womenscenter.com -”where quality care is tradition”.

How Long Do Abortion Procedures Take? – Women’s Center Abortion Pill Clinic.

First Trimester Surgical Abortions (3 to 14 weeks) can be started and completed in 4 to 12 minutes. Generally; the earlier in pregnancy the surgical procedure is performed the faster the process can be completed.

Second Trimester Abortion (14.1 to 24 weeks or further) procedures are started and completed in 5 to 30 minutes. Generally; the further in weeks the pregnancy, the longer the number of minutes it takes to perform the procedure.

Medical Abortion Procedures from 3 to 24 weeks can be performed using the combined Pills of Mifepristone (Mifeprex, RU 486, Mifegyne, French Pill) and Misoprostol (Cytotec).

• After taking the Misoprostol tablet, over 50% of the pregnancy tissue passes in 4 hours or less in women who are 10 weeks or less. Approximately 90% of patients have dislodged the gestational tissue in 24 hours or less.

For Patients who are 11 weeks or further, it takes longer for the pregnancy tissue to pass after taking the Misoprostol tablets. The average time it takes the gestational tissue to expel is 6 to 18 hours. In rare cases, it may take 36 to 48 hours to complete the procedure.

Regarding first trimester surgical abortions, the time spent in the medical office can be from 90 minutes to 4 to 8 hours. There are many factors that cause this extension of time:

• Filling out history forms
• Review written benefits and risks of surgical and medical abortion peocedures
• Lab work- Blood and Urine testing
• Sonogram (Ultrasound)- Determine the number of weeks pregnant
• Counseling- Understand the choice of keeping the pregnancy, adoption, abortion, birth control, post abortion instuctions that includes 24 hour call back number
• Payment of fees for service

Preparation Of The Cervix Can Increase The Time At The Medical Facility:

It may be determined that cervical preparation is required for a patient in the first or second trimester of pregnancy who are undergoing a surgical procedure by the Doctor.

Cervical preparation is done to open and soften the cervix. This reduces the chance of complications that can occur during the Abortion Process. It may include a significant reduction in cervical tears or lacerations, bowel, bladder or other pelvic organ damage, retained pregnancy tissue, heavy vaginal bleeding, infection or hysterectomy.

The two medications used to soften and open the cervix are Laminaria and Misoprostol.

Laminaria is sterile seaweed that is in the shape and size of a wood match. Once placed inside the cervix it absorbs water and expands like a sponge.

Misoprostol is a medication that causes contractions of the Uterus and softening of the cervix.

This cervical preparation for the first trimester abortion process can take 3 to 4 hours.

Patients who are 16 weeks or further may need the cervical process to take place over a 2 to 3 day process before the second trimester abortion procedure to take place as adequate softening and opening of the cervix is imperative.

Following completion of the first trimester surgical abortion (suction currettage) and the second trimester surgical abortion (Dilation and Evacuation), patients are assisted to the recovery room.

• Vital Signs, abdominal pain and discomfort and the amount of vaginal bleeding is monitored. Patients who have no abnormalities of their vital signs or heavy vaginal bleeding are discharged in an hour or less.

In Summary:

The length of time it takes for a surgical procedure to be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy takes 4 to 12 minutes.

The steps and safety methods that are taken to assure that women who undergo their surgical abortion procedure can mean patients being in the medical facility from 90 minutes to 8 hours.

Maternal death is 14 times greater when delivering a term pregnancy verses undergoing an surgical abortion procedure in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Dr James S Pendergraft Abortion Clinic Orlando, www.womencenter.com.