What To Do When You Need To Get An Abortion In Asia
Sometimes, we can get ourselves into trouble whilst travelling. Things can happen that we most certainly didn’t plan and then we need help. Becoming pregnant whilst travelling isn’t on everyone’s bucket list. It wasn’t on mine and still isn’t…but I’ve been there. It happened to me. I made the decision to have an abortion. Being a solo female traveller, in a country which isn’t my home and not having anyone with me: that’s tough. Read on for invaluable information on where to get an abortion in Asia and my personal story.
Where To Get An Abortion In Asia
Where can I get an abortion in Asia?
I have put together your abortion options in every country in Asia. Use the search box to find your country. This resource includes countries which are considered to be a part of Asia and Europe. All information is current (October 2016) and will be updated regularly. Please note: Misoprostol and Mifepristone are 2 medicines which can be used to carry out an abortion yourself. They are listed throughout this resource as the best and safest alternative in countries where services are illegal or limited. You can find out more about these below the table.
| Country | Is abortion legal here? | Are there any exceptions? | Where can I go? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No | Yes: to save the woman's life | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Armenia | Yes: within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy | / | You can find help here |
| Azerbaijan | Yes: within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy | / | You can find help here |
| Bahrain | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| Bangladesh | Technically no but MR is permitted up to 9 weeks of pregnancy | Yes: to save the woman's life and MR is available | You can find help here |
| Bhutan | No | Yes: in the case of rape, incest, mental health risks or to save the woman's life | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Brunei | No | Yes: to save the woman's life | www.womenonweb.org |
| Cambodia | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| China | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| Cyprus | Technically no but Misoprostol is available | Yes: in the case of rape, incest, mental health risks or to save the woman's life | You can find help here |
| Georgia | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| India | Technically yes but there are restrictions. Find out more here | Misoprostol and Mifepristone are widely available in the pharmacy | You can find help here |
| Indonesia | Technically yes but there are tight restrictions: Find out more here | Misoprostol is available | You can find help here |
| Iran | No | Yes: to save the woman's life. Misoprostol is registered here. It is available in pharmacies with a prescription. | You can find help here |
| Iraq | No | Yes: to save a woman's life. Misoprostol is registered here but very hard to get without a prescription | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Israel | Yes but you have to submit a request for approval. Find out more here. | / | You can find help here |
| Japan | Yes but there are some problems: surgical abortion procedures can be outdated / Mifepristone is not registered in Japan | Misoprostol is available in the pharmacy | You can find help here |
| Jordan | No | Yes: to save the woman's life or preserve her physical/mental health. Misoprostol is registered as Cytotec but it is difficult to get | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Kazakhstan | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| Kuwait | Technically yes but there are restrictions | Abortion is only permitted to save the life of the woman, preserve her physical/mental health or if there is foetal impairment | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Kyrgyzstan | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| Laos | No | Yes: to save the woman's life | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Lebanon | No | Yes: to save the women's life. Misoprostol is available as brand names Cytotec and Arthtotec | You can find help here |
| Malaysia | No | Yes: to save the woman's life and preserve her physical and mental health. Misoprostol is approved as 'Cyotec' but is difficult to access | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Maldives | No | Yes: only for certified medical reasons. Find out more here. | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Mongolia | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| Myanmar (Burma) | No | Yes: to save the woman's life. Misoprostol is available under the brand name Misoprost and Cytopan | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Nepal | Yes | / | You can find help here |
| North Korea | Yes | / | It has been reported that abortion is performed at provincial maternity hospitals free of charge |
| Oman | No | Yes: to save the woman's life | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Pakistan | Technically no but Misoprostol is available | Yes: to save the woman's life / preserve her physical and mental health / in case of rape. Misoprostol is registered and available under the brand names Cytopan, Miso, ST Mom® | You can find help here |
| Palestine | No: it's severely restricted | / | A private clinic may be able to help otherwise go to www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Philippines | No | Yes: to save the woman's life but law does not state this explicitly. Misoprostol is registered but difficult to obtain | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills OR buy Nordette pills over the counter (take 4 within 150 hours of having sex then 4 more 12 hours after the initial dose) |
| Qatar | No | Yes: to save the woman's life / preserve her physical & mental health / for foetal impairment | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Russia | Yes | Abortion medicines Mifepristone and Misoprostol are available in the pharmacy. Brand names for mifeprostone are: gynepriston, gynestril, myfegyn, mifepristone. Brand names for misoprostol are mirolut | You can find help here |
| Saudi Arabia | No | Yes: to save the woman's life / preserve her physical & mental health | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Singapore | Yes but there are some restrictions. Find out more here. | / | You can find help here |
| South Korea | No | Yes: find out more here | Misoprostol is registered as Cytotec, Alsoben, Misel, Sintec, Gastotec, Cystol, Gastec, Cirotec, Gistol, Misoplus. You can go to www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Sri Lanka | No | Yes: to save the woman's life. Misoprostol is available under the brand name Keshimiso but difficult to get | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Syria | No | Misoprostol is available in the pharmacies as cytotec | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Taiwan | Yes but there are restrictions. Find out more here. | / | You can find help here |
| Tajikistan | Yes: in the first 12 weeks | Abortion is also possible after 12 weeks: Find out more here. | Abortions are available in hospitals. Speak to a doctor. |
| Thailand | No (but there is help in Bangkok!) | Yes: in the case of rape, to preserve mental health and if there is fetal impairment. In Bangkok, abortion is available for all situations | Cabbages and Condoms |
| Timor-Leste | No | Yes: to save the life of the woman. You can get Miso (generally Pfizer Cytotec) at most pharmacies in Dili, (the capital of Timor Leste) | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Turkey | Yes: up to 10 weeks of pregnancy | Abortion services appear unreliable | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Turkmenistan | Yes: up to 12 weeks of pregnancy | From 12 - 28 weeks it is available on judicial, genetic, vital, broad medical and social grounds | Abortions are available in hospitals. Speak to a doctor. |
| United Arab Emirates | No | Yes: to save the woman's life. Misoprostol is registered under the brand names Arthrotec and Cytotec, but it is not easily available. | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
| Uzbekistan | Yes: up to 12 weeks | After 12 weeks abortion is possible on medical and social grounds | You can find help here |
| Vietnam | Yes | Misoprostol is under the brand names Alsoben and Misoprostol Strada. Mifespristone is available as Mifestad 200 and Nopreg pil | You can find help here |
| Yemen | No | Yes: to save the woman's life. Misoprostol is available in pharmacies under the brand name Cytotec | www.womenonweb.org to obtain abortion pills |
Want Something More Visual?
