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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.
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.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion is brought about by taking medications that will end a pregnancy. The alternative is a surgical abortion, which ends a pregnancy emptying by the uterus (womb) with special instruments. A medical abortion is done without entering the uterus, therefore, it can be safer. Either of two medications, methotrexate or mifepristone, can be used for medical abortion. Each of these medications is taken together with another medication, misoprostol, and either regimen will end a pregnancy. Medical abortion is 90-96% effective, but can be more unpredictable than a surgical abortion. The process may be complete in a day or two or take a full 6 weeks. Many women will not want to wait and request a surgical abortion if the process is not complete in 6 weeks.
Determining the Length of Pregnancy
Before any abortion can be done, a medical professional must confirm pregnancy and determine the exact length of the pregnancy. The length of pregnancy is measured by the number of days that have passed since the first day of the last menstrual period (abbreviated as LMP). Medical abortions can be performed as early as a pregnancy can be confirmed. In fact, the shorter time that a woman has been pregnant, the better the medications will work. Because they do not work as well later in pregnancy, medical abortion is not usually an option after 9 weeks LMP. After that, surgical abortion is the safest and best option.
How The Medications Work
Methotrexate: Methotrexate has been used in the U.S. since 1953 when it
was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain
types of cancer. Since that time, medical researchers have discovered other
important uses for the drug. One of these uses is to end unintended pregnancies.
Although the FDA did not consider methotrexate for this specific purpose,
clinicians may prescribe (and are not prescribing it) methotrexate for early
abortion. Methotrexate is given to a pregnant woman in the form of an injection
(shot). It stops embryonic or fetal cells from dividing. Once these cells
can no longer divide, the pregnancy stops growing. This medicine has been
used to safely end ectopic pregnancies since the 1980s.
Misoprostol: A few days after taking methotrexate or mifepristone, a second
drug, misoprostol, which comes in the form of a pill or suppository, is
inserted into the vagina or taken by mouth. The misoprostol causes the uterus
to contract and empty. This ends the pregnancy.
You should not have a medical abortion if you:
· Have adrenal disease or severe liver, kidney, or pulmonary disease.
· Use corticosteroids.
· Have cardiovascular disease.
· Have inflammatory bowel disease.
· Have abnormal blood profile and/or severe anemia.
· Have an ectopic pregnancy.
· Are breastfeeding.
· Have folate deficiency.
· Have known intolerance to either methotrexate or misoprostol.
· Cannot commit to returning to clinic for all recommended follow-up
visits.
· Are unwilling to have a surgical abortion even if the provider advises
you to.
· Have no telephone.
· Have no transportation.
· Live more than two (2) hours away from emergency medical care.
Medical Abortion Procedure Schedule with RU-486 (Mifepristone) and Misoprostol
This is most similar to the FDA-approved regimen.
Day 1: Medical evaluation, consent process, physical examination, and an oral dose of the Mifepristone (RU-486). This consent process takes about one hour.
Day 2 or 3: The misoprostol will be provided to you with medication instructions that carefully explain the timing and route of administration. About half of all patients will pass the pregnancy within 4 hours of this dose, and you will want to alert your support person of this. A few women will pass the tissue in the next couple of days so it is not unusual for this process to be longer than 4 hours. Most of the heaviest bleeding and cramping will only last 2-4 hours whatever day it begins. It is recommended that women use the pain medication they were prescribed before concluding the pain is not manageable.
Although women are specifically checked for a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy before being given the medical abortion if there is unusual pain or bleeding you must seek medical attention immediately. Over a million women have used these medicines safely but there have been cases of infection and sepsis. If you have pelvic pain or a fever over 100.4 F that lasts at least 4 hours you should seek immediate medical attention.
Call us at any time if you have a concern. We offer 24-hour services because we feel it is very important that you be able to contact us at any time, and think this is an especially important reason for you to select Women's Health Practice for a medical abortion.
We have staff standing by to offer after hours care, on a limited basis, and welcome the opportunity to care for you.
Day 7-20: Return for an ultrasound to assure abortion completeness.
Medical Abortion Procedure Schedule with Methotrexate
Day 1: Consent process, medical evaluation, injection of Methotrexate.
Day 5-7: You will insert pills misoprostol in your vagina while at home.
Repeat twenty-four (24) hours later if little or no bleeding. (Optional:
May be requested to return on Day 8 for ultrasound).
