Eastside Gynecology offers abortion services from 5 through 24 weeks of pregnancy. Abortions from 5 through 13 weeks are generally performed in one visit. Terminations from 14-24 weeks usually require laminaria and these procedures often require a return visit. Non-surgical abortions are available for patients with pregnancies less than seven weeks. We also offer Mifeprex (RU-486).

First Trimester
This is defined as terminating a pregnancy up until 12 weeks of gestation. The surgery generally takes between five and ten minutes. You are then taken to the recovery room where you will be observed by our nursing staff for another thirty to sixty minutes.

Second Trimester

• This is defined as terminating a pregnancy from 13 to 24 weeks of gestation.
  
• The surgery to terminate a pregnancy between 13 and 15 weeks can usually performed in one day.
  
• For pregnancies between 16 and 22 weeks a two day procedure is required.
  
• For pregnancies between 23 and 24 weeks a two or possibly a three day procedure is required for safety reasons.
  

Choices For Anesthesia During Surgery:

• General Anesthesia – the patient remains asleep during the entire procedure.  The patient may feel some discomfort upon awakening.
• Twilight (IV) Sedation – this method of anesthesia causes drowsiness, but the patient remains conscious and will feel minor discomfort or cramping.
• Local Anesthesia – medication is administered to numb the cervix.  During the procedure, the patient will feel some discomfort resembling menstrual cramps.

Counseling
At Eastside Gynecology we realize how stressful it can be to terminate a pregnancy. We offer a warm and caring environment and a sympathetic attitude towards our patients. All patients are given individual attention and counseling in order to ensure their privacy. Many of our patients are referred to us from other physicians who have diagnosed the patient with a fetal demise and/or fetal abnormality. Genetic studies are available upon request.