# Abortion (Termination of Pregnancy) > Up to how many weeks is abortion legal in Türkiye, how is it done, is anaesthesia needed, what happens afterwards? Legal limit, vacuum method and recovery — Antalya. This page answers the most frequently asked questions about abortion, in order: **up to how many weeks and under what conditions** it can be carried out in Türkiye, **how the procedure is done**, the anaesthesia options and **what happens afterwards**. At the end, as a separate subject, **emptying the womb after a pregnancy loss (miscarriage)** is explained; the two differ both medically and legally. **In short:** Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy in the womb and the emptying of the womb. In Türkiye it can be carried out on request until the 10th week of pregnancy is complete; the week is confirmed by ultrasound. In the surgical method the pregnancy is removed through the neck of the womb by vacuum (gentle suction); the procedure usually takes 5–10 minutes and you go home the same day. Options include local numbing, sedation (light sleep) or general anaesthesia (being fully asleep); afterwards, cramps for a few days and bleeding that may last a few weeks are expected. **This page is for information.** The legal framework below is based on **Law no. 2827 on Population Planning**. How your own situation fits that framework becomes clear only with an examination and once the week of pregnancy has been established precisely. Taking a tissue sample from inside the womb for diagnosis is a separate subject — see [Diagnostic Curettage](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/tanisal-kuretaj/). ## What is abortion? Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy inside the womb and the emptying of the womb. In everyday speech in Türkiye the word is used for two different situations: **elective termination of pregnancy** and **emptying the womb after a pregnancy loss (miscarriage)**. This page explains the first one first and the second at the very end. Taking a tissue sample from inside the womb for diagnosis is a separate procedure (diagnostic curettage). ## The legal framework in Türkiye Elective termination of pregnancy (commonly called **abortion**) is governed in Türkiye by **Law no. 2827 on Population Planning**. The law sets out two things: a **time limit** and **consent requirements**. ### Time limit: 10 weeks Under the law the womb may be evacuated **on request**, **until the 10th week of pregnancy is complete**, provided there is no medical objection in terms of the mother's health. **How the week is counted matters.** The week of pregnancy is counted from the last menstrual period and **confirmed by ultrasound**. Because a calculation based on the last period can be wrong, near the limit it is the ultrasound that determines the week — see [Pregnancy Due Date Calculator](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/gebelik-haftasi-hesaplama/). ### After 10 weeks If the pregnancy is past 10 weeks, **termination on request is not possible.** After that point the law allows evacuation in only two situations: - The pregnancy **threatens, or would threaten, the mother's life** - It would cause **severe disability** for the child to be born and for the generations that follow In these situations **reports from two separate specialists** are required: an **obstetrician and gynaecologist** and a **specialist in the relevant field**. The law requires those reports to be **reasoned and based on objective findings** — the decision is not made at the patient's request. ### Emergencies In emergencies where a failure to intervene immediately **threatens life or one of the vital organs**, the authorised doctor who establishes the situation carries out the necessary intervention and evacuates the womb. Here the law also places a **duty to notify** on the doctor: notification must be given to the relevant provincial health directorate before the intervention or, where that is not possible, **within 24 hours at the latest**. ### Whose consent is required? The consent rules are set out in article 6 of the law: - **An adult:** the pregnant woman's own consent is required. - **Minors:** **both the minor's own consent and the guardian's permission** are required. The guardian's permission alone is not enough. - **People under guardianship who are not adults or not of sound judgement:** the consent of the person and of the guardian is required **together with the permission of the magistrate**. - For a pregnant woman **who does not have freedom of consciousness because of mental disability**, her own consent is not sought. **Spousal consent — a commonly misunderstood point.** Where the person whose consent is sought **is married, the law also requires the spouse's consent**. That condition applies to **elective termination within 10 weeks**. A termination carried out after 10 weeks for medical necessity does not fall within the scope of that provision. In addition, in emergencies where obtaining permission from the guardian or the magistrate **would take time** and a failure to intervene immediately threatens life, **the permission requirement does not apply.** ### Where, and by whom The law states that termination of pregnancy is carried out **under the supervision and inspection of the State**, and adds that **a pregnancy may not be terminated other than in the circumstances the law provides for.