Rachel discusses the importance of choosing the right contraceptive. (Portrayed by an actress)
Post-abortion Rachel discusses the importance of choosing the right contraceptive. (Portrayed by an actress) Read video transcript
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RACHEL
I had just taken my final exams when I became pregnant. Having to terminate my pregnancy was a sad but necessary decision, and one that I definitely don’t want to experience again.
Looking back, I guess I was just too young and irresponsible, plus I wasn’t ready to have a baby. I blame myself because I thought I’d taken my pill, but obviously I must have missed taking some of them. I suppose I got disorganised as I focussed all my efforts on studying, and I think I got a bit confused so I ended dup paying a heavy price. It made me realise that I need a contraceptive I can trust, and one which doesn’t rely on me having to remember to take it.
I definitely do want kids one day, but as that’s still a long way off I need a contraceptive that I can take just once and that’ll last me a long time.

Post-abortion

After an abortion, the last thing you want is to go through an unplanned pregnancy again. You may have discovered that remembering to take a contraceptive on a regular basis is not for you or that an accident with the condom ended up in an unplanned pregnancy. So, a contraceptive method that frees you from the responsibility of remembering to take your contraceptive or have it available when you need it may be right for you.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) can give you that freedom. Not only are they placed (the intrauterine system, the intrauterine device or the contraceptive implant) or injected (the 3-monthly contraceptive injection) just once to give you a highly effective and long period of contraceptive protection, but they can also be administered immediately after an abortion1,2,3,4. You can choose from 12 weeks to up to many years of contraceptive protection, depending on which method you decide on. Studies have shown that the risk of having a second abortion is lower if you choose a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) instead of a short-acting one after an abortion5.

Click on the links below to find out more about which long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) may be a suitable choice for you.

Your contraceptive choices and key questions