Questions you would like to ask your gynaecologist

Your doctor cannot ask for your identity cards or proof of age or proof of marriage either. Your conversations with your doctor are supposed to be kept completely confidential. The same goes for the guardian of a minor seeking an abortion.

The age at which a foetus, if delivered, will be able to survive on its own with the aid of some medicines perhaps but without the womb. 

Right now, the age of viability in India is 24 weeks. So, at any time before 24 weeks, if the pregnancy is terminated, it is considered an abortion.

An abortion, if carried out safely, will not affect the fertility. In fact, a person can get pregnant within 11 days after an abortion if no contraceptives are used.

You can go to a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) for an abortion procedure. However, a registered practitioner cannot perform the procedure in an uncertified centre. Both the practitioner and the facility have to be certified. All government hospitals are supposed to provide the facility. In the case of private clinics, there are some which are given the license to carry out the procedure. You will find displayed on a board at the reception or the waiting hall of the hospital a sign that says, ‘Government approved/certified MTP centre’. These are centres where you can go for an abortion procedure.

There is a consent form that the patient needs to sign before undergoing an abortion. This is considered ‘informed’ consent by the doctor. However, this form is to be signed only after the patient has had counselling by a trained professional which would include explanation of the potential emotional and physical risks, consequences, and results of the procedure. 

The same consent is taken by the guardian in the case of a minor or in the case of a mentally disabled person. The guardian could be anyone taking the responsibility of the patient. They need not be related by blood or marriage.

There are many reasons to do so. Firstly, self-administered medical abortion is illegal in India. While there is conversation around allowing AYUSH doctors and nurses to prescribe pills for medical abortion in order to increase accessibility, as of now, only trained obgyns can prescribe it. 

Medically as well, there are some reasons why one cannot self-administer medical abortions. One, seekers might not know if the pregnancy is intrauterine or extrauterine. Two, seekers might not know the number of weeks that they are pregnant which could lead to incomplete abortion. And three, talking to a doctor helps one understand which kind of abortion is best for them. Sometimes, surgical abortions work better. Thus, consulting your doctor is important.