North Florida Women’s Health & Counseling Services, Inc., has been providing abortion services for over 26 years. Our dedication to compassionate, safe, medical care has made us the most referred to abortion facility in North Central Florida. We employ Board Certified/Board Eligible (BC/BE) licensed gynecologists with advanced training in the latest abortion techniques to assure your comfort and safety. Female physicians are available. (If the patient is a minor, see requirements for Florida Parental Notification of Abortion.)
When considering abortion, be aware that there are several ways to calculate the length of a normal full-term pregnancy. The two most common ways are menstrual weeks and gestational (or fetal) weeks. When pregnancy is calculated in menstrual weeks, the calculation begins on the first day of the last normal menstrual period (LNMP), with a full-term pregnancy lasting 40 weeks. When pregnancy is counted in gestational (or fetal) weeks the calculation begins on the date of conception, with a full-term pregnancy lasting 38 weeks. Often pregnancy is counted in menstrual weeks (LNMP) since the date of conception may be hard to pinpoint. When making an appointment please advise our staff of which method you are using to calculate your pregnancy.
North Florida Women’s Health and Counseling Services, Inc., offers the safest and most widely used method of first trimester abortion, Vacuum Aspiration. This procedure is performed on an out-patient basis for women up to 13 weeks and 6 days LNMP (or 11 weeks and 6 days gestation) verified by ultrasound in our office.
We also offer the newer Chemical Abortion Process (also known as Abortion by Pill) using Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and Misoprostol to induce a miscarriage-like experience in the patient’s own home. This option is available to women up to 7 weeks and 5 days LNMP (or 5 weeks 5 days gestation), verified by ultrasound in our office.
Worldwide millions of women have safely used Mifepristone (Mifeprex) in combination with other medications called prostaglandins to end their pregnancies. In the United States the FDA has approved the use of Mifepristone and Misoprostol to induce chemical abortion.
Abortion by Vacuum Aspiration
The Vacuum Aspiration process is broken down into three parts. The preliminary meeting; the ultrasound evaluation, abortion procedure and recovery period; and the follow-up visit which should be completed 2-3 weeks after the abortion procedure. For patients traveling from outside of Tallahassee, the first two parts may be conveniently completed in one day.
The Preliminary Meeting
Kindness, respect, empowerment, and compassion make up the foundation of our patient-provider relationship. The preliminary meeting is designed to provide our patients with emotional support and education. This includes information about the abortion process, possible risks or complications, how to care for yourself afterwards, and a private discussion session with a health worker regarding decision-making and birth control needs. Pre-operative lab work may be done at this time.
The Ultrasound Evaluation and Vacuum Aspiration Procedure
Vacuum aspiration patients will meet with the physician prior to entering the exam room. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss any additional questions or concerns you may have. Trained female healthcare workers attend each patient throughout her abortion experience to provide emotional support and assist with relaxation. Soothing music, lighting and our commitment to assisting each patient individually, help to provide a warm and relaxing environment.
Once in the exam room, the patient will be left with instructions to undress from the waist down (two-piece outfits are recommended) and given a drape sheet to cover with. When the physician and support staff return, an ultrasound will be performed to determine the age and location of the pregnancy. Once the ultrasound has been completed, a pelvic exam may be done. Nitrous Oxide gas, a mild sedative that helps with relaxation, will be offered at no additional cost to the patient. The cervix is prepared using a local anesthetic. Once prepared, the cervix is gently stretched using a process called dilation. After dilation, a small plastic cannula is inserted into the uterus. The cannula is attached to the vacuum aspirator which provides a light suction to remove the pregnancy. The entire procedure generally lasts 3-10 minutes. Women describe the discomfort associated with the procedure as mild to strong menstrual-like cramping. Most women tolerate the procedure extremely well without additional sedation which can cause increased risk and recovery time.
