Helpful Information

1^st Trimester Abortions

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More than 90% of all abortions are performed in the 1st trimester – up through 12 weeks. This surgical procedure – called suction aspiration – is 7 to 10 times safer than childbirth and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. There is a variety of pain-management or anesthesia options available (see our Services page.) First trimester abortion carries a low risk for complication and allows you to resume most of your normal schedule within a day or two.

What to Expect:

All medical appointments begin with paperwork – medical history, information sheets and consent forms. Be sure to have your ID and health insurance information with you.

Laboratory tests will also be part of your day. You may have a pregnancy test, anemia screening, and Rh type. Expect to give a urine and/or blood sample.

We perform an ultrasound to accurately determine the gestational age of the pregnancy.

We will review your medical history, birth control plan, and other papers. This is also a time for you to ask questions and raise any concerns you may have. We will explore with you your decision to have an abortion. Being clear and resolved in this decision is what we want for you.

Your abortion will take place in an exam or procedure room with the physician and an assistant and our support person.

After the abortion you will have time to rest and recover with a nurse or medical assistant to take care of you. The minimum time is 20 minutes.

Lastly, you will be encouraged to schedule a follow-up visit within 2 to 3 weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity to make certain you have healed properly, to continue your birth control plan, and even get a pap test.

2^nd Trimester Abortions:

Abortion in the second trimester – from 13 to 17 weeks – is generally performed using a procedure called Dilation & Evacuation (D&E). Early second trimester abortion carries a low risk for complication and allows you to resume most of your normal schedule within a day or two.

What to Expect:

All medical appointments begin with paperwork – medical history, information sheets and consent forms. Be sure to have your ID with you.

Laboratory tests will also be part of your day. You may have a pregnancy test, anemia screening, and Rh type. Expect to give a urine and/or blood sample.

Later abortion requires an ultrasound to accurately date the gestational age of the pregnancy. This is done at the beginning of your appointment process to determine whether you are eligible for an abortion at Founder’s Women’s Health Center.

We will review your medical history, birth control plan, and other papers. This is also a time for you to ask questions and raise any concerns you may have.

You will be given a medication to begin dilating your cervix at least one hour prior to your abortion procedure.

Your abortion will take place in an exam or procedure room with the physician and an assistant and our support person.

After the abortion you will have time to rest and recover with a nurse or medical assistant to take care of you. The minimum time is 20 minutes.

Lastly, you will be encouraged to schedule a follow-up visit within 2 to 3 weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity to make certain you have healed properly, to continue your birth control plan, and even get a pap test.

Remember…Expect good care – you deserve it.