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 or asleep during the procedure.

Appointments for first trimester abortion are available weekday 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 then 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, a medical assistant will bring you to the dressing room where you will change into a gown. You will then be brought to the procedure room where 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. 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.

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.

Anesthesia is available on Laminaria days and is optional.

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.