A Capital Women's Health Clinic is a private gynecology practice dedicated to the health care of women. Our organization has specialized in providing caring, safe, and confidential abortion services since 1982.
CONFIDENTIAL PREGNANCY TESTING:
Pregnancy testing is performed Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. No appointment is necessary and first morning urine is also not necessary. The test picks up the pregnancy hormone as early at 10 days after conception.
CONTRACEPTIVE COUNSELING AND DISTRIBUTION:
Contraceptive counseling and distribution is provided to each patient. If the birth control ring or oral contraceptives are chosen, the patient is provided with a free starter pack.
ABORTIONS UP TO 14 WEEKS:
Abortions up to 14 weeks gestation are performed using the
vacuum aspiration procedure. This five minute outpatient procedure involves the insertion of a small suction tube into the cervix to remove the contents of the uterus. Several medications are given to help insure the comfort of the patient. Your visit includes lab tests, counseling on contraception, ultrasound, the abortion procedure and recovery. The patient should expect to stay at our office approximately four to six hours to complete this process. This procedure can be completed with one visit without an overnight stay. Patients that have a negative blood type must be given a shot called
Rhogam. If you have negative blood, please notify the staff when you make your appointment. We will type a
patient's blood at no charge for those patients who are unaware of their blood type.
The State of Virginia requires each patient make their appointment at least 24 hours in advance so that she may receive certain information pertaining to the abortion. Therefore, last minute appointments are impossible.
When you arrive to the clinic, we will request your driver's license or government issued identification. The fee for your service will be collected as soon as you arrive for your appointment and you will be given your paperwork. After check in, you will have an ultrasound to determine the exact length of your pregnancy. This may be done vaginally or
abdominally. After your length of pregnancy has been determined, you will go to lab where we will check your iron level, your RH factor, temperature and blood pressure. You will then be shown a video that will explain the abortion procedure. A counselor will then go over any questions you have and will discuss your birth control options. Finally you will be medicated, see the doctor, and will finish your visit in the recovery room.
Every surgery patient will go home with a prescription for antibiotics which must be started the day the procedure is performed.
Although abortions performed at 6 weeks of pregnancy or more have a 99% success rate, a visit to us is required approximately three weeks later to assure the success of the surgery. You may choose to come back to Capital Women's Health or see your own medical doctor
as long as they are aware you've had an abortion.
ABORTION BY PILL:
RU486 medical abortions by pill are available. This is done only if the patient is under 7 weeks in the pregnancy. If chosen, the patient will be in the clinic for 4 to 6 hours and over the next couple of days will take pills at home to cause the uterus to contract. The patient will need to take off work for a few days and have a support person available if needed. This procedure is 92 to 95% effective and the patient must be willing to undergo the surgical abortion process if the pill fails. Call one of our phone counselors if you are considering this option, and we will be happy to answer any further questions and help you determine if this option is best for you.
ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
