North Shore Hospital
Abortion Services for first trimester service are provided at the Auckland Medical Aid Centre (AMAC) and the Epsom Day Unit (EDU). If you are 13 or more weeks pregnant, you will be referred to North Shore Hospital for assessment.
National Abortion Telemedicine Service
A nationwide early medical abortion by phone service (up to 10 weeks of pregnancy) is also available directly by contacting The Women's Clinic on 0800 ABORTION (0800 226 784) or via the website www.thewomensclinic.net.nz/contact
The First Step
To be referred, you can see a GP or Family Planning doctor. They will talk to you and organise some essential blood and swab tests, offer you a counseling appointment and, if you wish, book you an appointment at the clinic at Epsom Day Hospital or AMAC.
Counselling
Counseling is a requirement of the AMAC and Epsom Day clinics and is provided at the clinics.
Medical Termination at Epsom Day Hospital and AMAC
Medical termination is available up to 9 weeks of pregnancy.
Surgical Termination at Epsom Day Hospital and AMAC
The procedure is done by vacuum aspiration under local anaesthetic (awake) up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Surgical termination more than 14 weeks pregnant
Abortion after 14 weeks pregnancy is performed by a private Auckland gynaecologist.
The doctor will initially refer you to the social worker for obstetrics and gynaecology. The obstetrics and gynaecology social worker will provide initial counselling and make the assessment for DHB funding. A letter stating that funding will be provided by the DHB is necessary before referral to the operating gynaecologists.
The procedure is surgical dilatation and curettage and is over two days.
Follow-up
Follow-up is provided by the referring doctor. Follow-up counselling is available, as above, through the counsellors at the clinic.