6th November 2023
Your first abortion consultation is usually by phone and the second at the clinic. At the second appointment, you’ll take a medication (mifepristone) with the doctor and get another (misoprostol) to take at home 1-2 days later.
You will also get a Home Care Pack with information leaflets, painkillers and a low-sensitivity pregnancy test.
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.
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.
Information and support
If you like, one of our specialist pregnancy counsellors can phone you and explain the way we provide abortion care. The counsellor will also send you some information to read before you speak to the doctor. You can talk to the counsellor about any concerns or worries you may have about your abortion care and discuss how we can best support you.
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.
After 2 weeks
Pregnancy test
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.
Follow-up support
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.
Counselling
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
Contact us
If you have any problem, phone 0818 49 50 51 to make an appointment 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 24-hour helpline: 1800 828 010
Information and counselling:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm
Medical advice:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Coronavirus/Covid-19
If you have symptoms of coronavirus/Covid-19, are awaiting a test result, or are a close contact of a confirmed or suspected case, you should not come to the clinic. You can call either of our clinics and we will let you know how we can continue your care in the safest way for you.