General Surgical Abortion Procedures

We perform abortions from 4 to 24 weeks from the last menstrual period. Our facility is modern and comfortable, in a private practice atmosphere.

You will find throughout your visit that our staff is warm and caring individuals who are genuinely concerned about the safety and well being of our patients, both during and after the abortion procedure. All of the staff at the Pregnancy Consultation Center are professionals who specialize in unparalleled abortion care.

Any patient who elects to undergo a pregnancy termination will have a pre-operative ultrasound. We have several ultrasound machines and use multi-frequency abdominal and vaginal transducers, which make even the earliest pregnancies identifiable by exam.

Because the accuracy of fetal measurements depends on the quality of the equipment as well as practitioner skill, our clinicians are rigorously trained in ultrasound technique. And, unlike most facilities, we also use sonographic visualization during and after the procedure to ensure the safety of all our patients.

We use short acting modern anesthetic agents given by anesthesia professionals as in an accredited out patient surgical facility. Patients are continuously monitored both during and after their surgical procedure.

We are also located directly across the street from Sutter Memorial Hospital and are equipped to handle an emergency situation should one arise.

If you are having local anesthesia, you will be awake during the procedure. You will feel moderate to strong cramping, hear what is going on around you, and be able to talk to the medical staff during the abortion process. If you have someone to drive you home, we offer alprazolam, or Xanax, to help you feel more relaxed and calm for the procedure. If you choose not to take the alprazolam, you can drive yourself home after the procedure.

Conscious sedation is a type of anesthesia in which intravenous medications are administered to create a stronger sense of relaxation and pain relief. With conscious sedation, you will be semi-awake for the procedure. You may drift off to sleep periodically, but for the most part, you should be prepared to be awake and hear what is going in around you. You must have someone to drive you home if you have conscious sedation.

With general anesthesia, you will not be awake during the abortion procedure nor will you feel any pain. Intravenous medications are administered that will make you feel as if you are falling asleep quickly. You will not be able to hear or remember the procedure. As with conscious sedation, you must have someone to drive you home if you have general anesthesia.

All pregnancy termination services include:
• Reproductive information and education session

• Family planning and contraceptive method counseling

• Laboratory evaluation including pregnancy testing

• Ultrasound examination throughout the procedure

• Intra-operative anesthesia

• Thorough pathology (tissue) examination

• Post-operative medication Early First Trimester Pregnancy Termination (D&C)