The Women's Choice Blog

When a woman or teenager is contemplating having an abortion, she may wonder what the procedure will be like and what she may expect to have happen. If you are pregnant and want to know more about the options available to you, here’s a thumbnail sketch about the subject.

It is important to note that no surgical abortions can be performed less than 6 to 7 weeks after the first day of your last period. Those who find out they are pregnant sooner may wish to opt for a non-surgical abortion using pills. The pills will keep the fetus from gaining a strong hold on the uterus and thereby cause it to abort; however, pills are no longer an option if you are more than 7 weeks along and that’s when you’ll need to opt for a surgical procedure.
A surgical abortion is a minor out-patient medical procedure, but because it is a medical procedure you should be sure to have it performed by doctors at a proper facility.

You will make at least three visits to the medical facility, the longest of which will be the first. During that visit, you will be given a pregnancy test along with a subsequent ultrasound that will determine how far along you are in the pregnancy. This is a necessary safeguard because it will ensure that you are a viable candidate for a surgical abortion. You will also be given counseling about abortion to explain what will happen and to determine your feelings and attitudes toward the procedure. If your pregnancy is an early one, you will undergo the procedure on your next visit; if you are between 14 and 19 weeks, your second visit will be used for a cervical dilation procedure that will help to make the abortion go smoothly on the next day.

General anesthesia is not used, and so there is no need to fear the effects of “being under.” You will be awake, but you will definitely be sedated and may be offered the option of nitrous oxide to help keep you comfortable during the procedure. You may feel nothing at all or you may feel a bit of cramping: every individual is different. The doctor will dilate the cervix, and then insert a suction device called a cannula that will extract your uterus and its contents thereby ending the pregnancy. Some women experience further cramping for a few days after the procedure, but it is generally mild.

Physical recuperation is short; however you may be dealing with some strong emotions in the days and weeks afterward. Counseling during your follow up visit can be extremely helpful, but if you experience severe depression you’ll need to get further help. Making a decision to end an unplanned pregnancy is never a simple or an easy one: make sure to consult fully with medical professionals and other helpful professionals to make sure it is the right choice for you.

In your lifetime as a woman you will most likely get pregnant. What a wonderful gift it is to be pregnant and be able to give birth to something that you made. Getting pregnant is wonderful and finding out if your pregnant is exciting!

Finding out if you are pregnant can sometimes be tricky. You might think you are just feeling sick and have the flu and then the next minute you take a test and find out you are pregnant six months later. I have included some helpful information to find out if you are pregnant.

One of the most obvious signs is if you have missed your period. Some women can experience implantation bleeding around the same time as their period. Implantation bleeding is a bleeding that usually looks like your spotting. Periods actually don’t go away in a rare number of women. The period can go through the whole pregnancy for a few selectwomen.

Pregnancy tests are another popular form of finding out if you are pregnant. The pregnancy tests detect the hCG hormone in your urine. There are more accurate tests that measure 25-50 mIs of hCG in your urine and your blood can actually be different. If you are going to take a pregnancy test, you want to make sure you are going to take the test with your early morning urine. Reason being, is because it will have a higher concentration of hCG.

Blood tests are probably the most accurate way to know if you hare pregnant. You can take the blood test as early as seven to ten days post your ovulation.

Did you know that about fifty percent of women would experience morning sickness? Morning sickness isn’t the best term for what it is. Women of all ages can get sick in the morning, at night or even in the daytime. There really isn’t any exact form of what the sickness symptoms are. Morning sickness can however lead to dehydration and other problems, so you have to watch it carefully.

Breast tenderness is a big one if you are pregnant. Although, breast tenderness can be tricky, because you can have breast tenderness while you are on your period as well. Along with your breast being tender, you can experience headaches. Your hormones changing can cause headaches. Headaches are a symptom and not a sign of being pregnant. You could get pretty paranoid if you got a headache every week or so.

Pregnancy is a wonderful thing, and now you know how to detect if you hare pregnant. Remember that you could easily be a woman that has a very easy pregnancy.

These 2 words can raise all sorts of emotions in a woman! At first there may be sheer amazement followed by questioning fear or even bewilderment. Sometimes all of these types of feelings raise up at the same time. Then, once the initial shock is over, many women begin asking “What next?” Partners, friends, family, counselors, even co-workers may help provide support in answering this question. Ultimately there are those who decide that this is not the right time to begin a family, and choose to investigate ending their pregnancy by termination.

In 2005, 1.21 million abortions were performed in the US. In NY State, 1 out of 3 pregnant women terminated their pregnancies. Abortion is a safe and effective option for many situations. In NY not only is it often covered by MEDICAID but you don’t even need your parent’s or partner’s permission. However, even though it is a legal procedure, finding a provider may be challenging in different parts of the country. When available, services are usually offered by abortion clinics, hospitals or private medical settings. The methods used today for performing an abortion consist of either pills or surgery. The availability of these methods depends on how far or how many weeks the woman is into her pregnancy.