Recovery
The vacuum aspiration procedure is followed by a recovery period of at least 30-45 minutes, depending on the patient’s own situation and needs. During this time her condition and vital signs will be monitored. She will be offered refreshments, have an opportunity to rest, review aftercare instructions, and discuss any medications she may have been prescribed. Some women experience continued cramping. Heating pads and pain medications are available to assist in relieving any residual discomfort. At discharge, patients are encouraged to rest the remainder of the day. Although heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are discouraged for the first few days following the abortion procedure, many women are able to return to school or work the following day. The recovery staff will give you written instructions on what to expect for the next 2-3 weeks. Please be sure to read these carefully and refer back to them if you have questions. If you should have additional questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.
Follow-up Visit
A routine follow-up exam should be performed 2-4 weeks after the procedure. This visit consists of a uterine exam and a pregnancy test and is available at no additional cost if you had your abortion in our facility. This appointment can be scheduled on the day of your procedure or you may make arrangements with your own private physician if you desire. If you will be seeing your own physician, remember to discuss any contraception needs that you have.
If you are interested in starting or continuing birth control services through our facility, you may request to have an expanded gynecological visit with our nurse practitioner at the time of your follow-up. There is an additional fee for this visit which also includes a pap smear, breast exam and minor laboratory testing.
Chemical Abortion Process
The Chemical Abortion Process is broken down into three parts. The preliminary meeting; the ultrasound evaluation by the physician and the administration of the first medication; and a follow-up visit which should be scheduled 2-3 weeks after the completion of the chemical abortion process. For patients traveling from outside of Tallahassee, the first two parts may be conveniently completed in one day.
The Preliminary Meeting
Kindness, respect, empowerment, and compassion make up the foundation of our patient-provider relationship. The preliminary meeting is designed to provide our patients with emotional support and education. This includes information about the abortion process, possible risks or complications, how to care for yourself afterwards, and a private discussion session with a health worker regarding decision-making and birth control needs. Pre-operative lab work may be done at this time.
The Ultrasound Evaluation by the Physician and Administration of the First Medication
After completing the preliminary meeting, patients will consult with the physician who will perform an ultrasound to determine the age and location of the pregnancy. If the patient is eligible for the Chemical Abortion Process, the physician will provide the first medication, Mifeprex, to be swallowed in our office. This medication blocks the action of progesterone, a hormone needed to sustain a developing pregnancy. This causes the uterine lining to thin and the pregnancy to detach from the uterine wall. The second medication, Misoprostol, will be given to the patient to take home. The physician will instruct her to use it at 8 am, (on day one, two, or three) after taking the first medication in our office. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract which aids in expelling the pregnancy. For most women cramping and bleeding begin within 30 minutes and 4 hours after using the second medication. Significant heavy cramping, bleeding, and passing of blood clots, much like or heavier than a miscarriage, will generally last between 24-48 hours. About 2-8 women out of 100 using the chemical abortion process will need a vacuum aspiration procedure either because of continued or excessive bleeding, an incomplete abortion, or an ongoing pregnancy following the process. Each patient will be given Take Home Care Instructions to refer to regarding what to expect, how much bleeding is normal, symptoms of potential problems and after hours emergency contact information.
Most women can expect to pass several blood clots ranging in size from a dime to a large lemon. On the day of Misoprostol use patients are advised to stay home; have a support person with them; and arrange to be off of all work, school and childcare responsibilities. Since nausea and vomiting may occur, patients are also instructed to be well hydrated prior to the Chemical Abortion Process. About 90% of women will expel the pregnancy within 24 hours of Misoprostol use. If you are breast-feeding, you must stop for one week while undergoing the Chemical Abortion. Pump and discard breast milk after taking Mifeprex and for 72 hours after Misoprostol use.
The Follow-up Visit
Since medications used in the Chemical Abortion Process have been known to cause fetal defects if the abortion is not successful, the ability to return to our facility for a post-abortion check-up is a requirement for Chemical Abortion patients. This visit includes a pregnancy test and an ultrasound to insure the pregnancy tissue has been expelled. There is no additional charge for this visit if you had your abortion in our clinic.
If you are interested in starting or continuing birth control services through our facility, you may request to have an expanded gynecological visit with our nurse practitioner at the time of your follow-up. There is an additional fee for this visit which also includes a pap smear, breast exam and minor laboratory testing. |
