When the word abortion comes to mind, you may have a few questions you want answers too. Check out these most asked questions about abortion
1. Where can I get a free and safe abortion?
It’s important to remember that to get a free abortion; the clinic will have to request for it. They will do a pregnancy test to confirm if you are pregnant, they will talk to you about your decision and help you to understand the choice you are making. You will be given an appointment for the abortion. The clinic will give you a referral letter to a facility that offers abortion services if it is not offered at the clinic you visted .
Not all health care facilities provide abortion services so they are obligated by the law to inform you about your rights and they must refer you to a health care facility that can offer you the services that you need. Be sure to get the referral letter early in your pregnancy in case the designated facility is not in your area and you have to travel far to access the service.
2. Do I need to get permission from my parent or caregiver to get an abortion?
The South African law allows a person over the age of 12 years of age to seek abortion services without the permission of her/his parents. This means that you cannot be denied the service because of your age. If you are younger than 18 years old, it is probably best to find a trusted adult or a friend to accompany you, because it can be very scary on your own.
3. How can I access the service?
If you’re a first-time visitor to a health facility, you will be asked to complete a form and a file will be opened.
You will need the following:
- Your official ID documents.
- Your referral letter (if relevant).
- Any medication you are taking.
- Your clinic/hospital card if you have previously registered at the facility.
You must sign an informed consent form giving permission for the abortion to be done (this means that you fully understand the abortion precedure and you agree to having the procedure carried out on you).
If you would like to talk to a trained counsellor then remember that loveLife is here for you:
loveLife Call Centre: 0800 121 900 (from any Telkom public phone)
loveLife Pls Call Me Service:
Vodacom: *140*0833231023#
MTN: *121*0833231023#
Cell C: *111*0833231023#
Telkom: *140*0833231023#
Learn about all the options available if you want to prevent/delay pregnancy after unprotected sex here.
An unplanned pregnancy can be a pretty big shock but there is no wrong way to deal with it. Find out what your main options are in this article.