** The places where the procedure may be performed, the health conditions those places must meet and their inspection are set out in a separate regulation. **This section describes the law, not a service offered here.** It sets out the legal framework in force. How your own situation fits that framework is determined by establishing the week of pregnancy with ultrasound and by examination; please consult your doctor. ## Before an abortion: what is done? The aim of the assessment before the procedure is to confirm that it can be carried out safely and within the legal limits. At the practice in Muratpaşa, Antalya, these steps are also followed according to the same guidelines: - **Ultrasound:** the week of pregnancy is confirmed, and it is confirmed that the pregnancy is **inside the womb**. A pregnancy that settles outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy) is not treated by vacuum; it needs a different approach — see [Ectopic Pregnancy](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/dis-gebelik/). - **Blood tests:** the necessary tests, including blood group, are done. - **Information:** the method, the anaesthesia options, the expected pain and bleeding, the possible risks and what to look out for after the procedure are discussed. The guidelines ask that this information be given **without steering** the person, in a way that allows them to make their own decision. - **Contraception:** for those who want it, the methods that can be used after the procedure are explained in advance; some methods can be started on the same day as the procedure (see below). You can change your decision **until the procedure begins**. **If your blood group is Rh negative:** whether a protective injection (anti-D) is needed is assessed. The current NICE guideline (2025 update), following the World Health Organization's recommendation, advises that this injection should not be given routinely for procedures carried out **up to the end of the 11th week**. Please consult your doctor about your own situation. ## How is an abortion done? (vacuum method) Guidelines describe two ways of ending a pregnancy: **with medicines** and **surgically**. Both suitable routes should be explained to the person, and the choice should be made on an informed basis. In the surgical method, the technique used in the early weeks is **vacuum aspiration (emptying by suction)**: the pregnancy is removed through the neck of the womb (cervix) with a thin cannula (flexible tube), using gentle suction. No incision (cut) is made. 1. **Preparing the neck of the womb:** for surgical procedures before 14 weeks, a medicine that softens the neck of the womb is recommended shortly before the procedure. This makes it easier to open the neck of the womb and, in those who have given birth before, reduces the risk of incomplete emptying. It may cause light bleeding and cramps before the procedure. 2. **Preventing infection:** a preventive antibiotic is recommended for the surgical procedure. 3. **Anaesthesia:** numbing or sedation is given according to the chosen option (see below). 4. **Emptying:** the neck of the womb is widened as much as needed and the inside of the womb is emptied by vacuum. This stage usually takes **5–10 minutes**. 5. **Rest and going home:** after a short period of observation you usually go home **the same day**. The names and doses of the medicines are deliberately not given on this page; they are prescription medicines used under a doctor's supervision. ## Anaesthesia: general or local? The answer to the question "Is general anaesthesia given for an abortion?" is: **it is one of the options, not the only one.** The NICE guideline lists four options for the surgical procedure and asks that each of them be discussed with the person: - **Local anaesthesia only (numbing the area):** the area around the neck of the womb is numbed and the person is awake. The time spent at the health facility is shorter. - **Conscious sedation (light sleep) + local anaesthesia:** with a calming medicine given into a vein, the person is awake but relaxed; this is helpful for those who feel anxious about the procedure. - **Deep sedation** or **general anaesthesia (being fully asleep):** the person usually remembers nothing of the procedure. **If you have had general anaesthesia or sedation,** you are advised not to drive that day and to have someone with you for the next 24 hours. ## After an abortion: what happens? - **Cramps and pain:** there may be cramps similar to period pain, which can last a few days. Painkillers recommended by your doctor can be used. - **Bleeding:** vaginal bleeding can last **a few weeks**. Using pads rather than tampons is recommended, so that the amount of bleeding can be monitored. - **Daily life:** you can shower as usual. You can return to sex when you feel ready. - **Feelings:** it is common to experience a range of feelings after the procedure. If you need support, do not hesitate to say so. ### Contraception and getting pregnant again It is **possible to become pregnant again** straight after the procedure, so it is recommended that contraception is started straight away to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. According to the guideline, all contraceptive methods can be started on **the same day** as the procedure: the implant (a small rod under the skin) can be fitted the same day, and an **intrauterine device (coil)** can be inserted in the same session as the surgical procedure. For more detail see [our articles on contraceptive methods](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/). ## When should