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Abortion Care Clinic

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Step by Step Guide

Abortion Services at the IFPA

Abortion is a common form of reproductive healthcare that many women experience at some point in their lives. Approximately 10,000 people accessed abortion in Ireland last year.

You can have an abortion for any pregnancy that is less than 12 weeks. The decision is yours: you don’t have to explain your reasons to anyone when you access abortion care.

  • If you are no more than 9 weeks pregnant, you can have an early medical abortion at the IFPA. This is sometimes called the abortion pill. You will need to have two consultations with a three-day wait in between them. This waiting period is required by law and unfortunately cannot be waived.
  • If you are between 9 and 12 weeks pregnant you can have your first consultation with the IFPA, and we can refer you to have a medical or surgical abortion in a hospital.
  • If your pregnancy is over 12 weeks or you have been told that you cannot have an abortion in Ireland, we can provide information and support.

If you need a space to explore your feelings and any issues or concerns, you can make an appointment with one of our specialist pregnancy counsellors.

What to Expect Before, During and After an Abortion

Most people have their first abortion consultation by phone and come into the clinic for their second consultation. You’ll find a Step-by-Step guide on how we provide abortion care  below.

Counselling Services

An unintended or crisis pregnancy can cause a lot of different emotions. If you wish you can make an appointment with a specialist pregnancy counsellor before, during or after your medical abortion. To make an appointment please call 0818 49 50 51.

Step 1 - Making an appointment

You do not need to be a previous client of the IFPA to book an appointment for abortion care, specialist pregnancy counselling or post-abortion/post-decision counselling with us. Simply call your preferred clinic – Dublin City Centre or Tallaght – or call the appointment line 0818 49 50 51 and speak to one of our receptionists.

Step 2 - Your first consultation

One of our doctors will contact you by phone at your appointment time. The doctor will ask you about your medical history. She will need to know the date of your last period to calculate how many weeks pregnant you are.

If you are no more than 9 weeks pregnant, you can have an early medical abortion at home. This means you will take medication to end the pregnancy.

If you are between 9 and 12 weeks pregnant, you will need to have the abortion in hospital. The doctor will organise this for you. The doctor will explain everything you need to know about the abortion process. She will also discuss contraception, if you wish. When she has all the information about your medical history and your pregnancy, the doctor will decide if you need to have an ultrasound scan to confirm the date of the pregnancy. She will only send you for a scan if it is absolutely necessary.

We cannot provide ultrasound scanning in the IFPA clinic. If you need a scan, the doctor will tell you where you need to go to get an ultrasound scan.

Step 3 - Your second consultation

Your second consultation will usually be in the clinic.  The doctor will answer any questions you may have and, if you are ready to proceed, you will take the first pill – Mifegyne 200mg – in the clinic. The doctor will then provide you with your Home Care Pack.

Step 4 - Managing your early medical abortion at home

Read the information leaflets carefully before you take the medications in the Home Care Pack. Read the instructions in the paper bag containing your painkillers.

Take 3 of the painkillers.

The envelope labelled “Second Medication” contains 3 misoprostol (MisoOne) tablets. The IFPA leaflet, Early Medical Abortion Take-Home Pack explains how to take these tablets.

Take 2 misoprostol (MisoOne) tablets between the times given by the doctor. You will experience some pain and bleeding. If you have no pain or bleeding after 4 hours take the third misoprostol (MisoOne) tablet.

If there is still no bleeding the next day, phone the clinic.

Step 5 - Pregnancy test after 2 weeks

There is a pregnancy test in your Home Care Pack. Use the test on the date the doctor has written in the Step-by-Step guide.

When you do the test, you should see 1 line only. If you see 2 lines (i.e. the test is positive) or if you still feel pregnant after 2 weeks, phone the clinic immediately.

Step 6 - Follow-up care plan

For the final stage in your care plan a member of our team will phone you for a check-up and answer any questions you may have. You have a time and date for this appointment.

If you do not have a time and date for this appointment, please ring us immediately and we will book you in.

Step 7 - Support line

If you have any questions, call 0818 49 50 51 or call the clinics directly:

IFPA Dublin City Centre 01 872 7088
IFPA Tallaght 01 459 7685

You can also call the HSE My Options helpline: 1800 828 010
Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm
My Options have a 24 hours medical advice line. Call 1800 828 010 and select option 2.

Having an Abortion at the IFPA

You do not need to be a previous client of the IFPA to book an appointment for abortion care, specialist pregnancy counselling or post-abortion/post-decision counselling with us. Simply call your preferred clinic – Dublin City Centre or Tallaght – or call the appointment line 0818 49 50 51 and speak to one of our receptionists.

Cost of an Abortion

Abortion care is free if you live in the Republic of Ireland. We also provide specialist pregnancy counselling at no charge. This service is funded by the HSE.

Supporting Someone through their Abortion

If you are the friend, partner or a family member of someone who is accessing abortion care, you might like to know more about the process and ways you can be supportive. Click here to read or download our early medical abortion companion guide.

Further Questions?

You can read or download an information leaflet to show you how to take the abortion medication and help you understand what it is like to have an early medical abortion.

In Ireland you can have an abortion for any pregnancy that is less than 12 weeks.  The decision is yours: you do not have to explain your reasons to anyone when you access abortion care.

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