Overview
What is an abortion
- An abortion is a way of ending a pregnancy. It's also sometimes called a termination of a pregnancy.
- Abortions can only be carried out under the care of an NHS hospital or a licensed clinic, and are usually free of charge on the NHS.
- Abortions can be done using medicine or surgery.
- The type of abortion you have will depend on the stage of pregnancy and any health issues.
- It may be possible to have an abortion at home by taking medicine if you're less than 10 weeks pregnant.
- An abortion is your choice and there is support available if you need to talk through your options.
Abortion (termination of pregnancy) services in Wales are provided by Local Health Boards.
Clinics offer a range of methods and services depending on gestational period (how many weeks pregnant you are). Each Health Board may differ in process so it is important to check with the clinic to find out what method is available, how to go about accessing the service and whether or not there are any exclusions.
The Law:
The law states that a doctor can refuse to certify a woman for an abortion if they have a moral objection to abortion. If this is the case, they must recommend another doctor who will be willing to help.
Before an abortion can proceed, two doctors must ensure that the requirements of the Abortion Act are fulfilled;
Abortions must be carried out in a hospital or specialised licenced clinic
Women who are normally resident in Wales and meet certain requirements may be offered the option of taking the second medication in an early medical abortion at home.
Two doctors must agree that an abortion would cause less damage to a women’s physical or mental health than continuing with the pregnancy
Under UK law, an abortion can usually only be carried out during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, abortion can be carried out if;
- It is necessary to the woman’s life
- It is to prevent permanent injury, physically or mentally, to the woman
- There is a substantial risk that the child would have serious medical/physical disabilities
Accessing abortion services:
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it is important that you discuss this with clinic staff in advance of any treatment..
Please contact the clinics below for information on abortion services in Wales, based on the Health Board area. Sexual Health Clinics will be able to signpost you effectively to the most appropriate service. There may be the need for patients to visit a Sexual Health Clinic initially to be referred into the abortion service.
Health Boards, contact information and clinic information:
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (AB UHB).
- BETH Clinic - Unplanned Pregnancy Service 01443 802776 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm). Up to 12 weeks gestation – will refer onto appropriate service if over 12 weeks
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BC UHB).
- Gwynedd & Anglesey 03000 850 074
- Conwy & Denbighshire 03000 856 000
- Wrexham & Flintshire 03000 847 662
- Up to 9 weeks gestation and only RU486 method.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (C&V UHB).
Cwm Taf University Health Board (CT UHB).
- Pregnancy Advisory Service Merthyr 01685 728497.
- Bodywise Service Dewi Sant Hospital 01443 443192.
Women can self–refer to the service Monday – Friday 09:00am – 3:30pm. Offer Termination of pregnancy at home up to 9 weeks + 6 days, and offer onward referral as required if over 10 weeks gestation.
If you live in Bridgend and are contacting the Pregnancy Advisory Service, please note that as of 1 September 2026 Swansea Bay University Health Board no longer provides this service for Bridgend patients. Please contact Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board directly on 01685 728497 for advice, support and referrals.
Hywel Dda University Health Board (HD UHB).
Pond Street Sexual Health Clinic 01267 248674 (Monday to Friday 9.15am to 4.30pm) to be referred into termination service.
Up to 12 weeks gestation, between 12 to 18 weeks please see Swansea Bay.
Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB)
If you are pregnant and do not with to continue with the pregnancy and would like to request an abortion (termination of pregnancy), you can access the service via the British Pregnacy Advisory Service (BPAS).
Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Abortion services Telephone line 01792 200303 (Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 3:00pm, Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm) or via the online referral form.Up to 18 weeks gestation period – will refer onto appropriate service if over 18 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need someone to come with me?
You can bring someone with you to make you feel comfortable but this is your decision. If you are under 16, it is advised that a parent or guardian accompanies you however, if the doctors believe it is in your best interest and you fully understand what is involved, you can attend alone if you wish to do so.
