ONE DAY ABORTIONS (5 weeks to 14 weeks)
Surgical Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by cervical dilation and vacuum aspiration to remove the pregnancy.
Plan to be at the clinic for 2 to 4 hours to do the following:
- complete medical history forms
- ultrasound
- laboratory tests
- counseling and consent
- surgical procedure
The ultrasound is done to locate the pregnancy and confirm that the dating is appropriate for a one-day Surgical Abortion.
You will meet with a counselor to confirm your choice to have an abortion, to discuss your choice of anesthesia, and confirm that you understand and consent to the Surgical Abortion. Counselors are also able to provide information about birth control and you may request a prescription for the method you choose.
If you choose to have sedation during your procedure, an adult must stay at the clinic to drive you home or accompany you if you use a taxi or ride-share service. It is unsafe to drive for 24 hours after receiving anesthesia.
Surgical Abortions are performed using ultrasound guidance.
After the procedure is completed, you will be monitored in the recovery room for about 30 minutes. The nurse will give you after-care instructions and any indicated prescriptions.
SURGICAL ABORTION (14 weeks to 17 weeks)
A Surgical Abortion at 14 to 17 weeks is the termination of pregnancy using a medication to soften the cervix, prior to cervical dilation, and vacuum aspiration to remove the pregnancy.
Plan to spend 4–6 hours at the clinic. The process is similar to the 6–14-week procedure (see above) but includes a medication beforehand to soften the cervix, which typically adds 90 minutes.
TWO DAY ABORTION (17 to 25 weeks)
The Surgical Abortion from 17 to 25 weeks is a two-day procedure. It is a termination of pregnancy requiring insertion of cervical dilators one day prior to the procedure. These absorb moisture and swell overnight, slowly opening the cervix. The following day the cervical dilators are removed and the abortion procedure is performed under anesthesia using suction aspiration and instrumentation.
Plan to be at the clinic for 2 to 4 hours on Day 1. This time includes completing medical history forms, having an ultrasound, laboratory tests, counseling and consent, and insertion of cervical dilators.
The ultrasound is done to locate the pregnancy and confirm that the dating is appropriate for a Two-Day Surgical Abortion.
You will meet with a counselor to confirm your choice to have an abortion, to discuss your choice of anesthesia, and confirm that you understand and consent to a Two-Day Surgical Abortion. Counselors are also able to provide information about birth control and you may request a prescription for the method you choose.
On the first day you can opt to have sedation for the insertion of cervical dilators, but it is not mandatory. If you do have sedation, an adult must stay at the clinic to drive you home or accompany you if you use a taxi or ride-share service. It is unsafe to drive for 24 hours after receiving anesthesia.
After the procedure is completed, you will be monitored in the recovery room for about 30 minutes. The nurse will give you after-care instructions, any indicated prescriptions, and advise you of your appointment time for the following morning. You may be given medication to insert in the vagina on the morning of the procedure.
On Day 2, you will be sedated for the procedure, and an adult must stay at the clinic to drive you home or accompany you if you use a taxi or ride-share service.
Plan to be at the clinic for 2 to 4 hours.
The surgical procedure is completed using ultrasound guidance.
After the procedure is completed, you will be monitored in the recovery room for about 60 minutes. The nurse will give you after-care instructions.