• After checking in you will see a staff member who will provide information, decision-making counselling (if needed), and birth control information. The counsellor will review the consent form with you. After you have signed the form, you will move to the pre-procedure area.
• A nurse will review your history, and provide pre-procedure medications (a mild pain medication and an antibiotic). Depending on how far along you are, you may require a medication that slowly opens your cervix. You will have a small intravenous inserted (for other medications to control pain and anxiety).
• In the procedure room, the doctor will review your history and ensure that you are comfortable with going ahead with the abortion.
• An ultrasound may be done at this time, to give information about the size and/or age of the pregnancy. A local anesthetic will be used to numb your cervix and medication to keep you comfortable will be given though the intravenous tube. Tests for sexually transmitted infections (such as chlamydia and gonorrhea) will also be done prior to the abortion procedure.
• The opening of your cervix will be gently dilated (enlarged), and a small suction tube will be used to remove the contents of your uterus. This part of the procedure takes about five minutes.
• Once the abortion is complete, you will be escorted to the recovery room where you will rest for 30 to 60 minutes, following which you will be able to leave the clinic.