An abortion is a medical procedure to end your pregnancy before delivery.
In Norway, the woman decides if she wants to have an abortion up to the 12. week of pregnancy. It is possible to end the pregnancy after the 12. week, but then certain rules apply.
Abortion methods
There are two methods for an abortion: abortion with medication and surgical abortion (suction curettage). Both are possible up to the 12. week of pregnancy. In Norway, it is most common to have an abortion with medication.
- Abortion with medication: Can be performed both at home and in a hospital. To have an abortion at home you must be older than 18. Abortion at home is not available after the 9. week of pregnancy, in case of serious illness or if there are communication issues. If you have an abortion with medication at a hospital, you will first get a pill at the hospital, before you return (usually) two days later to get more pills. If you have an abortion at home you also get the first pill at the hospital, but instead of returning to the hospital you bring the rest of the medications with you home. An abortion with medication causes the uterus to contract, pushing out the foetus. You will bleed for a few days.
- Suction curettage: Is performed at a hospital. The doctor gives you a general anaesthesia. The doctor sucks out the contents of the uterus and the uterine lining is scraped. The procedure lasts about 10 minutes.
A woman can have an abortion without the consent of her partner.
You can still have a baby after an abortion.
If you have questions about abortion
If you have questions about abortion, you may talk with your doctor, or make an appointment with the public health centre for youths or with the school nurse. There are also different organizations offering counselling that you can contact.
You may also contact Amathea, which offers advice and counselling for women considering abortion.
