What is termination of pregnancy?
Termination of pregnancy (TOP), also known as abortion, is a procedure done to stop an ongoing pregnancy. You can carry out an abortion either by taking medication to end your pregnancy or by having surgery. An abortion can be done at any gestation up to 23 weeks and 6 days, dated by ultrasound scan.
Abortion at 24 weeks or beyond is prohibited by law in Singapore.
When should I terminate my pregnancy?
In Singapore, termination of pregnancy is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, it's only permitted if the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother's life or the foetus has severe abnormalities.
It's generally recommended to terminate the pregnancy as early as possible, ideally within the first trimester (before 13 weeks), as first-trimester termination of pregnancies is generally safer and simpler.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general knowledge only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, request an appointment with our specialists at Thomson Medical for a tailored plan.
How do I terminate my pregnancy?
The method of abortion depends on the stage of pregnancy and the individual’s health. There are two main types of abortion procedures in Singapore, which include:
Medical abortion
This procedure involves using medication to terminate the pregnancy and is typically performed up to 9 weeks of gestation. The process uses two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—to artificially induce a miscarriage.
Mifepristone
This medicine blocks progesterone, a hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. Mifepristone alone can cause miscarriage in 1% of patients. If you vomit within an hour of taking this medicine, an extra dose will be given.
Misoprostol
Taken 24 to 48 hours after mifepristone, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and relax the cervix to expel the pregnancy tissue.
Surgical abortion
Surgical abortion involves a minor surgical procedure and has a high success rate. It may be necessary when a medical abortion may cause an adverse reaction and harm to the patient (contraindication). These procedures are carried out in a clinical setting by trained medical professionals and include:
Vacuum aspiration:
This procedure is used up to 12-14 weeks of pregnancy. It involves gently suctioning out pregnancy tissue from the uterus, typically under local anaesthesia.
On average, the entire surgical procedure will take around 2 to 3 hours, and the majority of patients experience a quick and painless recovery.
Dilation and evacuation (D&E):
For pregnancies beyond 14 weeks. It involves dilating and evacuating the cervix and removing pregnancy tissue using surgical instruments, usually under general anaesthesia. This will require you to be in the hospital for around 1 to 2 days.
Due to the legal limit of an abortion being 24 weeks and the added complexity of D&E, the preferred option is vacuum aspiration, as it is more straightforward.
What is the cost of a termination of pregnancy in a private hospital in Singapore?
Costs for termination of pregnancy in Singapore vary significantly depending on whether you choose a medical or surgical method to terminate your pregnancy. Based on O63Z, a medical abortion would cost between SGD 2,600 and SGD 4,200.
An evacuation of the uterus would be under SI819U and SI820U, which state the cost will range between SGD 2,500 and SGD 10,800 depending on whether your situation is simple or complex and whether you choose inpatient or day surgery at a private hospital or private clinic.
MOH provided a breakdown of the fees for private hospitals and clinics as per SI820U:
Breakdown of Fees
However, additional charges may arise from expenses such as pre-surgery consultations, imaging tests like ultrasounds, medications, and post-surgery follow-up appointments.
This article was written in June 2025. Hence, prices for termination of pregnancy may have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the MOH website for more details.
Are there any subsidies for termination of pregnancy?
Yes, there are several schemes in Singapore that can help offset the total costs of termination of pregnancy.
These include MediSave, MediShield Life, and Integrated Shield Plans. Each offers different levels of coverage for your ovarian cyst removal surgery, depending on your eligibility and insurance arrangements.
MediSave
MediSave is a national medical savings scheme that allows Singaporean citizens and permanent residents to use their savings for hospitalisation expenses.
For hospitalisation, you can use up to SGD 1,130 per day for the first two days and SGD 400 per day for subsequent days for inpatient hospital charges. These charges include daily ward changes, treatment fees, investigations, and medications.
For day surgeries, you can use up to SGD 830 per day for hospital charges for day surgery, which include daily ward charges, daily treatment fees, investigations, and medicines.
According to the CPF website, surgical evacuation of the uterus is classified under 2A or 2B on the Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP) depending on whether your situation is simple or complex. Hence, the subsidies you can claim are between SGD 760 and SGD 1,160.
This article was written in June 2025. Termination of pregnancy costs may therefore have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the CPF website for more details.
MediShield Life
MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan for all Singaporeans and PRs, designed to help pay for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments.
It will cover a portion of the surgical and hospitalisation costs for termination of pregnancy, and similar to MediSave, there are claim limits.
For hospitalisation, the claim limits are SGD 830 per day for normal wards and SGD 5,140 for intensive care unit (ICU) wards, which include an additional SGD 800 per day for the first two inpatient days.
For surgical procedures, MediShield Life also follows the TOSP, meaning that there will be a claim limit for ovarian cyst removal surgery at SGD 760 to SGD 1,160.
This article was written in June 2025. Hence, prices for ovarian cyst removal surgery may have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the CPF website for more details.
Integrated Shield Plans
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) are private insurance policies that offer additional coverage beyond what is provided by MediShield Life. They can cover a larger portion of your hospital bill, especially if you opt for private hospitals or higher-class wards.
Many IPs also offer “as-charged” benefits, meaning they cover the actual bill amount, subject to policy terms and annual limits.
