Your Clinic Visit

If you choose to have an abortion, you will meet with an experienced, professional counselor who will privately explore with you your feelings about the abortion. She will also explain the surgical or non-surgical procedure, follow up care, future birth control and answer any questions you may have.

You will be asked to give urine and blood samples for lab tests. These tests include hematocrit, serology, urinalysis and a pregnancy test. The doctor will determine if additional tests are required in individual cases. You will be cared for by board certified or board eligible gynecologists who have privileges at local hospitals. The method of surgical abortion used is Vacuum Uterine Aspiration (Suction D&C).

You will be given a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort during the procedure which takes approximately 10 minutes to perform. If you choose to have IV sedation, the doctor will give you an injection in your arm to relax you and further reduce discomfort. If you choose to be asleep, sleep sedation will be administered by a certified nurse anesthetist under the supervision of the doctor. You will be completely asleep.

After the surgery, you will spend approximately 45 minutes in the recovery room. During your recovery time, a nurse will be checking your vital signs. If you are stable after your 45 minute stay, you will be discharged. You should plan to take it easy for the rest of the day but you may return to your normal routine the next day. If however you received IV sedation or sleep anesthesia, you are not to drive for 24 hrs.

INSTRUCTIONS
• Call 757-480-2800 or 800-867-2525 Monday through Saturday between 8am and 6pm to schedule an appointment.
• If you are scheduled for local anesthesia, eat a light meal before coming to the clinic. Avoid greasy food and dairy products.
• If you are scheduled for IV or sleep sedation, do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery.
• You will need a sanitary belt; you may purchase one here for $2.
• If you are scheduled for IV or sleep sedation, someone must accompany you to the clinic. Picture ID’s are required for all guests.
• No food, drinks, or small children are allowed in the clinic.
• Parking is available behind the Atlas Building.
• For your safety, a security officer in the lobby will be checking all bags.

POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Once your abortion is over, it is important for you to know what to expect and what to do. It is important for you to have a post-operative check-up approximately two weeks after your abortion. Should you decide to return to Hillcrest for your check-up, there is no fee for the check-up provided you return within one month. You will need to schedule a check-up appointment with us.

UNTIL YOUR CHECK-UP
DO NOT…
• Douche
• Take Tub Baths
• Have Sexual Intercourse
• Use Tampons. Use Only Sanitary Pads.

DO…
• Shower & Wash Your Hair
• Resume Normal Day-to-Day Activities; Return to Work or School
• You will be given a prescription for an antibiotic to take for 5 days to reduce the risk of infection.
• Your next period should start anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks after the abortion. If your period has not started after 8 weeks, please call the clinic.

PLEASE CALL US IF…
• Your temperature goes over 101 degrees for 2 consecutive readings.
• You have heavy bleeding (soaking through a sanitary pad or more in an hour) or pass large blood clots.
• You have severe abdominal pain which is not relieved by Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
• You develop hives, a rash, itching or swelling.

We are available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A physician and nurse are always on call and can be reached if you have an emergency.

The 24-hour number is 757-480-2800 or 800-867-2525 if you are out of the area. If for any reason you can not reach us at those numbers, 866-430-5936 will connect you with our answering service.