Health

Voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG) is authorized up to 14 weeks of pregnancy (i.e. 16 weeks after the start of the last period). Minors have access to IVG in compliance with certain rules.

I am a minor, do I need my parents' authorization for an IVG?

No. If you are a minor, even if you are not emancipated (emancipation protocol from your parents), your parents' agreement is not required.

However, if you do not wish to inform your parents or if they refuse to give their agreement, you will need to call on an adult who will have to follow you and support you throughout your procedures. This person must be an adult, but does not necessarily have to be part of your family. You can, for example, call on a friend (or girlfriend), a relative or a social worker.

CAN I BE FORBIDDEN FROM AN IVG?

No. All women in France have the same right to terminate their pregnancy, regardless of their nationality or status. You alone can decide. You do not need any authorization.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

You should first make an appointment with a doctor.
To do this, you can directly contact a public hospital or a clinic that performs abortions, or see a doctor of your choice. You can also get in touch with a Family Planning center, which will be able to provide you with all the necessary information.

As part of the request for an abortion, an information, support, and counseling session (that is, a psychosocial consultation) must be offered by the doctor or midwife. This session is mandatory for minors and optional for others who may wish to benefit from it.

A 48-hour reflection period is suggested but not required between this session and the second consultation. In fact, since the law of March 2, 2022, aimed at strengthening abortion rights, the minimum legal reflection period has been removed—for both minors and adults—between the psychosocial session and the collection of consent.

During the second consultation, you will have to confirm your request for an abortion in writing and give your agreement to the doctor. You will have to specify the date of your last period, your medical history and your blood group if you know it. The doctor will then help you choose a medical or instrumental abortion (surgical procedure that must be performed in a health facility and by a doctor under local or general anesthesia). Up to the seventh week of pregnancy, you can benefit from a medical abortion, beyond that, the abortion will necessarily be instrumental. If you are a minor, you will also have to provide the consent of one of your parents or the certificate stating the choice of your adult referent.

Regardless of the abortion method chosen, a follow-up consultation is scheduled between the fourteenth and twenty-first day after the procedure.

IS A PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSULTATION NECESSARY?

This consultation, carried out by a marriage counselor, is optional for adult women and mandatory for minors. It is strongly recommended before any decision. It will be offered to you by your doctor during your first medical consultation. If you are a minor, this is the time when you can decide to keep the secret from your parents and designate a reference adult.

SHOULD YOU MEET AN ANESTHETIST?

When the technique planned for your abortion requires anesthesia other than strictly local, you will have to undergo a pre-anesthetic consultation. You will then meet the anesthetist.

He will have you fill out a questionnaire concerning your state of health and your history. You will also have to sign a document called "informed consent" before the procedure. This document will also be signed by your parents or the reference adult, if you are a minor.

An abortion is a surgical procedure. The surgeon and the anesthetist will inform you of the possible risks associated with this procedure. They will answer your questions. Do not hesitate to share your questions and fears with them.

The hospital stay is generally 24 hours. The surgeon can extend this period by one day for additional examinations or post-operative monitoring.

HOW MUCH DOES AN IVG COST?

Since April 1, 2016, the entire IVG process has been covered 100% by Health Insurance as part of a flat rate.

• For medical IVG performed in a doctor's office, health center or family planning and education center, this flat rate includes the second prior medical consultation, the two medical consultations for taking medication, the medication and the follow-up medical consultation.
• For medical IVG performed in a health establishment (hospital or clinic), this flat rate includes the analyses and ultrasound scan prior to the IVG, the second prior medical consultation if it was performed in the establishment where the IVG will be performed, the two medical consultations for taking medication and the follow-up medical consultation as well as the biological control analysis performed after the IVG.
• Regarding surgical abortion, this package includes the second prior medical consultation if it was carried out in the establishment where the abortion will be performed, the analyses prior to the abortion, the local or general anesthesia and the pre-anaesthetic consultation, the abortion procedure and monitoring, reception and accommodation as well as the follow-up medical consultation.

If you are a minor who has not been emancipated without parental consent, if you benefit from the complementary CMU or state medical aid, you will not have to pay any fees in advance.

A social worker can help you with your procedures.

You will find more information:

• On the guide file given to any woman wishing to have an abortion, during the first medical consultation prior to the procedure available here,
• On the website of the Ministry of Health,
• From the Family Planning Association which has regional branches,
• From your doctor or from the health auxiliaries of a school or university.