On 1 January 2019 the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act came into law allowing for abortion services in Ireland. The service is free to anyone living in the Republic of Ireland. It is available to anyone outside of the Republic for a charge. What are the steps for those seeking abortion care?
What does the legislation mean?
Abortion services are provided in the following circumstances:
- If the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks
- If there is a risk to the life or health of the mother
- If the continuation of pregnancy or birth is likely to lead to the death of the foetus
- Parents are required to give consent for those under 16 yrs.
Two medical practitioners must agree on the need for a termination in points 2 & 3. Medical practitioners include nurses, midwives, GPs and specialist doctors.
What should I do first? 
As soon as possible call the HSE 24 hr free-phone helpline:
MyOptions 1800 828 010
From outside of Republic of Ireland call +353 1 687 7044 (Not free-phone)
The helpline offers pregnancy and abortion counselling and can give you details of a Doctor in your area providing abortion services.
What if I am over 12 weeks pregnant?
After 12 weeks, you can only have an abortion if…
- There is a risk to your life or serious harm to your health
- The foetus has a problem with its development and is likely to die before or within 28 days of birth
- Surgical abortion is performed in hospital
What are the next steps?
- It is best to have the pre-abortion consultation as early as possible.
- At the pre-abortion consultation you will have a pregnancy test. The doctor must certify you are no more than 12 weeks pregnant at the time of the abortion.
- The doctor may refer you for an ultrasound scan to confirm the date of pregnancy.
- Your doctor will then give you a date for the abortion. There is a 3-day wait between your pre-abortion consultation and any abortion procedure.
What are the pathways?
Medical Abortion
- Up to 9 weeks pregnant (About 69 days since the first day of your last period.) Involves taking tablets in a doctor’s surgery and at home.
- 9 to 12 weeks pregnant (About 69-84 days since the first day of your last period.) Involves taking tablets in hospital.
Surgical Abortion
- 9 to 12 weeks pregnant (69-84 days since the first day of your last period.)
- Involves a minor surgical procedure in hospital called vacuum aspiration.
Up to 9 weeks pregnant:
Medical Abortion
- After the 3 day wait, you will attend your doctor and sign a consent form.
- You will then take the first medication with a doctor present after which you’ll be able to go home.
- You will be given the second medication to take 24 to 48 hours later at home. This will complete the abortion.
- You can have an optional post abortion check-up 2 weeks later.
9 to 12 weeks pregnant, medical option:
You have the option of having a medical abortion with pills in the hospital or having a surgical procedure.
- After the 3 day wait, you will be referred to the hospital by the Doctor.
- You take the first tablet in hospital then go home.
- You will go back to the hospital to take the second tablet (between 24 to 48 hours later).
- You have to stay in hospital to complete the abortion under observation (about 8 hours, unlikely overnight unless the pregnancy has still not passed)
- You can have an optional post abortion check-up with the doctor 2 weeks later.
9 to 12 weeks pregnant, surgical option:
You have the option of having a medical abortion with pills in the hospital or having a surgical procedure.
- After the 3 day wait, you will be referred to the hospital by the Doctor.
- You will be asked to sign a consent form at the hospital.
- Vacuum Aspiration takes 5 to 10 minutes
- You will have one of the following depending on what is available in the hospital: local anaesthetic (where the area is numbed) procedural sedation (where you’re relaxed and may be awake) or general anaesthetic (where you’re asleep)
- You will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours recovery. There is usually no overnight stay.
- You can have an optional post abortion check-up with the doctor 2 weeks later.