which will be very happy to help you get together all the items necessary for your baby. You will find your course tutor and student union very supportive. The type of allowances you will be eligible for depends on whether you are in full or part-time education. If your are an overseas students certain terms and conditions apply relating to your visa. LIFE can help you call National Helpline on 0800 915 4600. Once the baby is born you can claim child benefit. Housing Benefit is also available if you are in rented accommodation. Please phone us for further information on 0800 915 4600.

It is very important that your daughter look at all the options and the support that goes with each. Then and only then can she make a informed decision. Suggest to her that she phones our National Helpline on 0800 915 4600 where she can talk to one of our trained skilled helpers or she can be put in contact with her local LIFE Care Centre where she can talk through her feelings with a counsellor in a calm and safe environment.

You should phone your GP straight away. In the meantime rest as much as you can. Many women lose spots of blood at the time a period would have been due.

It is true the baby's heart is beating at 8 weeks. In fact it started beating at 21 days, probably about the time you discovered you were pregnant. For more information, view our baby development timeline by clicking here