Medical abortion is also known as: RU486, the abortion pill, nonsurgical abortion or medication abortion. It is commonly only offered in the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. Most facilities give two different medications to complete this method. The first one is given in the office and stops the pregnancy from growing. The second medication is taken a few hours to days later. This is the one that causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Symptoms can be similar to a woman who’s having a miscarriage. Bleeding, cramping and nausea are expected parts of the process. However, if you take your temperature and find a fever or have bleeding that soaks more than 2 pads in an hour for 2 hours, this is not normal. You should contact your provider or possibly go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, expect to return to your provider’s office in the next week or two so that they can verify that the pregnancy has ended.

The other method of performing abortion is known as the surgical abortion, aspiration abortion, suction abortion, vacuum abortion or even D&C. Unlike the medical abortion, this option is still available to women who are past 7 weeks. Check with each facility to find out their cutoff points. This procedure itself is quick (5 to 10 minutes), and performed under the supervision of medical professionals. Although some women experience cramping, bleeding or lightheadedness, it is for much less time than the medical abortion. Like any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with it simply because it is surgery. Yes, despite this being a surgical procedure, expect to be able to return to activities, like work, the next day. Finally, a check-up is generally scheduled for 2 weeks later.

Studies show that both methods are about 99% successful when done properly; and neither have been shown to alter a women’s chances of getting pregnant or carrying a baby in the future. Now, although the information discussed here is basic, it is not intended to over simplify the importance of this decision. Let’s face it, “I’m pregnant” clearly doesn’t feel basic. It is a very personal, emotional time in a woman’s life. Like many decisions in life, it is not always easy to make the right choice. So, call on health care providers or your support persons. Have your questions answered. Realize the power you do have in ultimately deciding what’s next.

Dr. Lisa McLeod

Thousands of women around the world visit their gynecologists annually, complaining of vaginal discharge. Let’s take a look at what’s considered normal discharge in a health vaginal environment. Like the rest of the body, the vagina, contains a variety of bacteria and other micro-organisms that assist in maintaining it’s environment or natural flora. Lactobacillus, commonly referred to as the ‘good’ bacteria, plays an important role in this maintenance. A vaginal PH 4.5 or less, creates the ideal environment for Lactobacillus to flourish.  Another component of vaginal health is the naturally occurring discharge. This discharge ranges from clear and sticky to white and thick. It is often called leucorrhea (leukorrhea). The changes in composition of discharge are related to the hormonal changes that a women experiences on a monthly bases. However,  normal vaginal discharge does not itch, look clumpy like cottage cheese nor have a foul odor. These types of changes are often the first signs of an infection. Seek immediate medical advice.

The most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge is bacterial vaginosis (BV). The prevalence in African-American women exceeds 50%. This type of discharge looks like skim-milk yet smells like rotten fish. Although it is NOT a sexually transmitted infection, the exact cause of BV is not well understood. Science has shown that it results from changes in the delicate balance of vaginal flora. With BV, the PH of the vagina becomes more basic, and the composition of micro-organisms subsequently changes. The presence of Lactobacillus decreases and species like Gardnerella Vaginalis predominate. The characteristic odor of BV is a direct result of the amines metabolized during this process.

It is advisable to seek professional help with diagnosing abnormal vaginal discharge. Not only will the provider evaluate the discharge but they may also perform any necessary testing. BV is usually accompanied by other infections. Ultimately the provider will write any required prescription medications. Treatment is not currently sold in the pharmacy “over the counter”.

So BV, no big deal, right? – Wrong! There are consequences associated with BV especially when it’s chronic. BV has been associated with pre-term delivery or low birth weight. It has also been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease and inflammation of the tubes. Some studies have even show that it may increase the chances of getting HIV!  Therefore, prevention is key to avoiding repeated infections and keeping the vagina healthy. Some people laugh at the notion that the vagina cleans itself.  Well it literally does via good bacteria like Lactobacillus as discussed earlier. In attempting to keep the vagina clean, many women purchase a variety of feminine products (ex. douches, wipes, powders, sprays). Unfortunately many of these products disturb vaginal flora by either washing away the healthy bacteria or changing the vaginal PH.  Sperm is something else that contributes to altering the vaginal PH. The best vaginal wash before or after sex is plain old water.  Just allow nature to take it’s course.

Bacterial vaginosis is an aggravating, annoying but often avoidable infection. Although it is not transmitted sexually, it is important to seek medical care. Don’t try diagnosing this on your own. There is no reason to feel embarrassed. Numerous women report this problem at some point in their lives. So get treated and avoid reinfection if possible.

When you take care of your vagina, your vagina will take care of you,
Dr. Lisa McLeod