Where to go
If you are under 16
If you are under 16 and two doctors agree to your request for abortion, you can consent without your parents' involvement providing the doctor or nurse feels you understand the advice and the implications of the operation.
However they will strongly encourage you to talk to your parents or an adult you trust. Facing an unplanned pregnancy and abortion on your own is tough and you need and deserve support.
Who can I call for advice on what to do if I'm pregnant?
- RU Thinking helpline: 0800 282930
- Brook: 0800 0185 023 or text 'Brook info' to 81222
- Termination Clinic, Ward 13 Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 01226 432265
Where can I go to talk about what to do if I'm pregnant?
Your GP's surgery. Call them up to get an appointment. You can always ask to see a woman doctor if you want. The GP can arrange an appointment with an expert for you at Barnsley Hospital.
Your school nurse can arrange an appointment with an expert for you at Barnsley Hospital.
What should I do?
Firstly go to your GP (doctors) or a clinic and talk to a professional about your options and what is best for you as an individual.
Remember you are not the first person in this situation and members of staff are well prepared and happy to help you in every way they can.
Choice
You are likely to be offered several options.
You can keep the baby, then raise it yourself or have it adopted.
You can choose to have an abortion.
Abortion (also called termination) is a procedure to end the pregnancy.
With most abortions you don't normally have to stay in the clinic or hospital overnight but you may need to come to the outpatient ward on a couple of occasions.
You may be given a choice of whether you want a general anaesthetic.
After you have finished at the clinic, you will need someone to pick you up and take you home.
The earlier you can have an abortion the better and easier it will be.
For an abortion to be legal you must be less than 24 weeks pregnant and two doctors must give their consent.
Unplanned pregnancy
If you aren’t planning a baby and you get pregnant then you have an unplanned pregnancy.
This generally happens when you have unprotected sex.
To avoid unplanned pregnancies just remember to use protection.
All kinds of situations may happen that lead to an unplanned pregnancy. It is nothing to be ashamed of, but remember it is easy to avoid if you use protection.
