The Tele-Abortion Process
1
Understand
You read through all the info about medical abortion by tele-medicine to ensure that it is the right option for you and we recommend that you complete the suitability checklist. If all ok...
2
Make a Booking
You make a booking online, for your first consultation (bulk billed with Medicare & $80 without). There is a $20 booking fee payable at the time of your consultation. You will receive an email confirmation including a link to your video appointment.
3
First Consultation
You connect to your TeleAbortion consultant via a link in the email we sent you. Your first consultation will take approx 30 minutes
4
Test Request
We send you your ultrasound request and will also give you access to your secure online TeleAbortion Consulting Room.
8
Medication Sent
Your medication prescriptions are sent to you via e-prescription and you collect in person from a pharmacy who can dispense OR we can organise a courier (additional $30 fee). Medications are an additional cost to you.
7
2nd Consultation
You click on the link in your confirmation email to attend your second consultation online, which will take approx 30 mins.
6
Schedule & Pay
You'll receive an email with a link to make your second appointment and pay $310 ($80 Medicare rebate) which will cover the private fees for managing your medical abortion including all contact & consultations.
5
Ultrasound
You arrange for and get your ultrasound done locally. You should be 6 weeks pregnant before doing the scan. We'll invite you to make your second appointment once we've received your results.
9
First Tablet
You take the first tablet (1st Step) which stops the pregnancy. You wait 24-48 hours for this medication to take effect before taking the second medication.
10
2nd Tablets
You take 4 tablets (2nd Step), which will induce a miscarriage. You will have cramping, pain & bleeding for approx 6hrs. Bleeding may continue for 2-3 weeks
11
Final Consultation
One week later, we'll contact you to make sure that all is well following the procedure. Bulk billed - No charge for this appointment.
12
Home Test
4 weeks later, you do a home (urine) pregnancy test to ensure that the procedure was successful.
Note: There can be issues that may arise throughout this process, which could mean that your procedure won't go exactly as laid out here. All known potential risks are described in the information that you must read before committing to Medical Abortion via Tele-Health.
How long does it take?
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It is possible to complete the medical termination process within a few days but this will be dependent upon how quickly you will be able to get your required blood test and ultrasound done locally.
It is important that we have the test results before we can prescribe the medication. It is your responsibility to arrange to have the tests promptly. Once we have the results of the tests, we can proceed with the prescribing process.
Women undergoing medical termination of pregnancy must have an intrauterine pregnancy of under 63 days so if there is a delay getting the tests, and you are over 63 days gestation by the time the second consultation occurs, then you will need to seek a surgical abortion with a local provider instead.
The Tele-Abortion process in detail...
1. Understanding & Suitability
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It is important that you read through the information on this website so that you fully understand what medical abortion and tele-abortion is and what it means for you.
If you decide to go ahead with a tele-abortion, we recommend that you first complete a Suitability Checklist to ensure that you are suitable for this method of abortion. There are rules we must follow to ensure your safety.
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If you are not suitable for tele-abortion, and you live in the Sydney region, we can assist you with an 'in-clinic' appointment for medical or surgical abortion. Visit our Clinic 66 website for more information.
2. Schedule your first consultation
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Click the 'Book an Appointment' button at the top of your screen to book an appointment with one of our tele-abortion consultants (a doctor or nurse specially trained in abortion care) at a time that suits you within our availability.
Your first consultation will be bulk billed and covered by Medicare (approx. $80 if you don't have a Medicare card, which you will be charged at the time of booking). There is a $20 booking fee payable at the time of your consultation.
You will receive a confirmation email which includes a link to your online tele-health appointment. Please be somewhere quiet, private and with good wifi or phone reception .
3. First Consultation - Initial assessment (20-30 mins)
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At the time and date you booked, click on the link in your email to meet with your Tele-Abortion consultant (we recommend that you connect at least 5 minutes before the scheduled appointment to avoid any delays). Your consultant will review and assess your situation and confirm the next steps. This will be a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the tele-abortion process.
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4. We give you your ultrasound scan request
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Following your first appointment, we will give you access to our secure online tele-consulting room, and we will also send you an ultrasound scan request form. Your scan will be done at a facility of your choice, close to your home or work. You should be at least 6 weeks from your last menstrual period before doing the scan. If you are too early and the scan is not clear, then your medical abortion will be delayed and more tests required before we can continue.
This scan will ensure that you are suitable for medical termination of pregnancy, confirm your gestation, and provide a baseline so that we can best manage your personal journey through the medical abortion.
