Gynecology

Abortion - Surgical First Trimester

Preparation
Procedure
Recovery

Preparation

Surgical abortion, also known as suction aspiration abortion, can be performed in a one-day procedure if less than 14 weeks have passed since the first day of your last menstrual period. The procedure is done in the doctor's office with local anesthesia and oral pain-relieving medications. You will be in a private room during your health education, exam, procedure and recovery. The entire visit will take around three hours if you are less than 12 weeks pregnant. If you are 12 to 14 weeks pregnant, your visit will last five to six hours. In either case, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. Also, you cannot eat anything for two hours before your appointment.

Reception Area

When you check in for your appointment, we will verify your insurance information, collect your co-payment if applicable and ask you to complete some forms, including a medical history. The Women's Options Center is integrated into the general Women's Health practice; women are not identified in the reception area as desiring pregnancy termination and there are no signs advertising our clinic. This ensures the privacy and safety of our patients and staff.

Health Education

Shortly after you arrive, one of our female health educators will bring you to a private room. You will discuss and learn about pregnancy options, the abortion procedure and various birth control methods. You may remain fully dressed for this part of your appointment. The health educator will take your blood pressure, pulse and weight. If you brought a support person with you, he or she may stay with you during the health education. Since UCSF Medical Center is a teaching hospital, we may ask your permission to have a doctor-in-training listen in on the health education, which takes around 20 to 40 minutes.

Meeting With the Doctor

After your conversation with the health educator, you will meet the doctor. Our physicians are obstetrician-gynecologists with specialized training and interest in abortion provision and family planning. The doctor will review your medical history, perform an ultrasound exam to determine your pregnancy's gestation, and give you medications. If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, you will receive oral pain medications, including Vicodin, valium and ibuprofen, at this time. If you are 12 to 14 weeks pregnant, you also will receive a medication called misoprostol, which softens your cervix to make dilation easier. This portion of the visit takes about 20 minutes.

Medication Wait Time

If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, the oral medications need 45 to 60 minutes to be most effective. You will be awake, but well relaxed. You may stay in your room or wait in the reception area. We have magazines and portable stereos; you may want to bring something to read, a CD or a tape to occupy your wait time, which will be 45 to 60 minutes.

If you are 12 to 14 weeks pregnant, the misoprostol needs two to three hours to work. We will loan you a beeper so you can walk around the neighborhood or go downstairs to our café and garden area. We will page you when it is time for you to return to the clinic. When you return, we will give you oral medications, including Vicodin, valium and ibuprofen, and ask you to wait an additional 30 to 60 minutes for those to fully relax you.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call:
Women's Options Center (415) 353-7003

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 28, 2008