A Capital Women's Health Clinic, Richmond Virginia - Abortion Clinics OnLine
OUR SERVICES
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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 of a sample 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.
Patients may choose between two medication options: PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT PUT PATIENTS TO SLEEP. GENERAL ANESTHESIA CARRIES IT'S OWN RISKS WHICH WE DO NOT WISH TO ADD TO A SHORT, SAFE PROCEDURE SUCH AS ABORTION.
- The first option is known as local medication and during the procedure only the cervix is numbed. The patient is given an anti-inflammatory medication and a mild relaxer before the procedure. The patient will be fully awake and aware during this procedure. Some benefits to this option are that the patient can eat and drink before the procedure, the patient can drive to and from their appointment, the patient should have very little nausea or vomiting, and the patient will leave the clinic completely aware.
-Secondly, we offer a heavy medication/Pain Management option. With this option, the patient receives a cocktail of oral and IM medications to actively manage anxiety and pain at the source. YOU WILL NOT BE PUT TO SLEEP and should not expect to be "out of it." Patients must have a driver that can stay in the clinic the entire 4-6 hours with this choice. Benefits to this medication are that the patient should not have nausea or vomiting after their procedure, it is a more effective option for patients with a high tolerance to narcotics, only one shot is needed and is given in the muscle, patients will leave the clinic fully aware, patients are allowed to eat before this procedure, and unlike I.V. sedations which simply use drugs to sedate the brain, pain management attacks the causes of pain and anxiety at the source.
See the price listing for current prices on each of these options.
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. If you are considering this option, here are a few things you should know about the pill:
-you must be under 7 weeks pregnant as established by ultrasound/sonar.
-the pill is 92-95% effective. 5-8% of women will have to have the surgery after taking the pill toe end their pregnancy. If you are unwilling to have the surgical abortion, you should not choose the pill option.
-the pill is a three day process. The first day is a 4-6 hour visit in the clinic where you will have a pelvic exam by the doctor. The second and third days are spent at home taking medication to cause your uterus to contract. This can take anywhere from 4 to 10 hours on days 2 and 3.
-you should not choose the pill if you live with a loved one who doesn't know you are doing the abortion by pill. The symptoms you will have at home will not be ones you can hide.
-we expect the abortion to occur in the two days after leaving the clinic, but sometimes the abortion can be delayed and can occur unexpectedly in the two weeks after your first clinic visit.
-you must return to the clinic two weeks after your first visit to make sure you are not still pregnant. This is established by an ultrasound here in the clinic and cannot be established by a home pregnancy test.
-you must be able to handle the possibility of heavy bleeding, clotting and cramping during the two week time period after your first visit to the clinic.
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.
A Capital Women's Health Clinic, Richmond Virginia - Abortion Clinics OnLine
