Termination of Pregnancy Service (TOP) 01733 673758
Are you pregnant and unsure about continuing?
Sometimes things don't go according to plan. An unplanned pregnancy can be frightening, stressful and a cause of great anxiety resulting in having to make difficult decisions.
You may be able to talk to friends and family, or you may not be able to talk to anyone. We have a highly trained Counsellor that can support you to consider your options.
The service we provide is patient-centred. and you will be given sufficient time to make your decisions. If you have made your decision and want to proceed to abortion treatment, then we will respond as quickly as we can, so that we don't cause any more undue stress.
How do I make an appointment?
You can make the appointment by calling 01733 673758. Tell us if you would like a Counsellor or Assessment appointment and you will be given a date, usually within 7 days, for you to attend the Women and Child Unit at the new Peterborough City Hospital.
Confidentiality
We know that this is very personal to you, and we offer a confidential service. Only the people involved in your care will access your notes.
The only exception to confidentiality, is if we feel you are being harmed, or intend to harm someone else.
Under 16 year-old patients
We do encourage younger patients to involve parents or an older family member. Going through a termination is difficult and we want to make sure you have support. However, if you are able to understand the treatment and possible risks involved, then you can still be treated without telling your mum or dad.
What will happen at the counselling appointment?
The counsellor would offer an hour long appointment to consider your concerns, fears, circumstances and hopefully allow you to reach a decision. If you decide to continue the pregnancy we will direct you back to your GP for maternity booking. If you decide to stop the pregnancy we will give you an assessment appointment.
What happens at assessment?
You will be with us for about an hour and a half at assessment appointment.
You will have an ultrasound scan carried out, but will not see or hear anything on the screen. The nurse will then carry out a medical assessment to ensure you are fit for treatment. You will be seen by a doctor who will make sure you meet the terms of the Abortion Act and sign all the necessary forms and prescriptions.
If you are sure about your decision and do not need any longer, then we will book your treatment. If you would like more time, then we will rebook you when you have had more time to think through all the options.
What treatments are there?
If you are under 9 weeks in pregnancy you can chose to have a medical abortion. You swallow one tablet called Mifepristone, and then 1-3 days later you will be given four vaginal tablets called Misoprostol. This will cause cramps and bleeding similar to a miscarriage. By law, you are not allowed to insert the tablets at home, so you will need to attend hospital to have the tablets inserted on the second day.
If you are between 9 and 12 weeks you can chose to have a surgical abortion. You attend our Day Treatment Unit on a Friday and are given four vaginal tablets called Misoprostol. These tablets soften the cervix inside, so that about 1-2 hours later, we can put you to sleep under general anaesthetic and remove the pregnancy through the vagina.
Can I get more information on these treatments/Do you have any abortion leaflets?
We will give you an information leaflet when you come for assessment that goes through the treatments in more detail. They also tell you the risks and chance of any risk happening to you. Part of your assessment will be making sure we explain the treatment fully to you, and answering any questions that you may have. If you would like this information leaflet before your assessment, tell us when you make your appointment, give us a safe address and we can send it out to you. We don't routinely send information to your home address to ensure your privacy.
Why should I choose Peterborough & Stamford hospitals?
We understand that this is possibly one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make. We know that you possibly don't want to be pregnant now, but don't want to have to go through an termination either. We just want to support you to make the decision that is right for you – whatever that decision is.
We have to work under a legal framework, but we will do whatever we can within that to make this experience as private and personal as we can. Our treatments will also be carried out in Peterborough so at least you don't need to add travelling to the stress that you already have.
What if I have further questions?
They should all be answered as we go through the assessment procedure. We back all the information up with leaflets that you can take home with you.
You can also phone us if you have any further questions about abortion or appointments
Is my treatment free?
If you are normally entitled to NHS care, then your treatment is free. If you are a recent visitor to the UK, then please tell us when you call for your appointment, so we can check you are eligible for NHS treatment.
Because we can give you an appointment within the week and we believe the service you will receive with us is excellent and caring, there is little advantage to paying for a private abortion.
