Termination of Pregnancy (ToP’s)
Following discussions with a health professional, your general practitioner or a Family Planning Nurse, your decision and choice is that you wish to have a termination of pregnancy.
Your call will be taken by a member of our staff who will offer you an appointment in our clinic to discuss your options for this procedure.
Where?
Women’s Health Department at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.
When?
At present every Wednesday afternoon with a follow up visit.
Referrals are made from:
- GP
- Young People’s Walk in Centre (YPIC)
- Family planning services Galen House Harlow.
Direct to the PAH on 01279 444455 ext 7106.
Medical Termination:
Can be carried out up to 9 weeks of pregnancy and involves taking Medication over two planned visits to the Women’s Health Department and avoids surgery in most cases.
First visit, Wednesday afternoon for oral medicine.
- You will be given an appointment.
- You will be seen by a Doctor and a nurse at this appointment.
- They will discuss with you about the procedure.
- An assessment will be carried out by the Doctor.
- You will also have an examination and a scan if necessary.
- Some further screening will be discussed with you and with your consent a blood test and a swab will be taken.
Second visit, Friday Afternoon for Vaginal Pessaries.
- You will be given an appointment.
- You will be seen by a Doctor and a nurse at this appointment.
- This visit will allow you to complete the procedure by having the 2nd medication (Vaginal Pessaries), and prescribed antibiotics and Analgesia to take home.
- There will be time for further discussions and to ensure that there are no problems.
Following the insertion of the vaginal pessary you will be able to go home to miscarry in the privacy of your own home.
Surgical Termination:
This procedure can be carried out up to 12 weeks in pregnancy. This involves having some medication and then a surgical procedure with anesthetic. This is carried out in The Alexandra Day Unit as a day case procedure where you will go home the same day.
Wednesday afternoon.
- You will be given an appointment.
- You will be seen by a Doctor and a nurse at this appointment.
- You will be able to discuss the procedure.
- A health care assessment will be carried out by the Doctor.
- You will also have an internal examination and a scan if necessary.
- Further screening will be discussed with you and a blood test and swabs will be taken with your consent.
- You will be given a date and time to attend for your surgical procedure which will be discussed with you in full including any other information that is required.
- You will attend your Surgical Termination appointment on the given date and time at The Alexandra Day Unit.
Tell us what you think
If you or any of your visitors have a question, compliment or concern, please:
- Speak to the nurse looking after you or the nurse in charge
- Contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service 01279 827211
- Use the comments box on the ward
- Leave your feedback on NHS Choices.