World Abortion Laws have made an excellent interactive map which you may find very useful.
If abortion is illegal or limited in your current country
You can still get help. There is a good chance you can obtain two key medicines at the pharmacy: Misoprostrol (Cytotec, Arthrotec, Oxaprost, Cyprostol, Mibetec, Prostokos or Misotrol) and Mifepristone (the abortion pill, RU 486, Mifegyn, Mifeprex). Up to 12 weeks of being pregnant, taking this medicine is the most successful and safest way you can carry out an abortion yourself. Click here to find out more and gain excellent support.
What are the best abortion in Asia Services?
I don’t know what I would have done without these guys. They provide a full range of quality reproductive and sexual health services. They provide access to safe abortion services where it’s legal and post abortion care.
The most comprehensive, amazing website ever. They have a safe online medical abortion service and abortion information for each country. They helped me immensely with this post. Women on Waves: you rock.
A sister organisation of women on waves. Another comprehensive and amazing website which can help you get abortion pills online. It is an excellent source of support and information. Yet again: they rock.
Can I talk to anyone?
A time like this is incredibly difficult, regardless of whether you are sure about your decision or not. Sharing this situation with others can help you think, plan, manage and feel supported. This may be your best friend, your mother or a supportive phone call to an organisation. If you want to get in touch and talk things through, these guys can help. If you don’t want to talk, that’s totally OK too. Do what you feel is best.
My personal story of abortion in Asia
I carried on as normal, exploring the temple ruins in Siem Reap Cambodia but had been to the clinic just the day before
I found out I could be pregnant over a bowl of noodles. I was eating with a French chick I’d met earlier that day and eagerly tucking into my second helping. As I shoved the long threads into my mouth she exclaimed, ‘Are you eating for two or something?’ Part of me thought she was super slim and I was just shamelessly eating but when I got back to my hostel that night, I realised I was late.
At the time, I was soaring through the north of Thailand on a motorbike. I wasn’t too concerned and told myself that travelling was just throwing my womb off and not to worry. A couple of days later I went to eat noodles again in another town. This time, for some reason, no one would serve me. I was the only white person there, my Thai was pretty much non-existent and people just looked right through me. I got upset. Really upset. I just cried and cried on the pavement until a local man saw me and demanded a seller feed me the noodles. What was always easy whilst travelling was suddenly getting harder.
I drove through the north for rest of the week. My back hurt. I kept switching between telling myself that it was period cramps and then that I was pregnant. I was a volatile yo-yo and began driving faster out of pure frustration and fear. I went to temples a lot. I prayed and begged like a broken record that I would be OK. Me and Buddha were good friends that week.
I finally got close to a place where I could buy a pregnancy test. I took it and the cold truth was revealed. I can’t really say how I felt. In fact, I felt nothing. I just instantly went into robot mode. I have never wanted children, I tell people that I’m too selfish to have children. I want to be travelling until I pop my clogs. It’s hard enough trying to travel with a boyfriend (if I ever meet him), let alone a child. It sounds crazy to say it but it pained me that I couldn’t take my planned flight to Myanmar: No abortion services there.
Instead, I told the father, researched my options and booked a flight to Cambodia, Siem Reap. I made an appointment with Marie Stopes and holed myself up in a hotel feeling terrible. I had to have an ultrasound and hear the nurse ‘congratulate’ me. I opted for a medical abortion as I was 3 weeks pregnant. I swallowed those pills and just waited. I had heard horror stories of the process being extremely painful but it wasn’t.
The worst part was that I just kept on going. I toured all the temples, carried on around the country for a month on a motorbike, headed to Vietnam for 3 months. I didn’t regret my decision, I was absolutely relieved but it was incredibly hard nonetheless. I would wake up and realise that I could be pregnant but wasn’t. It really hit me in Vietnam about 2 months later what had actually happened. It was eventually after a year that I couldn’t do it any more and had to go back to England for some respite.
When I did tell people what had happened, the response was unfortunately pretty negative. People couldn’t understand: ‘You must have caught something’ / ‘How could you do that to yourself?’ / ‘You’re stupid’ / ‘You weren’t careful at all’. Men particularly were not empathetic. Part of me gets it. It’s a difficult thing to respond to when someone tells you they were pregnant but decided to have an abortion. People just don’t talk about it enough. That’s why I wanted to write this post and give as much information as possible if you find yourself in a similar situation. Do what it right for you and make the most of the support that is available.
