Performed under local or general anesthesia by a doctor, in an establishment or an authorized health center, surgical abortion must take place no later than 14 weeks after the start of the last menstruation. Its cost is fully covered. Its success rate is 99,7%.

Surgical abortion can be performed until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy (14 weeks after the start of the last period), by a doctor, in a health establishment or an authorized health center.

It is important to get informed as soon as possible. Some establishments are overcrowded and the time to make an appointment can be very long.

After an information meeting that has made it possible to determine that abortion was the most suitable protocol, a consent form must be given to the doctor and an appointment with an anesthesiologist must be made.

The abortion takes place in a health establishment or an authorized health center. Once the cervix is ​​dilated, with the help of medication if necessary, the doctor inserts a cannula into the uterus to aspirate its contents. This intervention, which lasts about ten minutes, can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Even in the latter case, hospitalization of a few hours may be sufficient.

A check-up is scheduled between the 14th and 21st day following the abortion. It ensures that the pregnancy is terminated and that there are no complications. It is also an opportunity to take stock of contraception.

Note: a rhesus negative blood group requires an injection of anti-D gamma-globulins to avoid complications during a future pregnancy.

Immediate complications are rare. The occurrence of bleeding during an abortion is a very rare event. Perforation of the uterus during instrumental aspiration is an exceptional event.

In the days following the operation, a fever exceeding 38 °, significant blood loss, severe abdominal pain, malaise may occur. You should then contact the doctor who took care of the abortion because these symptoms can be a sign of a complication.

The law allows any pregnant woman who does not want to continue a pregnancy to ask a doctor for her termination, including if it is a minor.

Minors can request consent from one of their parents or their legal representative and thus be accompanied by one of these relatives in the abortion process.

Without the consent of one of their parents or their legal representative, minors must be accompanied in their process by the adult of their choice. In all cases, it is possible for them to request to benefit from total anonymity.

Optional for adults, the psychosocial consultation prior to abortion is compulsory for minors.

Unemancipated underage girls without parental consent benefit from a total advance fee waiver.

By calling 0800 08 11 11. This anonymous and free number was set up by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to answer questions about abortion but also contraception and sexuality. It is accessible on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 22 p.m. and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 20 p.m.

By going to a family planning or education center or to family information, consultation and counseling establishments. The ivg.social-sante.gouv.fr site lists their addresses department by department.

By going to sites offering reliable information:

• ivg.social-sante.gouv.fr
• ivglesadresses.org
• planning-familial.org
• avortementancic.net