Surgical Abortion

First Trimester Surgical Abortion: 7-12 Weeks

At our Legal Abortion By Pill Clinic we provide a 3 minute, safe and pain-free surgical abortion in a very clean, comfortable, state of the art office setting. Our Physicians have a combined experience of over 100 years in performing abortion procedures. We have an experienced staff whose priority is to care for all patients who come through our doors. They pride themselves in the care, and compassion is shown to patients.

The first trimester surgical abortion is performed from 7 to 12 weeks gestation whereas the surgical aspiration procedure is performed from 3 to 6 weeks gestation. The earlier a surgical procedure is performed, the less risks involved and the recovery is faster including able to use tampons and engage in sexual intercourse 24 hours after the procedure if the patient is 6 weeks or less pregnant. We provide safe surgical abortion as well as the medical abortion (abortion pill, non-surgical abortion, chemical abortion, abortion by pill, RU486, Mifeprex, mifepristone) procedure.

Our complication rate is one of the lowest in the United States and throughout world due to the extra precautions and steps we have in place to provide safety for our patients. Our patients have individual and personalized care from our medical staff members. Patients will find our office to be comfortable and clean.

A medical history form is filled out by all patients to alert the medical staff and physician of medical conditions and allergies that may be a contraindication to the type of abortion procedure the patient wants to undergo. We have state-of-the-art laboratory testing equipment that is used to verify the pregnancy and to check the blood count and Rh blood type, for anemia, and whether or not patient may need a Rhogam shot to prevent Rh iso-immunization complications from occurring in future pregnancies. Warm, courteous medical personnel counsel each patient extensively on the benefits, risks, and alternatives of the procedure. We make sure that the patient is not being forced to have the abortion procedure performed.

A sonogram is performed on all women to determine the length of their pregnancy. Over 90% of abortions in the US are performed on women less than 12 weeks gestation. Do not forget that you may also have a medical abortion (non-surgical) performed up to 9 week’s gestation.

Patients may choose several methods of anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation at the Legal Abortion by Pill Clinics which include local anesthesia, regular IV sedation, Advanced Technology IV sedation, Deep IV sedation, and general anesthesia.

1. Local anesthesia consists of injecting Lidocaine into the cervix fro numbing. This reduces discomfort when dilating (opening) the cervix with serial dilators. It does not help the discomfort when removing the pregnancy tissue via suctioning which is similar to mild, moderate, and sometimes severe menstrual cramps.
2. Regular IV sedation consists of a combination of medications that help reduce anxiety and pain during the surgical procedure. It does not necessarily prevent the pain and discomfort that occurs during the abortion procedure. There are some patients who remember the procedure, but most patients do not. A driver must accompany the patient.
3. Advanced Technology IV sedation consists of new analgesic and anxiety reduction medication that is fast acting and leaves the body in less than 30 minutes, which means that patients may drive themselves to and from the office. This is also the ultimate in privacy as there are some patients who do not want anyone to know that they are pregnant or had to go to a medical office to have an abortion procedure performed. There is an additional $25.00 fee for this service.
4. Deep IV sedation. With this sedation most patients do not remember or feel anything during the abortion procedure. For patients who have a lot of fear and anxiety, Deep IV sedation is able to reduce this by approximately 90 to 95% of the time. An escort is needed to drive the patient home.
5. General Anesthesia is for patients who do not want to remember or feel anything at all during the procedure. This is for patients who have extreme anxiety and fear, and have tried Deep IV sedation and find they are still able to feel the procedure to such a degree that general anesthesia is needed. An escort is needed to drive the patient home.
   

A surgical abortion in the first trimester is done by a suction process that removes the gestational tissue from the uterus. The procedure generally takes 3 to 5 minutes to perform, and it is safe and pain-free. The Physician performs the procedure by a method known as suction dilatation and curettage (D&C). We use only sterilized instruments. During this procedure, the cervical canal is very gently dilated with sterile dilators. The opening of the cervix is gently stretched with dilators which gradually open the cervix to allow placement of a sterile curette. The stretching can feel like menstrual cramps if the patient is awake. When the opening is wide enough, the contents of the uterus are removed gently by suction. Some women feel a small amount of pressure during this process.  The extra step of using the sonogram during the surgical procedure and immediately after the procedure is done on an individual basis to assure safety during the procedure and successful completion after.

First trimester abortions are extremely safe surgical procedures at our offices. The complication rate is less than half a percent (.5%). After the surgical abortion is complete, patients are taken to the Recovery Room. A medical staff person will be with patients at all times. Vital signs and vaginal bleeding will be monitored to determine if there are signs or symptoms of any problems. Patients can expect mild cramping, and some women experience mild dizziness, and nausea.  Most women are able to leave the office in 30 to 45 minutes whether they receive local sedation or some form of IV sedation or general anesthesia.

Patients who have Rh negative blood will need to have a microgam injection at the end of the abortion to prevent antibody problems with future pregnancies.
Patients are discharged with a take home bag that contains antibiotics and pain medications, birth control pills, and a post-operative instruction sheet that lists clearly the dos and don’ts they must follow after abortion. It also points out the problems or complications that indicate why a patient should call the office immediately.

Patients return two to three weeks later for a post-operative check, during which a pregnancy test and pelvic exam are performed, and to discuss any emotional or physical issues. We may also perform another ultrasound of the uterus (unlike many other facilities that do not) if clinically indicated. Free birth control pills are provided to eligible patients at this time. Emergency Contraception (morning after pill, day after pill, post coital contraception, day after contraception, plan b) should be discussed and all patients should consider taking this medication home to have just in case of a repeated incidence of unprotected intercourse. Emergency Contraception is over 95% effective if used immediately after the unprotected intercourse event. Plan b or next choice (progestin only, levonorgestrel) reduces the incidence of unintended pregnancy by 89% if used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.

A patient may request an exclusive or private appointment with Dr. Pendergraft by contacting him by E-mail preferable: Drpendergraft@gmail.com or call him directly at 321-445-2545 or call office location nearest you by clicking locations. Same day appointments can be arranged.  

For further information including family planning, please visit our premiere website.

www.womenscenter.com

Legal Abortion By Pill Clinic
Offering Medical and Surgical Abortion
3 to 24 Weeks