Abortion Procedures
Medication Abortions – Up to 10 Weeks LMP
Abortion Pill:
- The most common form of medication abortion is the Abortion Pill, used up to 10 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP).
- The process and risks associated with the abortion pill will be discussed to help you understand your options.
Lethal Injections for Late-Term Abortions:
- Less common, but available for late-term abortions, are lethal injections.
- We provide detailed information about the procedures and risks associated with this method.
In-Clinic Surgical Abortion – From 4 Weeks LMP
Early Term Surgical Abortions:
- Available from as early as 4 weeks up to 24 weeks LMP and beyond.
- Some women may prefer an in-clinic surgical abortion even in early term pregnancies (before 10 weeks LMP) over the abortion pill.
- The in-clinic procedure typically takes about ten minutes, compared to 24-48 hours for the abortion pill.
Types of Surgical Abortions
Aspiration/Suction – Up to 13 Weeks LMP:
- This method is used for early pregnancies, up until 13 weeks LMP.
- The process involves using a thin tube attached to a vacuum device for suctioning out the embryo.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) – 13 Weeks LMP and Up:
- Used for second-trimester pregnancies.
- The cervix is prepared with laminaria sticks and widened with dilator rods.
- The procedure involves suction and forceps to remove the fetus, followed by a curette to clear the uterus.
D&E After 16 Weeks LMP:
- Surgical instruments are required due to the larger size of the fetus.
- Lethal injections may be used prior to the procedure to soften the bones of the fetus.
- A combination of suction and curettage is used for the final removal.
D&E After 24 Weeks LMP:
- Similar to the procedures post-16 weeks LMP, adjusted for the size of the fetus.
Making an Informed Decision
Your Health and Safety:
- The priority of pregnancy centers, is to ensure your health and safety while providing comprehensive information about each abortion procedure.
- We encourage you to discuss your options thoroughly with our medical professionals.
At pregnancy centers, they understand the gravity of the decision regarding abortion. They are committed to providing you with detailed, compassionate guidance to help you make the best choice for your circumstances.
Schedule a consultation with your local pregnancy center to discuss your options in a supportive, confidential environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Do I need an appointment?
Answer: Walk-ins are welcome. However, it is best to make an appointment to minimize your office wait time.
Question: What is the cost?
Answer: All services are free and confidential.
Question: What should I expect when I come for my visit?
Answer: Upon your arrival, a friendly receptionist will guide you to meet your client advocate. This advocate will offer you a judgment-free space to talk, followed by essential information and a pregnancy test. In the event of a positive test result, a dedicated medical professional will perform a limited ultrasound to verify the pregnancy's viability and estimate the age of the fetus.
Question: How long after sex does it take for a pregnancy test to work and how accurate is the test?
Answer: Pregnancy tests can be performed 7 to 10 days after conception. A client with a negative result may be invited to return within 2 weeks for a repeat test if she has not had her period.
If you have taken a home pregnancy test, you may want to confirm results with a laboratory-quality test at your local pregnancy center. These pregnancy tests detect HCg levels within 7 to 10 after conception.
Question: Will you tell anyone about my visit?
Answer: Pregnancy centers maintain a rigorous privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients' information is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure, respecting their right to privacy, except in instances mandated by law. This includes situations necessary for public health, preventing harm to the client or others, or in specific circumstances where the use or disclosure of information is justified without prior consent, such as in cases of abuse reporting or suicide/homicide prevention.
Question: When should I schedule an appointment?
Answer: High-quality, medical-grade pregnancy tests are capable of detecting pregnancy from the first day after your initial missed period. We advise scheduling an appointment if you've missed a period, have any queries related to pregnancy, or suspect that you might be pregnant.
Question: How far along do I have to be to get a free ultrasound?
Answer: After an initial consultation with a client advocate, many pregnancy centers offer on-site ultrasound scans. These limited ultrasounds are conducted by a licensed nurse sonographer or a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) and are subsequently reviewed by a licensed physician. The purpose of an ultrasound is to confirm the viability of the pregnancy and to establish the gestational age.
Question: I already know I'm pregnant and I want an abortion, what's next?
Answer: It is advisable to have an ultrasound to confirm the viability of your pregnancy and to ensure it is located within the uterus, as 20% to 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Moreover, the ultrasound helps in determining the stage of your pregnancy, which is essential in making an informed decision about the type of abortion procedure you may consider. Many pregnancy centers offer a limited ultrasound free of charge.
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