There are some laboratory tests which we will need to perform. For these tests we will need samples of your urine and blood. We will use your urine sample to perform a pregnancy test and we use your blood sample to check your iron count and Rh factor.

If your blood is found to be Rh negative (e.g. , O negative, A negative) you will need an injection of Rhogam after your abortion. Rhogam prevents antibodies from being formed in your blood that would cause problems with future pregnancies. If you are Rh negative, it is important that you receive a Rhogam injection with every pregnancy. Please note that there is an additional fee for all Rhogam injections.

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 is not an X-ray and there is no radiation. A sonogram is done while you lie down comfortably. A gel solution is applied to your abdomen and an ultrasound wand is placed on your abdomen. There is little or no discomfort while the sonogram is being performed.

It is proper clinical practice to determine the length of pregnancy based on your last menstrual period and not on the actual date of conception. Therefore, if you think you conceived 8 weeks ago, your last menstrual period was probably 10 weeks ago and you would be considered 10 weeks pregnant. Any abortion performed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy is, by definition, a first trimester procedure. If your ultrasound evaluation reveals that you are over 12 weeks of pregnancy, the procedure becomes a second trimester procedure.

You will meet with our patient educator who will go over the abortion procedure, explain how to take care of yourself afterwards and answer any questions you may have about your visit. This is the time to talk about your decision to terminate the pregnancy and any emotional or physical concerns that you might have. Legally, we must obtain your written consent for the abortion. The patient educator will obtain your consent at this time. Please be assured that we will not perform an abortion on any woman if she does not want one, regardless of age.

The patient educator will also discuss birth control options with you. If you choose, she will provide you with a method to use following the abortion. She will also schedule your follow-up appointment.

At NY Abortion, 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 – For local anesthesia, a physician injects medicine into your cervix that numbs the area to block pain. You will be fully awake during the procedure, but your cervix will be numbed by the anesthesia. 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, who is a physician specially trained to prevent patients from feeling pain during surgical procedures

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

• Proper post-operative care is essential to your well being. We will provide you with clear, written post-operative instructions prior to your procedure.
• You must have an escort to take you home following any procedure done with anesthesia other than local anesthesia. For your own safety, you may not drive for the remainder of the day.
• You will be given a prescription for three medications. A routine antibiotic to protect against infection, a uterine contractor to control bleeding, and pain medication. It is essential that you take all medications prescribed by the physician in the manner explained. For your convenience, these medications may be purchased in our offices.
• All RH negative patients are given an injection of Rhogam.
• Our physicians are on-call 24 hours a day for medical emergencies.
• You will need to return for a post-operative exam three weeks after your procedure. There is NO charge for this exam. If you were referred to our office by your own OB/GYN, we encourage you to return to your physician for your continued care after you have been released from our care. However, complete post-operative care and on-going gynecological services are available at our office for all patients.

• First trimester abortions are one of the safest surgical procedures and are approximately 9-10 times safer than normal childbirth. There are both minor and major complications possible, but most are minor and easily treated. Possible complications include:

  • Infection (less than 1%)
  • Heavy bleeding (1/2 of 1%)
  • Incomplete (less than 1%)
  • Damage to the uterus or nearby internal structures (less than 1/2 of 1%)
  • Cervical tear (1/2 of 1%)
  • Continuing pregnancy (less than 1%)
  • Death (1 in 160,000)To help reduce your risk of complications it is essential that you follow all your aftercare instructions, return for your follow-up examination, and promptly call our office if symptoms of any complications do occur.

  Our physicians are on-call 24-hours a day for medical emergencies.

At NY Abortion, 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, an ultrasound screening, routine urine and blood testing, the abortion procedure, anesthesia, and recovery room services.

Payment can be made in cash, by money order, or by credit card. For the convenience of our patients, we accept MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover. Medicaid and most insurance plans are also accepted, but must be verified prior to your visit.

Laboratory Fee — It is essential that our office have your correct phone number and address. If, in the unlikely event that the laboratory results indicate that you must return for repeat tests or procedures, we must have a reliable way to contact you. If we cannot reach you by phone, we will send a certified letter. We are very respectful of your need for confidentiality and will only contact you if there is an emergency. There is no additional office fee in the rare event that this occurs.

Medications and Testing — You may also incur additional fees if the doctor or medical staff find that you need extra medications or testing. These additional needs may include, but are not limited to: injectable antibiotics, an early detection urine pregnancy test, a urine culture, a throat culture, or a Rhogam injection. If you have an Rh negative blood type (e.g. , O negative, B negative) it is absolutely essential that you receive a Rhogam injection.

There are also some medications that you may choose to purchase on the day of your procedure. Depo Provera (injectable birth control) and certain brands of birth control pills are all available at our office for an additional charge. If you have any questions about the cost of these medications please contact us at 1-800-370-0049.

If the procedure is not performed due to patient request or physician advice, you will be responsible for payment for any services already rendered such as a pregnancy test, a sonogram and/or any laboratory tests. All other fees will be promptly refunded.