Medical termination of pregnancy.
Deciding to end a pregnancy can be personal and, at times, difficult. At SMSG, we provide a confidential, respectful and supportive environment where you can discuss your options and receive care without judgement.
A non-surgical option, early in pregnancy.
Medical termination of pregnancy is a non-surgical way to end an early pregnancy using medication. Your GP will walk you through each step, from the initial assessment and prescription through to follow-up care, and make sure you understand what to expect at each stage.
The regimen involves two medications, mifepristone followed by misoprostol, prescribed as an approved two-step medication pack under Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration approval. The first tablet is taken in clinic; the second is taken at home 24 to 48 hours later. Most patients experience bleeding and cramping over the following one to two weeks, similar to a heavy period. Your GP will explain what warning signs to look out for, when to call, and what recovery looks like day to day.
We provide medical termination when the following minimum criteria are met:
- The pregnancy is less than 9 weeks' gestation.
- An initial face-to-face appointment with an Aurora GP is required.
- An ultrasound is required to confirm the pregnancy and gestational age, and to help determine whether medical termination is suitable.
- A medical assessment with your GP is required before medication can be prescribed.
- A follow-up review may be requested by your GP when needed.
Your doctor will discuss your medical history, the pregnancy, treatment options, and any relevant risks or contraindications with you before anything is prescribed.
From first appointment through to follow-up.
A face-to-face consultation with an Aurora GP to talk through your situation, your options and any questions. Your doctor will take a medical history, arrange an ultrasound to confirm gestational age, and check that medical termination is clinically suitable for you.
Once your ultrasound and assessment are complete, a follow-up consultation to review the results, discuss what to expect, and prescribe the medication. Your GP will walk you through the two-step regimen: the first medication is taken in clinic, and the second is taken at home 24 to 48 hours later.
A follow-up appointment to confirm the process is complete, arrange a blood test or ultrasound if indicated, and check in on how you're feeling. Emotional and physical recovery vary between patients; this is your space to raise anything that has come up.
This page describes the process at a general level. Your GP will walk through the specific medication regimen, timing, and supporting information at your consultation, and provide the relevant consumer medicine information.
Face-to-face care at each of our three centres.
Aurora GPs, with the time to talk.
Assessments, prescribing and reviews are provided by our Aurora GPs. They're independent practitioners, and each has their own approach and style; reception can help you find a doctor who feels like a fit, or you can browse the full team and book directly.
Private fees, with a Medicare rebate.
Each of the three consultations is privately billed, with a Medicare rebate applying to eligible items.
The exact fee and gap payment depend on the clinician you see, since each of our GPs sets their own billing arrangement as an independent practitioner. Ultrasound and any pathology are billed separately by the provider. Individual billing details are on each clinician's profile page, and reception confirms the specific fee and expected out-of-pocket when you book.
Support before, during and after.
Psychology & Counselling
Our psychologists and counsellors offer confidential support if you'd like to talk through the emotional side of the decision or the recovery. Available at all three centres.
See our psychology teamMental Health Care Plans
Your GP can prepare a Mental Health Care Plan giving access to Medicare-rebated sessions with a psychologist, if that support would be useful in the weeks after.
Mental Health CarePregnancy, Birth and Baby
Free, confidential phone and video support from maternal child health nurses. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call 1800 882 436Lifeline
Twenty-four-hour crisis support and suicide prevention. Free, confidential, available around the clock.
Call 13 11 14In an emergency, dial 000. For urgent care outside our opening hours, call 13 SICK (13 74 25).
The questions we hear most.
If your question isn't here, our reception team is a good first stop, and your GP will walk through the specifics at your consultation.
How does medical termination work?
Medical termination uses a two-step regimen of two medications, mifepristone followed by misoprostol, prescribed under Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration approval. The first medication is taken in clinic, and the second is taken at home 24 to 48 hours later. Most patients experience bleeding and cramping over the following one to two weeks. Your GP will walk you through the timeline, what to expect at each stage, and what warning signs to look out for.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book an initial assessment directly with an Aurora GP. If you already see a GP outside SMSG and want to keep your usual doctor for general care, you're welcome to book with us just for this.
Up to what gestation is medical termination available?
SMSG provides medical termination up to nine weeks' gestation. Beyond that, medical termination is not clinically suitable, and your GP will discuss surgical termination pathways and support you with a referral to an appropriate specialist service.
Can this be done over telehealth?
No. The initial assessment, the prescribing consultation and the review must be face to face. This lets your GP take a full history, review your ultrasound with you, and check in on how the process is going.
What happens if the termination is incomplete?
Most medical terminations are complete without further intervention, but a small number require follow-up. Your GP will arrange a review consultation with a blood test or ultrasound if indicated, and coordinate any onward care needed.
Is emotional support available afterwards?
Yes. Deciding to end a pregnancy can bring up complex feelings, and support looks different for everyone. Our psychology and counselling team is available at all three centres, and your GP can prepare a Mental Health Care Plan if longer-term support is helpful. For after-hours or crisis support, Lifeline is available on 13 11 14, and Pregnancy, Birth and Baby offers free confidential nurse support on 1800 882 436.
Is my care confidential?
Yes. Everything discussed with your GP and our support team is confidential, and no information is shared with anyone outside your care team without your consent. This is your decision and your care.
Read on to go deeper.
Aurora Women & Babies Health
The whole women's health team, from your first period through menopause.
IUD & Contraceptive Implant
Long-acting contraception you can plan your life around.
Women's Health Check
GP-led women's health check bundling cervical screening in with age-appropriate preventive items.
Psychology & Counselling
Confidential psychology and counselling support at all three centres.
