IN AN
EMERGENCY
CALL “000"
Mon: 9am – 6pm
Tues & Wed: 9am – 5:30pm
Thurs & Fri 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
ABOUT MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
About Medical Termination of Pregnancy
General Practitioners (GPs) and obstetricians and gynaecologists (O&Gs) can prescribe medical abortion drugs to patients through their practice after the medication is listed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The medication, marketed in Australia as MS 2-Step, is also listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and is available to end pregnancies less than nine weeks gestation.
​
By providing medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP), GPs can now help women effectively when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. By including MTOP in the mantle of care, a GP can extend the holistic service they can offer women through their practice. We respect women’s cultural expectations, reasoning and ability to decide.
MS 2-Step comprises two medications: mifepristone is a medication that blocks the effects of progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy, and misoprostol, which causes cervical softening and uterine contraction to evacuate the products of conception from the uterus. They are a safe and effective pregnancy termination method used together in early pregnancy (up to 63 days LMP). More information here
​
To prescribe and use the medication appropriately, our patients require three consultations, preferably in attendance with their partner or a support person. All these three consultations are generally longer consultations. We can also arrange Anti D immunoglobulin injections for our patients with harmful blood types, arranging anti-D products through the Red Cross Blood Bank Service or the nearest public hospital.
​
Please note: only doctors with the accreditation to prescribe MS-2-Step can prescribe this medicine. Certain pharmacists can dispense MS-2-Step. Therefore, you may need to research once you decide to proceed.
MTOP at Chirnside Park
• Consultation number one: we overview the patient’s general health and discuss potential alternative options to termination/abortion to provide informed consent.
​
Our patient will receive a pathology referral for routine blood tests to assess her general health, blood group and antibody; a urine test for detecting sexually transmitted diseases; and a referral to have a dating ultrasound – which determines if the pregnancy is in the uterus and the age of the pregnancy in a day (MS 2-Step is only approved for pregnancies up to 63 days).
​
It is essential to talk about future contraception to decide which one to use immediately after the procedure.
​
• Consultation number two: a follow-up visit before medical termination is usually scheduled for a few days following the abovementioned tests. During this consultation, we again talk about the potential side effects of medications and surgical abortion as an alternative.
​
Providing the patient is comfortable with proceeding with the medical termination (signed consent form) – the doctor would prescribe MS 2-Step and be given guidance on how to take the medication. The doctor will also prescribe medicines for pain and nausea.
​
As all procedures have potential side effects, we strongly recommend that you don’t travel for 3-4 weeks after taking MS 2-step. We also strongly recommend that our patients stay close to public hospitals until the procedure is complete.
On the same day, the patient will be referred for another dating scan to be completed in 3-4 weeks to confirm that the pregnancy has ended. Again, our goal is to prescribe appropriate contraception on the day with instructions on how and when to start.
​
• Consultation number three: During the third consultation, we confirm the procedure’s success by reviewing dating scan results, assessing general health and counsel on future pregnancies and contraception.
​
If you wish to book an appointment under a medical termination of pregnancy, please book an appointment through the online booking portal on our website (under Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP)). Alternatively, you can call (03) 9726 6290 and one of our friendly reception staff will assist in making you an appointment and assist with any questions you may have.
​
MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
Download the Medical Termination Patient Information Sheet and Consent Form