A first trimester in-office abortion, or D&C (Dilation and Curettage), is a 5-7 minute surgical procedure. First, the doctor stretches the cervix (the opening of the uterus) open a small amount. After the doctor can reach the pregnancy they will use a sterile plastic tube and a gentle suction to empty the uterus.
The abortion pill uses two medicines to cause a miscarriage and end a pregnancy. One medication ends the pregnancy and the other causes the pregnancy to pass. After you take this medication, it is normal to have heavy cramping and bleeding.
We will give you prescription pain medication to help lessen the pain of with abortion pill. Even after taking the pain medications we provide, you may still feel painful cramps until the pregnancy passes.
With the in-office procedure sedation is available. This means we can give you medicine to make you feel sleepy so you will not feel any pain, which many patients prefer.
The in-office abortion is safe and works almost all of the time.
The medication abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy, up to 77 days, in the privacy of your home. If you are 8 weeks pregnant or less, the medication abortion works 98 out of 100 times it is taken. If you are 8-9 weeks pregnant, the medication abortion works 96 out of 100 times it is taken. If you are 9-10 weeks pregnant, the medication abortion works 91-93 out of 100 times it is taken. If you take an extra dose of misoprostol as we recommend, it works 99 out of 100 times it is taken. If you are 10-11 weeks pregnant, the medication abortion works 87 out of 100 times it is taken. If you take an extra dose of misoprostol as we recommend, it works 98 out of 100 times it is taken.
The surgical procedure takes one day. The whole visit is normally 3-5 hours.
With the medication abortion you will have an office visit on the first day then spend 1-2 days at home completing the abortion process. However, the office visit for this procedure is normally 1-2 hours.
Our staff can talk with you about your options, as we want you to feel comfortable with your decision.