Whangarei Hospital
Abortion Services are provided at both Whangarei and Kaitaia Hospitals in Te Tai Tokerau.
The First Step
Call (09) 430 4100 extension 8601. This is the gynaecology department and they can organise an appointment for you to be seen. Alternatively you can be referred by your GP, midwife or Family Planning doctor.
If you want counselling to help you with the decision, this can also be organised for you.
At your appointment you may have a scan and it may be necessary to have a blood and swab tests. The arrangements are then made for you to have a medical or surgical abortion.
Counselling
All women are offered counselling but it is not compulsory. You can decide what would suit you.
Medical Termination
Early Medical Abortion (EMA) is available up to 9 weeks gestation. You are given pills to take at home, and then you pass the pregnancy at home (like a miscarriage).
Surgical Termination at Whangarei Hospital
The procedure is done by vacuum aspiration, usually under general anaesthetic (asleep) up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Termination more than 14 weeks pregnant
Late Medical Abortion (LMA) is provided on the gynaecology ward up to 20 weeks and on the maternity ward up to 22 weeks. Like EMA pills are used to end the pregnancy. As the process is usually more painful at this stage it is performed in hospital to ensure you have adequate pain relief.
Follow-up
Follow-up is provided by the referring doctor. Follow-up counselling is available, as above, through the social workers at Whangarei Hospital.