you seek help straight away? If any of the following happens after the procedure, go to a health facility without delay: - **Heavy bleeding** (this is an emergency) - **Pain or bleeding that does not ease** within a few days - **Pregnancy symptoms still continuing** after about a week - **Signs of infection:** fever, feeling as if you have flu, foul-smelling or unusual discharge ## Risks and future pregnancy An abortion carried out with a suitable method is **generally a safe** procedure; but like every medical procedure it carries risks, and the risk **increases as the pregnancy advances**. Possible complications (unwanted outcomes): - Pregnancy tissue remaining in the womb, so that the procedure has to be repeated - Heavy bleeding - Damage to the womb or the neck of the womb - Infection; untreated infection of the womb can rarely cause pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of the womb and tubes) **Does it cause infertility?** The NICE guideline states that abortion is **not associated with an increased risk of infertility, breast cancer or mental health problems**. After a procedure without complications, the chance of becoming pregnant returns to the level it was at before. The main thing that raises the risk is untreated infection, which is why the symptoms above should be taken seriously. ## What does the overall expense of an abortion depend on? Under the rules on advertising health services, no figures are given on this page. The main factors that determine the overall expense are: - **The week of pregnancy** and the ultrasound findings - **The type of anaesthesia:** local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia - The **tests** needed before the procedure (blood group and other tests) - The **follow-up examination** after the procedure and, if chosen, a contraceptive method started on the same day Information about your own situation becomes clear after an examination. ## Emptying the womb after a pregnancy loss The section that follows describes **a different subject**: the emptying of the womb once a pregnancy loss has been confirmed. This is not an elective termination but the management of **a pregnancy that has already ended**. ## The three options When a pregnancy loss is confirmed there are three ways for the womb to empty: **waiting, medical treatment and surgery.** Guidelines require that all three be discussed and that the choice be made, on an informed basis, **by the person themselves**. ### 1. Waiting (expectant management) In a confirmed pregnancy loss, **the approach recommended first is to wait 7–14 days.** The guideline also states that **most women need no other treatment.** But waiting is not appropriate in every situation. In the following situations **the other options should be considered**: - **A high risk of bleeding** — for example being towards the end of the first trimester - **A previous negative or traumatic experience** relating to pregnancy — such as stillbirth, miscarriage or bleeding before birth - **Being vulnerable to the effects of bleeding** — such as having a clotting disorder or not being able to receive a blood transfusion - Signs of **infection** If waiting does not feel right for you, **medical treatment is recommended** — you do not have to wait simply because it comes first. #### What happens while waiting? - You should be given verbal and written information about how the process will unfold, the use of painkillers and **where and when to seek help in an emergency**. - If the bleeding and pain settling suggests that the process is complete, you are given **a urine pregnancy test to do at home 3 weeks later**. If the test is positive you are asked to be seen for individual assessment. - If at the end of the period the bleeding and pain **have not started at all** (the process may not have begun) or are **continuing or increasing** (it may be an incomplete miscarriage), **the ultrasound is repeated** and the three options are discussed again. - If you choose to go on waiting, your situation is reassessed at least 14 days after the first check. ### 2. Medical treatment If waiting is not appropriate or acceptable, medical treatment is recommended. The approach differs according to the type of pregnancy loss: - **Where the pregnancy has stopped but the miscarriage has not started:** two medicines are used — the second is given **48 hours after** the first. If the pregnancy sac has already passed, this treatment is not needed. - **In an incomplete miscarriage:** **a single medicine** is used as a single dose. The guideline states plainly that in this situation the first medicine (used in the other situation) **should not be given**. The names and doses of these medicines are deliberately not given on this page. **They are prescription medicines used under a doctor's supervision** and are not appropriate for self-administration. The guideline also notes that some of these uses are **outside the licence**. #### What you need to know about medical treatment - **Painkillers and anti-sickness** medicines are given as needed. - You should be told how long the process will take, **how much and how heavy the bleeding** will be, the possible side effects such as pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, and when and how to ask for help. - If bleeding **does not start within 48 hours** of the second medicine, you need to tell your health service. - **A urine pregnancy test is done at home 3 weeks later.