At Best Women's Medical Care we believe that most of the times patients may have a wide array of questions prior having a termination of pregnancy. As medical providers our job is to facilitate by all means the answers to all those questions.

The following information has been designed to answer most common questions that you may have. We invite you to read the information below carefully and like to tell you to feel free to speak live with any of our trained medical assistants by calling at (718) 875-4848.  

• ABORTION FACTS
• PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
• WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT
• ONE DAY ABORTION
• TWO-DAY ABORTION
• ANESTHETICS CHOICES
• LENGTH OF PREGNANCY
• POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
• PRECAUTIONS AFTER THE PROCEDURE

ABORTION FACTS:

Most terminations of pregnancies are performed during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Therefore, the procedure becomes one of the safest outpatient procedures in the United States. It is eight times safer than a vaginal delivery. At Best Women’s Medical Care, our complication rates are very low because of our qualified physicians and staff as well as the cleanliness and sterility throughout our office.

Each year, almost half of all pregnancies among American women are unintended. About half of these unplanned pregnancies, 1.3 million each year, are ended by abortion.

There are many myths and misconceptions about who gets abortions, and why. The fact is that the women who have abortions come from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds.

PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:

DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY APPOINTMENT TIME. THIS INCLUDES GUM, CANDY, WATER, ETC.

IF YOU HAVE ANY CURRENT MEDICAL CONDITION AND ARE TAKING MEDICATIONS PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE SO THAT A TRAINED STAFF MEMBER CAN GIVE YOU INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT WHETHER YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE.

If you are currently under the care of a medical provider for any medical condition such as (High Blood Pressure, Seizures, Heart conditions, Etc). We suggest you to call our office  to speak to one of our trained staff member to get guidelines and instructions prior to your appointment.

Do not wear any jewelry, including earrings, bracelets, rings, etc. All body piercing jewelry must be removed. (Especially any tongue or nose piercings).

Do not bring any valuables or a large amount of cash.

If you are using your medical insurance for the procedure be aware the verification is required prior to your office visit. Please give us a call and one of our staff members will verify your insurance.

We do request from patients to bring a valid picture ID along with your
insurance card on the day of your appointment.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT:

Terminations of pregnancies are done in our office in a two to three hour visit. During this time our patients are first requested to provide us with important medical history. Once all the information is collected, the patient will be provided with an individualized session in where the procedure will be explained and questions will be answered.

To ensure your safety on the day of your appointment, you will go through a series of pre-operative assessments with the medical and counseling staff. You will have:

• History and Physical: An individualized session in where one of our trained staff members will review your medical history, current physical state and birth control options.

• Counseling: During your medical/physical assess  ine the length of
pregnancy or gestational age.

• Billing: At Best Women's Medical Care, we require your entire fee to be paid before the abortion is performed. The basic fee for the procedure includes: a review of your pertinent medical history, an educational counseling session, ultrasound screening, routine urine and blood testing (If requested by your physician), the abortion procedure, anesthesia, and recovery room services. (Please be aware that if you are paying cash an additional fee for the Rhogam injection will be required for those patients that are NEGATIVE RH TYPING).

• Payment can be made in cash, or by credit card. For the convenience of our patients, we accept MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover. (We do not accept any Debit Cards). We accept most private insurances including MEDICAID- HMO'S plans.

ONE DAY ABORTION:

Right after your pre-operative assessment has been completed; you will be prepared for the surgery and escorted to the operating room for the procedure. During the surgery there will be approximately about 3-5 medical staff in the operating room with you (depending on your individual needs).

The procedure will begin with the Ob/Gyn physician performing an examination. During this examination, an ultrasound will be performed to determine the length of the pregnancy. You will then have the choice of anesthesia; including General Anesthesia, or Local anesthesia. The procedure takes about 8-10 minutes. Ultrasound is used throughout the entire procedure to ensure both completion and safety of the termination.

Following the abortion you will be transferred to our recovery room. If you have had general anesthesia this is where you will awaken. You will probably have some cramps and bleeding at first. This is expected since the uterus must return to its normal size after the pregnancy is removed. One of our staff members will give you some medication for pain and monitor your vitals and how you are feeling. You can expect to be in our recovery room for about one hour until you are medically cleared to return home.

Most of our patients can return to work or school the day after the procedure. We encourage our patients to return to the office in two weeks for a follow-up visit. Contraception will be discussed at the time of the visit. Our staff is available seven days a week for any emergencies or questions you may have.

TWO-DAY ABORTION:

BWMC specializes in second trimester termination of pregnancy. In general, this procedure requires a two-day visit to our office. A second trimester surgical abortion is performed in a similar manner as a first trimester abortion; however, the patient’s cervix must be dilated, or opened, several hours or days prior her surgery. Since the dilation process is different for every woman, a second trimester abortion surgery may be performed on the same day as the dilation progress or up to One or Two days afterwards.

