First Trimester Surgical Abortion Care - Up to 14 weeks

This type of a first trimester abortion is done to end a pregnancy within 14 weeks of the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). First, an ultrasound is done by passing a microphone-like instrument over your abdomen which measures the size of your pregnancy. Sometimes in very early pregnancy, we have to use an instrument that is placed in your vagina to get a clearer picture. The final decision as to whether the abortion may be performed in the clinic will depend on your medical history, the physical exam, lab tests and the doctor’s evaluation.

This procedure begins by giving a numbing medicine around the opening of the womb. The opening is then dilated using dilators (smooth instruments that start small and slowly get bigger in size) to dilate little by little. Gentle suction is then used to remove all pregnancy tissue. This process typically only takes about 5-10 minutes. This procedure is offered with and without IV Sedation.

IMPORTANT
Birth control: You can become pregnant again right after your pregnancy ends. To avoid any unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, start using birth control immediately. The doctor may also recommend that patients start some form of birth control to help regulate hormones and bleeding to normal at a faster rate.