Up to 20 Weeks of Pregnancy

Surgical Abortion:

First Trimester Abortion

We offer First Trimester abortion services between 5 and 14 weeks, 6 days (See Pregnancy Calculator below) from the first day of the last normal menstrual period. We perform surgical abortion by suction D & C. The average visit to the Center is approximately 4-6 hours.

We offer two levels of anesthesia for our patients: (1) Local anesthesia numbs the cervix only; (2) Twilight anesthesia will put you in a state of semi–consciousness, but not fully asleep. You will regain full consciousness soon after the procedure is completed. The choice of anesthesia is yours, and there is no difference in the price.

All patients receive the medicines, Xanax and Cytotec. Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication, which will help you relax. Cytotec, softens and dilates the cervix making the procedure safer and shorter, resulting in less intra-operative pain. 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.

On the day of your procedure, you will need to register with the receptionist, who will gather information regarding medical history, personal information, and take care of insurance or payment. We accept most insurance programs as well as Maryland Medical Assistance.

If you would like to save approximately 30 minutes from your office visit on the day of your procedure, you can print out the forms below, complete them and bring them with you when you come to have your procedure.

Please Complete: Surgical Abortion Forms
For Spanish Forms Click Here

A female staff member, a trained counselor, will bring you to a private examination room. Note: Support friends are not permitted to accompany you into medical areas of the center. We will keep your friend informed of your progress and give them estimates of when you will be ready to leave. We will also call them if they prefer to leave and come back when you are ready.

We will perform a sonogram to verify and measure the pregnancy. A small blood sample will be drawn and tested for the Rh factor. If needed, you will receive a RhoGam injection. Your staff 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. She will then give you the Xanax and Cytotec.  After this Pre-Op examination and meeting, you will return to the waiting area while the medications take effect.

You will be called into the procedure room where the nurse will administer the IV sedation or general anesthesia, whichever you chose. Once the sedation or anesthesia has taken effect, the abortion will be performed by a board-certified gynecologist. Suction D & C is one of the safest and most common procedures in this country and only takes a few minutes.

After your procedure, you will be accompanied to the recovery room where you will relax for approximately thirty to forty-five minutes, where our staff will carefully monitor your condition. You will be released when you are sufficiently awake and your friend is available to take you home.

Second Trimester Abortion

If you are in your second trimester 15-20 weeks (See Pregnancy Calculator below) a different procedure is used. This procedure changes as the number of weeks increases. We use dilation and extraction (D&E) for second trimester patients. This surgical procedure is very similar to a D&C for the patient, but is more complex for the physician.

This is normally a two-day procedure. You should have someone with you during the night between the two days. There is a hotel next door to our medical center for accommodations in the immediate area.

On the first day, you will be given Mifepristone, a medication that stops the growth of the fetus and that softens and dilates your cervix. You will use this medication as directed, starting on the morning of the second day until your cervix is dilated sufficiently for the procedure. You will come to our office in the morning where we can observe your condition.

If needed, the physician will insert a Foley catheter to dilate your cervix.

Once the cervix is dilated, a combination of a suction curette and specially designed forceps are used to remove the products of the pregnancy.

Complications are possible, but rarely occur.

If you would like to save approximately 30 minutes from your first office visit, you can print the required forms below, complete them, and bring them to your first visit.

Please Complete: Surgical Abortion Forms
For Spanish Forms Click Here

Medical (Non-Surgical) Abortion

This method of abortion is performed for pregnancies up to 8 weeks (See Pregnancy Calculator below) and is over 98% effective. The procedure is non invasive and completely safe.

On your first visit, you will be fully informed of the risks and benefits of this non-surgical method of pregnancy termination. We will review your medical history and perform a gynecological examination with a sonogram to verify and measure your pregnancy. A small blood sample will be drawn to test for the Rh factor. If needed, you will receive an injection of RhoGam during this visit.

If you would like to save time on the day of your first office visit, you can print the required forms below, complete them, and bring them with you.

Please Complete: Medical Abortion Forms
For Spanish Forms Click Here

Your medical history will be reviewed for any contra indications. Our physician will discuss your choice of non-surgical abortion, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. If you are eligible for the non-surgical abortion and choose to proceed, you will receive RU486. You will then be given Misoprostol tablets and instructions on how to take them orally.

The Misoprostol tablets should be taken 8 to 48 hours after taking the RU486. The vast majority of women will completely expel the uterine contents within 24 hours of the Misoprostol insertion. You will experience vaginal bleeding similar to a heavy menstrual period and cramps that may be intense. You will most likely experience heavy cramping within 7-8 hours from taking the RU486 and very likely the discomfort will only last 3 hours or so.

Prescriptions for Darvocet (for cramping) and Compazine (for any nausea and vomiting) will be prescribed for you.

Do not use any other medications (such as Advil, Aleve, Midol, Bufferin, etc.) than those you have been given because they contain anti-prostaglandin's that may interfere with the prescribed medications. You should not engage in sexual intercourse once you have inserted the tablets.

Approximately, one week after you have taken the Misoprostol tablets you will be evaluated to determine the completeness of the pregnancy expulsion. Our physician will perform a sonogram. If your pregnancy termination has been complete, contraception will be discussed and the appropriate method may be prescribed. Most women will continue to bleed lightly for two to four weeks after expelling the uterine contents. If the pregnancy tissue has not passed, you will be scheduled for a D&C surgical abortion.

NOTES on medications:

Mifepristone, commonly referred to as RU486 is FDA approved and works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is needed to maintain an early pregnancy.

Misoprostol is a prostaglandin like medication which has been FDA approved for several years. The drug has been used in obstetrics to induce labor and to treat stomach ulcers. The most commonly reported side effects are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea of brief duration. No other side effects or adverse reactions have been reported at the dosage used in this method of pregnancy termination. Misoprostol will help the uterus to expel the pregnancy.

PREGNANCY CALCULATOR

To best determine approximately how far along you are in your pregnancy enter the date of your last normal Menstrual Period below -- then click "CALCULATE".

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