** If it is positive, assessment is needed to rule out pregnancy tissue remaining in the womb, a molar pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy. - If the test is negative but **heavy bleeding continues**, or there are other symptoms such as pelvic pain or fever, assessment is again needed. ### 3. Surgery Where surgery is appropriate, the guideline requires that the person be offered **a choice between two options**: - Manual vacuum aspiration carried out **under local anaesthesia, in outpatient or clinic conditions** - A surgical procedure carried out **under general anaesthesia in an operating theatre** In both cases **verbal and written information should be given** about the treatment options and what to expect during and after the procedure. ## If there is bleeding but the pregnancy is continuing Bleeding in a pregnancy inside the womb in which a heartbeat is seen does not always mean a miscarriage. The guideline's recommendations: - In those who **have not had a miscarriage before**: if the bleeding increases or **lasts more than 14 days**, they should be seen for reassessment; if the bleeding stops, routine antenatal care continues. - In those who **have had a miscarriage before**: **micronised progesterone** by the vaginal route is recommended. If a heartbeat is confirmed it is continued **until week 16 of pregnancy is completed**. **With any surgical procedure, results vary from person to person.** You are advised to discuss the procedure with your doctor in detail beforehand. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Up to how many weeks can an abortion be carried out in Türkiye? Under Law no. 2827 on Population Planning it can be carried out on request **until the 10th week of pregnancy is complete**, provided there is no medical objection in terms of the mother's health. **After 10 weeks it cannot be carried out on request**; after that point it is considered only where the pregnancy threatens the mother's life or where severe disability for the child to be born is involved, with reasoned reports from two specialists. The week is established precisely **by ultrasound**. ### How is an abortion done, and how long does it take? In the early weeks the surgical method is **vacuum aspiration (emptying by suction)**: the pregnancy is removed through the neck of the womb with a thin tube, without any incision. The emptying stage usually takes **5–10 minutes**, and after a short rest you usually go home the same day. Beforehand, a medicine that softens the neck of the womb and a preventive antibiotic are recommended. ### Is general anaesthesia given for an abortion? General anaesthesia is one of the options, but not the only one. The NICE guideline lists four options: **local anaesthesia only**, **conscious sedation (light sleep) with local anaesthesia**, **deep sedation** and **general anaesthesia**. Which one suits you is discussed at the examination. After general anaesthesia or sedation you should not drive that day. ### How long does bleeding last after an abortion? Bleeding can last **a few weeks**; in the first days there may also be cramps similar to period pain. Using pads is recommended so that the amount can be monitored. If there is **heavy bleeding**, pain or bleeding that does not ease within a few days, fever or foul-smelling discharge, seek help without delay. ### When can you get pregnant after an abortion? It is **possible** to get pregnant again straight after the procedure. For this reason it is recommended that contraception is started straight away to prevent an unwanted pregnancy; contraceptive methods can be started on the same day as the procedure, and a coil can be inserted in the same session as the surgical procedure. ### Does abortion cause infertility? According to the NICE guideline, abortion is **not associated with an increased risk of infertility, breast cancer or mental health problems**; after a procedure without complications, the chance of becoming pregnant returns to its previous level. The main thing that can cause problems later is untreated infection, which is why symptoms such as fever and unusual discharge should be taken seriously. ### What does the overall expense of an abortion depend on? Under the regulations, no figures are given on this page. The main factors that determine the expense are the week of pregnancy, the type of anaesthesia (local, sedation or general anaesthesia), the tests needed before the procedure and the follow-up examination. Information about your own situation becomes clear after an examination. ### If I am married, is my spouse's consent required? Where the person whose consent is sought is married, the law also requires **the spouse's consent**. However, this condition applies to **elective termination within 10 weeks**; a termination carried out after 10 weeks for medical necessity does not fall within the scope of that provision. In addition, in life-threatening emergencies the permission requirement does not apply. ### What is the rule for those under 18? This is a commonly misunderstood point: for minors, **both the minor's own consent and the guardian's permission** are required — the guardian's permission alone is not enough. For people under guardianship who are not adults or not of sound judgement, the consent of the person and of the guardian is required together with **the permission of the magistrate**. ### Is curettage needed straight away after a pregnancy loss? No. **The approach guidelines recommend first is to wait 7–14 days**, and **most women need no other treatment.