There are two methods of aborting a pregnancy during the first 12 weeks: surgical abortion and medical abortion.
Over 90% of abortions are currently performed medically.
You can be involved in deciding the abortion method to be used until the end of the 12th week of your pregnancy, but after then, all abortions are performed medically.
You can also make decisions concerning multifoetal pregnancy reduction until the 18th week of your pregnancy, unless there are medical reasons why the procedure cannot be carried out. Multifoetal pregnancy reduction is performed using a separate method.
Medical abortion
If you have a medical abortion, you will need to take two types of tablets. You will be given the first tablet (mifepristone) at the hospital. This drug will affect your uterus, causing your pregnancy to end. Once you have taken the tablet, the abortion process will begin.
Once you have had the tablet, you will be able to go home. You may feel nauseous and notice a little bleeding and abdominal pain over the next few days, but not everyone will experience this. Some people may miscarry after taking the first tablet. If this happens to you, contact the hospital.
After one to two days, you should take the second medicine (misoprostol) to complete the abortion. These tablets should be inserted into the vagina or placed under the tongue.
The active substances in the tablets cause the uterus to contract. You may experience severe pain, especially when the contents of your uterus are in the process of being expelled. You will be given pain medication. You need to be prepared for bleeding that is heavier than that experienced during a period. Bleeding with blood clots (coagula) is normal.
If you have not aborted 4-6 hours after taking the tablets, you will be given a further dose of tablets every three hours until you do abort. You can eat and drink what you like. It is better to remain active if you can, as this can speed up the process and help you cope with any pain.
Complete the abortion at home or in hospital?
If your pregnancy lasted less than 10 weeks, you can choose to complete your abortion at home if you are healthy and over 18 years of age. You must have an adult with you on the day you abort.
In the case of early miscarriage, it is common for it to take 4-6 hours after taking the tablets until you abort.
The procedure for abortions performed at home is the same as when you are admitted to hospital. You will be given information on how and when to contact the hospital.
Most people who complete their abortion in hospital return home the same day. In some cases, it may be better to stay in hospital until the following day.
Surgical abortion
If a surgical abortion is necessary, you will be notified of the date and time of the procedure following a preliminary examination at the hospital, as in the case of a medical abortion. You will be given three tablets (misoprostol) to be inserted into your vagina in the morning before the procedure, in order to soften your cervix. These tablets sometimes cause a little bleeding and mild pain.
On the day of the surgical procedure, you must fast before going to the hospital. Fasting means you must not eat, drink or smoke during the last six hours before the procedure.
A medical abortion is a surgical procedure in which you will normally be given anaesthesia. The doctor will use vacuum suction to empty the contents of your uterus via your vagina.
The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes. You will then normally need to remain in hospital for 1-2 hours before you can go home. If you experience pain after the procedure, you will be offered painkillers.
For medical reasons and because of the risks associated with surgical procedures, medical abortion is offered after the 12th week of pregnancy.
Reduction in the number of foetuses
Multifoetal pregnancy reduction is a procedure that is used in the case of pregnancies with two or more foetuses, in which the development of one or more foetuses is terminated, while one or more foetuses live on. The procedure itself is performed by injecting potassium chloride into the foetal heart, causing it to stop beating.
In case of multifoetal pregnancy reduction, the aim is to ensure that the pregnancy with the remaining foetus(es) continues and that the baby or babies are ideally born as close to full term as possible.
Multifoetal pregnancy reduction is also self-determined until the 18th week of pregnancy, unless medical grounds indicate that it cannot be carried out. For example, multifoetal pregnancy reduction cannot be performed if the foetuses share the placenta.
Abortion after week 18
You must apply to an abortion board if you wish to have an abortion after the end of the 18th week of your pregnancy (17 weeks and 6 days). The board will consider your application and decide whether or not you can have an abortion, based on certain conditions (reasons) stipulated in the law. The conditions for abortion are described in the Abortion Act (in Norwegian).
You can find out more about abortion after week 18 here.
After an abortion
Some women may experience severe bleeding and abdominal pain after having an abortion. Most women will find that their bleeding gradually decreases within a period of 2-3 weeks.
There are usually few side effects associated with surgical abortion and most procedures are straightforward. The most common ailments are linked to anaesthesia, such as nausea and vomiting. Damage to the uterus, bladder or intestine is rare.
You should avoid sexual intercourse for the first two weeks after both medical and surgical abortions, or while you are still bleeding. While you are bleeding, you should use sanitary pads/towels rather than tampons because of the risk of infection.
It is normal to experience a number of different and perhaps unexpected emotions after an abortion. These emotions are caused by the body going through hormonal changes.
If you wish, you can take sick leave after having an abortion.
Follow-up after abortion
Normally, no medical check-up is performed after an abortion. Your GP or a gynaecologist will be able to perform the check-up if one is necessary. If you would like to have a check-up, you can book an appointment yourself.
Anyone who has had an abortion is entitled to follow-up discussions. Who provides this service will vary depending on where you live. For example, the hospital or your GP or health centre may provide this service. It may be a good idea to ask about this when you attend your examination before you have the abortion. Not everyone will need follow-up afterwards, so this is an optional service.
Contact the hospital if you experience complications such as fever, worsening pain or heavy bleeding.
After four weeks, you should take a pregnancy test to make sure your pregnancy has been terminated. If you do not have another period within six weeks, you should contact your doctor to find out whether you are still pregnant. It is rare for the procedure to be unsuccessful.
Need someone to talk to?
Deciding to go through with or terminate a pregnancy can be a difficult decision. People you trust can be good discussion partners.
If you need someone else to talk to, you can contact Amathea, which is a free guidance service supported by the government.
Alternatively, you can contact your GP, health centre, hospital, family counselling office or social services. You will then be put in touch with someone you can talk to, who can give you information both before and after a possible abortion.
You can call the Veiledning Helsenorge guidance service on +47 23 32 70 00 and be put through to a hospital or counselling service directly. They will also be able to provide you with relevant information and guidance on regulations and rights. Helsenorge.no also has an automated chat service, which is available 24/7.
All of these professionals and services are bound by a duty of confidentiality.