Your First Abortion Appointment: What to Expect
If you are considering an abortion, your first appointment may bring many questions, concerns, and feelings of uncertainty.
Understanding what to expect during your visit can help you feel more informed, prepared, and comfortable throughout the process.
Your first abortion appointment is an opportunity to meet with healthcare professionals, discuss your medical history, confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy, and learn about the abortion options available to you.
In this guide, we will walk you through what typically happens during your first abortion appointment.
Registration
When you arrive at the Women’s Centers, you will first be greeted by a warm, friendly receptionist who will give you a packet of paperwork that includes a medical history form to complete and sign, review the medical and surgical consent, counseling and birth control forms.
LAB
During the laboratory testing phase of your visit you will be asked to provide a urine sample and a small amount of blood will be taken from your finger to determine whether or not your pregnancy test is positive.
The blood work determines if you have a low red blood cell count (anemia) and your Rh factor.
Your pre-operative vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature) will also be taken.
Your weight will also be obtained.
Sonogram
A sonogram (ultrasound) will be performed to determine the length of your pregnancy and to assure the gestational tissue is inside the Uterine cavity.
Counseling
Deciding whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy is a deeply personal decision. Every woman has her own circumstances, concerns, and reasons for considering an abortion.
For some, the decision may be straightforward, while others may experience uncertainty, anxiety, or conflicting emotions.
At the Women’s Center, we believe every patient deserves compassionate, confidential, and nonjudgmental counseling before undergoing an abortion procedure.
Our goal is to provide accurate medical information, answer your questions, and help you make an informed decision that reflects your personal needs, health, and circumstances.
During your counseling session, a trained healthcare professional will discuss your pregnancy, review your medical history, and explain the options available to you.
These may include continuing the pregnancy, parenting, adoption, or abortion. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns without pressure or judgment.
If you decide to terminate your pregnancy, your healthcare provider will explain the available medication abortion (abortion pill) and in-clinic surgical abortion procedures, including how they work, their potential risks and side effects, and what to expect during recovery.
The options available will depend on factors such as the stage of your pregnancy, your medical history, and applicable medical and legal requirements.
Exam Room An Procedures
When it is time for your appointment with the physician, you will be escorted to a private examination room.
Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure, answer any questions you may have, and help ensure that you feel informed and comfortable before treatment begins.
Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, your medical history, and your personal preferences, you may undergo a surgical abortion or a medication abortion, commonly known as the abortion pill procedure.
Surgical Abortion Procedure
If you are having a surgical abortion, the physician will typically use gentle suction to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
If you are very early in your pregnancy (less than six weeks) and have chosen not to receive IV sedation, you may be given medication to help soften and open the cervix, making the procedure easier to perform.
An early surgical abortion generally takes only a few minutes, although the overall appointment will take longer to allow for preparation and recovery.
Patients who choose IV sedation may experience less discomfort, while deep IV sedation provides a deeper level of sedation during the procedure. Your physician will discuss the available pain management options and help determine which is appropriate for you.
One advantage of having an early surgical abortion without IV sedation is that you may be able to resume many of your normal activities the same day, depending on how you feel and your physician’s recommendations.
Abortion Pill Procedure (Medication Abortion)
The abortion pill procedure is a nonsurgical method of ending an early pregnancy using two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain pregnancy. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue.
Unlike a surgical abortion, the medication abortion process generally takes place over several hours or days.
During your appointment, the healthcare provider will review your medical history, determine whether medication abortion is appropriate for your stage of pregnancy, and explain what to expect.
The process generally involves two steps:
- Mifepristone: The first medication blocks progesterone and begins the process of ending the pregnancy.
- Misoprostol: The second medication causes uterine contractions, cramping, and bleeding, allowing the pregnancy tissue to pass.
Cramping and bleeding are expected during a medication abortion and may be heavier than a normal menstrual period. Nausea, diarrhea, chills, and temporary fever may also occur.
Your healthcare provider will explain how to manage discomfort, recognize warning signs, and confirm that the abortion is complete.
Recovery
Patients who elect to undergo the early surgical procedure without IV Sedation are able to go home within 10 to 15 minutes after the procedure is performed. It is normal to experience mild cramping for 3 to 5 minutes after the procedure is completed.
During your time in recovery, vital signs will be taken and bleeding monitored. If further along in pregnancy (greater than 7 weeks) or you had IV Sedation, you will stay in recovery for about 30 minutes.
Patients in the second trimester of pregnancy remain in recovery for 45 minutes to an hour.
In recovery, our patients are not just provided with a one type and one size fits all drink and snack while having their post-operative condition and vital signs monitored.
Our recovery areas have comfortable recliners, heating pads, blankets, flat screen cable TV and private restrooms.
Patients may choose from a variety of snacks and beverages.
The recovery areas are staffed by qualified, compassionate employees at all times.
Patients receive comprehensive post-operative instructions; on-call and after hours contact information; and medication samples as well as other items in a discrete take-home bag prior to being escorted from the building to their automobile or that of their companions.
You will be given a 24 hour number to call if you have any concerns or questions after leaving the office.
Our medical staff and physicians are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For patients requiring a follow-up visit appointment, there is no charge.
VIP Patients
VIP patients are those who do not want to be seen by other patients or visitors. We are able to schedule a specific day and time to accommodate patients who request a VIP Appointment to assure their absolute privacy.
In most instances, a VIP Appointment generally requires less than 60 to 90 minutes. VIP patients may have their significant other accompany them. There is an additional fee for this service.
Exclusive Treatment Service
For women who wish to have the ultimate in privacy and confidentiality, we offer our Exclusive Treatment Service. This option allows the patient to have a friend, family member or spouse and medical staff to be the only individuals in the building.
There is an additional fee for this service; however, it is the very best option for those who must have the highest degree of privacy.
Please contact our office should you wish to have additional information about the exclusive treatment service.
International Patients
Every effort will be made to assist International patients with travel and hotel accommodations. Our Orlando offices are conveniently located near the Orlando International Airport.
We understand that in many countries abortion is not easily accessible and in some it is completely unavailable and illegal.
We welcome our foreign patients and will do everything possible to help make their visit as comfortable as possible. If necessary, we can even arrange for an interpreter.
Cruise Line Employees
We understand the busy and limited time frames of cruise line employees and will make every possible effort to accommodate their schedules. Many of our offices see patients every day and some have evening appointments.
In many cases an appointment may not be necessary and a patient can be seen on a walk in basis.
We will always endeavor to assist cruise line patients with any necessary travel arrangements.
We have an office in Ft. Lauderdale which is very near the Port of Everglades and Port of Miami.
Our Tampa office is located within minutes of the Port in Tampa.
Both of our Orlando offices are located just over 30 minutes to the Port of Canaveral.
We know that making the decision to terminate a pregnancy can be very difficult.
Therefore, we do not want our patients who may have to come from long distances to also endure the stress and frustrations that can be associated with traveling to an unfamiliar area.
This is why we will do everything possible to provide as much travel information and assistance as possible.
A patient may request an exclusive or private appointment by contacting: 24hourabortion@gmail.com or call directly at 407-245-7999 or call the office location nearest you by clicking locations.
Same day appointments can be arranged.
Contact us if you need help.
Have a Question? Someone is available to answer your sexual health related question by
e-mail 24 hours 7 days a week at 24hourabortion@gmail.com