Update on my abortion in Asia story
Firstly, I want to thank everyone for your comments and support. It is very much appreciated – even if you disagree with me. It’s nearly a year since this post was published and I can tell you all that this resource is visited and accessed every day by men and women from many different countries. I hope it is providing you with valuable information and support and that you find the answers you came here looking for.
The Daily Mail, News.com.au, Matador and Huffpost kindly asked me to speak more about my abortion in Asia. If you’re interested in finding out even more about it and what I have to say, make sure to check out the articles.
I also want to thank Marie Stopes Cambodia again for everything they did for me. You can email them at hotline@mariestopes.org.kh or contact them on +85512 999 002 / +855 98 999 102.
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Thank you for sharing your story! It’s very brave and helpful for women who are in a similar situation, like myself. It was comforting for me to find a good source of information in a moment where I was completely in panic. However, I ended up going for a different solution than the ones you described, and I’d like to share that with you, as it maybe helpful for others too. While living in Indonesia I figured out I got pregnant and figured out I couldn’t do an abortion here. I really wasn’t comfortable with flying to Cambodia or Bangkok over the weekend, dealing with people who hardly speak English, and i was already looking for flights back home to get it done in my home country. Then I ran into this organization called Women on Web, which is basically a site that provides abortions for women in countries where it’s illegal. The procedure is rather straight forward: You donate 90$, fill in a short questionnaire about how long you’re pregnant and a doctor will send you abortion pills. Mine came from India and it took about 1,5 week from the moment of ordering until they arrived. So I assume when you’re travelling, make sure that you stay in one place and have a fixed address where your package can arrive. Then you take the pills (they suggest having someone by your side during the procedure), and a couple of hours later it happened. I felt a lot more comfortable doing it in my own home than going to a strange doctor, and the whole process felt a lot more natural. I didn’t have to deal with doctors congratulating me and the organization provides a lot of information that guides you through your abortion, so I felt very safe. I’m not saying this is the only solution, some people might feel more comfort in a clinic, but for women who don’t want to fly around and feel strong enough that they can do it themselves, I would suggest this solution. Hope my story helps other women..
Hi Anna. Women on Web are fantastic and I highly recommend them in the article. I’m really happy to hear that they helped you. My close friends have also told me that they have used their services and felt comforted by their support. I do want to stress that Marie Stopes were excellent too and are there if you need them <3
Hey Alice, thank you for sharing this. I really need your help. I am now working overseas in hanoi, vietnam. And my working contract is one year. But I didn’t realised that I’m pregnant when left my country. Now i am so lost and hopeless. This months could be my 4th month of pregnancy. Can u please help me
Hello Lucy. Have you made contact with Marie Stopes? I believe they can help you. If you haven’t already been in contact with them, you can find all the information you need here: https://mariestopes.org/. Wishing you the best of luck.
Hello Anna,
I’m in Indonesia as well and customs will not let the pills through, and they told me it’s illegal to get medicines by mail in this country. Ive read your testimony and I was sure the same would happen to me, but after 20 days I got the letter from customs which I thought it would be to pay import duties, but in the offices they refused to give me the pills.
Where in Indonesia were you? Thanks for sharing your story :)
Hi..I am thankful that i’ve found this.I just found out that I am pregnant and I can’t have a baby yet and I am not ready. I will fly to Georgia but I can’t find any clinic that can do it for me.all of your help would be appreciated. WE are lost right now and we don’t know where to begin.
Thank you.
Hi Annie. I hope that you have found some possible resolution whilst awaiting my reply. Abortion is legal in Georgia. Start here to find out more information. Wishing you a smooth process as much as is possible.
Hello i am at lost as well. I am 7 weeks and trying to find a clinic in georgia any chance you found one? Thanks
Hi there I would just like to say thank you so much for sharing your story and to your page that details where to get help. You are very brave. one week ago I found out I was pregnant. I was in thailand at the time and booked a bus to Cambodia the next day. The day after I made an appointment with marie stopes and had my visit that afternoon. I took the 2nd pill yesterday and i am sure it has passed but to be confirmed 2 weeks later. I was scared but your post gave me hope and also the information on what to do. I really don’t know what I would have done without this. It’s a sticky situation to get into but we live and learn. I’m not going to lie the cramps were bad as I was nearly 7 weeks gone but it was manageable. Everything else was fine and the service I received from marie stopes was great they made me feel relaxed and fine about everything. Thank you again.
How much did it cost you and how long did you stay there?
I’m afraid I can’t remember the cost but it was minimal (I’m talking under $10). I had to go for an initial consultation – this included an ultra-scan to confirm I was pregnant and some counselling on what I wanted to do. All of this took about an hour. After that, I went back the next day to take the first dose of the medicine and could then leave to take the rest in the room I was staying in that day. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask.
This isn’t the type of post you read everyday so it’s great that you have been so open and shared your story! I’m sure this will be a big help to anyone who is ever in the same situation as you. I can’t imagine being on the road and having to go through what you did with all your friends and family at home, but I’m glad to know that there are some great organisations out there! X
Thank you for your support Fiona
Incredibly useful information — thank you. I have an experience to share.