Sometimes things don't go according to plan. An unplanned pregnancy can be frightening, stressful and a cause of great anxiety resulting in having to make difficult decisions.
You may be able to talk to friends and family, or you may not be able to talk to anyone. We have a highly trained Counsellor that can support you to consider your options.
The service we provide is patient-centred. and you will be given sufficient time to make your decisions. If you have made your decision and want to proceed to abortion treatment, then we will respond as quickly as we can, so that we don't cause any more undue stress.
How do I make an appointment?
You can make the appointment by calling 01733 673758. Tell us if you would like a Counsellor or Assessment appointment and you will be given a date, usually within 7 days, for you to attend the Women and Child Unit at the new Peterborough City Hospital.
Confidentiality
We know that this is very personal to you, and we offer a confidential service. Only the people involved in your care will access your notes.
The only exception to confidentiality, is if we feel you are being harmed, or intend to harm someone else.
Under 16 year-old patients
We do encourage younger patients to involve parents or an older family member. Going through a termination is difficult and we want to make sure you have support. However, if you are able to understand the treatment and possible risks involved, then you can still be treated without telling your mum or dad.
What will happen at the counselling appointment?
The counsellor would offer an hour long appointment to consider your concerns, fears, circumstances and hopefully allow you to reach a decision. If you decide to continue the pregnancy we will direct you back to your GP for maternity booking. If you decide to stop the pregnancy we will give you an assessment appointment.
What happens at assessment?
You will be with us for about an hour and a half at assessment appointment.
You will have an ultrasound scan carried out, but will not see or hear anything on the screen. The nurse will then carry out a medical assessment to ensure you are fit for treatment. You will be seen by a doctor who will make sure you meet the terms of the Abortion Act and sign all the necessary forms and prescriptions.
If you are sure about your decision and do not need any longer, then we will book your treatment. If you would like more time, then we will rebook you when you have had more time to think through all the options.
What treatments are there?
If you are under 9 weeks in pregnancy you can chose to have a medical abortion. You swallow one tablet called Mifepristone, and then 1-3 days later you will be given four vaginal tablets called Misoprostol. This will cause cramps and bleeding similar to a miscarriage. By law, you are not allowed to insert the tablets at home, so you will need to attend hospital to have the tablets inserted on the second day.
If you are between 9 and 12 weeks you can chose to have a surgical abortion. You attend our Day Treatment Unit on a Friday and are given four vaginal tablets called Misoprostol. These tablets soften the cervix inside, so that about 1-2 hours later, we can put you to sleep under general anaesthetic and remove the pregnancy through the vagina.
Can I get more information on these treatments/Do you have any abortion leaflets?
We will give you an information leaflet when you come for assessment that goes through the treatments in more detail. They also tell you the risks and chance of any risk happening to you. Part of your assessment will be making sure we explain the treatment fully to you, and answering any questions that you may have. If you would like this information leaflet before your assessment, tell us when you make your appointment, give us a safe address and we can send it out to you. We don't routinely send information to your home address to ensure your privacy.
Why should I choose Peterborough & Stamford hospitals?
We understand that this is possibly one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make. We know that you possibly don't want to be pregnant now, but don't want to have to go through an termination either. We just want to support you to make the decision that is right for you – whatever that decision is.
We have to work under a legal framework, but we will do whatever we can within that to make this experience as private and personal as we can. Our treatments will also be carried out in Peterborough so at least you don't need to add travelling to the stress that you already have.
What if I have further questions?
They should all be answered as we go through the assessment procedure. We back all the information up with leaflets that you can take home with you.
You can also phone us if you have any further questions about abortion or appointments
Is my treatment free?
If you are normally entitled to NHS care, then your treatment is free. If you are a recent visitor to the UK, then please tell us when you call for your appointment, so we can check you are eligible for NHS treatment.
Because we can give you an appointment within the week and we believe the service you will receive with us is excellent and caring, there is little advantage to paying for a private abortion.
