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updated 26 Sep 2013, 16:15
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Tue, Apr 16, 2013
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"At least 48 hours to decide after counselling myself"

Sixty-five clinics in Singapore are licensed to perform abortions, according to a search on the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website. These clinics are spread over the heartland and many are also in town.

Dr Ben Choey, gynaecologist at private clinic SBCC Women's Clinic (Clementi), explains the details of a typical process for a woman seeking an abortion.

This is in accordance with MOH guidelines.

First, after the woman makes an appointment, she will go through a consultation, where a doctor reviews her medical history. The doctor talks to her about her previous pregnancies and her use of contraception, if any.

A scan is done, reviewing how many weeks pregnant she is. If she is between 14 and 24 weeks' pregnant, she is referred to a hospital.

The patient is counselled. The procedure and its possible risks are explained along with the different methods of contraception. These methods can include the morning-after pill, condoms, and the intrauterine contraceptive device.

She then views a 10-minute video titled Abortion - Consider With Care, which is produced by MOH. It reiterates the details of the abortion, warns of possible risks and explains the different methods of contraception.

She is also given two pamphlets to read: The Truth About Abortion, and Contraceptive Methods - Which One Is Best For Me. The woman is given a minimum of 48 hours to think it over and make her decision.

Dr Choey says that in his experience, most patients come back a week later.

If a woman decides on an abortion, she undergoes the procedure after signing a consent form.

Dr Choey says the procedure usually takes 90 minutes.

Two weeks later, the woman returns to the clinic for post-abortion counselling, where she is again advised on different methods of contraception. The typical cost for an abortion at his clinic is between $900 and $1,000, says Dr Choey.

A quick check with some government hospitals reveal that abortion costs range from $500 to $750 for Singaporeans who get referrals from polyclinics.

Related stories:
Think about impact of abortion first
Women who undergo many abortions unaware or indifferent


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readers' comments
This is because we are all too expose to computer. Anything goes wrong, the computer will ask whether you want to abort.
Posted by maipenrai on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 at 18:14 PM
Poor thing ... when was your last abortion??? Your X = wat now?? :(

So this time when U pregnant, remember dont abort ok? Dont allow Take2 to happen ... ;)

Posted by Small Fly on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 at 17:04 PM
Each year, you will think "If I never abort the baby, he/she is already X years old today".
Posted by mikuhatsune on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 at 15:35 PM
sadly personal priorities often come before anything else. babies are a gift and we should all treasure this deeply. we will never have considered abortion even if the baby is not healthy, this is not an option at all.
Posted by santafeisdr7233g on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 at 15:28 PM

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