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Pregnancy can be frightening, especially if you haven’t planned on it. Making a decision on whether or not to keep it is challenging after the initial stage of shock and fear.
Abortion is a serious decision that needs to be carefully thought out. So, is it legal to have an abortion in Singapore?
The Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1974 codifies the laws governing abortion as being legal. This law permits trained individuals to safely end pregnancies in facilities with the necessary tools. Abortion procedures are subject to clear and stringent regulations in Singapore. Read on to find out more about the facts regarding abortion in Singapore.
Termination of Pregnancy (TOP), also known as abortion, is typically carried out on a pregnancy that is unplanned or if the woman’s health would be in danger if the pregnancy were to proceed.
Only a doctor trained in obstetrics and gynaecology is qualified to perform an abortion in a clinic or hospital that has been given Ministry of Health (MOH) approval.
Here are some things you should factor in before thinking about getting an abortion:
In the world of pregnancy, a viable pregnancy is one in which the fetus is implanted in the womb and has a heartbeat. Miscarriages happen in 8–20% of pregnancies.
Checking the viability of your pregnancy is crucial to avoiding the needless medical procedure of an abortion. Pregnancy tests and ultrasounds can help you figure out how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether it is viable.
When you are utterly opposed to becoming pregnant, it might seem your only choice is to have the pregnancy aborted. Women consider abortion for various reasons, but it’s crucial to take time regardless of what may be going through your mind.
Make a well-informed decision after doing some research. You will be better positioned to make the best decision if you have all the information.
Speaking with a reputable advocate and a medical professional can give you confidence in your decision. Abortion is a significant medical choice that affects your body. It’s essential to be informed completely and accurately.
In Singapore, abortion is only performed if the pregnancy is less than 24 weeks unless the mother’s life is endangered. There are two ways to perform an abortion procedure, depending on the gestational period:
Abortion Pill: Two doses of medication are used in this kind of abortion. Mifeprex (Mifepristone), the first, is intended to end a pregnancy.
Misoprostol, the second drug, is used to induce labour. It induces bleeding and cramping, which results in the pregnancy’s termination and the embryo’s expulsion. If medication abortions don’t go as planned, an aspiration abortion is required.
Vacuum aspiration within 5–14 weeks following the last menstrual cycle: The need for cervix dilation will depend on the patient’s pregnancy stage. The uterus is then reached by inserting a tube via the cervix. The fetus is then suctioned utilising a hand-held syringe or an electrically powered pump. Anaesthesia is needed.
Dilation and evacuation in the second trimester: This abortion requires using forceps to extract the embryo from the patient’s uterus. It is done while being given a general anaesthetic.
Labor Induction Abortion in the second and third trimesters: This method of abortion terminates a pregnancy by administering a fatal chemical dose to a fetus. The patient is then put into labour and gives birth to the fetus.
The Singapore Termination of Pregnancy Act is still in force today. Abortion on demand has been permitted in the nation since 1970. The Termination of Pregnancy [TOP] Act states that Singapore has no set age restriction for having an abortion.
Parental approval is not legally required for children below the age of 16. However, remember that those younger than 21 must obtain parental consent to have an abortion.
Although there may not be an age restriction for abortions, girls under 18 must have their parent’s permission if any post-abortion complications necessitate surgery.
Although there is no upper age limit for having an abortion procedure in Singapore, only the following people are eligible to receive treatment to end pregnancies:
A pregnant woman who chooses to have an abortion despite not meeting any of the requirements mentioned may be subject to a fine of up to $3,000 or a sentence of up to three years in jail. The physician who performed the procedure for her may also face the same consequences.
Consultation with a physician is the initial step in the abortion process. You can see a general practitioner or a gynaecologist.
Patients who request abortions must receive pre-abortion counselling before the procedure.
Under-16-year-old girls must receive counselling at the Health Promotion Board Counseling Center, with the exception of rape victims. A psychiatrist must affirm that continued pregnancy will be harmful to the mother before individuals with mental disorders can get medical care.
You’re allowed to seek a different opinion if your physician refuses to perform an abortion on personal grounds.
After counselling, a 48-hour waiting period is required before the operation is performed.
Patients who choose to terminate a pregnancy must affirm a statement on their education level, marital status, and their number of children. The patient’s name, the procedure’s date, and the procedure of termination are recorded in the Ministry of Health’s database of all prenatal care.
After the operation, patients receive post-abortion counselling and may be asked to return a week later to check for complications. Due to the risk of infection, medical professionals may advise you to keep from sex for two weeks after your procedure.
If the pregnancy is ended early, fewer issues occur. An operation or procedure is not guaranteed to be risk-free in its entirety. Pregnancy termination is a safe procedure, but complications are always a possibility.
It would be less traumatic to the womb and endometrium if flexible soft instruments rather than sharp steel ones were used. Using ultrasound in the operating room will reduce any risk of an incomplete evacuation.
The following is a list of the most typical complications:
Bleeding for a few days after the abortion is normal. The bleeding will then decrease for a few weeks. If the patient bleeds more profusely than usual, it could be because her uterus hasn’t been completely emptied. She should request an examination from a doctor if this is the case.
Both surgical and medical terminations can result in this complication. The hormones of pregnancy that cause the womb to be filled with blood are more frequently to blame for this excessive bleeding.
Contrary to scraping the womb with a sharp metal instrument, vacuum aspiration causes much less harm to the womb and its lining. The longer-than-normal bleeding results from this gentler procedure, though.
In some cases, the womb’s normal shape or position makes aspirating all parts of the womb impossible. This risk is decreased by using ultrasound in the operating room and throughout the procedure.
This may occur if there was an infection in the womb before the abortion or if the patient had sex before the womb fully recovered from the abortion.
A woman should see her doctor if she has an unpleasant vaginal discharge, abdominal pains, and a temperature. A uterus that has not been properly emptied or has had bacteria introduced during surgery may become inflamed.
Inserting the suction device during a surgical procedure risks creating a hole in the uterus. If the doctor suspects this, the procedure is stopped, and the patient is kept in the hospital for observation. This complication is extremely uncommon.
Mild pain across the lower abdomen is typical for the first few days following an abortion. The patient should see her doctor if regular painkillers do not relieve her pain. Due to the spasm of a large blood clot being expelled, the pain may occasionally be more intense.
The endometrium would thin excessively due to the scraping of the uterine lining. A patient might not get her period again, leading to Asherman’s Syndrome. To help the endometrium regenerate, this is treated with an intrauterine device.
The cost of abortion in Singapore ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 at a private facility and from $750 to $1,500 at a public hospital.
Medisave claims worth $900 to $1,050 is used to offset abortion in Singapore price depending on the gestation of the pregnancy. To use your spouse’s Medisave, you must present your marriage certificate. If you’re using your parents’ Medisave, you’ll need to present your birth certificate.
These expenses include:
The most significant factor in determining how much an abortion will cost is the stage of your pregnancy. An advanced pregnancy abortion will be more expensive than a first-trimester abortion. The type of abortion, whether you’re under anaesthesia, and whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions are additional factors that can affect the Singapore abortion cost.
Important considerations for women who have recently had an abortion:
Having an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy can be distressing, especially if you are not financially prepared. If you are considering to go for an abortion but are worried about the financial implications, Money Kinetics can help you secure a personal loan within 24 hours. Find out more here.