Day 15: Return for office ultrasound
If pregnancy still growing:
1. You should have surgical abortion; it is unlikely additional medication
will work.
2. Return in three (3) weeks for follow-up visit.
If abortion has not happened and pregnancy is not growing:
1. Return in three (3) weeks; we may select to give you additional medication.
2. Three (3) week visit for ultrasound.
3. If the abortion has not occurred, you should have a surgical abortion.
4. Return in three (3) weeks for follow-up visit.
If ultrasound is clear:
1. Abortion is complete.
2. Return in two (2) to three (3) weeks for negative pregnancy test.
Payment
Payment with cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card is required the day of your abortion procedure. Women's Health Practice does not accept personal checks, cashier's checks, or money orders for abortion services.
We accept University of Illinois Student Insurance at time of service.
Fees/Included Services
We can check on your insurance or what part of our services will be covered by your insurance. We can bill our services to your insurance company with proper preauthorization.
We accept University of Illinois Student Insurance as payment at time of service.
NOTE: For Illinois Public Aid (IPA) a valid Public Aid card is required the day of the appointment.
Abortion fees include:
· Sonogram.
· Individual counseling
· Laboratory tests (pregnancy test, hemoglobin, Rh factor typing).
· STD screening (gonorrhea and chlamydia testing).
· IV sedative medication (if indicated).
· Contraceptive education and gynecologic literature.
· Abortion procedure.
· Post-operative appointment (includes pregnancy test and sonogram,
if indicated).
Extra fees may be charged for other services, including pregnancy blood tests or if antibiotics are indicated at the time of the procedure.
General anesthesia is available on an individual, prearranged basis. There are slightly increased risks and greater costs ($350 extra) associated with general anesthesia.
For in hospital abortions (medically-indicated), hospital charges are separate.
Tubal ligation is also available during general anesthesia in some cases.
How To Schedule An Appointment
Scheduling an appointment is best done by telephone at 217-356-3736. We take calls daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. An experienced staff member can answer your individual questions and tailor a visit to your needs. It is possible to schedule only a consultation, or if you are fairly certain of your decision, you may schedule to have your abortion done on the day of your first appointment.
If you are farther than 15 weeks since your last menstrual period, you may need a two-step appointment over two days. The first day involves testing and evaluation, and the abortion process is begun by laminaria insertion.
If you are being referred from another physician, we encourage you to bring
your previous records. Dr. Trupin would be happy to talk to your doctor
about your case if he or she prefers. If you have an active or serious medical
condition, it may be necessary to schedule your procedure at the hospital.
All consultations and initial evaluations would still be at Women's Health
Practice.
Reasons to ask to speak to a nurse in advance:
· You have a serious medical condition.
· You regularly need to take medication(s).
· You wish to schedule under general anesthesia.
· You are unsure how far pregnant you are.
· You routinely need antibiotics for medical procedures.
· You need to know how much money to bring.
· You wish to have a tubal ligation at the time of your procedure.
· You wish to get an IUD at the time of your procedure.
· You have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
or a vaginal infection.
· You need to get preapproval from your insurance company (this may
need to be done with you in the office).
· You want to arrange special genetic testing on your tissue specimen.
Insurance Method of Payment
Women's Health Practice will assist in preparing insurance forms to aid in reimbursement. Patients are responsible for bringing all necessary forms and policy information at the time of their appointment.
Women's Health Practice currently has preferred contractual agreements with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid (Illinois Department of Public Aid), Tricare/Champus, Unicare, UnitedHealthcare and PersonalCare HMO/PPO/POS. If validity of abortion coverage can be determined the day of the service, all standard agreements regarding acceptance of insurance coverage will be in effect. The patient will be responsible for payment of any co-pay, deductible, or percentage associated with their specific plan. If validity cannot be determined the day of the service, the patient will be responsible for all fees the day of the service.
Patient Preparation, Instructions
1. Bring one (1) person with you to drive you home. Neither you nor your driver should bring children to your appointment. If you driver chooses not to wait here, make sure that he/she can be contacted when you are ready to leave.
2. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
3. Drink plenty of fluids-especially water-the day prior to your appointment.
4. Eat a light breakfast or light lunch-avoid greasy or spicy foods-the day of any surgical procedures.
5. If scheduled for general anesthesia, you must fast (nothing to eat or drink) for at least eight (8) hours prior to your scheduled procedure.
