Abortion Procedures
Abortion Procedures (Aspiration/Suction and Dilation & Evacuation) up to 25w6d (25 weeks and 6 days)
At Equity Clinic, we offer the full range of abortion procedure options to our patients. Through our options counseling, we will figure out what abortion procedure is best for you, based on your length of pregnancy, health history, and personal needs. We offer two different surgical abortion procedures that are effective in different stages of pregnancy, the aspiration / suction procedure and the dilation & evacuation (D&E) surgical abortion procedure. We will take the time to answer any questions you have before, during, and after the procedure so that you can be confident that you are making the best decision for your health and quality of life.
For procedures after 24 weeks, procedures require additional cervical dilation steps to make the procedure safe. It may take up to 3 days and the process is individualized to the patient. We provide sedation, pain control, and as many comforts as possible to keep you safe and comfortable through the process.
Aspiration/Suction Procedure
(Up to 16 Weeks)
Aspiration/suction abortions are the simplest of surgical abortion procedures. We offer these procedures up to 16 weeks when the pregnancy is still small enough to safely and effectively perform the procedure this way. The process of an aspiration/suction procedure is short and simple. First, we perform a pelvic exam, then we dilate/open the cervix, and finally, we remove the pregnancy through gentle vacuum/suction aspiration. For pregnancies up to 16 weeks, we can complete the process in just one visit to the clinic.
What to Expect from an Aspiration/Suction Abortion
You should expect to be at the clinic for around 5 to 6 hours. The procedure itself is quick, taking only 5-15 minutes however there will be prep work, such as an ultrasound, lab work, consultation with a healthcare provider, and the administration of any medications needed. Once the procedure is finished, we will have you relax in the recovery room for 30 minutes to an hour as we monitor you to make sure you are recovering as you should. During this time, you will be offered a snack and a heating pad, and a member of our staff will walk you through the aftercare instructions.
You can expect to return to your daily activities after 1 or 2 days, and some cramping and bleeding after the procedure is normal.
Dilation & Evacuation
(Between 16 and 26 Weeks)
For pregnancies between 16 weeks and 25w6d (25 weeks and 6 days), we use the dilation & evacuation (D&E) method of abortion. The process is similar to aspiration abortion. In a D&E abortion, we perform a pelvic exam, dilate/open the cervix, and remove the pregnancy using a combination of vacuum/suction aspiration and additional instruments. Since the cervix will need to be dilated more, we usually dilate the cervix overnight making this a two-day procedure.
What to Expect from a D&E Abortion
On the first day you will come into the office, have an ultrasound, bloodwork, consultation with a healthcare provider, and have cervical dilator sticks placed into the cervix. You will then go home, to a friend/family member’s house, or to a nearby hotel to rest overnight while the dilator sticks work. You will then return to the clinic the next morning where those dilator sticks are removed and the remainder of the procedure is performed. We understand that a 2-day process may be more stressful and burdensome, however, 2 days are necessary because this approach greatly reduces the risk of complications from the procedure.
You should be able to return to regular daily activities within 1 to 2 days, and you should expect some cramping and bleeding following the procedure.
We provide educational videos about options counseling, medication abortion, procedural abortion, and pain management options.
Pregnancy Calculator
Enter the first day of your last period to see your options
Please use this calculator before selecting your options from the appointment form below. Note: Seeing a trained medical professional is the only way to accurately determine the length of your pregnancy and what options are available. This calculator assumes you have regular periods and may be less reliable in patients who do not have regular periods.
Surgical Abortion FAQ
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
If you would like to inquire about financial or logistical assistance for your appointment please click here. A scheduled appointment is required before our team can begin to work on financial or logistic assistance.
