Natural Abortion

Natural Abortion – What Does It Mean?

The term “natural abortion” is often used when people search for ways to end a pregnancy on their own – without seeing a doctor. The basic idea is to use natural remedies to trigger a miscarriage.
In fact, 10 to 20 percent of all pregnancies end naturally through miscarriage. But can the body be influenced in a way that causes it to end a pregnancy on its own? Can a pregnant person deliberately trigger a miscarriage and thus “naturally abort”?

Medical Information on Miscarriages and Natural Abortion

The internet is full of advice about which herbs and foods pregnant people should avoid. You may have read things like “eat only a little parsley to avoid harming the pregnancy.” The logical conclusion seems to be that eating a LOT of parsley could trigger a natural miscarriage. This is not true. And placing hope in such methods can waste precious time during which a legal abortion would still be possible.

Miscarriages occur most frequently in the first three months of pregnancy. They can be the body’s response to a medical problem. Developmental issues with the embryo, illness or particular stress on the pregnant person may play a role. However, such an end to a pregnancy cannot be deliberately triggered as a “natural abortion.” Often, nobody knows why one pregnancy ends very early while another continues. Some pregnant people rest, eat healthily, listen to soothing music – and still have a miscarriage. Others work too hard, are exposed to toxins, stress or violence – and the pregnancy continues.

“Shame often makes it harder to seek counselling. But remember: one in six women will experience an unplanned pregnancy at some point in their life. We are not here to judge – we are here to help you find a solution.”

Natural Abortion – A Secret Tip for Ending a Pregnancy on Your Own?

As AWO pregnancy counselling centres, we believe that all women should have access to contraception and, if needed, to safe abortion services. If there were a reliable way to end a pregnancy independently and safely, we would share it with you here. But the truth is: all so-called home remedies for abortion are either ineffective or extremely dangerous.

That said: in Germany, there are safe and legal options for ending an unwanted pregnancy. A medically supervised abortion is possible up to 14 weeks of pregnancy (counted from the first day of the last menstrual period). In certain cases, it may be possible beyond that point. Important: do not delay. Book a counselling appointment or make use of phone or online services. You can receive anonymous counselling to get all the information you need.

Natural Abortion – The Legal Situation in Germany

Abortions in Germany are only permitted under certain conditions. One of these is that an abortion must always be carried out by a doctor. It is illegal to induce an abortion on your own – regardless of whether herbs or other home remedies are used. Abortions carried out with plants, poisons or home remedies have caused serious complications and deaths throughout history. A medically performed abortion, by contrast, is generally free of complications.

Home Remedies for Abortion on the Internet

People regularly search online for “home remedy abortion.” From our counselling work, we know that pregnancy can give rise to situations of genuine crisis. Nevertheless: there are no safe home remedies for ending a pregnancy. Online, you may come across mentions of alcohol or herbs, starvation or poisons, as well as heavy lifting or physical blows to the abdomen. There are even texts that can still be found under the search term “coat hanger.”

Worldwide, many pregnant people have suffered serious injury or lost their lives as a result of attempting abortion with metal coat hangers. And such complications will almost certainly mean that the abortion becomes known to others.

Seeking an Abortion in Secret – What You Need to Know

Are you afraid that someone in your life might find out about your pregnancy? Are you looking for options for an anonymous abortion? Perhaps sex before marriage is not accepted in your community. Perhaps you are concerned that parents, a partner or friends might intervene. These worries are understandable. Especially in smaller communities, it can feel impossible to go through a safe abortion without anyone finding out.

Even so, our counsellors have helped many people find solutions. It is always easier to keep a medically performed abortion private than to conceal a self-induced attempt using herbs or home remedies. Our counsellors are bound by professional confidentiality. You can seek counselling online. But: the longer you wait, the more complicated things become. Take the first step now. Find a counselling centre

“At first I thought I was completely alone and I panicked. I barely had the courage to go to the counselling centre. Luckily, my friend encouraged me. The counselling was surprisingly good and I was able to find MY solution.”

