Family Reproductive Health
Charlotte, North Carolina
704-551-0808 / 800-952-9034
An early abortion takes from 3 to 5 minutes for the actual procedure, however you will be with us for several hours for your total visit.
You'll be at our clinic for approximately 4 hours. Because we pay
attention to your head & heart along with your body, your
abortion visit will include numerous steps. Here's how a typical
patient appointment would look:
You
will check in at the desk and get paperwork, including a complete
medical history to complete. All information about you and your visit
is completely confidential.
Next
will be an ultrasound to accurately date the length of your
pregnancy. An ultrasound doesn't hurt and is the most accurate way to
find out how many weeks pregnant you are.
Several
simple laboratory tests will be performed: your blood type, anemia
screening, and a confirming pregnancy test. If your blood type is Rh
negative, you will need a special medication after your abortion to
prevent future pregnancy problems involving blood types. Only 12% of
women are Rh negative, so most do not need this medication.
You
will be seen privately in the business office to review your medical
history and to pay your fee. Fees are payable with cash, or any major
credit card. We do not accept personal checks.
Then,
you will review the abortion procedure, its possible risks and
complications, and your abortion decision with a counselor. This is
an opportunity to have all your questions answered and to discuss any
concerns, fears and/or doubts you may be having. Please understand
that we are not here to make decisions for you or to talk you into or
out of anything. Our purpose is to provide you with truthful
information, help you clarify confusion, and support whatever
decision you make for yourself about your pregnancy.
After
counseling, you will receive your pre-operative medications. Each
patient receives oral Valium and a pain medication prior to her
abortion. Valium helps to relax and ease anxiety and the pain
medication is to help reduce cramping and discomfort during and after
the abortion.
Then,
you are escorted to the exam room by a staff member. She will help
you get changed for your procedure. You will have a few minutes alone
in the exam room while the physician finishes his/her time with the
previous patient.
Your
procedure will last about 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the length of
your pregnancy. A medical staff member will be there to assist both
you and the doctor. In fact, our medical staff are the best
hand-holders around and will take very good care of you. After your
abortion is complete, the medical staff person will help you dress
and walk to the recovery room.
In
the recovery room, our Registered Nurse will monitor your blood
pressure, cramping and vaginal bleeding. You will be with us for a
full hour in recovery, plenty of time to be feeling better for your
trip home. If you are starting birth control pills, you will receive
a sample package along with instructions while in the recovery room.
This is your last opportunity to ask questions and get information
before you leave the clinic. You will also receive your
post-operative medications and instructions from the nurse. Most of
our patients leave the recovery room ready to eat a meal and be a
couch potato for the rest of the day. A few feel just like normal and
a few are uncomfortable enough to go home to bed. No one gets to
leave the clinic until it is medically safe.
The abortion is performed using a suction/aspiration method. Simply put, the cervical muscle that is the opening to the uterus, is gently dilated to the diameter of a ball point pen and suction is used to remove the pregnancy. For later pregnancies, dilation and evacuation is the method of choice. The cervical muscle is dilated to about the diameter of your thumb and the pregnancy is removed with a combination of suction and sterile instruments.
We all have differing pain responses and tolerances. Because we all experience pain differently, women have a variety of abortion experiences. Our goal is to offer the best pain management options for all of our patients without jeopardizing safety. Patients experience a range of pain responses from mild cramping to severe uterine (menstrual type) cramping. But remember, the procedure only lasts for a few minutes and you will have a support person with you throughout.
Our approach to pain management is varied, and for safety reasons, does not include general anesthesia. Because we all experience pain differently, we offer several medication options to our patients. Each woman receives a local anesthetic medication that numbs the cervical muscle to reduce discomfort during dilation. Patients then have the option of oral medications to reduce both anxiety and pain or injection sedation. Women with high anxiety and low pain tolerance are well served by injection sedation. This option involves a fast acting narcotic that is injected into a vein or muscle. The medication acts quickly to alter consciousness without putting the patient to sleep. Injection sedation is preferable to general anesthesia because of the reduced risk of serious complications. General anesthesia has a higher risk of complication than the actual abortion procedure.
On the day of your appointment, you will take the "Abortion Pill" (Mifeprex) while you are in our office. You will be instructed by the doctor to insert 4 tablets vaginally (Misoprostol) 24-72 hours later. Most women will expel the embryo or "miscarry" within 4 hours after inserting the vaginal tablets. Cramping can range from mild to intense for approximately 4 hours. A follow-up visit is necessary in 2-3 weeks.
There are several opportunities for your support person to be with you during your appointment. We will always create opportunities for you to meet in private with staff, even if you want your support person to join you. Because patient privacy is one of our main concerns, your support person will not be permitted in the medical portions of your visit unless you have scheduled a private individual appointment. Ask About Private Appointments.
"Abortion is 11 times safer than carrying a pregnancy to term, and nearly twice as safe as a penicillin injection...The risk of complications with an abortion is minimal--less than 1% of all abortion patients experience a major complication associated with the procedure." From The Alan Guttmacher Institute, an independent, Nonprofit Corporation for Research, Policy Analysis & Public Education. Abortion and Women's Health, New York, NY: 1990.
Studies have shown that 1-2 early, uncomplicated abortions have no effect on a woman's current fertility. With all out-patient surgery, part of the long term effects are in your hands. Completing medications, following instructions, and returning for your follow-up examination will reduce your chance of long term side effects. Women having later abortions or more than two abortions may have increased risk of future fertility and child bearing problems.
We know that women experience a range of emotions following an
abortion. Studies show that most women experience relief and
happiness following an abortion. One study showed 94% of women
reporting an improvement or no change to their mental health
following an abortion. The key is in the decision making. If you make
your own decision, based on your own beliefs, wants and needs, you
are likely to experience relief, not guilt. If you allow yourself to
be guided or pushed to a decision that is wrong for you, you are
likely to experience regret and anger. Even if you are making a good
decision, your own decision, you may feel sadness after your
abortion. It is sad to lose opportunities, to say no to important
life changes. We want you to know that sadness is normal and is a
part of the healing process. If may last for a few days or longer.
You will pass through it. If you find you need help getting to the
other side of sadness, please ask us.