Informed Consent

Virginia law requires that information regarding abortion be communicated to you at least 24 hours before an abortion. The following will provide you with information to help you make an informed choice. You will also have individual counseling on the day of your procedure. You will be required to document in writing the day of your procedure that the following information has been provided at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.

I. Medical Explanation for Early Surgical Abortion:

The day of your appointment you will have lab tests; these tests include a hematocrit, urinalysis, Rh testing, and a pregnancy test. An ultrasound will be performed to determine how many weeks you have been pregnant. After your lab work and ultrasound you will meet privately with a professional counselor who will explore with you your feelings about the abortion. She will also explain the abortion procedure, follow up care, future birth control and answer any questions you may have. You will then sign a medical consent form. Whether the abortion can be performed in the clinic will depend on your medical history, the results of your lab tests, ultrasound, doctor's exam and your choice.
The surgical procedure most often used for a first trimester abortion is called Vacuum Aspiration. A Board Certified Gynecologist will perform your surgery. Our physicians have many years of experience in the delivery of abortion services.

To begin the abortion procedure, the doctor will place a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) in and around your cervix to make the procedure more comfortable. The doctor will then gradually stretch the opening of your cervix with a series of narrow instruments called "dilators". After dilation, a plastic tube about the diameter of a pencil is inserted into the uterus through the enlarged cervix. The tube connects to a suction machine. After the suctioning, the physician may use a curette (a spoon-like instrument) to gently scrape the walls of the uterus to ensure that the uterus is empty. The procedure will take about 5-10 minutes.

After the procedure you will be taken to the Recovery Room for rest and observation. The nurse in the Recovery Room will monitor your vital signs and also provide follow-up instructions. You will be given a prescription for an antibiotic.

Early abortion by vacuum aspiration is a very safe procedure. The complication rate is less than 1%. However, as with any surgical or medical procedure, certain problems can arise during or after an abortion.

Complications may include infection, heavy bleeding, perforation of the uterus (a hole or tear in the wall of the uterus), or injury to the cervix. A strong emotional reaction may occur after the abortion. Most women report a sense of relief, although some may experience sadness or guilt. Serious psychiatric disturbances (such as psychosis or serious depression) after abortion appear to be less frequent than after childbirth.

The risk of death is fewer than 1 in 100,000 abortions. This may be compared with the risk of death from a full-term pregnancy and childbirth that is 7 times greater than with an early abortion.

You will be given a telephone number to reach the clinic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should any problems occur. You should plan to have a follow up visit 2 weeks after your abortion. You may see your own doctor or clinic or return to us for that exam.

I. Medical Explanation for Non-Surgical Abortion:

The day of your appointment you will have lab tests; these tests include a hematocrit, urinalysis, Rh testing, and a pregnancy test. An ultrasound will be performed to determine how many weeks you have been pregnant. After your lab work and ultrasound you will meet privately with a professional counselor who will explore with you your feelings about the abortion. She will also explain the abortion procedure, follow up care, future birth control and answer any questions you may have. You will then sign a medical consent form. Whether the abortion can be performed in the clinic will depend on your medical history, the results of your lab tests, ultrasound, doctor's exam and your choice.
The non-surgical protocol requires that a candidate be 49 days or less from her last normal period and requires a minimum of 3 visits to the clinic. A Board Certified Gynecologist will monitor the non-surgical process. Our physicians have many years of experience in the delivery of abortion services.

At the first visit, you will be given a 200 mg oral dose of Mifepristone which is an anti-progesterone medication. Misoprotol tablets will be provided for vaginal insertion 2 days later. Misoprostol will cause uterine contractions and bleeding. You must return to the clinic on day 3; in cases where there is no bleeding, the doctor will insert a second dose of Misoprostol. On day 14, if you have not aborted, it will be necessary to perform a surgical procedure. The non-surgical procedure is 96% effective in terminating a pregnancy. However, the medication could cause serious birth defects if a pregnancy were to continue.

Non-surgical abortion is a very safe procedure. The complication rate is less than 1%. However, as with any surgical or medical procedure, certain problems can arise during or after an abortion.

Complications may include infection, heavy bleeding, or an incomplete abortion. A strong emotional reaction may occur after the abortion. Most women report a sense of relief, although some may experience sadness or guilt. Serious psychiatric disturbances (such as psychosis or serious depression) after abortion appear to be less frequent than after childbirth.

The risk of death is fewer than 1 in 100,000 abortions. This may be compared with the risk of death from a full-term pregnancy and childbirth that is 7 times greater than with an early abortion.

You will be given a telephone number to reach the clinic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should any problems occur. You must return to the clinic for all scheduled visits.

II. Alternatives to Abortion

There are alternatives to abortion, parenthood or adoption. You may contact your local health department or department of social services for information about services in our area. If you would like information regarding adoption, we can provide referral numbers or check the yellow pages of your phone book under listings for adoption.

III. Withdrawal of Consent:

Please be aware that you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time prior to the performance of the procedure.

IV. Offer to Speak with the Physician:

If you have any questions or concerns or if you wish to receive further information, you may speak with the physician before your abortion procedure.

V. Probable Gestational Age:

We can estimate the probable number of weeks you are based upon the date of your last menstrual period.
If the first day of your last menstrual period was 6 weeks ago, the probable gestational age of the pregnancy is 4 weeks;
If it was 7 weeks ago 5 weeks
8 weeks ago 6 weeks
9 weeks ago 7 weeks
10 weeks ago 8 weeks
11 weeks ago 9 weeks
12 weeks ago 10 weeks
13 weeks ago 11 weeks
14 weeks ago 12 weeks

Please understand that this method of dating only provides the "probable" gestational age. We will perform an ultrasound before the procedure to more accurately determine gestational age or how many weeks pregnant you are.

VI. Offer to Review Printed Materials

You may review printed materials provided by the Virginia Department of Health. These materials include: information on fetal development; a list of agencies providing alternatives to abortion; information on medical assistance benefits available for prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care; and information on child support and assistance in the collection of child support by the father, even if he has offered to pay for the abortion. You have the right to review these materials printed by the Department of Health and copies will be provided free of charge if you choose to review them. These materials may be picked up at the clinic or at your local health department. If you would like to have such materials sent to you, please call 480-2800. Please be aware that requesting this information may cause a delay in your scheduled abortion for the law requires you to receive these materials at least 24 hours in advance of your abortion procedure or they must be mailed at least 72 hours before the procedure.