What is procedural abortion?
State laws in Florida and North Carolina require two in-person visits for abortion care. At your first in-person appointment you will complete an ultrasound, lab work, medical history, counseling session, and receive state-mandated consent. When you return for your second appointment, you will have a procedural abortion and should expect to be in our office from 4 to 6 hours on your second appointment.
A procedural abortion, sometimes referred to as a surgical abortion, by dilation and evacuation (D&E) consists of the gradual dilation (opening) of the cervix, along with gentle vacuum aspiration to empty the contents of the uterus.
What to expect at your procedural abortion appointments?
Arriving at the clinic. When you arrive at our clinic, there may be protesters with false signs and misleading information. Do your best to ignore them and look for vests that say “Clinic Escort.” The approved escorts will guide you to clinic parking and escort you and your companion into the clinic.
Leave your valuables in the car. Before entering the clinic, any bags, backpacks, purses, and electronic equipment, should be locked in your car.
Check-in. Inside the clinic, you will be greeted by our front office assistant for check-in, payment, and completing paperwork. Sedation mediation cannot be given without a driver present. You are required to present your photo ID and a photo ID of your driver or companion, for us to make a copy of each for your file. Your driver must stay long enough to sign the confirmation of transportation sheet.
During your first visit. You will talk with a staff member about what to expect with the procedure and give your medical history; have an ultrasound to determine how far into your pregnancy you are; have your vitals taken, and process your lab work (this is a small finger prick to test your hemoglobin levels and Rh factor).
Procedure. On your second visit, you will be given pre-op medication to prepare for the procedure which includes medication for pain. This is included in your fee. Then the doctor will start the procedure, which typically takes 5-10 minutes.
Recovery room. After your procedure, you will be monitored by our Nurse, for up to an hour in the recovery room.
Follow up. It’s part of your fee! You will be given an appointment time to return to our facility within two weeks after your procedure for a follow-up exam. At this visit, we ensure you have a negative pregnancy test, check your vital signs, and determine that your uterus has returned to its normal, non-pregnant size.
Post Procedure
Give yourself time to rest and relax, because you will most likely have bleeding and cramping after your abortion. Have maxi pads available and a heating pad for cramps, in case you need it.