ALL ABORTION PROCEDURES INCLUDE:

When you come into our facility you will be given many forms to review, and the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered to your full satisfaction. Then we will confirm that you are clear in your decision to end your pregnancy, after the counselor will explain all aspects of the abortion procedure. So you know what to expect, and the possible complications associated with the surgical procedure. Then the nursing staff will review your medical history, and you will be asked to sign consent form.

We can discuss birth control options with you, and you may under doctor’s direction start on a method following the procedure. Or you may decide to put off birth control counseling until your follow-up visit.

If at any time after counseling, blood work, ultrasound, and doctor’s exam you decide not to go through with the procedure, there will be a $200.00 charge for services rendered.

Blood Testing and Physical Exam: a pregnancy test, blood count to measure your hemoglobin and hemocrait (check iron level and rule out anemia), a test to determine your Rh antigen blood type.

Physical assessment- vital signs: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, reflexes, thyroid, lungs, heart, abdomen, skin. Internal Exam: pelvic exam, uterus, cervix, adnexs, L.M.P. followed by ultrasound exam to confirm pregnancy and measurement BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

Before being discharged from the facility you will receive written instructions on using your medications, and what to do, and what to expect when you get home. You will be able to contact the nurse at any time if necessary through our 24 Hour Emergency Telephone Numbers: Doral (305) 591-2288, and Kendall (305) 670-9797

MENSTRUAL ASPIRATION MANUAL ASPIRATION MAP-EVA EARLY NON SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Menstrual Aspiration can be preformed within one to three weeks after a missed menstrual period. With this method, a syringe is used to remove the pregnancy from the lining of the uterus.

An early suction abortion can be preformed from 4 to 5 weeks from the first day of a women’s last menstrual period, until 7 weeks. It is performed by using a hand held syringe that creates enough suction to remove the embryonic tissue through a very thin tube. A hollow tube with an opening shaped like a tip is inserted into the uterus. A hand held instrument gently empties the uterus. Developments in ultrasound technology make it possible to do procedures this early without the increased risk of a missed abortion.

VACUUM ASPIRATION ALSO CALLED DILATION SUCTION

This procedure is performed at 8-14 weeks; it is a safe simple procedure when preformed by a Board Certified Gynecologist, and Trained Medical Staff, using Sterile Technique, and Ultrasound Guidance. The patient is placed on the table with her legs in the stirrups, and draped with sterile barriers, and clean with antiseptic solution. The anesthesia is given, then the doctor will perform an internal exam to determine the position of the uterus, and ultrasound will monitor the procedure until the tissue is removed. The doctor in sterile gowns, gloves, and mask, proceeds to place the speculum inside the vagina to keep the vaginal walls apart and apply local anesthetic near the cervix to prevent any discomfort when the patient wakes up. Then the physician will hold the cervix open with an instrument called a tenaculm. The cervix is gradually opened this is done by the insertion of a series of dilators, each one thicker than the previous one. The thickest dilator used is about the width of a fountain pen. After the opening of the cervix a clear plastic tube is inserted into the uterus and attached to a suction system to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. Medically speaking this is a very safe and simple procedure when preformed by a Board Certified Gynecologist, the procedure takes about 4 to 8 minutes. The uterus is emptied by suction thus no curette or curettage, and the risk of perforation averted It is the most common type of procedure performed and poses the least risk of complications. This type of procedure is safer than a tonsillectomy.

Miscarriage D&C

A D&C, or scraping of the uterine wall, is used for a variety of reasons, but rarely for abortions any more, Though physicians trained out side the United States may, still be practicing this method Today we have vacuum aspirators which make the easier and more comfortable vacuum aspiration procedure possible.

D&C Procedures are performed in the office with anesthesia, and under ultrasound guidance to diagnosis or treat abnormal uterine bleeding, bleeding after menopause, growths in the uterus, such as polyps and fibroids, or cancer of the uterus. D&C is the correct procedure to remove excess tissue left behind by a incomplete miscarriage; or an incomplete abortion.

The patient is operated in the same position that she assumes for a pelvic examination, after the internal exam, and the ultrasound exam, the patient is draped in sterile sheets and the area cleaned with sterile solution. The physician also in sterile gown, cap, eye goggles, and sterile gloves, (the nursing staff. follows the same protocol) the physician waits until the anesthesia takes effect, and then a sterilized package of instruments are opened and placed before him. The doctor begins the surgery by adjusting the speculum applying local anesthesia and proceeds to insert a thin rod called a sound into the uterus to measure its depth. Next a series of graded dilators are used to gently open the cervix, so that the lining of the cervix (which is called the endometrium) is exposed enough to gently scrape using a thin spooned instrument called a curette, or suction tube attached to vacuum aspirator, then the tissue sample are sent to the laboratory and results usually are reported to the patient within seven days.

The procedure takes about 15 minutes, after which the patient is taken to the recovery area vital signs and bleeding status is monitored every 15 minutes by recovery room nurse, after one hour if patient is alert and able by physician’s orders. Patient should have a driver.

Discharge with instructions, medication and follow up appointment.