Inside our abortion clinics: what to expect
Step inside our abortion clinics
We know how important it is to feel prepared and know what to expect when visiting one of our clinics.
You may be unsure of what your appointment involves, the types of rooms you will see and what our clinics look like – especially as there are often misconceptions around what abortion clinics look like. Our teams are here to support you in our clinics, every step of the way.
On this page, you will find virtual tours of the rooms you may see when visiting one of our 60+ clinics as part of your abortion care.
From desktop, use your mouse to click and drag to look around each room, and use the scroll function to zoom in or out. From mobile, swipe to look around, and pinch to zoom in or out.
Waiting room
Whether you are visiting the clinic for a medical abortion (abortion pills) consultation or for a surgical abortion appointment, you will start by speaking to reception and then sitting in a waiting area.
Seating, water and toilets will be available. There may be other people in the waiting room, perhaps for the same type of appointment as you.
When the nurse or midwife is ready for you, they will call your name. If anyone has accompanied you to your appointment, we kindly request that they wait here in reception, as your appointment will be completed in private.
Arranging childcare: To be as sensitive as possible to others who may be in the waiting areas, we ask our clients not to bring children into the clinic with them.
Consultation room
You will then enter a consultation room.
Medical abortion and surgical abortion
If you are attending the clinic for a medical abortion appointment, this is where you will have your consultation. If you are attending the clinic for a surgical abortion appointment, you will have a pre-assessment appointment in a consultation room.
As part of this consultation, you will be asked to confirm your medical history and complete a safeguarding assessment.
You may have a scan to confirm how many weeks pregnant you are – please note that you do not have to see or know anything about the scan, but you may request an image or ask to see if you prefer.
You will also have an opportunity to discuss testing for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) or contraception, which we provide as part of abortion care.
The nurse will discuss the consent form with you, and you’ll be asked to sign and given a copy.
The nurse will explain how to take the medication for a medical abortion, and make you aware of what to expect from the treatment and aftercare. You will be given the medication as part of a medical abortion pack (also including a leaflet with instructions and aftercare advice, and a pregnancy test to take three weeks after treatment).
The nurse will confirm your medical history and complete a safeguarding assessment. You will have a scan to confirm how many weeks pregnant you are – please note that you do not have to see or know anything about the scan, but you may request an image or ask to see if you prefer. You will also have an opportunity to discuss testing for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) or contraception, which we provide as part of abortion care.
The nurse will also do some physical checks to confirm you are fit for the surgical treatment.
Finally, the nurse will discuss the consent form with you, and let you know what to expect on the day of the surgery. You’ll be asked to sign and given a copy, along with a surgical abortion booklet that explains everything you need to know.
Your next appointment – for your surgical treatment – will be booked for another day.
Surgical treatment room
If you are having a surgical abortion, your next appointment following this pre-assessment will be for your surgical treatment. The surgery takes place in one of our surgical treatment rooms.
The length of the procedure depends on your gestation (how many weeks pregnant you are), but can take up to 20 minutes. If you are having a surgical abortion, please plan to be at the clinic for half a day.
Recovery room
After your treatment, you’ll spend some time in our recovery lounge. Here, you will be offered some light refreshments, and our nurses will be there to support you until you are ready to go home.
Your care does not end when you leave our clinic
We are here to support your recovery after an abortion. We have a 24-hour dedicated aftercare line, where you can talk to one of our nurses about your aftercare and recovery: 0345 122 1441.
What to expect from your abortion care
Visit the pages below to learn more about what to expect from abortion care, including a step-by-step abortion timeline and abortion stories from our clients.
Step-by-step abortion timeline
Read more about the different steps of the abortion treatment journey.
Abortion stories
You are not alone: read abortion stories from our clients.
Video: inside MSI’s Brighton clinic
Watch content creator Nelly London visit our abortion clinic in Brighton.