Pregnancy options

Unplanned pregnancy

Unplanned pregnancies are common – it is estimated that about 50% of all Australian pregnancies are unplanned.

Not all unplanned pregnancies are unwanted.

Unplanned pregnancies occur for many reasons. It is your decision whether to continue or terminate your pregnancy.

If you have had unprotected sex in the last 4 or 5 days and want to reduce the chance that you will become pregnant emergency contraception can be used. There are 2 options:

• oral emergency contraception, available from your pharmacist
• a copper intrauterine device (IUD).

How to tell if you are pregnant

It is important to confirm your pregnancy as soon as you can so you can consider your options.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy can vary but may include:

• a late or missed period
• nausea and vomiting (called 'pregnancy sickness')
• breast changes
• fatigue
• frequent urination
• changes in appetite – such as cravings or distaste for some foods.

If you know the date of your last period, you can use a gestation calendar to estimate how many weeks pregnant you are. If not, a doctor or nurse can help you work this out.

Confirming your pregnancy

A pregnancy test detects a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is unique to pregnancy.

Home urine pregnancy tests

Home pregnancy tests are convenient and provide quick results. They are available at pharmacies and supermarkets. Home pregnancy tests are up to 99% accurate.

For best accuracy:

• test in the morning
• test around the time your period is due
• follow the packet instructions carefully.

If you suspect you may be pregnant or do not feel comfortable testing at home, see a health professional.

Pregnancy testing in a clinic

If you do your test in a clinic, the clinician may:

• Ask you to provide a urine (wee) sample in a small container to test the urine.
• Arrange a blood test, often done at a pathology collection centre. The result usually takes at least a couple of days to come back.

Pregnancy support and counselling

Many people reach a decision about their pregnancy without professional support; others can find it more difficult.

You may want to talk with trusted people in your life to help you reach your decision about pregnancy and provide you with support and information. It can be a partner, friend, family member, teacher, school councillor or health professional.

The Pregnancy: decision-making guide can help you in making a decision.

Remember, if you are pregnant and do not want to be, it is your choice what you do.

For some pregnant people, deciding what to do is not easy. Counselling provides a safe, confidential space to explore your feelings, beliefs, and options.

Counsellors must provide:

• accurate information
• impartial, non-biased, non-directive support- meaning that they cannot direct or push you into deciding what to do.

Many pregnancy counselling services are free or low-cost and may be Medicare-rebatable. Medicare-rebated non-directive pregnancy counselling are provided by some doctors, social workers, mental health nurses and psychologists. For some services a referral may be required.

To find a non‑directive counsellor in Victoria, contact 1800 My Options (Tel. 1800 696 784).

Pregnancy from sexual assault and family violence

In Australia, as many as 1 in 4 women experience violence, including sexual assault, family violence and reproductive coercion.

Unplanned pregnancy may occur from sex you did not agree to. Reproductive coercion refers to behaviours that limit your control over contraception or pregnancy.

Examples include:

• threats or physical violence
• tampering with, controlling, or removing contraception
• forced sex or sexual contact
• blackmail or emotional pressure

Sexual assault and family violence are illegal. Support services are available, including:

• 1800 Respect Tel. 1800 737 732
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line Tel. 1800 806 292
• Safe Steps – Family Violence Response Centre Tel. 1800 015 188

Pregnancy options

If you are pregnant and do not want to be, you have choice.

Options include:

• continuing the pregnancy and parenting
• continuing the pregnancy and arranging alternative care or adoption
• abortion (having a medical or surgical abortion).

Continuing the pregnancy and becoming a parent

If you continue with the pregnancy, pregnancy care is important for you and your baby’s health.

Your doctor or nurse can help with:

• recommended pregnancy care
• public and private service options
• birthing options
• where to access antenatal care.

Alternative care or adoption

If you feel you need more time to prepare for the responsibilities and challenges of becoming a full-time parent, there are alternatives to placing the child for permanent adoption.

For example:

• Your extended family may be able to be involved in caring for the child.
• Temporary foster care can be arranged where a child lives with and is cared for by another family until the birth parent or parents can care for and have their child live with them.

The Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing oversees permanent and temporary care of children. If you are considering this option, contact your nearest Permanent Care Service. For more information, see their Children in care page.

You may decide to continue with the pregnancy and then place the child for adoption. The adoptive parents will then become the child’s permanent, legal parents.

For more information on adoption, see Adoption.

Abortion

There are 2 types of abortion available in Australia. Both are low-risk and have a high success rate.

• Surgical abortion is most commonly performed during the first trimester of pregnancy (usually up to 12 weeks) but can be provided up to 24 weeks gestation. In some circumstances, abortion can be performed beyond this. The procedure is usually performed under light sedation and uses gentle suction to remove the lining and contents of the uterus.
• Medication abortion can be performed up to 9 weeks of pregnancy. The method involves taking a combination of tablets to cause a miscarriage.

Choosing the type of abortion is a personal decision and based on a range of factors and circumstances. It is a time-sensitive decision and depending on how far along the pregnancy is, a decision may need to be made quickly.

Medical abortion can be arranged through a wide range of health services, some general practitioners, nurse practitioners, endorsed midwives, community health services, private clinics, and public hospitals offer medical abortion services.

Surgical abortion is provided in some public hospitals and private clinics. A referral from your doctor or nurse practitioner may be required to access abortion care at a public hospital.

There are not as many services that offer surgical abortion beyond 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Everyone’s abortion experience is different, and it depends on your individual circumstances. Studies show those who make an informed decision to have an abortion and receive trusted support are unlikely to experience long-term psychological or emotional problems.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
• Your GP (doctor) or nurse.
• Pharmacist.
• Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 60 60 24 for health information and advice 24/7.
• School nurse or welfare coordinator.
• Local community health service.
• 1800 My Options Tel. 1800 696 784 – Victoria’s sexual and reproductive health information service.
• Sexual Health Victoria (SHV) Tel. 1800 013 952.
• Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs help you with information and support on all types of contraception and abortion care services including medical abortion and referral for surgical abortion.
• Women's Health Clinics can help you with abortion care This includes support and advice on unplanned pregnancy, medical abortion and surgical abortion.
• The Aboriginal Women's Health Clinic is a dedicated health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Victoria. The clinic offers a range of services including support for pregnancy choices.
• The Virtual Women's Health Clinic can help you with abortion care services including medical abortion and referrals for surgical abortion.
• The Mobile Women's Health Clinic can help with abortion care services including medical abortion and referrals for surgical abortion.
• QLife Tel. 1800 184 527 – Australia’s first national counselling and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people.
• 1800 RESPECT Tel. 1800 737 732 – National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service helpline 24/7.
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre Tel. 1800 015 188 – Victorian service for women experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, family members or someone close to them, 24/7.
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line Tel.1800 806 292
• Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing