Surgical Abortion
Surgical Abortion
If you are 5 weeks 0 days to 20 weeks 0 days pregnant
Important Information about the Surgical Abortion:
- You can expect to be in the clinic for 3 to 4 hours although the abortion procedure may only take 10 minutes.
- You cannot drive for 24 hours after your abortion and you must have an escort home. This is a requirement of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. If you do not have an escort with you, you can take a taxi or the bus home with an escort.
- You CANNOT have any FOOD or BEVERAGES (this includes candy, gum and water) 6 hours before your appointment time.
- You will need to have picture ID and your Alberta Health Care Card to be admitted into the clinic
- We CAN insert an IUD on the day of your procedure if you choose. Please request it when booking your appointment.
- There are no supports or children admitted into the clinic.
On the day of your appointment
Surgical Abortion Procedures
5 weeks to 12 weeks – The doctor will gently dilate (open) the cervix to gain access to the uterus; this may result in slight pressure and cramping. Once the cervix is open the pregnancy tissue is removed with a small suction tool. The doctor will then clean the walls of the uterus and do a final pass with the suction tool. The procedure takes 5-7 minutes. During and after the procedure you may feel slight to significant cramping as the uterus contracts and returns to pre-pregnancy size.
12 weeks to 16 weeks – The abortion procedure is performed as it would be for a 5-12 week pregnancy. However, you will first need to insert Misoprostol (Cytotec) tablets into your vagina. These tablets will take 1-2 hours to take effect and in the process will soften the cervix making dilation easier and safer. The tablets may cause some cramping as the cervix softens.
16 to 20 weeks – In this range of pregnancy, the abortion will be a two day procedure called a D & E or Dilation and Evacuation. If you do not live in the city of Edmonton, it will be determined at the time of booking the appointment, if you will need to stay in Edmonton overnight on day one of the procedure.
