delayed and late abortion

At Marie Stopes, we believe that every woman has the right to control her own fertility and has the right to access safe, legal abortion services and support.

We offer pregnancy termination services at all gestations in accordance with the law in each State and Territory including access to a specialised termination procedure for women who, for a variety of reasons, may require a safe, surgical abortion post 24 weeks.

Are you a GP looking for information on abortion services post 24 weeks? Please see information below.

The vast majority of terminations performed in Australia are done so within the first trimester. However, there are a small number of women who, for a range of very personal reasons, require access to termination services in the second trimester and beyond.  Each woman’s circumstances are unique and compelling and we understand that it is not a decision any women take lightly, nor is it unconsidered.

Women who have delayed or late abortions are generally experiencing one of the following situations:

• They have been diagnosed with a foetal abnormality
• There has been a failure to recognise or diagnose the pregnancy earlier
• There has been a catastrophic change in their circumstances
• They have experienced difficulty or barriers in accessing abortion services at an earlier gestation

Our specialist team located in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs are experienced in all these situations and understand the very difficult situation that some women find themselves in. 

At Marie Stopes we believe that women wishing to access delayed or late abortion services should be given the very best medical treatment and personal support during this often difficult time and Marie Stopes’ team offers this environment along with non-judgemental, personalised and compassionate care.

The procedure provided through Marie Stopes is a surgical procedure performed under IV sedation.  This offers women an alternative choice to the process of an induced early labour which is available under specific circumstances at some public hospitals.

The procedure is availble to all women around the world with the service taking place in Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria.

Should you wish to learn more about delayed / late abortion or access delayed / late abortion services through Marie Stopes simply call our freecall 1800 003 707 (Australian callers) or +61 (0) 408 520 562 (after 8pm Australian Eastern Standard Time or if you are an overseas caller).

If you would like to learn more about women and abortion in Australia, including the different circumstances and reasons as to why women access abortion at any stage during their pregnancy please read our ‘Women and Abortion’ brochure.


Are you a General Practitioner with a patient who wishes to access delayed or late abortion services?

If you are a Doctor with a patient who is seeking termination post 24 weeks this procedure is only available in Victoria under legislation introduced in 2008 in Victoria* 

Please call us on 1800 003 707 (Australian callers) or +61 (0) 3 9724 9377 (after 8pm Australian Eastern Standard Time or if you are an overseas caller) to discuss options and referral requirements with our delayed abortion specialist.



*Following the Abortion Law Reform Act 2008, a registered medical practitioner may perform a termination on a woman who is more than 24 weeks pregnant if that practitioner reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in the circumstances and has consulted at least one other medical practitioner who also reasonably believes that it is appropriate.  When considering the appropriateness of an abortion the doctor must have regard to all the relevant medical circumstances and the woman’s current and future physical, psychological and social circumstances.