We understand that your time is important and we will do everything we can to get you home safely and quickly. Generally, your surgical appointment will last about 2-4 hours. An RU-486 appointment will last about 1-2 hours.
On your appointment day you will fill out paperwork, have some lab work done, have an ultrasound and then meet with the Physician. The Physician will inform you about the procedure and discuss the risks, anesthesia options, aftercare, and birth control. She will also address any and all questions or concerns that you may have.
If you are using the RU-486 you will take the Mifepristone medication, receive a take home bag with your second medication, prescriptions, check up appointment reminder card with pregnancy test, and aftercare information and then you are ready to go.
If you are having a surgical procedure you will see the Physician again and have the procedure. Once the procedure is completed you will be escorted into the recovery room where we will give you something to drink and a snack if you are hungry. Before you leave we will go over your aftercare instructions again and make sure you have all of your take home information and medications.
Every patient receives a local anesthetic. The Physician will use pain preventing medication (Lidocaine, Novocain – the same medication you may receive when you go to the dentist) on your cervix to numb it. Some people have their procedure only using the local anesthesia. If you only use the local, you should expect to feel moderate to heavy cramping during the procedure.
Some patients use IV (intravenous) sedation or “conscious sedation.” IV sedation is a combination of medicines to help you relax (a sedative) and to block pain (an anesthetic) during the surgical procedure. IV sedation will make you feel very sleepy and relaxed and you may not remember the procedure afterward. Most patients can use the IV sedation option but you must have a driver with you – you should cannot drive or operate any machinery for at least 8-10 hours after receiving these medications.
The Physician will answer any questions you have about these options and you can decide which one is best for you on the day of your procedure.
We will check your temperature, blood pressure and pulse. We will also take a small sample of blood from your finger to test your iron and to determine if you have a negative or positive blood type.
According to the National Abortion Federation, nearly 1/3 of all U.S. women of reproductive age have abortions before the age of 45. All types of people, from different races and ethnic groups, ages, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds have abortions.
Appointments for surgical procedures generally last about 2-4 hours, with the procedure taking less than 10 minutes. For Medical/RU-486 procedures, appointments last about one hour. We understand your time is important and we will do everything we can to get you on your way home safely and quickly.
Your appointment includes paperwork, lab work, meeting with the Physician, the procedure, and some recovery time. Some patients require additional medications that take time to become effective.
Most people return to work and/or school the day after their procedure. You may return to regular activities as soon as you want but if you experience an increase in your cramping and/or bleeding you may need to decrease your activity level.
Yes! No one can obtain information about you or your procedure without your written consent. Our staff respects a patient’s right to privacy and will not release any information without written consent and proof of identification.
The State of Florida requires parental consent or a judicial waiver for any minor seeking an abortion. If you are unable to tell your parent(s) about your decision to have an abortion and are unsure how to proceed, please call the clinic and we can provide you with additional information. You can also check this great website to learn about your rights and options for abortion services via judicial bypass: http://teenabortionflorida.com/
If your parent(s) or legal guardian knows about your decision to have an abortion, he or she will need to:
In addition, you will need to have a photo ID such as a drivers license, Florida ID card or school ID.