Prior to making an appointment, we recommend taking a pregnancy test (a home test is very accurate.) We can schedule an appointment for you within a few days of your call. Sometimes, we can schedule you the same day. Most appointments last one to two hours. Your medical history, decision, personal concerns, consent forms and the surgical procedure will be reviewed privately. If you wish to speak with a counselor regarding these issues or regarding your decision, one will be available to talk with you.
Procedure
After any necessary laboratory tests, we will perform an ultrasound
to confirm your gestation. The procedure used for surgical abortion is
vacuum aspiration, which is considered very low-risk. The procedure
normally last less than 10 minutes. You will be given a local
anesthetic, with other medications for pain and relaxation available as
well, if you have a driver. Most of our patients report that they felt
very little discomfort during the procedure. If your pregnancy is
over 12 weeks, we may use a medication to soften the cervix which will
enable us to perform the procedure more easily. This may cause your
appointment to last longer, but in most cases it will still be completed
in one visit. Sometimes, it must be done in two days.
