GPs who provide abortions say they are aware of about 20 women from across the country who sought the procedure on the first working day of the service on Wednesday.

The MyOptions helpline set up by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as the main referral path for women seeking a termination was said to be “busy but not overwhelmed” on its first full regular day of operation.

Initial cases referred to doctors ranged from four weeks’ gestation upwards. Cases close to the 12-week limit under the legislation were facilitated with a same-day appointment at the nearest maternity unit offering abortion.

Doctors are required to notify the Minister for Health of the number of abortions performed within 28 days, so the exact level of demand will not be known with any accuracy for some weeks.