I went to Thailand from Indonesia & visited the PDA clinic next to Cabbages and Condoms yesterday. My ultrasound was 400 baht (between $11-$12). The procedure was 3100 baht (just under $89) — done the same day. I was rather taken aback at how quickly the visit went. I walked into the clinic around 2pm and expected to make an appointment. I was immediately sent to the ultrasound room. Then sent upstairs for a consult and, later, the procedure. I was finished by 4pm. I was not offered a medical termination (pills) — only offered surgical… even though I was at 6 weeks. I was not given an explanation for this. “No injection, no anesthesia” the woman informed me during the consult — so no sedation/no pain management. I agreed. The staff spoke minimal English, but were all friendly and helpful. I was escorted through several doors with 3 other (Thai) girls. I was handed an instruction sheet in English, while the others received information in Thai from the nurse (although she spoke some English to me). All 4 of us women were given a yellow pill (“for pain” — although there was certainly not enough time for the pill to be effective prior to the procedure. It was intended for managing the cramping afterward). All 4 of us went to separate rooms. There were two different nurses in the procedure room — very, very little English… but incredibly friendly. Held my hand. The doctor (male) spoke English, although most of his words were, “Relax” and “Breathe” and “Almost finish”… The entire procedure was perhaps 2 or 3 minutes long, but I felt every moment of it. Did I feel like I was going to pass out? Yes. Did I grit my teeth and bear it? Yes. Am I traumatized? No, although I believe that I was in a bit of shock immediately afterward. Mind you, I am writing this less than a day later…
After the procedure was over, the nurse gave me a maxi pad (literally put it in my crotch and instructed me to hold it) as she walked me back to the “recovery” room. I laid down in the fetal position, in tremendous pain from the cramping. I did not feel well and wondered if I would vomit my lunch. The other girls were also in the room — our individual beds divided by privacy screens/sheeting. The nurse brought green tea to drink, which I thought was somehow amusing, but realized the little sugar in the tea was needed. We were all given an antibiotic to start later in the day (for 5 days), paracetamol if needed, and a multivitamin. I was given instructions on who to call in case of an emergency (24 hour number) and her number (since she spoke English). After perhaps 15 minutes, we were asked to get dressed and go downstairs to receive free birth control pills.
And that was that.
I walked out of the clinic, over Sukhumvit, and back to my hotel nearby (……conveniently, I was staying nearby). The initial pain immediately following the procedure had already subsided. And I felt fine within a couple hours.
I would say that there is a fair amount of bravery and trust (in one’s self as well as in the situation/clinical staff) necessary when choosing this type of procedure or this clinic. Medical procedures of any kind are certainly more unsettling when there is a communication barrier. Because of previous professional work I was involved with, I have seen how terminations are handled in several western countries. This is a very, very different experience.
Was I scared at times? A bit. But did I feel like everything was going to be ok? Yes. Is everything ok today? Yes.
And looking forward to tomorrow… and the next day…
xo
Thank you so much for sharing your bravery, honesty and experience. This is essential information and I appreciate you helping keep this resource uptodate. Wishing you all the best.
Dear K
Would you please help to send me the clinik name info to my email hannakadiyono@hotmail.com
I will really appreciate it, 5 weeks late and panic.
Thank you
Dear K & Hana
If you have the clinic name and address. Please share to too.. This is really desperate time for me. I’ve been 5 weeks now…
Thank you so much
Counting on you.
Go to Cabbages and Condoms (Sukhumvit 12 Alley). It is a restaurant — but the stairway to the clinic is just to the right when you are walking in. It is obvious… and if you are confused, people will direct you upstairs. You’ll end up walking up to perhaps the 2nd floor, if I am remembering correctly — that is where the “reception” is and the ultrasound. The procedure rooms are up another floor.
I was unable to contact the clinic by phone prior to my visit — I simply had to visit.
Good luck — they will take care of you.
K
hi K ,
I would also like to take a family friend there for an abortion. Being a foreigner , I am worried if its okay . Will they ask any questions ? was the site easy to find . CAn you give me the address.
This is the address for Cabbages and Condoms in Bangkok Thailand: Sukhumvit 12 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
Thank you all so much for all of this great information…..truly invaluable at this moment. I had a question about Cabbages & Condoms – is it clean & safe (in an American sense?) If funds were available to go to Marie Stopes Clinic in Cambodia (where the procedure is legal) would you advise that? I’m sorry to sound so provincial I’m trying to help weigh options with someone who is quite frightened right now and living in Thailand…..difficult for me to guide being in US…… anyone who reads – please feel free to weigh in.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for the informative post, is it possible for foreign women just to walk into Cabbages and Condoms and go for the procedure?
Yes you can certainly walk in and they will be able to help!
Thank you so much for writing this post, it gave me so much comfort and help. Read this post so many times when being worried out of my mind. Thought I was pregnant while in Thailand so rushed to Cabbages and Condoms in Bangkok to get some help. Turned out there was no reason to worry after all but it was great to have a place where you’re able to get help when you need it. An ultrasound cost 300THB (8USD) and they asked me to come back after a couple of weeks to do another ultrasound and an urine test as well (both for free) and I was also able to talk with a doctor who spoke fluent English. Really good service, can highly recommend the place.
