When Can I Get Pregnant?
You may be at risk of getting pregnant if:
-
You had unprotected sex and did not take the morning-after pill. It is important to know that there are days in your cycle when the chance of getting pregnant is higher (the days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation). Apps like “My Calendar” can help you track your cycle.
-
You used protection, but there was an accident (the condom broke or slipped).
-
You are not using any contraceptive method.
-
You are taking contraceptive pills but forgot to take one, or you are taking medication that reduces its effectiveness (such as antibiotics or anti-epileptic drugs).
-
You took the morning-after pill, but your period is still late and symptoms persist.
Main Pregnancy Symptoms
The main symptoms of pregnancy are:
How to Have an Abortion
If you have a positive pregnancy test but do not want to continue the pregnancy, you can have a voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion).
This procedure can be carried out in official or officially recognized health facilities, free of charge. You just need to go to a hospital, where you will receive proper care throughout the entire process.
If you are a migrant in an irregular situation, you can also have a legal and free abortion.
You can get more information about hospitals in your area through SNS 24 – 808 24 24 24.
Voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) has been legal in Portugal since 2007. It allows any pregnant woman over 16 years old to have an induced abortion up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, solely at her own request.
Law No. 16/2007, of April 17 establishes the legal framework for access to abortion in Portugal. Before this law, induced abortion was only permitted in very specific situations, such as:
- Risk to the woman’s life
- Fetal malformation
- Pregnancy resulting from a “crime against the woman’s sexual freedom and self-determination”
- Serious and lasting injury to the woman’s mental or physical health
After a national referendum, the law was also changed to allow abortion on the woman’s request alone, up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
What is a Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (Abortion) and What Are the Steps?
A voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP), or induced abortion, is a procedure that safely ends a pregnancy with minimal risk to the woman. It is usually carried out in four steps:
- Initial Consultation
During this consultation, the gestational age is confirmed through an ultrasound. The doctor informs the woman about the different abortion methods and the possible risks associated with the procedure.
- Reflection Period
This period, which lasts at least 3 days, allows the woman to decide whether she wants to proceed with the abortion. If she wishes, she can also request psychological and social support to help her through the process in the best possible way.
- Abortion Procedure
The abortion is carried out according to the method indicated by the doctor (either medical or surgical). During this consultation, the woman is provided with and signs an informed consent form.
- Follow-Up Consultation
Through medical exams, the completion of the abortion is confirmed, ensuring that the pregnancy has been fully expelled and that there are no complications or infections. A family planning consultation may also be scheduled.
If after the procedure you experience any of the following symptoms:
Contact the doctor responsible for your abortion as soon as possible.
What methods are available?
During the preliminary consultation, the doctor should explain the available procedures and identify the method that is clinically most suitable for your case, so that you can make an informed decision.
There are two methods, explained below.
Non-surgical or medical method
Non-surgical, less invasive methods avoid the use of anesthesia and offer greater privacy for the patient, as the process can be completed at home. They have also been shown to be very safe, with results comparable to surgical methods.
These methods are generally preferred in public healthcare systems. The procedure recommended by the World Health Organization involves taking two medications:
-
On the first day: mifepristone (which interferes with the continuation of the pregnancy);
-
Two days later: misoprostol (which increases uterine contractions and helps expel the contents).
If the pregnancy is ectopic (outside the uterus), this regimen should be replaced by the surgical method.
A disadvantage of the medical method is that it may cause heavier bleeding and more pain.
Surgical method
This method involves the aspiration or curettage of the uterine contents (through the cervix) using a probe.
The most commonly chosen technique is vacuum aspiration, as it has the highest efficacy. Curettage is less safe and has a higher complication rate.
Anesthesia can be local or general; however, local anesthesia is preferred because it carries fewer risks, causes less bleeding, and shortens recovery time.
About 3 to 4 hours before the procedure, a medication (misoprostol) is administered orally or vaginally to prepare the uterus and increase cervical dilation.
This method should be used in situations where the medical method poses risks for the patient, such as:
