There are so many reasons people choose to get an abortion, and at Rosie, we firmly believe: your body, your choice.

It’s a common and completely normal part of healthcare. Even if you don’t get one, chances are, someone you love will. But choosing to get an abortion — even when you know it’s the right decision for you — can bring up lots of feelings. That’s why we sat down with a researcher looking into what good abortion care actually looks like

Carrie (she/her) is a PhD student at the University of Melbourne, looking into how we can create supportive abortion care experiences. Ava, our Rosie Editor, chatted with Carrie to find out how you can make sure you are heard and supported by your doctor.

Ava: So, your research is about person-centred abortion care. What does that mean?

Carrie: Person-centred abortion care means giving each person the help that’s right for them. It means treating people with respect, listening to what they want, and caring about what matters to them.

This kind of care is a really important part of good healthcare, but it’s often forgotten. Think about a time you visited a doctor. Maybe they gave you the right medicine, but you still left feeling like they didn’t really listen to you.

I want to build a list of evidence-based practices for person-centred abortion care. This list could help shape future guidelines and improve care experiences. Most importantly, the people who have had abortions need to be the ones guiding this work.

Right now, I’m interviewing young people who have had abortions in Australia. I’m asking them what good, supportive care looks like and whether their own experience matched what they needed.

Ava: Your research is so important. What have you found so far?

Carrie: Before I started my interviews, I looked at research from around the world. I made a list of things that people say make abortion care feel more supportive. 

On my list, good care should:

• Make space to talk about the mixed or uncertain feelings that can come up around abortion
• Treat abortion as a normal and valid part of healthcare
• Support someone’s decision without needing them to explain or justify it
• Make sure people can bring a support person, or connect with peer support
• Help people make informed choices about how their care is delivered, including the type of abortion (surgical or medication) and pain relief options

I’m still interviewing people and studying the results here in Australia, so stay tuned!

Ava: That’s a great list already! Sadly, not all health care workers offer this kind of care. How can we speak up for ourselves to get the care we deserve?

Carrie: Great question! Abortion is very common. That means most of us will either need one ourselves or be there for a friend or loved one who does. Knowing how to advocate for yourself, or show up for someone else, really matters.

Know your rights

Across Australia, abortion is legal, which means you have the right to make this choice for yourself. If you are unsure about your decision or want to find an abortion service, there is support available, such as 1800 My Options, which is a free and private phone and online service in Victoria. They can tell you about contraception, pregnancy options (including abortion and the different methods), and sexual health. 

1800 My Options can also help you find a supportive service near you. Unfortunately, not all doctors offer abortion care — but if yours doesn’t, they must legally refer you to another doctor who can help, without unnecessary delay. Knowing this can help you push back if you feel dismissed or unsupported. Additionally, you can submit a complaint to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or Office of the Health Ombudsman. 

Some people find it helpful to do some research before going to an appointment with an abortion service, such as understanding the difference between surgical and medication abortion and how much the abortion can cost. 

Ask questions

You also have the right to ask questions. If something isn’t explained clearly, you can ask for more information. Your questions are valid, and you deserve clear answers. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming in the appointment with so much information so it can be helpful to ask your healthcare professional for a print-out of the information spoken about during the appointment to take home with you. 

Bring a support person

Advocacy isn’t just about speaking up for yourself. It’s also about how we show up for each other. Bringing a trusted support person to an appointment can make a real difference, as they can offer comfort, non-judgement, and speak up for you if you need it. This is what community care looks like in practice.

If you want to be that person for someone else, you can offer support such as driving your loved one to any appointments, validating and holding space for their feelings, or putting together a care package (including their favourite treat, soothing tea, pain relief, heat packs). 

To learn more about being an abortion support person, Children by Choice and Sexual Health Victoria run free webinars on how to do it well. 

You can find out more here: Children by Choice — Events & Training

The next webinars are on 22 July and 17 November 2026.

Ava: I love how much this shows the power of community and showing up for each other. Thank you so much, Carrie, for chatting with us!

Carrie: No worries, and if anyone is interested in working in sexual and reproductive health research or advocacy, I’m always happy to grab a coffee and chat, so just reach out!

Interested in chatting with Carrie about her research and your experience? 

Find out more or chuck her an email at: carrie.vanrensburg@student.unimelb.edu.au