All the love xx
Hello Ida. Thank you so much for sharing what happened to you and providing some extra information about Cabbages and Condoms. I’m happy to hear you were well taken care of. Wishing you awesome adventures and happy travels. Alice <3
Thank you sooo much for writing this post! I hope I never have to use it, but if I do find myself in that unfortunate situation, I’m so glad to know that this exists!! You’re such a brave soul to share your story. I’m sure it has and will continue to aid women around the world. I thought I was pregnant while traveling in the UK (2 weeks late, yikes, turned out to be due to physical exhaustion caused by hiking for 5 weeks straight), and just recently had a scare (wonky new IUD) while traveling in conservative Utah in the U.S. Even though both of these were places where I was comfortable/knew the language/had support, it did add an extra dimension to what’s already the worst nightmare of many women. I can’t imagine going through that in Asia, but I’m glad you were able to take care of yourself and share the experience so that others can more easily find the info they need. Thanks for being awesome! =)
Holy shit! When I read this my visceral reaction was anxious fear and a knot in my stomach. And then I immediately thought, “I would have to fly home and cancel all my plans, and…” I’m glad you kept your cool for the rest of us, and accessed the very important information that you did, and thank you for sharing it as well. When I was getting my new IUD the other week, I truly felt my privilege. Affordable and safe access to reproductive health services, something that I allowed myself to take for granted. When traveling even, we still have a privilege to hop online and research different options and to travel to a different country and pay for medication– something a lot of women don’t have the opportunity to do. Thank you again for touching on this taboo subject (no matter which country a person is in!) and for sharing the useful resources for people living in and traveling through Asia.
Thank you so much for your comment and highlighting how lucky some of us are to be able to access these services. I’m very thankful for all of the help Marie Stopes gave me. If you didn’t spot on the blog elsewhere, me and 4 kickass women are driving from the UK to Mongolia for the Mongol Rally this year to document women’s rights in 21 countries. We’re aiming to be a catalyst for change and promote equality for ladies everywhere. Issues like this might just come up!
Unfortunately in Indonesia abortion is NOT LEGAL. And you CAN NOT get misoprostol from pharmacies just like that, you might have to go through several hospitals and clinics to find a doctor to prescribe it.
According to the latest stats abortion is legal but the restrictions are incredibly tight: 1) To save the life of the mother 2) If the pregnancy is the result of rape or an act of incest (only within the first six weeks of pregnancy). The consent of the husband or a family member is required if the woman is unable to consent to the procedure. According to Woman On Waves medicine can be obtained from the pharmacy.
I’m in Indonesia right now and trying to find Misoprostol was an odissey with no success.
I’m 7 weeks and hoping that the pills from WOW arrive on time. The option of going to Cambodia or Vietnam makes me rather choose go home in Argentina where it is illegal but not impossible.
Thanks for sharing so much valuable information!
Hi Paula. Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m sorry you struggled to find Misoprostol in Indonesia. WOW really are a fantastic service. My thoughts are with you <3
Though it is technically illegal to get an abortion in South Korea, it is VERY common. Most gynecologists will do them, they just do it off the books– so it’s not cheap. It will cost approximately 400,000w (~$360 USD). The morning-after pill is easy to get here (you just need to see a gynecologist– and even if you’re traveling here without insurance, the office fee will be cheap) and costs about 40,000w (~$38).
Thank you so much for adding more information to the resource. It is greatly appreciated.
Hi There Alice,
First and foremost, I just want to say THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for writing this post. The information is extremely helpful, and I appreciate hearing your story. I have one of my own I need to write up, and yours has inspired me to write mine… After I leave my religious parent’s house in rural Georgia, USA, where I am living currently and had to have my abortion. But I’ll be back on the road soon, and not for one second did I regret my decision. Mad props, girl.
Thanks for the support and sharing what happened to you too. Let me know when you publish it. I’d like to read it!
I have just learned this morning that I am pregnant. Probably 4-6 weeks now since I calculated it. I researched that there is a marie stopes clinic here in philippines but i dont know if they can perform an abortion since its illegal here. I am planning to go there on thursday. But what if there is no service for that. I dont have a plan b. I dont have the luxury to go to cambodio or outside the country since I dont have a passport at doing it now will prolong the process since having a pssport takes a long time? I dont know I am only 19 years old. Is there a way you could help me please
Dear Ken. I truly hope that Marie Stopes Clinic can help you. I’m afraid I do not know of any other resources apart from http://www.womenonweb.org who can send you abortion pills in the post. Do get in contact with them if need be. My thoughts are with you.
Hi, Ken! I hope there’s a chance that you’d be able to read this although I realize you’ve written this 5 months ago. I’m wondering how your experience in Marie Stopes (Philippines) went. Were they able to help you? Thank you.
This post intrigues me because when I was living on the Thai-Burma border, one of my projects was putting together an illustrated guide to misoprostol for Burmese migrant & refugee women. It’s so different reading the process written by a foreigner but happening in Asia. It’s so great that you felt comfortable sharing your story–it’s important info for sure! Out of curiosity, how long did it take to physically recover, as the bleeding it meant to be quite intense, no? My style of travel is pretty rough and frequently uncomfortable, and I almost never even get a cold, so I can’t help but wonder…
This is likely way too vague to add to your resource list, but we actually “imported” (kind of) our misoprostol from Bangladesh. I was under the impression it was widely used.
I feel I recovered very quickly within a couple of days but I guess this is different for every woman and I caught my pregnancy very early within 3 weeks.
Thank you for educating the word about abortion policies in South East Asia. Look at all the amazing feedback you have received for having the courage to post this article!!! Well done Alice. You are a brave woman.
Some very powerful words and feelings there Alice! Much respect to your honesty and the tough decisions you had to face. I’m right behind you and all the others that have been/will be in a similar position.
