Below is an overview of how to prepare for your visit to Birth Control Care Center, and what to expect upon arrival.

Before your Abortion

• If you desire intravenous sedation, you'll need someone who can come with you, stay in the waiting room, and then drive you home.
• You must not eat or drink anything for four hours before your appointment.
• Allow yourself the day of the procedure and the day after to rest. We will give you a doctor's excuse for work if needed.

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery

• Our goal is to make your visit as easy as possible.
• If you have already made a definite decision to terminate your pregnancy, plan on approximately 2 hours for your entire visit. If you feel extra counseling is needed, the visit will be longer.
• In a private room, a staff member will take your medical history, perform necessary lab work, and an ultrasound. She will also explain the procedure and answer any questions you might have.
• Then in a surgery room, the doctor will answer any questions, give you an examination, and discuss your birth control options.
• Our patients who choose intravenous sedation usually don't remember the abortion experience. Once the procedure is completed (usually within 10 minutes) you will be moved to recovery where you will rest for about 30 - 60 minutes prior to going home.
• You will leave our clinic with detailed recovery instructions, all the medications you need during recovery and a prescription for pain medication. If appropriate we will also include a free pack of birth control pills and prescription for the rest of the year.

Medical Abortion using Pills

• You MUST be less than 9 weeks pregnant AND live within an hour of our clinic.
• Your first appointment will include a medical history and an ultrasound to confirm the length of pregnancy.
• The first pill is taken (by mouth) in our office and you will be given 4 pills to insert into the vagina at home 2 days later. (You are welcome to return to our office for assistance if needed.)
• Two weeks later you will return for an ultrasound at no additional fee to ensure that the pregnancy has fully terminated. That day, if appropriate, we will give you a free pack of birth control pills and a prescription for the rest of the year.