First Trimester Abortion

First trimester abortion 5 to 13 weeks, 6 days

The doctor will perform the abortion by using the Dilation & Curettage “D&C” technique. An average patient’s visit to our center is approximately 4-6 hours.

You must review your Patient Rights and Responsibilities before you come in for your in-clinic procedure.

What to Expect

• Register with the receptionist, who will gather information regarding your medical history, your personal information, and take care of insurance or payment. We accept most insurance programs as well as Maryland Medical Assistance.
• Our team will bring you to a private examination room.
• We will perform a sonogram to accurately verify the gestational age.
• A small blood sample will be drawn and tested for the Rh factor at 12 weeks gestation and higher. If needed, you will receive a RhoGam injection for Rh- patients.
• A team member will review your medical history, discuss your decision to terminate the pregnancy, and offer information on contraception options for the future.
• During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. We will discuss post procedure birth control with you and give you a sample of a birth control method.

*Ask us about our Private Office Experience service.

Two levels of anesthesia:

1. Local anesthesia is an injection given around the cervix, also known as a cervical block to numb the cervix in efforts to decrease the pain of the dilation process. You can drive yourself home after the procedure.
2. Moderate (twilight) IV sedation, which puts you in a semi-conscious state where you are still breathing on your own and will quickly regain consciousness soon after the procedure is complete.

You are required to have someone accompany you at the start of the appointment to attest to drive you home after the procedure.

The choice of anesthesia is yours, and there is no difference in the price. We recommend IV sedation since it gives you more pain relief, and a medication is given to help you to not remember the procedure.

The Procedure and Post-Op

• As part of the surgical procedure, all patients will receive the medicines Xanax and Cytotec. Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication, which will not only help you relax, but also contributes to the efficacy of the twilight sedation. Further, it reduces the amount of medication needed for anesthesia. We are one of the few centers across the country to use these remarkable drugs to make the entire procedure easier and much safer for our patients.
• After your pre-op examination and meeting, you will wait in a quiet area until the surgical team is ready for your procedure.
• When it is time for your procedure, you will be escorted into the OR, where our team will help prepare you for surgery, and the nurse will administer the twilight anesthesia.
• Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the procedure will be performed by a board eligible/certified gynecologist.
• The procedure consists of a suction D&C, which is one of the safest and most common procedures in the United States, and only takes a few minutes.
• After your procedure, you will be accompanied to the recovery room where we will monitor your post anesthesia recovery for approximately 30-45 minutes.
• When you are ready to be discharged, our team will escort you out to your friend or family member who will take you home.
• You will be discharged with written and oral instructions on how to take care of yourself and what to do if you have a problem.
• It is recommended but not required for you to return for a follow-up visit in 2-3 weeks.
• We encourage and will assist you in exploring various family planning / birth control options.

Surgical abortion reminders

• Do not eat or drink after midnight before your procedure
• Your driver MUST be with you at check-in if you are planning to have sedation during procedure
• Please wear underwear that support a pad
• Please wear loose fitting pants, avoid jeans and leggings
• Take your daily medications as prescribed unless directed by us otherwise

NOTICE: For the privacy and safety of all patients and staff we ask that you to be aware of the following. Thank you!

• No food allowed inside the center
• No backpacks allowed inside the center
• Guests are not allowed inside the center
• Private parking
• Protestors if any, are not allowed inside the parking lot

Gynemed Surgical Center is a state and national American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (QUAD A) licensed outpatient health facility with a uniquely comfortable and private atmosphere.

Guests:
Although we truly understand and appreciate the support of the family and friends who accompany you during this difficult and emotional time, out of respect for the privacy of our other patients they will not be allowed to be with you during your pre-op examination and your procedure.

Our staff will gladly keep your guest informed of your progress and provide them with an estimated time for discharge. We will also notify them by phone if they prefer to leave and come back when you are ready to leave.