The Women's Clinic - Palmerston North
Abortion services in the Whanganui region are accessed through The Women's Clinic in Palmerston North. All women from the region considering abortion will be assessed at The Women's Clinic.
The clinic is free to Whanganui residents and offers medical abortion for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and surgical abortion for the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Women requiring abortion after 15 weeks will be referred from The Women's Clinic to the Te Mahoe unit in Wellington.
The Women's Clinic offers private medical and surgical abortion services to non-Whanganui residents.
National Abortion Telemedicine Service
A nationwide early medical abortion by phone service (up to 10 weeks of pregnancy) is also available directly by contacting The Women's Clinic on 0800 ABORTION (0800 226 784) or via the website www.thewomensclinic.net.nz/contact
The First Step
You can contact the clinic directly on 0800 226 784 (0800 Abortion).
The reception staff will book you an appointment with the clinic nurse. During the nurse consultation you will be able to discuss your situation and will be given more information about your options. The nurse will also organise some essential blood and swab tests. Ultrasound scanning is also performed at the clinic.
For women who are in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy abortion will be provided by the Women's Clinic. If you require abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy you will be referred to the Te Mahoe unit in Wellington.
Counselling
All women who book at The Women’s Clinic will be offered optional counseling. Counseling is provided by the Social Work department at Whanganui DHB. This service is free of charge to NZ residents and offers the opportunity to discuss the social and emotional aspects of the decision to terminate a pregnancy. This counselling session is optional. The counsellor is also available to you after you have been through the termination.
Medical Abortion at The Women's Clinic
Medical Abortion is available up to 10 weeks of pregnancy for women who live within an hour’s travel of Palmerston North and are living in a home situation where miscarriage is practical. Medical abortion is funded for Whanganui residents.
Surgical Termination at the Women's Clinic
Surgical abortion up to 15 weeks of pregnancy under local anaesthetic (awake) is available at the Women's clinic. Surgical abortion is funded for Whanganui residents.
Surgical Termination at the Te Mahoe Unit
Women who have a pregnancy of 15 weeks or greater will be referred to the Te Mahoe unit in Wellington.
Abortion is performed under General Anaesthetic (asleep) and will usually require the woman to travel down the day before the procedure and stay overnight in Wellington.
Surgical abortion in Te Mahoe unit in Wellington is funded for Whanganui residents.
Follow-up
Follow-up is provided by The Women’s Clinic, which also includes a comprehensive contraception service.
Follow-up counselling is available at the Social Work Department if needed.
Fees
The Women's Clinic services are free to all Whanganui DHB residents who are entitled to funded health care in New Zealand as is abortion at the Te Mahoe unit in Wellington for women with a later pregnancy.
For non-residents, residents of other DHB regions and overseas visitors medical and surgical abortion are available through The Women's Clinic at a cost of $950.