Coverage details and claim limits vary depending on the insurer and the specific plan and additional riders purchased.
While IPs do not normally cover termination of pregnancy, if you have hospitalisation coverage, they can cover part of your hospitalisation costs.
Gynaecologists at Thomson Medical
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Dr Ryan Lee is an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Thomson Medical. Dr Ryan’s practice encompasses general gynaecology and high-risk obstetrics with a special interest in maternal medicine.
Case Study 2: Private Hospital
Profile: A 48-year-old woman with a complex high-risk pregnancy seeking to terminate her pregnancy, requiring surgical methods and an inpatient stay.
| Estimated total bill | Insurance coverage | Final out-of-pocket expenses |
|---|---|---|
| SGD 7,700 to SGD 10,900 | Since 2019, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has mandated that all new IP riders include a minimum 5% co-payment—to encourage prudent use of healthcare services and avoid overconsumption.
| The patient would need to pay from SGD 385 to SGD 545, which can usually be covered by MediSave. |
Please note that for the most accurate estimate of insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses, you should consult their insurance provider directly, as coverage details vary by plan and insurer.
For the most accurate pricing, please contact your healthcare provider directly to discuss with them the potential costs for the procedure.
How do I process my insurance claims?
To process an insurance claim at a hospital in Singapore, you typically need to inform the hospital staff of your intent to claim, gather required documents like final bills and receipts, and submit the claim to your insurance provider through their designated channels (online portal, email, etc.).
For some insurance policies, the hospital may handle the claims process directly, especially for cashless claims. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Understand your coverage:
Before you schedule your treatment, meet your financial advisor to discuss the costs and coverage available for you should you undergo ovarian cyst removal surgery.
Inform the hospital:
When you are admitted to the hospital, inform the hospital staff that you wish to make an insurance claim. They may guide you through the necessary paperwork and forms.
Gather the required documents:
Ensure you have all the original, final bills and receipts for all treatments, including hospital stays, procedures, and medications.
If available, gather any relevant medical reports, diagnostic test results, and discharge summaries.
If you used your MediSave account for payment, you'll need a statement showing the Hospital Registration Number (HRN).
You may need to download and complete a claim form from your insurance provider's website.
Submit the claim:
Many insurers offer different portals for submitting claims, including online portals, mobile apps, email, or direct paper submission to your financial advisor.
If the hospital handles the claim directly, they will submit it on your behalf.
Follow up and track progress:
You should receive an acknowledgement of your claim submission.
Check the status of your claim through your insurer's online portal or app.
Do note that claim processing typically takes about 2 to 3 months from the date of submission (e-filing).
Some complex cases may take longer, especially if additional documents or clarifications are required.
If you don't receive updates after 3 months or have more questions, contact your insurer or the hospital for assistance.
At Thomson Medical, the insurance claims process is streamlined for your convenience.
The hospital provides e-filing services, submitting claims directly to MediSave, MediShield Life, and Integrated Shield Plan providers on your behalf.
This approach reduces paperwork and ensures claims are processed efficiently, allowing you to focus on recovery.
FAQ
Can I use my MediSave for the cost of terminating my pregnancy?
You can use your MediSave for the cost of termination of pregnancy (TOP). Depending on the complexity of the procedure, you can withdraw between SGD 1,660 and SGD 2,020 for your TOP as part of the MediSave Maternity Package.
This amount includes an SGD 900 withdrawal limit for your pre-delivery expenses. In addition, if the procedure was conducted in a day surgery setting, you may also claim an additional SGD 830 per day for daily hospital charges.
This article was written in June 2025. Hence, prices for termination of pregnancy may have changed since then. For more accurate benchmarking prices, please visit the CPF website for more details.
What is the procedure for abortion in Singapore?
Mandatory pre-abortion counselling is required for all patients seeking abortions before the procedure. Your doctor will direct you to the counselling service after your consultation. There is a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours after the counselling is conducted before the procedure can be done.
This procedure involves using medication to terminate the pregnancy and is typically performed up to 9 weeks of gestation. The process uses two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—to artificially induce a miscarriage.
How many weeks pregnant can I be to have a termination?
In Singapore, you can terminate your pregnancy before it reaches 24 weeks. Termination of pregnancy at 24 weeks or beyond is prohibited by law in Singapore.
What if I am two months pregnant and don't want the baby?
If you are two months pregnant and don't want the baby, you have three main options: abortion, adoption, or parenting. It's important to explore all your options and make the decision that is best for you.
What's the earliest a pregnancy can be terminated?
Typically, the earliest abortions are performed at 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. However, this does vary by state. Though abortion can be performed earlier, 4-6 weeks is generally when women begin experiencing symptoms of pregnancy, with a missed period often being the first sign.
How is a 12-week pregnancy terminated?
Most abortions are performed using 'suction (vacuum) aspiration' or 'suction curettage.' To have this procedure, you need to be in your first trimester (first 3 months or 12 weeks) of pregnancy. Your cervix is gradually widened with rods of increasing size before a slim tube is inserted into your uterus.
Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice on pricing and services, contact us at Thomson Medical today.
For more information, contact us:
Thomson Fertility Centre
- Paragon: 6252 7766
Thomson Specialists (Women's Health)
Thomson Women's Clinic
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