Terminations and abortions
Termination of a pregnancy, commonly known as abortion, is legal in South Africa. If you decide to terminate a pregnancy, make sure your clinic is registered with the
Department of Health. A "backstreet" or illegal abortion may endanger your health and even your life!
How do abortions work?
Abortions can be carried out in two ways:
A medical abortion: Your doctor will give you medication that induces abortion.
A surgical abortion: Your doctor will perform a surgical procedure.
Terminations are performed by trained health care workers during the first 12 weeks (and sometimes up to 20 weeks) of the pregnancy. Speak to your health care professional about the appropriate approach for you. Only in unusual cases will abortions be done after 20 weeks, such as if the mother’s life is in danger.
If you have had an abortion, you may experience:
- irregular bleeding or spotting for the first two weeks;
- cramping (like menstrual cramps) for the first two weeks (some women may have cramping for up to six weeks); and
- emotional reactions for two to three weeks.
Top tip
If you are younger than 18, it helps to be accompanied by a trusted adult for support.
Know your rights
Every woman in South Africa has the right to a free and safe abortion in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy, sometimes up to 20 weeks, depending on the circumstances.
Remember
No one can force you to terminate a pregnancy and no one has the right to force you not to.
You can have an abortion at any age, but you will be required to sign an informed consent form giving permission for the abortion to be done. Your abortion is confidential – you can choose who you want to tell.
Find a clinic
Your nearest
City health clinic can assist with the procedure or with referring you to a registered facility that offers safe and legal pregnancy terminations. If you need counselling, ask your clinic to refer you to someone you can talk to.
Government hospitals, some private doctors and gynaecologists, and non-profit providers such as provincial facilities and
Marie Stopes also offer safe and legal pregnancy termination.
Fast fact
Emergency contraception is not the same as an abortion. The ‘emergency pill’ (also known as ‘the morning after pill’) will prevent you from falling pregnant after unprotected sex within a certain period of time. Go to a nearest clinic within five days if you have had unprotected sex. Read more about
Emergency contraception.
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