What kind of treatment is available?
Late abortion is not available in Wales (20 to 24 weeks), however the medical and surgical method are available. Your clinician will discuss the most appropriate method, and alternative methods if applicable, with you to help you decide the best option for you.
What is a medical abortion?
A medical abortion does not involve surgery or anaesthetic. It is the process of taking medication to induce contractions and thins the lining of the uterus. This process involves two doses of medication. The first does will block the hormone that allows pregnancy to continue, also thinning the lining of the uterus. This medication is called Mifepristone and is taken orally. The second dose is taken between 24 to 48 hours after the first dose and is called Misoprostol. This will induce the contractions, and is taken either orally, allowed to dissolve under the tongue or in the cheek, or is put inside the vagina. Within 4 to 6 hours, the lining of the womb breaks down causing bleeding, and the loss of the pregnancy. You will have to stay at the clinic while this happens to determine whether it is best for you to go home. The dosage depends on the duration of the pregnancy, and there may be a need for a small surgical procedure to be performed if the pregnancy does not pass. This method procedure differs depending on the length of pregnancy – it is important to discuss with the clinician the options and methods.
Do not buy abortion pills online
You will not know if abortion pills bought online are genuine or harmful. They need to be prescribed by a doctor.
What is a surgical method?
This procedure involves local anaesthetic (where the area is numbed), conscious sedation (you will be awake but relaxed), or general anaesthetic (where you will be asleep). The surgical method can be performed by vacuum or suction aspiration or by dilation and evacuation.
The vacuum or suction aspiration method can be used up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. This involves inserting a tube through the cervix into the womb. The cervix will be gently widened first, and a tablet may be placed inside the vagina or taken orally a few hours before the surgery to make it easier to open. This method usually involves local anaesthetic or common sedation so there is little pain. This method usually takes between 5 to 10 minutes.
The dilation and evacuation method is usually used around 15 weeks of pregnancy and involves inserting forceps (a surgical instrument used to grasping) into the cervix and womb to remove the pregnancy. The cervix is dilated several hours or up to a day before the procedure. This is usually carried out with conscious sedation or general anaesthetic and normally takes between 10 to 20 minutes.
Do you offer 1 day abortion in Wales?
No, the surgical method will be scheduled after a referral from the Sexual Health Clinic, which may be a few days after the assessment. The medical method involves taking oral medication on different days. For Welsh residents, if certain criteria is met, women may be offered the option to take the second medication, in a medical abortion, at home. This will be agreed by your clinician.
How do I make an appointment?
Most Health Boards will need you to be referred by a Sexual Health Clinic, you can search for these here. Please see the table to understand the different processes for each Health Board.
What is the maximum gestation period (number of weeks pregnant) that I can be seen in Wales for an abortion?
In Wales, the longest gestation period that will be seen is up to 18 weeks. Women who are over 18 weeks pregnant will be referred onto the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) for alternative services in England.
What can I expect?
You will contact the appropriate service, depending on where you would like to go. You can either contact the appointment line, or access the service through a Sexual Health Clinic depending on where you live. An initial assessment will be arranged for you to attend. In this assessment appointment, you will have the opportunity to ask the clinician any questions you may have. The clinician will assess your need and situation to determine what they can do – this will include discussions around methods, procedures, and risks. Here is the opportunity to provide any information about existing medical conditions. This is very important. Typically, the assessment appointment will include;
- An ultrasound scan (abdominally or internally/vaginal) to check how many weeks you are pregnant
- A blood test to check your blood group or for anaemia
- An STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) test
- A chance to discuss any concerns or questions – where information will be given to support you and forms of contraception discussions
Is the service confidential?
The service is confidential and communication is not made with any person that you do not consent to being sent information or contacted. This applies if you are under 16. If you are under 16, understand the process, and doctors believe it is within your best interest, it is fully confidential. Doctors will encourage under 16 year olds to involve a parent or guardian as they will provide a level of support for you.