Is the procedure safe?

All surgical procedures and medical treatments carry risks, however under modern conditions and in the hands of an experienced doctor, the risk of a serious complication associated with a termination of pregnancy is very low. For pregnancies over 12 weeks, the risks gradually increase as the pregnancy advances in to the mid-second trimester, however even at this stage, the risks are still much lower than a delivery at full term. All patients attending the clinic for a termination of pregnancy receive counselling from the doctor which includes an explanation of the procedure and it’s known risks.

All doctors who perform procedures at the Private Clinic are highly experienced in the field of reproductive healthcare, have an extremely low complication rate and  take pride in maintaining a high level of patient satisfaction.

Will my future fertility be affected?

Provided that there are no major complications, (which are rare), and the procedure is performed in a clinical setting by an experienced doctor, future fertility is not effected by one, or even several abortions. In fact, following a surgical termination of pregnancy, many women find that it is very easy to conceive in the months after the procedure. The most significant causes of fertility problems in women, are advanced maternal age and untreated sexually transmitted infections. Specifically Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

Infection Control

The Private Clinic employs strict infection control standards to prevent the transmission of infectious agents between patients or staff. Single use, disposable items are used wherever possible, and all reusable surgical instruments are disinfected and sterilised in accordance with AS4187.  Where ultrasound scans are performed, all ultrasound probes are cleaned and undergo a high level disinfection process prior to every use, using our Trophon EPR system.

All clinical staff adhere to the highest level of infection control standards by ensuring that appropriate PPE is always in use and strict hand-washing protocols are always followed.

During this current COVID crisis, the Private Clinic is a COVID Safe business and follows all guidelines published by NSW Health.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection which is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. The incidence of chlamydia in sexually active men and women is increasing at an alarming rate and in many cases there may be no obvious symptoms so it can be undetected for months or even years.

Chlamydia can affect the urethra (the urine passage), cervix (the neck of the womb), rectum, anus, throat, and eyes. If chlamydia is not properly treated it can cause serious complications including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Treatment simply involves a course of antibiotics but it is very important that your partner is also treated otherwise reinfection can occur.

Patients who hold a Medicare card and attend the Private Clinic are offered a test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The cost is covered by Medicare. This involves sending a small sample of urine to a pathology lab for analysis and results are returned to us the following day. If you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhoea, we will call you with instructions.

Download our fact sheet on chlamydia.

What is the law regarding abortions in NSW ?

In NSW, abortions are permitted when performed by a qualified doctor with the patient’s consent. The doctor performing the procedure must hold a belief based on reasonable grounds, that the termination is necessary to protect the woman’s mental or physical health, or to preserve the woman from serious danger to her life. Social and economic factors may be considered.

Do I have to tell my parents?

If you are aged 14 years or over, you do not require your parent’s consent to have an abortion.

If you are under 14 years, you will require the consent of a parent or guardian. Many patient’s who were, at first, worried about their parent’s reaction, find that their parent’s are very understanding and supportive during this time.

Medicare and the Private Clinic are bound under the privacy act, to maintain the privacy of all patients who attend the clinic. If you are on your parent’s Medicare card, you can claim directly from a Medicare office without details being made available to your parents. Medicare are bound by law not to reveal details of your medical history to your parents or family members. If you are 15 years old, you are eligible for your own Medicare card.

Who is our typical patient?

The average age of a woman attending the Private Clinic for a pregnancy termination is 28 years old. Despite many people assuming that it is mostly teenagers having terminations, only 7.2% of our patients are under 20 years old.

The vast majority of all women were practicing some form of birth control at the time.

Many women have completed their family and now have an unplanned pregnancy. They might also be at a critical point in her career path. Other women fall pregnant unexpectedly in the early stages of a new relationship and the couple are not ready to commit to raising a child together.

Of course there are an infinite number of reasons why women may seek to terminate their pregnancy and they are all valid and we treat them all with understanding and respect.

Where can I find more information about abortion?

A large proportion of information available on the internet, contains incorrect or misleading information written by anti-choice groups. Here are a few web sites that provide accurate information.