When you’re searching online for information about abortion (whether you have decided to have an abortion or not), it’s important to know whether you can trust the results you find, and that you can identify a legitimate abortion care provider.
In this blog, we’ll explain how to spot the differences between:
- regulated, legally registered abortion providers (like MSI UK)
- trustworthy resources that don’t provide abortion directly (like the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists)
- resources that claim to offer support (or even present themselves as an abortion clinic) but are run by anti-choice groups.
The difference between a ‘crisis pregnancy centre’ and an abortion clinic
Crisis pregnancy centres
There has been an increase in anti-choice (anti-abortion) groups falsely implying that they offer abortion services or impartial advice, without making it clear they have an anti-choice agenda.
These groups run unregulated ‘crisis pregnancy centres’, which claim to offer support for anyone considering an abortion. But they will never provide or signpost to abortion services. Instead, they give out misleading, often medically inaccurate information and use fear, shame, and other emotions to discourage people from having an abortion. To learn more, read our blog ‘Crisis pregnancy centres in the UK: what they are, how to avoid them and where to find impartial advice’.
Abortion providers
In the UK, abortion care providers, including MSI Reproductive Choices UK, offer NHS-funded care. The care we provide is safe, regulated and confidential. Abortions can only be carried out legally under the care of a licensed provider, like MSI Reproductive Choices UK or an NHS hospital.
98% of our abortion treatments in the UK are funded by the NHS. This means that there is no cost to you. To find out more about NHS-funded abortions, visit this page.
How to check that an abortion clinic is legitimate when searching online
Using a search engine
To verify the legitimacy of an abortion clinic found online, Google has introduced ad disclosures. This means that any Google ads for abortion clinics will include disclaimers, saying “Provides abortions” or “Does not provide abortions”.
In the US, UK and Ireland, anyone running an ad mentioning abortion must apply for a certificate to verify that they are a legitimate provider. Once verified, the disclaimer ‘provides abortions’ will be displayed, like the first example above. If they are not a provider, the disclaimer will read ‘does not provide abortions’, like the example below.
Using social media
It is important to be aware that social media can include misinformation about abortion, and this includes information on legitimate abortion clinics. When searching for information, make sure to check that the information originates from a reliable source, such as a regulated provider or health organisation. Anti-choice groups may also speak about abortion in a specific way, which you can spot using some of the tips below.
Language to look out for when looking for an abortion clinic online
Medical accuracy
Abortion providers tend to use medically accurate terms like “foetus”, not emotive, inaccurate language like “baby” or “mother.”
Anti-choice groups often use images on their materials which are not about abortion care, such as pictures of pregnant women and babies. An abortion provider, on the other hand, would be more likely to centre the experiences of the person who is considering an abortion and give factual medical information about things like gestation, pain, types of treatment, aftercare, and counselling.
Stigma, stereotypes, and simplifications
Abortion providers know from the people we treat every day that there is no right or wrong way to feel after an abortion. Everyone is different and people’s emotions can be nuanced. Most people who have an abortion say the main emotion they experience afterwards is “relief.”
Anti-choice groups tend to imply that abortion is always a traumatic or distressing experience. Although some people who have abortions are survivors of abuse or violence, the majority are not. If you see language that suggests anyone having an abortion must be vulnerable, especially if it does so in a way that removes their agency or undermines their ability to make the decision for themselves, that is very unlikely to come from an abortion provider.
Inclusivity
Most abortion providers care deeply about equality, especially gender equality. We are proud of our inclusive services, and proud to support a diverse range of people. We strive to make our services safe and welcoming for everybody, regardless of things like race, religion, age, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation.
In contrast, anti-choice groups attempt to weaponize the language of care and concern for women – but they tend to generalise women’s experiences. You are more likely to see language from anti-choice groups that suggests their organisations are ‘protecting’ or ‘saving’ women, rather than language that suggests listening, empowering, or fighting for equality for everyone.
Other ways to check that an abortion clinic is legitimate
Verify Provider Information
You can check the clinic’s website for contact details, including a landline phone number and a physical address. Legitimate providers will have this information readily available. You can contact MSI Reproductive Choices UK directly on 0345 300 8090.
Speak to your GP or sexual health clinic
You can contact a sexual health clinic, like Brook, or ask your GP for information on abortion providers like MSI Reproductive Choices UK. Find a list of the other organisations and partners that we work with here, including organisations like Abortion Talk.
Read abortion stories
Many abortion providers will have abortion stories on their website, where you can read accounts from people that have accessed their services. These will demonstrate a range of experiences. No two abortion stories are the same, and every abortion experience is valid. You can read abortion stories from MSI UK’s clients here.
Understand your treatment options
If you decide that you would like to end the pregnancy, providers will offer safe and legal options for you to do so.
At MSI UK, we offer NHS-funded and private abortion services up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy.
We offer two types of abortion: medical abortion (available up to 9 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy) and surgical abortion (available up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy). The method that’s right for you will depend on your gestation (how many weeks pregnant you are), your medical examination and history, and your personal choice.
Make the decision that is right for you
The decision about whether to continue or end the pregnancy is yours to make. A legitimate abortion care provider will not pressure you to make a certain decision. Someone’s decision to continue or end the pregnancy is theirs, and theirs alone.
This may not be the same decision that a partner, friends or family would make. However, it can be helpful to talk your decision through with a trusted individual.
The most important thing to remember when looking for abortion advice is that abortion providers like MSI UK will always offer impartial, confidential and non-judgemental support, and provide a safe space where you can ask any questions you may have.
Anyone considering abortion can get in touch with us whenever they want, even if they haven’t made a decision about whether to access abortion care and are just looking for more information.
To learn more:
Read our blog: Crisis pregnancy centres in the UK: what they are, how to avoid them and where to find impartial advice.
Take a look at our advocacy page on anti-choice opposition.
Read our manifesto: Our policy vision for reproductive choice.
