Surgical abortion procedures typically last a couple of hours from the beginning of medication through the operation. However, this time does not include a pre-op checklist that must be completed before an abortion, which can add additional hours. Florida law also requires that providers perform an ultrasound prior to a surgical or medication abortion.
Surgical abortions are serious medical procedures that should be discussed with an abortion provider or local pregnancy clinic, as they are invasive and come with certain risks.
To protect your health, you need a solid understanding of how a surgical abortion may impact your long-term mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
What Types of Surgical Abortions Are There?
There are two types of surgical abortions:
Dilation and curettage (D&C): This procedure is typically done in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and uses surgical tools such as a curette, a sharp instrument, or a suction device that removes pregnancy tissue from the uterus through the vagina.
Dilation and evacuation (D&E): This procedure is typically done in the second 12 weeks of pregnancy and uses a combination of vacuum aspiration and D&C techniques and instruments to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus through the vagina.
What Should I Do Before An Abortion?
As with other surgical procedures, it’s important to work through a pre-op checklist to make sure the surgery is best for you.
Some of the things on that checklist should include:
- Confirming your pregnancy with a quality pregnancy test and ultrasound exam.
- Receiving a complete physical exam and providing an in-depth health history. Be sure to also list any medications you are currently using.
- Understanding the procedure, risks, and complications you may be responsible for monitoring after the surgery.
Where Can I Go For Answers?
We offer no-cost pregnancy confirmation services to women considering abortion so they can make fully-informed decisions. No one should guess when it comes to their health.
If you are contemplating a surgical abortion, contact us today to get the answers you need before making your decision.