** Surgery is only one of three options; you decide, on an informed basis, which is used. ### Might waiting not be right for me? Yes, in some situations the other options should be considered: **a high risk of bleeding** (for example being towards the end of the first trimester), a previous **negative or traumatic experience** relating to pregnancy (stillbirth, miscarriage, bleeding before birth), **a clotting disorder** or not being able to receive a blood transfusion, and signs of **infection**. ### I do not want to wait — what happens then? If waiting does not feel right for you, **medical treatment is recommended.** An approach coming first in a guideline does not mean you have to accept it — all three options should be discussed with you and the choice should be yours. ### What should I expect with medical treatment? Where the pregnancy has stopped but the miscarriage has not started, two medicines are used; the second is given **48 hours after** the first. In an incomplete miscarriage a single medicine is given as a single dose. You are given painkillers and anti-sickness medicine; the duration and heaviness of the bleeding and possible side effects such as pain, diarrhoea and vomiting should be explained beforehand. **If bleeding does not start within 48 hours of the second medicine**, tell your health service. ### Why are the names and doses of the medicines not given? They are **prescription medicines used under a doctor's supervision** and are not appropriate for self-administration; for this reason no dose information is given on this page. The guideline also notes that some of these uses are **outside the licence**. The appropriate medicine and dose are decided by your doctor according to your situation. ### If surgery is needed, will I have to have a general anaesthetic? No, options should be offered. The guideline requires that a choice be offered between two options: **manual vacuum aspiration (drawing out by suction) under local anaesthesia, in outpatient or clinic conditions**, or a surgical procedure **under general anaesthesia in an operating theatre**. ### When is a check needed after the procedure? After both waiting and medical treatment, **a urine pregnancy test is done at home 3 weeks later**. If the test is positive you need to be seen, to rule out pregnancy tissue remaining in the womb, a molar pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy. If the test is negative but heavy bleeding continues, or there are symptoms such as pelvic pain or fever, assessment is again needed. ### My pregnancy is continuing but I am bleeding — am I miscarrying? Bleeding in a pregnancy inside the womb in which a heartbeat is seen does not always mean a miscarriage. If you have not had a miscarriage before: if the bleeding increases or **lasts more than 14 days**, reassessment is needed; if it stops, routine antenatal care continues. If you have had a miscarriage before, **micronised progesterone** by the vaginal route is recommended and, if a heartbeat is confirmed, continued **until week 16 of pregnancy is completed**. ## Sources 1. Law no. 2827 on Population Planning (adopted 24/5/1983, Official Gazette 27/5/1983, No. 18059) — Articles 2, 5 and 6. The time limit for termination of pregnancy, the specialist reports required after 10 weeks, intervention in emergencies and the 24-hour duty to notify, and the consent and permission requirements. Text verified via mevzuat.gov.tr. 2. NICE Guideline NG126 — Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage: diagnosis and initial management. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Section 1.5 (Management of miscarriage): expectant, medical and surgical options, the recommendation on progesterone in threatened miscarriage, and the follow-up protocol. 3. NICE Guideline NG140 — Abortion care (2019; anti-D recommendation updated in 2025). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Recommendations 1.2 (information; no association with infertility, breast cancer or mental health risk), 1.3 (anti-D), 1.4 (preventing infection), 1.6 (choice of method), 1.12 (preparing the neck of the womb), 1.13 (anaesthesia and sedation), 1.14 (follow-up and support), 1.15 (same-day contraception). Read via nice.org.uk. 4. NHS — Abortion: How an abortion is done; Preparing for an abortion; Recovery after an abortion; Complications of an abortion (last reviewed 5 December 2024). Duration of the procedure, going home, bleeding and cramps after the procedure, symptoms that need medical attention, and complications. Read via nhs.uk. The information on this page is based on the national and international guidelines listed above. The page is reviewed whenever those guidelines are updated. ## Practice and Contact Details The information on this page is general. Please speak to your doctor about your own situation. - **Doctor**Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology - **Address**Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya - **Telephone**0505 351 77 88 - **Hours**Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday [← All treatments](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/) --- Original page: https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/kurtaj/ Last updated: 2026-09-29 Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya 0505 351 77 88 · Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday *This information is for general guidance only and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment.*