Surgical Abortions - First and Second Trimesters

Surgical Abortions - 1st Trimester 6 to 12 weeks

At our Cliff Valley Clinic, we offer first trimester surgical abortions performed by qualified, experienced state licensed OB-GYN physicians. A non-surgical option, a medication abortion option, is also available for early abortions under 8 weeks. For this type of surgical abortion, the vacuum aspiration procedure (the most common first trimester procedure) is performed. Our first trimester clients are offered the option of choosing anesthesia or an injection of local numbing medication.

What happens in a vacuum aspiration procedure?

After personal counseling, a pre-operative medical review, including an ultrasound and a blood test to determine Rh Factor, and the administration of anesthesia or the injection of local numbing medication, the procedure begins with a small tube inserted into the cervix, the opening of the uterus. Then, the physician will use an aspirator, a medical instrument that creates gentle suction, to remove the contents of the uterus. Specially trained and caring health advocates support each woman before, during, and after the procedure.

Second Trimester Abortion - 13 to 25 weeks*

At our Cliff Valley Clinic, we offer second trimester surgical abortions performed by qualified and experienced state licensed OB-GYN physicians. For second trimester abortions, our physicians perform the Dilation and Evacuation procedure (the "D & E"), the most commonly used procedure for the second trimester. Our second trimester clients are provided anesthesia so that they are asleep and pain free.

*Abortions due to life and health endangerment, fetal anomalies, and rape or incest, are performed up to 26 weeks.

What happens in a Dilation & Evacuation (D & E) procedure?

After personal counseling, a pre-operative medical review, including an ultrasound and a blood test to determine RhFactor, the procedure begins with placing laminaria, a medically prepared seaweed, into the cervix to gently open it. This procedure occurs over two days and our clients are required to remain in the Atlanta area overnight. On the second day, after the cervix is sufficiently dilated, the physician performs the surgery under anesthesia by using medical instruments to evacuate the uterus. Specially trained and caring health advocates support each woman before, during, and after the procedure.

How can I make an appointment for a first or second trimester abortion?

Please call us at 404-728-7900 or U.S. Toll Free at 1-800-877-6013 and a trained and caring phone educator can answer all the questions you have.

Pre-Operative Medical Review

The usual tests and screenings that occur as part of the pre-operative medical review are as follows:

• You will be asked to complete a comprehensive health history. You can view and print a copy of this form now. (Please note that this form is for reference although you may fill it out ahead of time);
• A test for the RH factor in your blood;
• A test to screen for anemia in your blood;
• An ultrasound, an advanced diagnostic technique to determine the length of pregnancy;
• Testing for sexually transmitted infections may also be needed, if your history or physical exam indicates a need; and
• A physical exam including a pelvic exam.

Rh Factor

During the pre-operative medical review, one of the necessary screening tests is to check for a protein attached to the woman's red blood cells called an Rh factor. If her blood has this protein, then her blood type is Rh positive (+). If the woman's blood does not have this protein, then her blood type is Rh negative (-).

At least 85% of people, depending on their ethnic origin, are Rh+. Either type is perfectly normal, except when a woman is pregnant, it is important to determine her Rh factor.

When Rh- blood is exposed to Rh+ blood, perhaps through a transfusion, the Rh- blood builds up antibodies. These antibodies defend the Rh- blood from the Rh+ factor, which is seen as foreign. These antibodies then cause some red blood cells to be broken down and their products are spread through the body.