There are many reasons why a woman may choose to have an abortion. These can include anything from financial issues to medical conditions. However, no matter the reason, the decision is a personal one. But this does not stop it from being a difficult or emotional decision to come to. Knowing more about abortion in Singapore can help in making a better and more informed decision. So here are the six most important facts you need to know about abortion in Singapore.
- Pre-abortion counselling is mandatory
The Singapore Abortion Act requires mandatory pre-abortion counselling at an accredited abortion clinic for all patients who are looking to have an abortion in Singapore. If you want an abortion and you feel as though your doctor is refusing on personal grounds, you have the right to seek a second opinion. After the counselling is conducted, there is a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours before the procedure can be performed.
- Your abortion will be on record
All patients that choose to terminate a pregnancy are required to sign a declaration detailing their marital status, educational level and number of living children. The Ministry of Health maintains a register of all abortions, which includes the patient’s name, date of procedure and the method of termination.
- There are two types of surgical abortions
In Singapore, all abortions should be done within 24 weeks of pregnancy. The type of abortion depends on how far along the pregnancy is. If it is less than 10 weeks, the abortion will be conducted under anaesthesia in a quick and painless procedure conducted through vacuum aspiration. This involves the contents of the uterus being suctioned out. If it is between 10 to 12 weeks, it will involve the same procedure but will have an additional preparation stage where medicine is inserted into the vagina in order to make the abortion safer.
If it is more than 13 weeks, abortions are a little more complicated and usually requires hospitalisation for a day or two. Here, medicine is inserted into the vagina to induce a natural expulsion of the pregnancy. After the foetus and placenta have been aborted, the womb is cleared by vacuum aspiration.
- Medical abortion in Singapore is more unpredictable
Medical abortion in Singapore refers to taking an abortion pill in order to induce a miscarriage. This method can only be conducted in the first trimester, often up to only 9 weeks. While this method can be seen as less invasive, it can be disadvantageous depending on your lifestyle. This is because the timing of expulsion can be very unpredictable, it can involve a lot more pain and bleeding over a longer period of time and you will have to dispose of the expelled tissue personally. Medical abortion in Singapore also has a failure rate 5 times higher than surgical termination, in which case a surgical intervention would be required anyway.
- There are only two exceptions to abortions after 24 weeks
In Singapore, abortion for pregnancies of more than 24 weeks is not allowed unless the pregnancy puts the woman’s life or health at risk or if the foetus has a life-threatening illness or severe abnormality. However, even in the case of severe or lethal foetal abnormality, special approval has to be given by the authorities before the procedure can be done.
- The procedure is very low-risk
An abortion procedure is a low-risk procedure with very rare instances of complications, especially when you are in experienced hands in a well-equipped facility. It is estimated that the chances of complications from abortion are less than 1 per cent.
Contrary to popular belief, medical abortion hasn’t been shown to affect future pregnancies, unless of course there are serious complications that develop. It also does not cause breast cancer. Thus, as long as proper abortion methods are used in an established abortion clinic in Singapore, a woman’s future fertility is not affected.
Seek an accredited abortion clinic in Singapore
Knowing the right information about pregnancy termination can help you make an informed decision. It is also important to find the right care and support to ensure that the procedure is done properly and with sensitivity. Seng’s OG Practice is an abortion clinic in Singapore with staff that is dedicated to providing you with safe and high-quality medical services while promising confidentiality. We are available to support you before and after the abortion, helping you through both the physical and emotional recovery. We understand that abortion is not an easy decision, but we are here to help every step of the way.
Book a visit at Seng’s OG Practice if you would like to speak to our staff.