Our general protocol is that pregnancies between 14 weeks LMP and 20 weeks LMP will require a “Two-Day” second trimester procedure. Depending on your medical and pregnancy history, the physician may determined that, for your safety, a pregnancy earlier than 15 weeks will require a “Two-Day” procedure. Prior starting any second trimester procedure, you will go through the pre-procedural assessment as all other abortion patients.

Prior to second trimester abortion , the cervix is dilated through the insertion of laminaria/lamicel insertion. Laminaria are made of sterilized seaweed and look like tiny tampons. Lamicel are similar, but made of synthetic material. If Laminaria or lamicel is necessary to complete dilation, they must be inserted into the patient’s cervix by the physician prior the abortion procedure. The Laminaria/Lamicel acts like sponges by absorbing the moisture in the patient’s vagina and expanding to gently open the cervix. This method of dilation prevents damage to the cervix by mimicking the gradual manner in which the cervix opens naturally.

The physician will perform the surgical abortion after dilation of the cervix is complete-this may take several hours or overnight.  You will be escorted to the operating room, and the procedure will begin after the anesthesiologist administer anesthesia to completely sedate you.

Once you are as asleep, the physician will perform the surgical abortion. In addition, an ultrasound will be used during the entire surgery to ensure both completion and safety of the procedure. The surgical procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. After surgery, you will be taken into the recovery  room, where our staff will monitor you for approximately 45 minutes. All patients are encouraged to return to the office in two weeks for a follow-up visit and discussion of contraceptives.

There are several reasons why women terminate pregnancies in the second trimester. Many patients are referred to our office because there is something wrong with the fetus and terminating the pregnancy is in the best interest of the patient. Doctors refer their patients to us because they are confident that these patients will get supportive care in a nonjudgmental environment.

ANESTHETICS CHOICES:

At BWMC, we offer you the opportunity to select the type of anesthesia that is right for you. You can choose to be awake or asleep for the procedure. Your anesthesia options are described in more detail below.

Local Anesthesia -- Local anesthesia involves the injection by the physician of pain-stopping medication into your cervix. You will be fully awake during the procedure, but your cervix will be numbed. You can expect to have moderate cramping during the procedure.

General Anesthesia -- General anesthesia is administered by injecting medication into your vein. This medication will allow you to sleep for the duration of the procedure. The medication is given by an Anesthesiologist, a physician specially trained in anesthesia or by a Nurse Anesthetist.

LENGTH OF PREGNANCY:

A sonogram is considered the most reliable method of assessing how far you are into your pregnancy. A sonogram is a test that uses sound waves to see your pelvic structures. It will be done during your examination with your physician while you lie down comfortably.  There is little or no discomfort while the sonogram is being performed. Although you may have had a sonogram elsewhere before coming to our office, we must perform our own sonogram.

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:

It is essential to follow–up your post-operative instructions as indicated by your physician in order to maintain your well being and to have a great recovery period. We will provide you with clear, written post-operative instructions prior to your procedure, that way you will be able to discuss them with your physician as needed.

Important tips to remember after the procedure:

• To prevent any infection, we will provide you with antibiotics. It is essential that you take all the medications prescribed by your physician in the manner explained.

• All Rh-Negative type patients are given an injection of Rhogam followed
the procedure.

• You must have an escort to take you home following the procedure done with anesthesia other than local anesthesia. For your own safety, you must not drive for the remainder of the day.

• You will be required to return to our office within two-week period time after your first visit. During your follow up visit a sonogram will be performed to evaluate the completion and safety of the procedure. Contraceptives options will be also discussed in your follow up visit. If you were referred to our office by your Ob/Gyn physician, we encourage you to return to your physician for your post-operative care. However, complete post-operative care and on-going gynecological services are available at our office for all patients.

• Our office has a 24 answering service to address any emergencies.

PRECAUTIONS AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

You may resume your normal activities and normal diet after the procedure. It is recommended that you rest during the day of your procedure. You may eat whatever you like but it is suggested that you begin with soups, toast or other easily digestible foods. Do not drink alcoholic beverages including beer and wine, until you have completed the antibiotics prescribed by your physician.

To protect against infection, it is important that nothing goes into your vagina until you have your two-week appointment (Follow-Up). This means:

• NO Tampax or tampons, use only sanitary pads.

• NO vaginal douching.

• DON'T take tub baths or swim, ONLY Shower.

• NO vaginal intercourse.

NOTE: It is possible to become pregnant before your next period,
so after your follow up, be sure to use a reliable method of birth control.