The online consultation, and what it can and cannot do

Why we begin with a conversation

Deciding to end a pregnancy is rarely simple, and reaching out for the first time can feel daunting. That first contact with us, whether you call us or send a message, is meant to make things easier, not harder. It is a calm, private conversation in which you can explain your situation, ask anything that is worrying you, and understand your options without pressure. Many of the people who contact us are frightened, and for some it is their first time approaching a hospital about anything like this. You will be met with warmth and without judgement, every time.

What an online consultation can do for you

Think of the online or phone consultation as a well-guided first step rather than the treatment itself. In it, we listen to your history, ask a few careful questions, and look at any recent reports you already have. From that, we can usually tell you whether treatment is likely to be feasible for you, roughly what the process would involve, and what the sensible next step is. It is also where we plan the practical side of things: when to come in, what to bring, and how to travel to us. If you have an ultrasound or other reports from elsewhere, sharing them here helps us guide you more precisely.

Just as importantly, it is a chance for your questions to be answered honestly by a medical team, rather than by rumour or by something read hurriedly on the internet. You come away from the conversation knowing what to expect and what happens next, which takes a great deal of the fear out of it.

What it cannot do — and why that matters

Here is the part we want to be completely clear about, because your safety depends on it. The consultation can guide you, but the treatment itself is never carried out remotely. We do not, and will not, send medicines to you by post or by courier, and there is no such thing here as an abortion arranged over the phone. To receive any abortion care, you come to the hospital in Goa in person.

This is not a mere formality. Before any treatment, you need a proper examination and an ultrasound scan carried out by our own doctors, so that your situation is understood exactly rather than guessed at. That assessment is what tells us which kind of care is right and safe for you, and it can only be done with you present. The scan sometimes uncovers something important that changes the plan entirely — for example an ectopic pregnancy, which is a different condition, an emergency, and not a termination at all. That is one of the reasons the scan is never skipped. So rather than asking how many weeks along you are over the phone, we ask you to come in and be assessed properly.

The medicine route and the procedure route

Broadly, safe abortion care follows one of two paths: a medicine route or a short procedure route. Which one suits you is a medical decision that depends on your assessment, and it is made together with you once you have been seen. This is exactly why we cannot simply hand out treatment over a call: choosing wrongly, or taking medicines without supervision, can be genuinely dangerous. For the same reason, please do not self-medicate on the strength of advice from a shop or a well-meaning friend. Under the law, these medicines are given only at a licensed facility, with the proper government consent form, and with a doctor watching over the process — and that protection exists for you.

Your privacy, protected in law and in practice

Confidentiality is at the heart of how we work. What you share is protected by law, and it is protected here in day-to-day practice: nothing is discussed outside the consulting room, and nothing is shared with anyone who telephones asking about you. Our staff are trained, over years, to be calm and non-judgemental, and to keep gossip out of the hospital entirely. You are here to be cared for, not questioned about your life.

Lawful care, for everyone

Abortion is legal in India under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, when it is carried out at a government-licensed facility such as ours. As an adult you do not need anyone else's permission to seek this care. If you are unmarried, you are just as entitled to it, and you will be treated exactly the same as anyone else, with the same warmth and the same respect. You can read more about your rights and how the care works on our pages about safe and legal abortion services and the MTP Act in India. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind; that is unlawful, and it is simply not something we do.

Coming to us in Goa

Once the consultation has pointed to the sensible next step, we help you plan the visit itself. Pai Hospital in Goa has its own operating theatre and its own facilities, so your assessment, your care and your follow-up happen in one trusted place rather than being scattered across different centres. If travelling to us is a worry, please tell us where you are: we arrange transport for patients from across Goa and the areas nearby, so distance need not stand between you and safe, dignified care. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology).

Getting started

When you are ready, simply call or message us and tell us a little about your situation, along with any recent reports you may already have. The online consultation will tell you whether treatment is feasible and guide you on the next step and on travelling to us — and then you come to the hospital in person for the care itself, which is the only safe way it is done. There is no pressure and no judgement, only clear guidance and support. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.

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.