How do I decide what to do about a pregnancy?
Lawful, licensed, confidential. Termination of pregnancy at Pai Hospital is carried out lawfully under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended), at a licensed facility, by registered medical practitioners, within the limits and the certification that the Act requires. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, at any stage, for any reason. Your identity and your treatment are confidential.
There is no single right answer. Find a quiet moment and ask yourself what you want for your life, what support you have, what feels right when you imagine each path, and whether anyone is pressuring you. Get the facts from an early scan, then decide freely, in your own time.
What choices are open to me?
Broadly, there are three paths, and each can be the right one for a particular woman at a particular time in her life. You can continue the pregnancy and raise the child. You can continue the pregnancy and place the baby for adoption through the government's official legal adoption system. Or you can have a lawful termination, which in India is provided under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at a government-licensed hospital.
None of these is an easy choice to make in a hurry, and none of them needs to be. This page does not steer you towards any of them. It simply offers some questions that many women find helpful when they are working out what is right for them.
What do I want for my life right now?
Start with the widest question. Think about your life as it is today and as you hope it will be in the years ahead: your health, your work, your home, your relationships and your plans. Then ask yourself how each path would fit with that picture. There is no selfish answer here, and no wrong one.
Some women realise that they very much want to continue, even though the timing is not what they expected. Others realise that this is not the right time for a child in their life. Writing down your thoughts, even a few lines, can help you see them more clearly. Be honest with yourself, because this decision is about your life, and you are the one who will live it.
What feels right when I imagine each path?
Sometimes the heart knows before the head does. Try imagining yourself on each path in turn — continuing and raising a child, continuing and choosing adoption, or ending the pregnancy — and notice how each one feels. Does one bring a sense of calm, and another a heavy feeling? It can also help to imagine yourself a year from now, looking back.
You may find that one answer becomes clearer. You may also still feel mixed, and that is completely normal. Feeling more than one thing at once does not mean you are making the wrong decision; many women carry some sadness and some relief together, whatever they choose. If you would like to read more about those feelings, see the emotions of an abortion.
Who can I talk to, and is anyone pressuring me?
Some women find it helps to talk things over with a partner, a close friend or a family member they trust. Others would rather keep it private and speak only to a doctor. Both are completely fine. What matters is that the people you speak to listen, rather than decide for you.
Ask yourself honestly whether anyone is pushing you towards a particular choice, or whether you are leaning one way mainly to please someone else. A decision this personal should be made freely, by you, in your own time. If you feel under pressure from anyone, please tell us. We will listen, and we will help make sure the choice stays yours.
What facts do I need before deciding?
Feelings matter, and so do facts. An early ultrasound scan tells you whether the pregnancy is inside the womb, how far along it is and whether all seems well, which matters whichever way you decide. It is also worth thinking about your health: any condition you live with, any medicines you take, and anything that happened in a past pregnancy. A doctor can explain what each path would involve for you in particular.
If you are thinking about a termination, it helps to know that care is simpler when it is started sooner, that safe care is always given in person at a licensed hospital, and which common beliefs are simply myths rather than facts. So even if you are not ready to decide, a scan and an honest conversation early on give you more room to think, not less.
What if I am worried about safety?
Worry about safety is one of the most common reasons women hesitate, and it is a fair question to ask. If you decide on a termination, safe care means a qualified doctor, a scan first, and supervision in person from start to finish. When a procedure is needed, we use 100% single-use disposable instruments, opened fresh for each patient, and every surgical procedure is done under real-time ultrasound guidance, with the doctor watching the womb on screen throughout. That lowers the risk of complications, and it lets the procedure stop at the exact moment the womb is empty, which helps protect the lining of the womb for future pregnancies. Knowing this can take one worry off your list, so that you can think about what you truly want.
Can I talk it through with you first?
Yes. You are welcome to call or message us, and your first conversation can even be an online consultation. It is a chance to ask questions, understand your options, and find out whether a particular treatment is feasible for you and what the next step would be. There is no pressure either way, and no need to decide during the conversation.
Any treatment itself is given in person, at the hospital in Goa; we do not send any medicine by post or courier, and nothing is done over the phone. If you are not married, you are just as welcome, and you will be treated the same, with privacy and respect.
Getting started
Take the time you need, but try not to leave it too long. When you are ready, call or message us, and we will listen and help you think it through, whichever way you are leaning. Whatever you share with us stays private. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
Is it normal to feel unsure?
Yes. Many women feel unsure, or feel more than one thing at once. That does not mean you are making the wrong decision. Give yourself a quiet moment, and talk it through with someone you trust or with us.
Will you try to persuade me either way?
No. Our role is to give you honest information and safe care, and to respect whatever you decide. There is no pressure either way, and no need to decide during a conversation.
How long can I take to decide?
Take the time you need to feel sure, but try not to wait too long. Every option is easier to plan when there is time in hand, and an early scan gives you the facts you need.
Can I talk to you privately before deciding anything?
Yes. You can call or message us simply to talk things through. Whatever you share stays private, and any treatment you later choose is given in person at the hospital in Goa.
Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641
This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.