Will a past abortion affect my pregnancy?

Having an abortion (also known as a termination) usually won’t affect your chances of getting pregnant and having normal pregnancies in the future. It also doesn’t increase your risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or low placenta, providing there were no complications following the abortion.

On this page

What are the risks of a previous abortion to pregnancy?

Can multiple previous abortions affect my pregnancy?

Should I tell the midwife about a previous abortion?

How soon after an abortion can I get pregnant?  

Your mental health after an abortion

More advice and support

What are the risks of a previous abortion to pregnancy?

If you become pregnant and have had a previous abortion, you may have a slightly higher risk of premature birth.

There isn’t enough research to say how much higher your risk may be, but it’s thought that the chances of having a premature birth after an abortion are still very low.  

If you develop a womb infection after an abortion this can spread to your fallopian tubes and ovaries This is known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can make it more difficult to get pregnant and increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy.  

Most infections are treated before they reach this stage and you should be given antibiotics before an abortion to reduce the risk of infection. You can talk to your midwife or doctor at any point if you have any questions or worries about your pregnancy.   

Can multiple previous abortions affect my pregnancy?

It’s unlikely that having more than 1 abortion in the past will impact your chances of getting pregnant (your ‘fertility’) or having a normal pregnancy.

If you have a surgical abortion (when you need a small operation to remove the pregnancy from your womb), there is a very small risk of injury to the womb or entrance to the womb (cervix). This injury can cause scarring in the womb.  

Some research suggests that an injury or scarring to the womb could reduce your chances of getting pregnant. If you have several surgical abortions, there is an increased chance that you might have this.

It’s not clear exactly how many women and birthing people will have this injury, but it’s thought that the overall chances of this happening are usually very low whether you have had 1 or more abortions. There are also treatments that can help to remove scarring in the womb.  

Should I tell the midwife about a previous abortion?

You do not have to tell your midwife that you’ve had an abortion before, but it’s best to mention it so they have your full pregnancy history.  

Your midwife won’t judge you and they are unlikely to refer to it again. The information about your abortion doesn’t need to go into your pregnancy notes.

If you want to talk to the midwife about your abortion in private, you should have this chance at one of your antenatal appointments. If someone goes with you, such as a partner, family member or friend, you can always ask them to wait outside for a moment.  

You can always ring your midwife to arrange a private conversation if this is easier.

Anything you say to your midwife or doctor is in confidence. This means that they can’t tell anyone else without your permission, even your partner. 

How soon after an abortion can I get pregnant?  

Most people are able to get pregnant very soon after having an abortion. If you do not want to get pregnant, you should start using contraception right away.  

At the time of having an abortion, you and your health professional can talk about your choices for contraception and decide what might work best for you. You can also talk about your options at any time with your GP, health visitor, or a doctor or nurse at a sexual health clinic.  

The sexual health charity Brook also has lots of information on their website about contraception, which might help you decide which method is right for you.   

Your mental health after an abortion  

It’s really normal to feel a range of emotions after an abortion. You might feel sadness, anger, relief, or a mixture of all these emotions at once. How you react might also depend on how you feel about your decision and the reasons behind your abortion.  

Having an abortion does not make you more likely to experience a mental health issue. Any emotions you feel around the time of an abortion are not likely to cause long-term problems.

However, it can still be helpful to get some support during this time. Some people find it helpful to talk to a trusted loved one, like a friend or family member, after having an abortion. You could also join peer support groups for people who have had an abortion. Your doctor or health professional will also be able to help you get counselling or psychological support if you feel this would be helpful. 

Getting emotional support after an abortion is a personal choice and everyone copes with their feelings differently.  

If you have had mental health problems in the past, you may have more problems after an unplanned pregnancy. These problems are likely to happen whether you choose to have an abortion or continue with the pregnancy. Make sure you talk to your doctor or health professional at any time if you are struggling to cope with your mental health.  

More advice and support

Brook is a charity that offers information and advice around sexual health. They have lots of information about choosing to have an abortion and what abortion is. Visit the Brook website.

MSI Reproductive Choices offer free (NHS-funded) treatment, advice, and support for people considering abortion. They can provide confidential and non-judgemental counselling support should you wish to discuss your decision, talk about your feelings, or learn more about abortion. Visit the MSI Reproductive Choices website.

Abortion Talk is a charity that runs a free pro-choice Talkline for people to chat about their abortion experiences and decisions in a safe environment. Visit the Abortion Talk website.