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[vdoboy]

Just left Bumrungrad in Bangkok.

The (UK trained and experienced) Doctor stated that last year abortion was LEGALISED in Thailand.... Following the exact same law / system in UK of requiring two doctor's signatures for the procedure to be performed.

He says that people don't know this because the government haven't released the fact for fear of a backlash from the Thai community..... It is still highly frowned upon and thought of very negatively amongst the vast majority of Thais......

Operation cost 20,000Baht (roughly) and left us feeling incredibly well cared for, cared about and attended to in a way that one expects - with tender understanding.

This situation is now sorted, the missus feels incredible relief and all her concerns have vanished. As opposed to the stories that I hear of people being treated like cattle in the smaller clinics (not to mention the heavy guilt and fear of the procedure that the nurses and doctors in these clinics insist on creating for the patient.....) and risking infection / infertility etc.....

Hope this post helps people in need....

[Sheryl]

Under Thai law, abortion is legal only when the pregnancy threatens the woman’s health or results from rape or incest. Under revised regulations recently issued by the Medical Council of Thailand, “health” includes mental/emotional as well as physical considerations. The determination that a woman qualifies for a legal abortion under that criteria can only be made by a medical doctor licensed in Thailand. This determination (and, if positive, the abortion procedure) can be done at any private or government hospital, although private hospitals with religious affiliations may chose not provide that service. In early pregnancy it can also be done at one of the many low cost clinics operated by the Thai NGO Population and Community Development Association (PDA). For cost estimates, contact the hospital or clinic of your choice (but remember that they will not be able to tell you if they will be able to perform the procedure until the woman has met with a doctor).

For the location of a PDA clinic, contact their headquarters:

Population and Community Development Association (PDA)
6 Sukhumvit 12, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 662-229-4611-28 Fax : 662-229-4632
E-Mail : pda@pda.or.th

Important notes:

(1) Do NOT seek abortion at other than a licensed clinic or hospital, as serious complications can occur when it is performed by an untrained person.

(2) Abortion is an emotionally and hormonally upsetting procedure. Clinics and hospitals which are not usually frequented by foreigners may have limited ability to provide appropriate counseling to farangs due to language and cultural differences. Hence women who do not speak fluent Thai would be well advised to go to one of the larger international hospitals, or at the least bring along a close friend who is a fluent Thai speaker.

(3) If aware of the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy within 2 weeks of the possible conception, over-the-counter "morning after" pills (brand names in Thailand include Madonna and Postinor) should be used. While these should be used within 72 hours of possible conception, recent research has shown that they are still worth taking for up to 2 weeks (effectiveness drops but may still prevent at least 50% of pregnancies; in the first 72 hours prevents the vast majority). These work by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus so from a medical standpoint prevent a pregnancy from taking place at all. Menstruation will occur as usual and it will not be possible to tell if fertilization (conception) had taken place or not.

[jimbabe]

Sheryl, on 2007-10-11 15:53:06, said:

Under Thai law, abortion is legal only when the pregnancy threatens the woman’s health or results from rape or incest. Under revised regulations recently issued by the Medical Council of Thailand, “health” includes mental/emotional as well as physical considerations. The determination that a woman qualifies for a legal abortion under that criteria can only be made by a medical doctor licensed in Thailand. This determination (and, if positive, the abortion procedure) can be done at any private or government hospital, although private hospitals with religious affiliations may chose not provide that service. In early pregnancy it can also be done at one of the many low cost clinics operated by the Thai NGO Population and Community Development Association (PDA). For cost estimates, contact the hospital or clinic of your choice (but remember that they will not be able to tell you if they will be able to perform the procedure until the woman has met with a doctor).

For the location of a PDA clinic, contact their headquarters:

Population and Community Development Association (PDA)
6 Sukhumvit 12, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 662-229-4611-28 Fax : 662-229-4632
E-Mail : pda@pda.or.th

Important notes:

(1) Do NOT seek abortion at other than a licensed clinic or hospital, as serious complications can occur when it is performed by an untrained person.

(2) Abortion is an emotionally and hormonally upsetting procedure. Clinics and hospitals which are not usually frequented by foreigners may have limited ability to provide appropriate counseling to farangs due to language and cultural differences. Hence women who do not speak fluent Thai would be well advised to go to one of the larger international hospitals, or at the least bring along a close friend who is a fluent Thai speaker.

(3) If aware of the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy within 2 weeks of the possible conception, over-the-counter "morning after" pills (brand names in Thailand include Madonna and Postinor) should be used. While these should be used within 72 hours of possible conception, recent research has shown that they are still worth taking for up to 2 weeks (effectiveness drops but may still prevent at least 50% of pregnancies; in the first 72 hours prevents the vast majority). These work by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus so from a medical standpoint prevent a pregnancy from taking place at all. Menstruation will occur as usual and it will not be possible to tell if fertilization (conception) had taken place or not.

My 36 year old gf reports not having period which is normaly very regularand may be pregnant. She had trouble bleeding with last child  5 yrs ago.  Will thai doctors regard this as health problem and sighn for abortion or is that necessary at the PDA clinic?

[Sheryl]

As mentioned in the pinned notice, only a medical doctor licensed in Thailand can make the determination that a pregnancy threatens a woman's physical or mental health. Assuming she is Thai and not more than say 10 weeks pregnant suggest she go to PDA. Very little, if any, cost entailed should they decide that the procedure cannot be done.

[YoungFarangNa]

"(3) If aware of the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy within 2 weeks of the possible conception, over-the-counter "morning after" pills (brand names in Thailand include Madonna and Postinor) should be used. While these should be used within 72 hours of possible conception, recent research has shown that they are still worth taking for up to 2 weeks (effectiveness drops but may still prevent at least 50% of pregnancies; in the first 72 hours prevents the vast majority). These work by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus so from a medical standpoint prevent a pregnancy from taking place at all. Menstruation will occur as usual and it will not be possible to tell if fertilization (conception) had taken place or not."

What is your medical background? Link? If it doesn't prevent the pregnancies, can it be harmful?

[Sheryl]

YoungFarangNa, on 2007-10-29 02:02:29, said:

What is your medical background? Link? If it doesn't prevent the pregnancies, can it be harmful?

I'm a registered nurse. I also have a masters degree in public health.

Google "emergency contraception" and you'll find innumerable links.

No harmful effects on women have been found with one time or very occasional  use of ECs, but they are definitely not recommended for frequent use or as a substitute to contraception. No data on the effects of frequent use but could possibly be harmful; definitely not recommended.

No evidence to date of any harm to the fetus if it is taken and pregnancy occurs anyway. However  the number of cases studied is pretty small; usually pregnancy does not occur or if it does, the woman often choses to abort. These pills contain the same hormones as birth control pills, just a larger dosage, and to date the research   indicates that taking birth control pills in early pregnancy does not  damage the fetus.

IMO, if pregnancy would be seriously unwanted it is worth trying ECs even at up to  2 weeks post exposure. But it would have been much better to have taken them within 72 hours of exposure. And better still to have used birth control.