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OUR SERVICES
First Trimester Abortion
Women's Health Services provides surgical abortion using dilation
and vacuum aspiration. It is a five-minute procedure that is very
safe and effective. Women may choose to be awake, sedated or asleep
during the procedure.
Appointments for first trimester abortion are available Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings. Please be assured
that when you call for an appointment we will be able to answer
your questions. We are well aware that many women who call our
office are extremely anxious and upset. To schedule an appointment
you will need to know the following:
• The first day of your last
normal period
• Medical insurance information
• Medical history and contact
information
When you come in for your procedure, you will check in with the receptionist
who will give you a medical history form to fill out and information to
read regarding the procedure and the associated risks.
Next you will be called
into the lab for lab-work (blood count, Rh status and urine or
blood pregnancy test). You will meet with a counselor, who will
review the procedure and the risks, explain the consent forms,
and then go over birth control options and aftercare instructions.
She will also discuss with you your situation, your pregnancy
options and alternatives. The counselor is with you to answer
your questions and to be a support to you. The counselor will
meet with you alone initially and, upon your request, with you
and your partner or parent.
After the counseling, you will be brought into the procedure room
where you will change into a gown. You will meet the physician
and the anesthetist who will answer any questions you have about
the procedure or risks of the procedure. Unfortunately, no one
is allowed in the procedure room with you.
The physician will do a pelvic exam and ultrasound to confirm
gestational dating. Once this has been determined, the anesthetist
will administer and monitor your anesthesia. IV anesthesia will
be adjusted so that you are completely comfortable, with little-to-no
awareness. If you choose to only have local anesthesia it can
be very uncomfortable and we do not recommend it for most women.
Should you choose IV anesthesia, you must have a ride/escort arrive
with you and drive you home. They will be required to sign-in
when you arrive and when you leave.
Following the procedure, you will rest in our recovery room. A
nurse will monitor your vital signs and review with you all of
your prescribed medications and prescriptions. If you are having
your follow-up care with your own doctor, we will mail information
regarding your procedure to your doctor, with your permission.
Second Trimester Abortion
Second trimester abortions require 2 or 3 visits. Day 1 includes
the same registration, counseling and lab-work as a first trimester
abortion appointment.
An ultrasound is performed to confirm gestational dating. If you
have already had an ultrasound please authorize the release of
that information and then fax us the results prior to your appointment
time at (617) 277-3248 fax.
When you call our office for an appointment, we will be able to
schedule you within a few days. Our telephone counselors are ready
to answer your questions and assist you in anyway.
At Women's Health Services second trimester abortion is performed
between 14 and 23 weeks gestation using the dilation and evacuation
procedure.
Between 14 and 18 weeks laminaria (sterile seaweed rods) are inserted
in the cervix, which dilate the cervix overnight. The procedure
begins with the insertion of laminaria. The following day the
abortion procedure is performed under anesthesia using suction
evacuation and instrumentation.
For patients who are between 19 and 23 weeks, two consecutive
days of laminaria are required. This is to ensure a safe and medically
sound procedure.
Gynecological Care
Women's Health Services offers gynecological procedures including
post-abortion follow-up exams and annual exams with pap smears,
and a full range of contraception counseling.
We are offering Essure
sterilization procedures. This is covered by most insurance.
Click here to read our NOTICE
OF PRIVACY POLICIES.
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