6. Do not take aspirin, aspirin-containing medications, or Advil twenty-four (24) hours prior to your appointment.
7. Bring verification of your blood type, if available.
8. Bring a picture ID (driver's license, school ID, passport, or military ID) the day of your appointment.
9. The fee is payable in cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card. We do not accept personal check, money orders, or cashier's checks for abortion services.
10. Plan on being here approximately:
- Four (4) hours if under 12 weeks;
- Four (4) to eight (8) hours if 12-14 weeks;
- Two (2) day procedure may be required if over 14 weeks;
11. Rest for the remainder of the day following your procedure. You will be given additional post-operative instructions before you leave the office.
12. Avoid strenuous activities for one (1) week following the procedure, which includes no lifting over twenty (20) pounds. If you need an excuse for work or school, we will give you one before you leave. The excuse will be general and will not indicate why you were seen at Women's Health Practice.
13. If any pre-existing conditions or concerns, please call and consider scheduling an initial consultation.
14. If you wish to have general anesthesia, this is usually not done the same day due to additional preoperative instructions. This can be scheduled at your initial appointment unless you have called ahead to arrange this.
15. If you are being seen for consultation regarding medical complications of pregnancy, we request that you bring a copy of your medical records from your primary physician and/or specialist physician(s).
Counseling
Patients who are uncertain about how to manage an unintended pregnancy are invited to visit our office for a consultation. Your consultation visit includes sonogram, pelvic examination, screening test for infection, and a counseling session. During the counseling session, a member of our counseling staff will help explore all your options and carry out your decision. Private and agency adoptions referrals are available for those who would like this information. Medical literature, contraception information, and individual needs and risks are also discussed in the counseling session.
You may choose to have a family member or friend with you in your counseling session, but remember that this is your decision and only you can give consent to proceed with the abortion. You do not have to receive the abortion on the day of the counseling session. Some women find this to be an easy decision, for others it is harder. Most studies show that ongoing psychological or emotional problems are neither solved nor significantly worsened by the abortion procedure. We encourage you to seek additional counseling services as necessary. We welcome your feedback and regularly assess our services.
We will also be glad to see you for additional counseling at your post-operative
visit.
We comply with all state guidelines and will be filing anonymous, confidential
reports to the state as required. No one will ever have access to those
reports.
Laboratory Testing
Routine laboratory analysis includes hemoglobin, pregnancy test, and blood Rh factor. Many special tests can be arranged on an individual basis.
Contraception
We specialize in contraceptive care and new contraceptive developments. Education and instruction in the most effective birth control methods are offered for all patients of Women's Health Practice. For patients wishing to start oral contraceptives, this can be arranged the day of the abortion, and we can help you select the best option based on your medical case. DMPA (DepoProvera), Essure Tubal Sterilization procedures, Lunelle, IUDs, and Mirena™ IUS, sterilization, contraceptive patches and rings are available. The patch as an alternative is an excellent choice to help eliminate the worry of contraceptive failure with missed pills as it only needs to be changed weekly. Now we also offer the new incisionless sterilization process Essureª. We can provide initial contraception for your first cycle after your abortion. If you are interested in participating in contraceptive clinical research you may be a candidate for full coverage of all contraceptive services during your study participation, go to research to inquire or register with our research department.
Post Abortion Care Services
Complete evaluation at a postoperative visit is included in your original pregnancy termination payment. This includes an evaluation of termination completeness, an examination, and contraception counseling. We also welcome you to become a regular patient of Women's Health Practice. A Pap smear test would be an extra charge.
We are part of a number of insurance plans, and would be happy to be your womens's health care provider. We also have an active clinical research division. They are actively enrolling in contraceptive, cervical cancer prevention and PMS trials that you may be eligible to participate in. Participation usually covers all medical services, medications or contraception, and provides a stipend for your time or transportation.
Licensed Ambulatory Services
Women’s Health Practice has been awarded the certification of accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC). The award means that Women’s Health Practice has met nationally recognized standards for quality care set by the Chicago-based accrediting organization.
”We’re pleased and proud to have achieved accreditation,” said Suzanne Trupin, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.. “We think accreditation is very important and has helped improve the quality of care we provide. We feel that our patients are the ultimate benefactors from our participation in the accreditation program.”