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5. You get your ultrasound done locally
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You arrange for and get your ultrasound done locally. This scan is often bulk billed with a Medicare card, and we request this on your behalf, but prices will vary according to your local providers, and you may need to pay separately for the scan.
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Important Note: It is critical that you get the scan done at about 6 weeks from last menstrual period, not before. If you are not sure of your dates, you can get it done as soon as you are able. We must have the results before we can prescribe the medication. If the scan shows your pregnancy is beyond 9 weeks (63 days) gestation, you will need to have a surgical abortion. If your pregnancy is too early, then you will need to do more tests eg blood test and /or additional ultrasound scan before we can continue with prescribing.
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Whilst we understand that you want to "get on with it", we advise you not to get the scan too early to avoid the inconvenience and expense of getting extra tests.
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Let us know when and where you have had the scan, and we will chase the results, so we can get back to you ASAP about next steps.
6. Scan results reviewed and book the second consultation
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When we receive your scan results to prove you are suitable, we will notify you and invite you to schedule your second consultation. You will pay $310 via HotDocs secure online system. This includes a $80 Medicare rebate which you will claim if you are covered by Medicare). This fee covers the medical abortion process including consultations, and management of any complications (but excluding medications).
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After you have paid, you will receive a confirmation email which includes a link to your second online tele-health appointment.
If there are any issues with your test results which prevent you from continuing with the tele-abortion, we will guide you on your alternative options. If you have a pregnancy of uncertain status, or a very early pregnancy, you will be advised on next steps which may mean serial blood tests to check hormone levels, or an additional scan.
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7. Second consultation (20-30 mins)
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At the time and date that you have booked, click on the link in your confirmation email to access your tele-health consultation. Please be somewhere quiet, private and with good wifi or phone reception .
During this 20-30 minute consultation, you will be assessed based on all the information provided during your first consultation, along with the test results. We will also take you through what you can expect and how best to prepare for the tele-abortion process, and what to do if you are worried or have complications.
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We'll also prescribe any additional medications which may be required before, during or after the medical abortion process eg pain killers, anti nausea pills, contraception.
8. Prescriptions sent to you or the dispensing pharmacist, or have them delivered by courier to your home/work.
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You can choose how you receive your medications. You can either have a courier deliver it to you or a named contact (additional $30 fee) or an e-prescription will be sent to you or a registered pharmacist, via SMS or email. You can either pick it up at the named pharmacist, in person or organise for them to send it to you. The important thing is that we get the medication to you asap. You are the best person to decide whether to collect your medications in person or get them couriered to you.
You are responsible for the cost of all medications, including medical abortion pills, and any other medications such as pain relief and anti-nausea tablets. If you do not have a Medicare card, you will not receive a PBS benefit for the medical abortion pills, though your private health insurance may cover costs depending on your policy.
9. You take the first tablet
There are two differerent types of tablets that are taken separately (24- 48 hrs apart), and together they make up the medical abortion medication (which is why it is called 'Two Step')
The first step is a single tablet (mifepristone). This blocks the effects of progesterone; a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue. Some people feel nauseous or start bleeding after taking it, but not always. After taking the first step, the medical abortion process has commenced and needs to be completed with the second step, which will induce a miscarriage.
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10. You take the second tablets
The second step (misoprostol) consists of four tablets, which need to be taken between 24 and 48 hours after the first step. Take them all at once, by letting them dissolve in your mouth (in your cheeks and under your tongue). These tablets cause the cervix to soften and the uterus to contract, essentially inducing a miscarriage.
You should expect cramping (which may be severe) for about 6 hours, bleeding and passage of tissue. It is important that you are at home or somewhere safe and comfortable, and you should have 'nothing else to do' (including looking after children) for the whole day when you are having the miscarriage.
Your consultant will guide you on how and when to take the tablets. Ideally, these tablets should be taken in the morning, allowing the medical abortion process to occur throughout the day.
In about 95% of cases, medical abortion is a straightforward process and safely completes the pregnancy termination.
Pain does not usually continue beyond 6 hours after the second step, though bleeding may continue for three weeks.
11. Final Consultation - Follow up (Check-in) Call
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One week after your medical termination, we'll call you to follow up and ensure that all is well.
Of course, if you experience any complications or are feeling unwell at all following the procedure, we encourage you to get in touch with us earlier. There is a 1300 number on your medication box which is a 24 hr helpline for women going through the medical abortion process. All follow-up appointments, including those for complications, are bulk-billed, so no charge to you.
12. At home (urinary) pregnacy test
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Four weeks after your medical termination, you do a urinary pregnancy test at home to confirm that all is complete.