by If you are looking to terminate your pregnancy, understanding the true cost of abortion in the UK can be helpful. When talking about the true cost, we are not only referring to the financial side of things, but also the emotional and social costs associated with the procedure. In this article, we aim to share all of that and more – so you can make informed decisions about your journey and always stay in the know.
Cost of abortion in the UK: The financials
Let’s start by covering the basics of abortion first, many people assume that abortion is covered under the NHS and is free. Whilst it’s true that the NHS does offer abortions free of charge, many individuals make the decision to seek care from a private abortion clinic instead. Long wait times of a couple of weeks are not unusual with the NHS; when time is of the essence, you may find it preferable to seek care elsewhere.
When it comes to the private healthcare side of things, there are abortion clinics in London that are able to offer appointments without a wait sometimes even on the same day. But it does come at a cost depending on the type of abortion and how many weeks pregnant you are, the cost of abortion pill in the UK from a private clinic can start from £500. What’s important to know is that these costs may rise depending on the chosen customisations. Whether it is a medical abortion or a surgical one, what can be assured is top quality service. Some clinics even go the extra mile by providing additional inclusions in their packages such as follow-up consultations, and important scans.
In addition to the above, it is also prudent to factor in travel costs. If you found an abortion clinic which has great reviews but is far away from your home, then the cost of travel, time off from your work and even childcare expenses for couples with kids, should be factored in.
The emotional costs of abortion
Pregnancy termination doesn;t just have a financial cost. While many people focus on the financial and accessibility part of abortion, what many people fail to see is the emotional costs of an abortion. Abortion can be quite challenging for women it entails a lot of careful planning, mental resilience and readiness for the procedure itself. All of this can result in periods of overthinking, stress, guilt, mental exhaustion and most of all feelings of overwhelm. These things can have a negative impact on a woman’s mental health, which in the long run, can be harmful for overall wellbeing.
Unfortunately, despite one in four women needing an abortion, abortion as a practice still has quite a lot of societal stigma attached to it. In today’s day and age, where abortion should be a fundamental right for all women, unfortunately people who terminate their pregnancy do get judged. Many places across the world have a very conservative view towards abortion, which canlead to feelings of shame and worthlessness, meaning that women are discouraged from going through with the procedure even though it may feel like the right choice for them.
The socio-political cost of abortion
Societal practices quite often dictate the socio-political landscape of a region. When talking about abortion, there is a socio-political cost that many individuals and couples have to face. If we take a step back and look at the world as a whole, there are many regions where access to abortion is either banned, a criminal offence or is made so difficult due bureaucratic challenges, that for someone looking to get one – it is almost impossible. They may have to resort to illegal methods to either get one or force themselves into a life of unwanted pregnancy. For years, this issue has sparked debates across global world forums and while most countries understand the need for major reforms, seldom, they have lived up to their words.
In the UK the Abortion Act of 1967 outlines that it is only lawful to have an abortion up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy if two doctors agree that the continued pregnancy would pose a greater risk to the mother than the pregnancy itself. There are exceptions for exceptional circumstances, for example, women who face life-threatening consequences as a result of continuing their pregnancy. After the 23 week and 6 day point, it is considered a criminal offense to perform an abortion. Sadly, there are some cases where women have been criminally prosecuted for getting an abortion after the 24 week gestation limit (Trial of Carla Foster, 2023).
Thankfully, activists are working day and night to raise awareness about such instances and are bringing people’s attention to things that matter. This is why in recent times, multiple amendments have been to improve abortion access in the UK, but there is still a long way to go.
The cost of abortion: Is it justified?
With abortion being an important medical procedure for women, it can seem unfair how there are so many challenges associated with the procedure, and barriers to women getting the care they need. While it’s easy to make peace with the financial side of things to some extent, the emotional and social costs can be more difficult to digest. These burdens often add to the already ongoing feelings of guilt, stress and self doubt, which impacts decision-making. The UK’s legal limit of 24 weeks puts additional pressure on women to make a quick decision, without necessarily having the time to process the impact of their pregnancy. It can also impact their family planning goals and other future endeavors.
The added bureaucracy such as sign off by two doctors and long wait times can further add to this stress and deter people from seeking appropriate care. While some of these problems can be eliminated by choosing to get a private abortion, the costs and legal time limit can still be a stressor for many. This just highlights the need for changes to the whole abortion landscape, so everyone can have equal and fair access to abortion services.