In order to achieve accreditation, Women’s Health Practice underwent an extensive on-site survey of its facilities and services. The survey team, composed of physicians, nurses, and administrators, evaluated all aspects of patients’ care. The survey findings resulted in a favorable decision.
Common Questions
1. What is a medical abortion?
Pregnancy termination by taking medication that causes you to begin to contract,
bleed, and then pass the pregnancy as if you miscarry. The alternative is
surgical abortion using instruments and suction curettage.
2. What are the medications and how do they work?
Mifepristone (RU-486) is an antiprogesterone. This causes the pregnancy
to detach from the uterus. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin that causes softening
of the cervix, uterine contractions, and leads to expulsion of the pregnancy
spontaneously. Some medical abortions begin with methotrexate; a drug that
causes rapidly dividing cells to stop dividing and die. The RU-486 method
is more effective and more predictable.
3. Is this method safe?
Medical abortions are very safe and avoid
the chance of inadvertent rupture damage to the uterus that can be caused
by sharp instruments used in surgical abortions. Both medical and surgical
abortions have a less than 1% infection rate and less than 1-2% rate of
serious bleeding. Patients rarely need repeat surgical abortions for an
incompletely terminated pregnancy. For very early pregnancies, this may
occur 4-5% of the time; for later pregnancies, it is much more rare.
4. Will this affect my future ability to have children?
Surgical abortions are much safer than carrying a pregnancy to term. Long-term
health or psychological consequences are rare. Possible complications include
damage or scarring to the uterus, injury to the cervix, pelvic infection,
bleeding, or pain. Rare cases of a blood clot or other complications have
been reported but the rate of death from an abortion is < 1/100,000 (check
statistics). The medications for medical abortion can produce harmful birth
defects if the abortion process is not completed successfully. Long-term
effects of these medications are not known. Misoprostol has been used as
a gastric ulcer treatment for years. Methotrexate has been used to treat
arthritis, and RU-486 has been used in other countries for the treatment
of fibroids and endometriosis.
5. What will the embryo (baby) look like?
Surgical abortion patients
do not see their tissue. Medical abortion patients may or may not notice
the pregnancy tissue as it passes from their body. The embryonic tissue
is usually small, irregularly shaped, and white, and sometimes inside a
blood clot. Even if you see it close up, it does not look like a baby because
it is much too soon to have any real shape. If you do not see it, there
is no need to worry since it is easy to miss. A pregnancy embryo of 49 days
is 1/5 of an inch. By 63 days, the pregnancy could be as large as 1 ½".
An early pregnancy would be even smaller.
6. How will I know when the abortion is complete?
The only way to
be certain that the abortion is complete is to come back to Women's Health
Practice for follow up visits. At this time an ultrasound will determine
abortion completeness. You cannot be sure you aborted even if you bleed
very heavily.
7. What should I expect on my first visit?
During the first visit
is when most of the work will be done, including:
· Taking your medical history and patient information.
· Performing the pelvic exam and ultrasound.
· Doing necessary laboratory work/tests.
· Obtaining written consent.
· Counseling on the procedure and what to expect. Explaining the
"do's and don'ts" until your follow up visit.
· Instructing you how to self administer the misoprostol at home
· Giving you the RU-486 tablet.
8. How effective is this method?
If used within 63 days after the
first day LMP, the combination drugs have reported being 90-96% effective.
About 5% of these abortions occur before the administration of the misoprostol
medication, and 70-80% of the women abort within six (6) hours after it
is administered. The procedure may take up to 6 weeks to complete, but that
is unusual.
9. What are the side effects of the medications?
Most patients to
not experience significant side effects or if they do they are mild and
do not last long. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, and
warm/hot flashes are lessened if you use your medication vaginally instead
of taking orally. With the misoprostol, side effects include nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and fever/chills.
10. Will this method be painful?
Pain is variable and we do provide
pain medication prescriptions. The initial cramping is mild. The cramps
when you actually pass the pregnancy are dramatically stronger over 2-3
hours. The bleeding may or may not coincide with the pain. Women with strong
menstrual cramps and women who have not previously had a baby may experience
worse cramps. The strongest cramps usually occur 1-3 hours after the misoprostol
(the second medication).
