In Wales, abortion services are provided through local Health Boards and women who meet the criteria can access both surgical and medical abortion procedures.
At Cardiff Gate Business Park, the clinic was founded by Gynaecologists Mrs Nadia Hikary-Bhal and Mr Kiron Bhal and offers treatments including fertility, cosmetic gynaecology and holistic Menopause care for women.
Abortion
If you are considering abortion, the first step should be contacting your local clinic or GP for advice and referral. There may also be NHS-funded clinics in some regions. You will require a medical assessment (usually via telephone) in order to be approved for treatment.
Abortion procedures available in Wales may include dilation and evacuation or using the medication mifepristone; both methods have proven safe and effective up to 15 weeks gestation for most women. Procedures are usually carried out by either a gynaecologist or nurse at an NHS clinic.
Anti-abortion protesters in the UK have been harassing women attending clinics and encouraging them to reconsider their decisions, calling abortionists “murderers”. Anti-abortion activists even suggest terminating a pregnant rape victim’s pregnancy would be easier than dealing with its aftermath; such radical groups often display posters outside abortion services as a reminder.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Women at Cardiff Clinic often turn to intrauterine insemination (IUI), an effective fertility treatment, for IVF. This painless procedure involves injecting sperm directly into the uterus without bypassing the cervix in order to bring closer the egg for fertilization. IUI can either occur naturally on its own cycle or with help from fertility drugs that stimulate ovaries and increase egg production.
At an IUI procedure, sperm samples from your partner will be extracted and “washed” to select only the highest-quality sperm, increasing your chances of success by selecting only motile sperm.
Your CARE Fertility provider will insert prepared semen into your uterus using a catheter during a quick, painless IUI procedure that may take just minutes or hours after you identify an ovulation cycle. IUI may also be used in combination with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for patients suffering from unexplained infertility or mild male factor infertility.
Donor Insemination
Donor insemination can help couples who are having difficulty conceiving due to low sperm count or other male infertility issues conceive more easily, making this option popular with single women or same sex female couples hoping to build their family. Donor insemination typically includes or does not involve fertility drugs that help stimulate female ovulation and release of eggs during treatment.
At this procedure, sperm from either the male partner or a donor sample is collected, washed and concentrated before injection using either a speculum into the cervical canal or into the uterus with a catheter.
Procedure is carried out during a woman’s fertile period, generally the midpoint of her menstrual cycle, using blood or urine hormone tests, ultrasound scans or commercially available ovulation predictor kits to determine fertile timeframe. While every pregnancy involves risks associated with infection in utero and fallopian tubes, using donated semen can significantly decrease this risk to an extremely low level.
Fertility Treatment
If you’re having difficulty becoming pregnant, visiting your doctor for evaluation and treatment of fertility problems may help. Tests to measure hormone levels and sperm counts may also be administered; treatment could include medication to aid ovulation or surgery to address problems with the uterus/fallopian tubes/abortion; assisted conception could also be considered options if necessary.
Fertility treatments may be available through the NHS; however, waiting lists and eligibility criteria may vary based on where you live in the country. Your GP can give advice regarding what treatments may be available near your location.
If you can’t use your own eggs or sperm, or are in an identical-sex relationship, donor eggs and sperm may be used instead. Frozen embryos (embryos) may also be an option if at risk of passing on serious genetic disorders to children. Some people also choose complementary therapies such as acupuncture and herbal remedies – although evidence for their effectiveness may be limited and potentially dangerous; seek a personalized and fully costed treatment plan before embarking on either option.