Why Pregnant People Want to Have an Abortion Without a Doctor

There are many reasons why some people look for ways to end a pregnancy without medical assistance. These are some of the situations we encounter regularly in our counselling work:

• Some are ashamed of finding themselves in this situation.
• Some are afraid that someone will find out about the pregnancy or the abortion.
• Some are minors who cannot speak to their parents.
• Some do not have legal residency status.
• Some have read that they may have to pay for the abortion themselves and are worried about the Costs.
• Some are afraid that a partner or parents might interfere.
• Some are overwhelmed and simply want it to be over quickly.
• Some have had bad experiences with doctors or counsellors.
• Some live in a country where abortion is prohibited.
• Some have already passed the 14-week mark.
• Some think: “It doesn’t matter if I die in the process.”

Sometimes it is hard to find a way forward. But no matter how hopeless your situation may feel – you deserve to live a good life. We offer open-ended counselling and will answer all your questions: about Abortion Methods and Costs, about financial support if you decide to continue the pregnancy, and about your options if you do not wish to continue the pregnancy but have already passed the 14-week mark.

Abortion at Home – What to Expect

A medication abortion (up to 9 weeks of pregnancy) can often be carried out at home. At the practice, a doctor will examine you and provide the necessary medication. You can take the medication either at the practice or at home. If needed, you can stay in contact with the practice by phone or via an app.

This type of abortion can take several days and proceeds similarly to a natural miscarriage, including abdominal cramps and sometimes heavy bleeding. Tissue will also be passed vaginally. Complications are rare and can be treated medically. For people around you, this type of abortion is indistinguishable from a natural miscarriage or a heavy period.

Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Abortion

Is an abortion without a doctor permitted in Germany?

No. For an abortion to remain free from criminal liability in Germany, it must always be performed by a doctor. In the case of a medication abortion, it is sufficient for the doctor to provide the pregnant person with the medication.

How can someone perform their own abortion or end a pregnancy themselves?

In Germany, an abortion must always be performed or medically supervised by a doctor.

Can a 15-year-old have an abortion without their parents? Can someone have an abortion without their parents knowing?

In many cases, yes. Pregnant minors can always seek counselling without their parents finding out. And pregnant minors also have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. One important note: online, there is a lot of misleading and false information on this topic. There are even fake counselling centres that will not help you but may have convincing online advertising. Rather than searching on Google: visit an accredited counselling centre as soon as possible. Counselling is free and confidential. Find counselling centres here:

• AWO pregnancy counselling centres nationwide
• All accredited counselling centres (tick the box “Beratungsschein” in the search form)

For an anonymous first point of contact, the counselling chat at liebe-lore.de liebe-lore.de is also available.

How does abortion with herbs work?

Many plants are described in old books or current TikTok videos as capable of inducing abortion. Most of them are either ineffective or highly toxic. Attempts at self-abortion using herbs very rarely succeed – but can be extremely dangerous. Liver and kidney damage, organ failure, seizures or death are possible. There are currently no safe herbal preparations that can induce an abortion.

Do labour-inducing herbs cause a miscarriage?

No. There are some plants, herbs and spices said to promote contractions towards the end of pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy, these plants have no abortion-inducing effect.

How did pregnant people in the Middle Ages have abortions?

In earlier centuries, pregnant people attempted to end pregnancies using poisonous plants, incantations, sitz baths or bloodletting, among other methods. Mechanical interventions in the uterus also occurred – with an enormous risk of death for the pregnant person.

Where can I get anonymous support?

All state-accredited pregnancy counselling centres are bound by confidentiality. You can also receive anonymous counselling. Choose the option that works best for you:

• Phone: 0800 40 40 020 (helpline for pregnant people in crisis, available around the clock, free of charge, anonymous, in multiple languages)
• In Person: AWO pregnancy counselling centres
  • All state-accredited pregnancy counselling centres in Germany. If you are considering an abortion, tick the box marked “Beratungsschein”.
• Online: liebe-lore.de (online counselling from AWO pregnancy counselling in Essen)