Thanks for posting this very useful information x
Alice
The compelling thing about your story is that it should be conveyed to so many Asian (+ African, etc) girls who are in the same fix, but do not have the wherewithal to do what you did. Sadly often they become pregnant after rape, and responses do not include abortion. I am glad that you also mentioned Marie Stopes as they do great work, without the fanfare of other agencies. I hope that your article gets in to the Cambodian Facebook scene, to be read and acted upon by the many girls who are beginning to discover that one ancient belief “Chbab Srey” no longer holds. http://carpediemilia.over-blog.com/article-21656482.html I would go as far as to say you have more to offer these young women than the army of development experts that descend on Cambodia.
Thank you so much for this info. I am travelling in SE Asia right now and just discovered I am 5 weeks pregnant. I am hoping to be able to make an appointment with Marie Stopes in Vietnam when I get there tomorrow. Thank you.
Hello Kayla. So glad you have found the information and it is useful for you. Wishing you all the best in Vietnam and a smooth as possible process.
Hi Alice. I had the final part of my medical abortion today. I had no idea how much it was going to affect me and I am feeling so overwhelmed with guilt, although I feel like going back I would probably still make the same decision. This is really an incredibly hard thing to go through-especially far away from home. :S
My thoughts are with you. Try and rest up and give yourself some TLC.
Hey Kayla! If you see this I was wondering if you were doing it at Marie Stopes in Hanoi? My friend are pregnant and we’re heading there tomorrow but haven’t been able to get in contact with the clinic yet.. So I was just wondering if you could help us with some information. Thanks!
While I don’t need the pregnancy info (I’m 48;)), you touched on your decision not to have children. I too chose that route, aged about 12. I could see the devotion needed to raise a child – and the money.
Then an accident saw me disabled with quadriplegia. Looking at life differently, I rethought my decision and tossed up between looking after a baby and my desire to travel. Travel still pulled stronger.
While I believe women can have it all, I don’t think we can have it all at once. It’s fairer on everyone to denote your energy on one project. Raising a child requires stability. Travel is not stable.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and personal story with me Sandra. It is appreciated and valued.
When and how did you become pregnant? I know the procedure, but most female travel bloggers never mention sex, a basic human requirement. Actually its never mentioned in any travellers blog.
It would be interesting to know when the conception started, where and a bit of details that most miss.
Understanding that you need to have sex, which is not for me to judge.
So do let us know the beginning of the pregnancy. And maybe your other exploits. Its all part of life, so tell us all the other ones as well.
James
Hello James. Please understand that this post is focused on abortion services in Asia and sending out the message to everyone that this can and does happen. It isn’t discussed enough and I’ve opened up about my experience so that it doesn’t remain an elephant in the room. If you’re looking to read about a steamy solo female travellers sexual exploits, this post certainly isn’t the place to find it.
Thanks for this excellent service, you are doing an awesome thing. One small issue I found, the link for more information on the Indonesian entry points to information on abortion in india. Would be great if you could fix that.
Thank you for the support Andrew and pointing out this error. It has been promptly fixed! Many thanks.
This is definitely one of my biggest travel fears. So sorry that it happened to you! You’re awesome for writing about it though. I was a little worried I might be pregnant (I’m permanently scared if there’s a 2% risk though, to be honest) before I moved to Taiwan to teach and so I did some research. It’s really hard to find information out there! This is such a useful guide for anyone who finds themselves in the same situation.
Regarding people’s reactions… that just really sucks. And people suck. I’d have done exactly the same thing in your situation. For some reason, when it comes to that area of our bodies, though, everyone else always seems to have an opinion. Grr. Anyway.
Many hugs. This is a brave post.
Women need this information for sure! I’ll be updating the post yearly to make sure it remains useful. People certainly do have some ideas about women should do with their bodies but damn straight, it’s my body and I’ll make the decisions that are the best for me and a child coming into the world. Hugs to you too! Happy New Year and all the best for 2016!
Great post and so important. I’m past the stage of needing to worry about this and as hard as early menopause was (not for everyone and certainly a worthy blog topic) I can relate. I was traveling with birth control and still found myself pregnant, in France and midway through a 6 month backpacking trip. I felt certain an abortion was the best option. Having French friends made all the difference and soon I was in and out of a clinic for the surgery. You’re lucky the drug options are available. It’s an excruciating decision nonetheless. Hormones race, mothering genes kick in…but it needs to be an option. Keep going and thank you for this.
THANK YOU! This issue needs to be discussed amongst travelling ladies and the travel community as a whole. Falling pregnant is difficult, let alone when you’re on the own and wish you weren’t. Thanks for the support and sharing your own story <3
I’m actually a bit relieved to read this story having a lot of the same feelings you do about it. Kudos for your bravery! It’s definitely not an easy subject to talk about, but I have actually questioned what I would do if something like that actually happened in S.E.A. Thanks for putting the resources together. Hugs.
Big hugs to you too Celia and happy new year! Let’s make 2016 an extra awesome one!
You’re so strong for sharing this story. I really am glad you’re feeling better these days and I truly hope this post has helped anyone who was in your position. Thanks for sharing this and offering this great insight.
You are incredibly resilient. If I had been in your shoes, I’d have freaked out and gone back to the comforts of Mum and Dad.
I am particularly happy to read something so personal and original on a travel blog (though I wouldn’t wish your situation upon anyone). Thank you, and I guarantee it’s helping women all across Asia with an event that is otherwise not discussed. You’re awesome!
Thank you Zoe!
I’m really impressed of how brave you were doing this on your own! I have a friend who is currently in the same situation and can’t get any help in Thailand. I’ve been researching Cambodia and Marie Stopes, but would like more information from somebody who has experienced the same thing.