11. What amount of bleeding can I expect?
The amount of bleeding
varies for each individual. Most likely it will be heavier than a period,
so have a good supply of maxi pads. The bleeding will most likely begin
with two (2) to four (4) hours after the cramping begins, but can start
as soon as ½ hour, or as long as ten (10) hours later. Heavy bleeding
will most likely last up to four (4) hours. Heavy bleeding is expected,
but if you soak more than four (4) maxi pads per hour for more than two
(2) hours in a row, contact Women's Health Practice.
12. May I choose to have a surgical abortion after starting the medical
abortion?
You can change your mind and choose to have a surgical abortion
at any point for any reason. Women who have begun a medical abortion then
opted for a surgical abortion often cite the uncertain timetable as the
biggest obstacle. Perhaps they need the abortion to be over quickly, don't
feel comfortable with a lot of blood, have no one to watch the children,
etc. If you are medically stable, the surgical abortion will be scheduled
during our regular office hours.
13. What restrictions will I have during the medical abortion?
Individual
instructions will be given, and methotrexate patients will be asked to avoid
foods with folic acid. Avoid alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, and related medications
and other nonprescription drugs. Abstain from sexual intercourse until the
abortion and recovery period are over, which may take as long as four (4)
weeks. Breastfeeding needs to stop for a period of time after taking the
medications.
14. What if the medication does not work?
There is a 90-96% chance
the medications will be successful in inducing an abortion. But, in the
rare event the drugs do not work for you, the embryo can be severely damaged,
and you will need to have a surgical abortion.
15. What if I continued the pregnancy after taking the medication?
Studies reveal severe birth defects (i.e., frontal and/or temporal defects
in the skull and limb defiencies). You must be certain of your decision
to have an abortion and be willing to have a surgical abortion.
16. When will I receive contraceptive to prevent future pregnancies?
Once the abortion is complete, Women's Health Practice physicians, counselors,
or nursing staff will discuss contraceptive choices. You may receive a Depo
injection immediately or start your oral contraceptives as soon as you know
the abortion is complete.
Dr. Trupin's Medscape Article on Medical Abortion
Article coming soon.
Morning After Pills
Morning After Pills via phone: Women's Health Practice now offers the Morning After Pill as a telephone visit or an office visit. Patients wishing to use the telephone visit system should call 217-356-3736. When you reach an operator and ask for the morning after pill, you will be asked if you would like to come in for a visit or to be treated over the telephone. If you select telephone treatment you will be put through to a staff member who can help you after having paid for the visit via credit card. For a telephone visit, the charge is $29. Your prescription will be called into a pharmacy. These calls will be taken as promptly as possible. MAP treatment is most effective if taken within 72 hours of intercourse, but may be used for up to 5 days past intercourse. Via phone the services will be limited to weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM Central Time. For our current patients if you register with us at http://www.womenshealthpractice.medem.com you can do this over the internet
Therapeutic Abortion
Therapeutic abortion is the termination of pregnancy performed for medical reasons to preserve the health of the mother before there is fetal viability. Some therapeutic abortions are performed in order to save the life of the mother. This decision is typically made with the aid of your obstetrician and other medical specialists involved in the care of your individual problem. We encourage your physician to contact us to discuss your individual case and plan your specific medical needs. We request that your medical records from your referring physician be faxed (217-356-5849) for our review. Being able to assess the risks in a case of life threatening illnesses is difficult. If you have concerns that you would like to discuss before your actual appointment, please schedule an initial consultation. Depending on your individual case, additional laboratory work may be necessary.
In some circumstances your abortion may be covered by insurance or public assistance. To determine if your individual medical plan covers your abortion, prior to your appointment you can fax (217-356-5849) your insurance information. We will contact your insurance company for benefit coverage, and then contact you with this benefit information. In the case of public assistance programs, documentation must be provided by a treating physician. You will also need to speak with your caseworker to complete certain forms. Women’s Health Practice and the Midwest Surgical Center can help coordinate that with your treating physicians.
Some therapeutic abortions are done for pregnancies which would result in the birth of a child with defects incompatible with life or associated with significant health issues morbidity. These are not typically covered under plans that do not cover elective pregnancy terminations. Abortions to electively terminate a nonviable pregnancy also may not be covered under medical plans that do not cover elective abortions. Tissue can be sent for analysis in cases of fetal anomaly.
Therapeutic abortions can also be done to selectively reduce a multifetal pregnancy (i.e. triplets to twins or a single fetus for example), we do not perform this at our center.