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SURGICAL ABORTION

Surgical Abortions are done in our office setting from 4-24 weeks of pregnancy. We specialize in offering you individualized care and welcome the chance to counsel you about all your pregnancy options. If you have seen another physician, or have concerns regarding your case your Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist will be happy to discuss any issues with you.

Surgical Abortions Under Local or Under General Anesthesia

The choice of anesthesia is an individual one. The most comfortable choice may be general anesthesia, although the risks of this slightly greater. Many who have insurance coverage for abortions will have coverage for anesthesia.

Flexible Daily Scheduling

We offer daily abortion services

Email Scheduling

Email us for scheduling. If you do not hear within 24 working hours of the email please call 356-3736.

Medical or Surgical Abortion?

Medical abortions are a safe and ideal choice for many women in early pregnancy. Part of your individual counseling session will review your options.

Insurance Coverage

We are the PPO preferred providers for many insurance companies, your plan may cover abortion services.

Early Surgical Option

Pregnancies can be visualized by ultrasound by the 4th week after a last menstrual period (LMP). Very early surgical abortions can be done, and the success rate is similar to a medical abortion, perhaps slightly more effective. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia, with a very tiny suction device that rarely requires much cervical dilatation to place. The procedure takes a few minutes. Most women only have a local injection of an anesthetic, but additional sedation is available. General anesthesia can be used for this procedure. You may be eligible for a medical abortion, ask about your alternatives with this safe and effective way to have a gentler abortion.

Surgical Abortion, 6-9 Weeks

This procedure is very similar to the early surgical option in that it is performed with a hand held suction device and is typically performed with local anesthesia. Your visit will take 2-3 hours, as we will need to obtain your medical history, draw blood to check for anemia and Rh type, perform an ultrasound to date the pregnancy, and have you talk to the counselor. If you feel comfortable with your decision, then you may elect to have the procedure. The procedure involves speculum insertion, pelvic examination, taking cervical cultures to test for sexually transmitted diseases, injection of the local anesthesia, a dilating process during which the cervix is opened, and finally a suction process. The entire surgery should only take a few minutes to complete. Someone will always talk you through the various surgical steps so that you are aware of what process your body is experiencing. The risks and alternatives of this procedure will be discussed with you during the consent process.

After your procedure, another ultrasound may be done. Occasionally, ultrasound is used during the procedure to aid in working with your individual anatomy.

Your tissue will be sent for analysis to a pathologist. You will rest in the recovery room for about 30 minutes, or possibly longer depending upon the type of sedation you were given.

During your rest in the recovery room, you will be monitored by our staff and receive any medications you need, such as a Rhogam shot if you are RH negative, or a contraceptive shot if you choose. Sometimes closer monitoring is required, and we may place an oxygen monitor on your finger, or measure your heart rate.

Before you leave you will receive an instruction sheet and a letter to give to your regular healthcare provider should you choose to have your check-up at another office. You are welcome to return here for your post-op visit. Pap smears can be taken at any of your visits (best when you are not bleeding heavily). We welcome the chance to provide you with ongoing contraceptive or gynecologic care, and can answer your questions regarding which health plans we use.

You may be eligible for a medical abortion, ask about your alternatives with this safe and effective way to have a gentler abortion.

Suction, Dilatation, and Curettage, 9-14 Weeks

As a woman progresses farther into pregnancy, there is more tissue to evacuate. The cervix needs to be opened further, and often a suction machine is required rather than a hand held syringe. The procedure may require a few hours of cervical preparation, especially if you have never previously been pregnant. The tissue is always inspected for completeness and sent for pathologic confirmation. A pregnancy test will continue to be positive for days to weeks, as your hormone levels can remain high.
Dilatation and Evacuation, D & E, 14-22 Weeks LMP: This will always require a medical treatment to begin the cervical dilatation process. The procedure will take longer. A variety of treatments can be used to begin the process and enhance the safety of the procedure. We have a very experienced staff and our goal is to preserve your cervical and pelvic anatomy while conducting your procedure in the easiest way for you. D & E procedures require so much cervical dilatation that there is a small chance of cervical injury that could lead to damage of the cervix. Though the risks of a D & E are greater than the D & C, modern medical advances have made this procedure very safe. We feel that an individual assessment of risks is best, and we are happy to answer any questions at your appointment. Some patients are able to tolerate this procedure with only a local anesthetic or with a little additional IV sedation, but most patients feel more comfortable having the procedure under general anesthesia. We can accommodate some patients' special needs, and patients can arrange for tissue burial, although they need to be aware that these services must be arranged well in advance and may be costly.

Tubal Sterilization with Abortion Services

For some women permanent tubal sterilization is an excellent alternative. This is a procedure we can perform in our office Ambulatory Surgical Setting, either at the time of your abortion, or at a separate appointment. If you have insurance coverage we may have to take some time to preauthorize the payment for this with your insurance, or we have a global fee for our patients with no insurance.

IUD Insertion with Abortion

You may select to have an IUD inserted after your abortion. The copper T, a ten year IUD or the progesterone containing IUS can both be inserted post abortion. Most insurance companies will not cover IUDs, but some do. You could also arrange to have this inserted at the time of your post operative appointment.

Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologists

All our physicians who perform abortions are Board Certified Obstetricians and Gynecologists, certified with the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. They uniquely are qualified to give you specialized consultations in your pregnancy and future contraceptive and gynecological needs.