Getting an Abortion

What Are the Conditions for Getting an Abortion?

In Turkey, abortion to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is regulated by the 1983 Population Planning Law and the 2004 Turkish Penal Code. According to these laws, the conditions for voluntary abortion are: being over 18 years old, being unmarried, and the pregnancy not exceeding 10 weeks.

Those under 18 who meet these conditions can have an abortion with parental consent, and married women need spousal consent. If there is a fetal anomaly or no heartbeat, abortion can be performed up to the 24th week, which is considered the viability limit.

Where Can You Get an Abortion?

As long as it is within legal limits, abortion procedures are performed by gynecologists in:

• Private clinics
• Private practices
• Private medical centers
• Private hospitals
• Public hospitals.

When choosing a facility for the procedure, we highly recommend considering the doctor’s experience and the medical conditions offered by the institution.

How Is an Abortion Performed?

Once you've decided to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, the abortion procedure is carried out at a healthcare facility approved by the Ministry of Health. The process typically includes:

• Scheduling an appointment for the abortion
• Patient registration at the facility (You must bring your ID; if married, apply with your spouse; if underage, with your parents)
• Completing necessary examinations and tests
• Administration of anesthesia (Local or Sedation)
• Performing the abortion
• Brief rest while the anesthesia wears off
• Discharge from the healthcare facility.

Is Abortion Illegal in Turkey?

Abortion is not illegal in Turkey for women who meet the conditions specified in the 1983 Population Planning Law and the 2004 Penal Code (being unmarried, over 18 years old, and under 10 weeks pregnant).

Can an Unmarried Woman Get an Abortion?

According to the 1983 Population Planning Law, an unmarried woman over the age of 18 can legally have an abortion in Turkey, as long as the pregnancy is under 10 weeks. Married women require spousal consent, and minors require parental permission.

Can Abortion Be Performed Without Spousal Consent?

According to the laws of the Republic of Turkey, an abortion cannot be performed on a married woman without her husband's consent. However, this rule does not apply to relationships outside of marriage. If a single woman becomes pregnant from a non-marital relationship, the father's consent is not required for an abortion.

Can a Woman Get Pregnant Again After an Abortion?

If the abortion is performed under sterile conditions using disposable instruments with the vacuum method by an experienced physician, and if the patient follows the doctor's instructions and takes the prescribed medications properly, there should be no damage to the uterus. Therefore, a woman who has had an abortion can become pregnant again. An abortion performed under the conditions mentioned above does not prevent future pregnancies.

Can Minors Under 18 Get an Abortion?

Minors under the age of 18 can have an abortion with parental consent (from both mother and father). If the pregnancy is the result of non-consensual intercourse or similar circumstances, it must be reported to legal authorities. In such cases, the responsibility to report lies not only with the individual and their family, but also with the physician.