Early Abortion Clininc in Ohio: Cleveland SurgiCenter Early Medical Abortion in Ohio

Early Abortion Clinic Cleveland Surgi Center in Cleveland Ohio

Cleveland Surgi-Center provides medical abortion only for women who are between 4 and 8½ weeks pregnant. This “abortion by pill” actually uses two drugs: Mifepristone (RU-486) and Misoprostol. Before being offered a medical abortion, there are several steps that you will take to ensure your safety and well-being.

Ohio law requires a woman to speak privately with the physician at least 24 hours before an abortion procedure. So on day one, the pregnancy verification, pre-operative evaluation and counseling are performed and you meet with the physician. You will then be scheduled to return to the clinic 24 hours or more later. At that time, you will take the RU-486 pill orally and you will be given 4 tablets for you to bring home. The tablets are inserted vaginally 8 to 48 hours later.

PREGNANCY VERIFICATION
Every patient will have an ultrasound. This advanced diagnostic technique is used 3 weeks or more after the last menstrual period to determine the correct length of the pregnancy. It is an important procedure that improves the accuracy of the physician's pre-operative diagnosis and further assures the safety of the patient and the procedure. If necessary, a urine pregnancy test will also be performed.

PREGNANCY EVALUATION
Further laboratory work is completed to screen all potential patients. Routine laboratory analysis includes hematocrit testing, urinalysis and Rh typing. Patients with Rh-negative blood type will receive an injection of Rhogam which is administered for an additional charge. (See Fee Schedule)

After the laboratory testing, a registered nurse will evaluate your health. Within this evaluation, your medical history is reviewed and a physical exam is completed. Our facility is concerned with the success of your termination and we want to make sure that your current health and size of your pregnancy will allow the safest of procedures.

COUNSELING
Individual counseling supplies important information and support for patients scheduled for a pregnancy termination. Each woman receives personal confidential attention and care throughout her visit. All counseling, under the direction of our MSW social worker, is private and confidential. Detailed information is provided about the medical abortion and birth control. Patient educators are there to help with feelings and concerns related to the termination and each patient is treated with warmth, understanding, and sensitivity. Whenever appropriate, patient’s family and friends can receive our counseling services.

Because this abortion method allows the patient to complete the abortion in the privacy and comfort of her home, the patient needs to clearly understand what to expect. So counseling is a very important part of a medical abortion

What Women Can Expect from a Mifepristone (RU-486) Abortion

A medical abortion uses two medications: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. This requires at least two visits to the Center. One visit for the medication and a second visit for a follow-up.

Complete abortion generally occurs more quickly when Misoprostol is taken vaginally rather than orally.

Approximately ⅔ of women will have a complete medical abortion within 4-8 hours of using the Misoprostol. Approximately 90% of women will have a complete medical abortion within 24 hours of using the Misoprostol.

On average, women may expect to have bleeding and/or spotting for 9-16 days. Women may pass clots, ranging in size from a dime to a lemon. Some women may see graying pregnancy tissue.

If the medications fail to end the pregnancy, a surgical abortion must be performed. For this reason, a woman who chooses a medical abortion must understand and be willing to have a surgical abortion if necessary.

Why Do Some Women Prefer Medical Abortion?

No anesthesia or surgery necessary.

Can be performed earlier - as soon as visible by ultrasound.

Feels more in control and less invasive

Feels more like a miscarriage and so more “natural.”

More privacy as the abortion occurs at home

Abortions are safest early in pregnancy. In one of the clinical trials, 96% of women said that they would recommend a medical abortion to a friend.

Who Can Choose Medical Abortion?
You may choose medical abortion if you are less than 8½ weeks pregnant. But you must agree to have a surgical abortion if the medical treatment fails to end the pregnancy. You also need access to a telephone, transportation, and backup medical care.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTERWARDS
The three-week period following your abortion is very important. This information will help to insure an easy and worry-free recovery. Please carefully read this information. You will receive additional information at the time of your visit.

Bleeding
It is perfectly normal to experience some bleeding after a pregnancy termination. Some women have bleeding similar to a normal period and others bleed very little or not at all. Your first normal period following the abortion should come in four to six weeks. We ask that you monitor your bleeding for three days after your abortion. If your bleeding becomes excessive and you begin to saturate a full size pad within one hour or if you are passing clots of blood larger than the size of a quarter, you should contact us by calling our emergency telephone number. This number will be given to you during your visit and provides twenty-four hour emergency access.

Cramping
It is not unusual to experience cramping after your procedure. You may take any non-aspirin pain reliever or a pain reliever that is prescribed by us to relieve your discomfort. Avoid aspirin as it may thin the blood and cause heavier bleeding.

Breast Soreness and Mood Changes
As your hormones shift to the non-pregnant state, you may feel a slight "down" or "blue" period. These feelings should subside in a few days. A small percentage of women experience some increased breast tenderness for a few days after the procedure and some women produce milk. This is best remedied by wearing a tight-fitting bra for 24-48 hours, applying ice to the breasts, refrain from touching the breasts and taking hot showers. Milk production should diminish in a few days.

Restrictions
In order to avoid infection and to ensure a healthy recovery, it is most important that you completely take your antibiotic prescription.

Also, there are some restrictions that you must stick to for three weeks after your abortion and until you have received a follow-up exam:

1. Abstain from sexual intercourse
2. Do not use tampons until after the one week follow-up exam
3. No douching, tub baths or swimming
4. Avoid strenuous activities such as heavy lifting (lifting anything over fifteen pounds) and all exercise.