Could I send you an email and maybe you could explain to me a little bit more how you contacted Marie Stopes clinic? How long time it took? If you received help the same day?
I would really appreciate your help/information!!
Br Inga
If she can, your friend should head to Cabbages and Condoms in Bangkok. They can help!
Hi,
She could easily fly to Bangkok. Could you evaluate in what way they could help? She only wants this to go away.. Could you send me an email maybe?
When I googled it was only a restaurant and family planning?
Of course it would help if she didn’t have to go to outside of Thailand to receive help to make this go away..
Many thanks for your help!
Br Inga
Inga, saw your msg (but can’t see it here now) … Cabbages and Condoms in BK have an attached clinic where they also provide the medication for a chemical termination. They cannot do surgical procedures, but they will do an ultrasound and advise how far along it is and if they can assist with meds. If they cannot they will refer a person to Khlong Ton hospital. (Apparently the only hospital actually licensed to perform such surgical procedures legally.) Khlong Ton will book the person in there and then, either keeping them over night or telling them to return first thing in the morning. Just tell your friend to go to Cabbages and Condoms. I know – I did it and was subsequently referred to Khlong Ton. Just tell her to try and have someone meet her afterwards though as they release you very soon afterwards and walking out of there alone whilst still woozy from the anaesthetic isn’t great. Hope all gets sorted. x
Thank you so much for your advice. Good luck Inga.
Thank you! Your responds are priceless! I’m very grateful! I will make sure to call her straight away with this and check flights there. Do you by any chance know what times & days they are open? I’ve been trying to google it but nothing comes up.
Again, thank you!
Br Inga
I always think about this and wonder what it would be like to handle the situation while traveling. You are incredibly brave and I’m so happy you shared this!
Thank you so much for the support Shannon
What a post. Glad I discovered it so I know where to point anyone if we are asked this question. Very brave of you sharing it too, glad it hasn’t changed your groove!
Thank you Gemma: word of mouth about this post is really important so women can access all the resources they need if they want some help. Thank you for reading and yes, I can guarantee that the groove is all good :) Thank you.
Wow, that was so brave of you to post this despite all the negativity. Hey, it’s your body and decision! I never get how entitled people feel to place all this shame and hate on your decisions, plus they would never understand it, not having been in your situation at all. So kudos to you for speaking up and sharing all this information for other women out there. Stay strong!
All the others have already said it before, but still I needed to leave a comment here. This post might help a lot of women in a similar situation and I admire you for being so brave and telling your story. Don’t let the bad reactions of others near you: You made a good decision. Children are great but they also need parents who can dedicate their lives to them. If you can’t, because you have other priorities or because the circumstances aren’t okay, it’s much more braver not to have it than to follow a few harsh comments of men who can’t relate to this either.
Every comment is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support Tatiana.
You were really brave writing this, REALLY brave! You were lucky to have a choice, too. Consider many women around the world don’t have that option. I admire you by the fact that you shared this.
Cheers,
Alba Luna
Thank you Alba and you’re absolutely right: I’m extremely fortunate to have had the choice. I am truly grateful for that.
You have been very brave. I guess it was so difficult to write this post after all the negative comments people told you before… but I think you did a good thing for other people but for you as well.
cheers :)
Thank you Nuria. Your comment is really appreciated! I hope good comes from it
I really admire your honesty and probably would have done the same in your position. It must have been a hard thing to go through when you were far away from your friends/family, but maybe that made it easier to put out of your mind? I hope this article helps someone desperate.
Wauw, brave of you for sharing! I am sure that a lot of women have tried the same, but just haven’t had the guts to share it with other. Thanks to you they might will now :)
It made me very sad to see my country up on that list of places where abortion is illegal – which is something I hope to be able to change soon. I’m glad you were able to get the help you needed. You were very brave to post this and I hope you feel loads better. Thank you so much for sharing your struggles. <3
Thank you for sharing your story!!
You are definitely right – we don’t talk about it enough. And the fact that it isn’t “okey” that a woman doesn’t want kids is so god damn tiring.
I hope more people would be open with these kinds of things and that way the topic would get less heavily charged.
This is a brilliant post so thank you for both your research in writing it and for sharing your personal story. I imagine it will be a massively helpful resource to quite a few young women and couples on the road- well done!
Hey teacaketravels, wanted to say I think this post is great and I think it’s really brave that you can write about this since there are so many negative connotations even though there shouldn’t be. I really hope you’ve been getting lots of positive support and that you don’t listen to anything negative.
99% of responses have most certainly been positive!
It’s really easy for someone who cannot biologically become pregnant (either now or in general) to be judgemental, but let’s face it: women by and large should the burden of not only childbearing and child-rearing, but pregnancy and STD prevention, financially, physically and logistically. And that sucks. Many men don’t even realize that many methods of birth control can make a person physically ill, or that even with perfect use (which can be harder than people think, especially with changing timezones) there is still the possibility of a pregnancy. Good on you for getting the medical care and support you needed, and for paying it forward and telling your story.
Hello Delia! Thank you for raising this very important point. Many people assume that a women did not use protection if she falls pregnant but there are lots of reasons why it can happen. People need to remember this. I decided not to post in the article how it happened to me. I strive to be very open and honest but some things are just for me and my close friends to know. I really appreciate your comment. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this. These resources are so important for travellers and also for people who live there permanently. You are so strong and I admire you greatly. I’m going to be sharing this post around because everyone should read this.
