FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q | Which type of abortion is best for me?
Women who are no more than 8 weeks into the pregnancy have the option of either a surgical or medical abortion. First trimester surgical abortions have less risk involved than the medical abortion.

Q | Will the surgical abortion hurt?
A surgical abortion can cause cramping, similar to cramping experienced with a menstrual period. Pain medication is given before and after the procedure. Remember the procedure lasts 4-8 minutes, depending on how far you are into the pregnancy. With assistance of the medical assistant and the pain medication, most women are able to get through the procedure with minimal difficulty.

Q | Can my boyfriend/husband/mother/ friend be in the procedure room with me?
No, only medical personnel are allowed on the surgery side of the clinic. This is both for safety and confidentiality reasons. We keep your loved ones informed of your progress, especially if they are nervous or anxious about you.

Q | How long can I expect to be there?
Although the actual procedure itself lasts 4-8 minutes, you can expect to be at our center for approximately 3 hours. There are medical forms to be completed, lab work and ultrasound to be done, video and educational materials to review as well as individual counseling sessions and recovery time. So there are a lot of "other" time-consuming parts of your visit here. We strive to give you the individual attention you deserve, but remember on busy days, there are many other women needing these services, too. Time can be saved on your appointment day by downloading and completing medical forms before your appointment.

PATIENT HEALTH HISTORY form

Q | What forms of payment are accepted? | Is there a payment plan? | Is there any financial assistance available?
You can pay by cash, or credit card - Visa, Master Card or Discover. No personal checks will be accepted. Payment must be made at time of your service. There are limited payment plan arrangements possible for later second trimester patients. There are some funds available for financial assistance.

Q | I had an abortion last week and I'm testing positive on a home pregnancy test. Am I still pregnant?
We strongly encourage you not to do a home pregnancy test before returning for your follow up appointment at the center, or your own doctor. Pregnancy hormones levels can be detected by a pregnancy test for 3-4 weeks after a surgical or medical abortion, even though you are no longer pregnant. Doing a home test can be confusing and unnecessarily frightening. We recommend you return for your follow up visit 2 - 3 weeks after your surgery to confirm you are no longer pregnant.

Q | Will a Doctor be able to tell I had an abortion?
It is unlikely that a doctor can tell you had an abortion after your cervix has healed, which takes about 3 weeks after an abortion. However, a pregnancy and abortion procedure is an important part of your medical history, and we encourage honesty with your doctor. We also understand the fear and concern of being "judged" or treated badly by medical personnel. Most OB/GYN’s are supportive of all reproduction choices, including abortion. However; there are some anti-choice doctors. Ask us and we can recommend good, supportive gynecologists.

Q | Will I be able to get pregnant after my abortion?
There is no evidence of fertility or childbearing problems after an abortion. Having an abortion does not interfere with your ability to have children in the future.