• The Abortion Pill
• First trimester abortion (up to 13 weeks)
• Second trimester abortion (up to 23.5 weeks)

About Second Trimester Surgical Abortion

Second trimester abortions are performed between 13.5 to 23.5 weeks of pregnancy and require 2 to 3 consecutive clinic visits. We use the dilation and evacuation procedure, also known as a D&E. Cervical dilators, called Laminaria or Dilapan, are inserted into the cervix to gradually dilate it overnight before a doctor performs the surgery.

The fee includes pregnancy testing, admitting, pre-operative history and physical, ultrasound, lab work, dilator insertion, pre-operative medications, surgery, RhoGAM or MicRhoGAM (if required), medications given on the day of surgery, post-operative medications and your post-operative care as authorized by us.

Getting here and home safely.

You may drive yourself to and from the clinic on the days before your surgery. On the day of surgery, you must have a prearranged ride so someone else can drive you home.

Visit One: the 1st Day of Insertion

When you arrive for your appointment, you will be asked to complete personal demographic and health information and consent forms. An ultrasound will be performed to determine the length of gestation, if one has not been recently done at another FPA facility. You will meet with an admissions staff member to discuss your procedure, medical history, and both pre-operative and post-operative instructions. The admissions staff member will assist you with any additional paperwork. The laboratory technician will draw a sample of blood to determine your iron level and Rh factor. After you have changed into a gown provided by the clinic, your vital signs will be taken.

You will be escorted to the treatment room where the clinician, a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner, will perform a history and physical and will insert cervical dilators. This procedure takes approximately 5-15 minutes. Most patients experience cramping and discomfort during the insertion. We will provide you with pain medication. After the insertion, the vaginal canal will be packed with sterile gauze that has been soaked in betadine (an antiseptic solution) to keep cervical dilators in place and to prevent infection.

After your insertion, you will be escorted from the treatment room to the discharge area. The discharge medical staff will give you post-insertion instructions, medications, and an appointment time for your next day insertion or surgery.

Visit Two: 2nd Day of Insertion (if necessary)

If your procedure requires 2 days of dilator insertion, on the second day, you will check in with the receptionist and be escorted to the treatment area. A clinician will remove the dilators inserted the first day and insert additional dilators into the cervix to further increase its dilation. The discharge nurse will give you additional instructions before you go home.

You will also be given an instruction sheet with our 24-hour emergency number. Call with any questions or to discuss problems that occur after your visit.

The Day of Surgery

Before You Arrive

• Do not eat, drink or smoke after midnight on the day of your surgery.
• Nothing at all by mouth after midnight including gum, candy, water, etc.

If You Take Medications

• In some instances you may be instructed by our medical staff to take your regular medications with a small sip of water.
• If you take insulin for diabetes, DO NOT take insulin in the morning.
• If you have an inhaler for asthma, please bring it with you, even if you rarely use it.
• Please bring any medications you are currently taking.

Preparing for Surgery

• Plan to spend 3 to 5 hours under our care at the clinic. Make sure that you have prearranged for a ride to and from the clinic.
• Do not wear any jewelry, including earrings, bracelets, rings, etc. All body piercing jewelry must be removed. If you are going to be asleep for surgery, you may not have any piercings in the nose or mouth.
• Do not bring any valuables or a large amount of cash.
• Please do not bring children to the clinic.

When you arrive at the clinic, you will change into a gown that we provide and have your vital signs taken. A medical assistant will escort you to the surgical suite.

Surgery

In the surgical suite, a licensed CRNA will administer anesthesia and a licensed medical doctor who is board certified in OB/GYN will perform the abortion by removing the pregnancy and aspirating the uterine lining. You will be in the surgery room about 10-20 minutes. Patients are completely asleep for surgery. They feel no pain or discomfort.

Recovery

After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where trained medical personnel, including nurses and medical assistants will care for you until you are ready to be discharged. Recovery room time is approximately 1 to 3 hours for most patients, depending on the gestation of your pregnancy.

Discharge

After you leave the recovery room, our medical staff will offer you a light snack. They will explain your post-operative care. Before you are discharged to your driver, you will receive your medications to take home.

You will also be given an instruction sheet with our 24-hour emergency number. Call with any questions or to discuss problems that occur after your visit.

After your Visit

You should rest for the remainder of the day after your surgery. You are able to go to work or school the day after surgery, unless the doctor has told you otherwise.

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