Thank you Nat! You sharing this post is awesome – the more access women can get , the more help there is!
You had every right to do as you saw fit and no one should judge you. It is your life and your choices and it just upsets and makes me mad me when people try to tell you you did something wrong. Thank you so much for being brave enough to share such a personal story with us and for all the relevant pieces of information. Keep on wandering and being happy xxx
Thank you Marci! I don’t believe in regrets. I believe in living, learning, reflecting on your experience and becoming a better person everyday from what you have learnt <3
Thanks for your article. I found out I was pregnant whilst travelling in Argentina where abortion is illegal. I was only 3 weeks off heading home, so decided to wait and get an abortion when I was back in Australia. Those 3 weeks were pretty tough and I look back on them not as a holiday, but as a weird kind of waiting period. Ultimately, I am glad that both you and I were able to make our own choices. Thanks so much for sharing. I wish I were half as brave as you. x
Hello Rose. Thank you for being brave and sharing your experience here. That is truly brave. I’m happy to hear that you could gain access to what you needed. I know other women who have struggled having to wait for these services, particularly in a country where it is illegal. That time period is a very difficult one for sure. Wishing you all the best in your future travels x
Congratulations on your hard decision. This post is really honest, frank and may be of great help to loads of girls travelling solo. I had the same fear, and luckily I was not pregnant. But I still vividly remember how bad it was those days, googling for places in Asia where I could get an abortion until I just made my mind up and took a test, while still waiting so eagerly for my period. I ruined myself so many days while travelling. Your post would have been so useful…
May you always be serene with your decision!
Thank you so much! I strive to be honest and frank here. I want to help solo female travellers out, whether it be something as truly heavy as this to knowing about a place where they can sip a really cool cocktail, on a beach, for a really cheap price. If that cocktail isn’t any good, I’ll let you know (!)
How much do they charge in Bangkok? Thanks
Hello. Are you talking about Cabbages and Condoms? I’m afraid I do not know and prices will vary depending on what service you need. Try and use the resources listed to find out more.
Hi, what a brave person you are for sharing this. Many thanks on behalf of all woman who need a helping hand at a tough time. I went through something similar in Thailand back in 2011. It’s a shame that you added extra weight to your shoulders and flew to Cambodia though – there are good, clean, safe, legal, and affordable services in Bangkok – might be worth adding to your list for others that are seeking information. Cabbages and Condoms will perform an ultrasound and give the abortion pills if within the time frame. If it is too far along for that (as I was) they will refer people to Khlong Ton Hospital for a surgical termination. They are licensed and qualified to perform the surgery legally and medical staff speak very good English and can explain every step of the process. They aren’t so great at the whole TLC part, but … anyway. It’s really important though that people don’t order the abortion pill online for a DIY option if they are not 1 billion percent sure of how many weeks pregnant they are, as it can cause serious problems. (I nearly did this, and am so glad now that I didn’t.) Take care and again, thank you. xx
I cannot thank you enough for this amazing and extremely useful comment! I never knew about Cabbages and Condoms in Bangkok. I can’t believe I missed their information! I’ll be updating the resource right away. Thank you so much.
You’re very brave to tell this personal story. Growing up in a conservative country like the Philippines where abortion is illegal, it may take some time for me to fully understand why you have to do it… but I commend you for being brave in sharing this post to educate and help those who might need it. i know being a mother is a big challenge so i hope your blog will also let other female travellers re-think what they do while on the road. stay safe!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate your open-mindedness and encouragement for female travellers to be happy physically, mentally and socially whilst on the road.
Bless you and bless this post! Thank you for sharing your story and making this resource. I lived in South Korea and had a pregnancy scare my first year there; it’s people like you that make such a difficult time a little better.
Thank you so much Kait. Your comment is really appreciated.
This is a bold and brave email. You are not “selfish” for not wanting to have children. You simply don’t want to have children — that’s it. I never wanted to have children and I’ve never regretted it. I reviewed that decision every 10 years and it never changed.
Yes! Children are awesome but they are not for me. Especially when it comes to travel, I want to go and do what I want, when I want. For people who do travel with children, I have the utmost respect for them!
Wow- a HUGE hats off to you for sharing this. I cannot imagine your fear, alienation and stress. Thank you for sharing your deeply personal experience with the world wide web. I was actually going to write a post on birth control abroad, and just saw this pop up on Twitter. I will definitely send readers your way on this one. Thanks again for sharing, sorry to hear people weren’t so empathetic afterwards.. what a rollercoaster experience. Safe travels, take care!
Thank you so much Jen. I appreciate the support and you sharing it! I’m hoping women can find this information easily and know exactly what is available to them.
Thank you for sharing your story and all this valuable information.
When we are faced with difficult situations, it is important to remain true to ourselves and to do what we ultimately feel is going to be the best option in the long run. You took care of yourself and you’re encouraging other women to take care of themselves – inspiring others to explore and grow and giving honest advice and insight.
Keep going, keep sharing, keep growing, Alice!
Thank you for your words Annie. I want this blog to be as honest as possible, encouraging and supportive. You must trust your gut and do what is right for you. Thank you!
THANK YOU for sharing this comprehensive information and for sharing your personal story as well. These are excellent resources for anyone – male or female – facing health concerns in general and reproductive health concerns in particular. I’m so sorry about the negative and mean attitudes people have shared with you. People should simply do what you advocate in this piece – they should do what is right for them.
You are so welcome Vanessa. I’ve received lots of lovely messages from men and women so I feel even more assured that it was good and right to share this post.