Northland’s Exclusive
Early Abortion Care

Early Surgical Abortion Care

Early Surgical Abortion Care has been a specialty of Northland for over 10 years. Our physicians and staff have completed extensive training in these techniques, and we have invested in special equipment so we can offer you care and comfort that you just won't find anywhere else.

To have a healthy abortion experience, your emotional health is as important as your physical health. Whether you are considering a surgical or non-surgical abortion, this is an emotional decision. You may want to take a look at Abortion Decision, Making the Choice here on our website. And, remember, here at Northland we are very experienced in working with women to come to a decision that connects both head and heart.

Here, we work from our hearts...and our hearts are open to yours.

Exclusive at Northland
Northland's Specialty Trained Physicians Offer You Two Options:
Manual Vacuum Aspiration and Early Standard Vacuum Aspiration

Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
Available 4 – 8 weeks of pregnancy
This extremely gentle surgery is done by hand, the expert hands of our physicians. The first thing women notice is – the quiet. There are not the usual surgical equipment sounds. Women tell us they find it easier to relax in the quiet. Our physicians, like many of our patients, prefer this method when it is possible. There are physical conditions in some women that make this option unavailable. We will, of course, review this with you in your medical exam.

Using a specially designed, IPAS system, the pregnancy is gently removed from the uterus. We will go over this in detail when you are here. Please remember, this option requires both specialized training and equipment. Make sure you choose a provider, such as Northland, who provides specialty trained physicians who meet the high standards of performance and uses the highest quality equipment from IPAS, the world-recognized experts.

Early Standard Vacuum Aspiration
Available 4 – 9 weeks of pregnancy
This method involves the use of standard surgical equipment with very significant differences in physician training, skill and comfort for you. Expert skill is needed to both locate and remove the pregnancy at this early stage. And, afterward, special training and equipment are needed to confirm the pregnancy has been removed before you leave the Center.

You deserve the best care and we have it – Northland Centers have been the experts for over 10 years and remain the leaders in our area.

What to Expect While You're Here

Here, we treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve. We are committed to providing the best care in the most supportive environment. We believe in your dreams for your future.

Plan to spend about four hours with us. Abortion is one of the safest surgeries, but it is still surgery. We take quality care seriously. We will never rush you in or out. This is not a “lunch-hour” procedure. You deserve the best care.

During your time with us, you will meet your medical team and speak privately with a reproductive health counselor and for your physical and emotional health, safety and comfort, we:

• Confirm your pregnancy with a pregnancy test and/or ultrasound
• Perform lab tests to check for anemia and Rh blood factor
• Take a full medical history to be aware of your needs
• Have a private conversation with you about your pregnancy options and your abortion decision
• Explain the procedure and recovery process
• Perform your medical exam and abortion surgery in a clean, softly lit surgical suite with background music and aromatherapy for relaxation
• Allow you time to rest comfortably after surgery in our quiet recovery area with light refreshments
• Discharge you with full recovery guidelines, emergency contact information, prescribed medications, and a post-surgical check up appointment (at no charge to you)

And, because we care about how you are feeling, everyone receives a "Next Day Check In" call.

Remember, our On-Site Pharmacy offers no hassles and less cost!

You can fill your post-operative prescriptions right here.

Recovery and healing
After the abortion surgery, you can expect to spend approximately one hour in our recovery suite. While in recovery, we monitor your blood pressure, bleeding, and pulse and offer you an opportunity to ask questions and relax. Tea and light refreshments are provided.

Healing is in your body, your mind and your heart. You will be given a Take Home Packet in which you will find helpful guidance on both physical and emotional health. There are specific and complete home care and recovery instructions explaining signs and symptoms of possible complications along with a 24-hour emergency phone number.

Each Packet also contains information on our When You're Ready Program, because not everyone is returning to a sexual relationship. If desired, and you are eligible, in addition to birth control information to read about, you will be given a free starter package of birth control pills.

Also, new at Northland:

Depo-Provera, the birth control shot, is available to begin the same day as your surgery. Ask our health educator for details and costs when you call to make your appointment.

For more information on all of our reproductive health services, click here: Reproductive Health Care.

Comfort Options for Pain Management
Northland's Holistic Approach to Controlling Pain

Specially designed surgical suites and recovery areas
with aromatherapy and relaxation accessories

Pre-Surgery Pain Reduction Treatment and
During-Surgery Sedation Medication Plans, from Light to Deep

Additional options:
Moderate IV Sedation
Deep IV Sedation

One of the most commonly asked questions, and often the first question women ask, is "Does it hurt a lot?" We don't think it has to. Northland Centers are pleased to offer our patients a unique pain management approach that helps you relax and offers you choices so you can have some control over this part of your abortion experience.

We practice a unique, more holistic approach toward managing pain. By combining stress reducing, therapeutic relaxation techniques in a warm soothing atmosphere, we treat the whole body - not just the areas affected by the surgery. Soft lighting and relaxing music fill each treatment room, while aromatherapy and a warm heating pad help you relax. This treatment, combined with the care of our professional staff encourages a deeper state of relaxation before, during and after the abortion procedure. This "whole woman" approach sets us apart from other abortion providers.

Putting you first is the Northland way!

Most women say that the cramping associated with abortion is tolerable. Others prefer to not experience any significant cramping or discomfort during the procedure.

New pre-surgery technique
New Northland Exclusive:
Our doctors have special training in this new method that lessens the usual cramping during the abortion procedure and the bleeding afterwards while also offering you more safety. There are many benefits...and because we care about your comfort, there is NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.

How it works
Before your surgery, our special treatment softens the cervix (the opening to the uterus containing the pregnancy) so that it can be opened (dilated) more easily and safely.

Benefits

• MORE COMFORTABLE - This technique makes the abortion procedure less painful because there is less need for manual dilation of the cervix, so less cramping.
• SAFER - This cervical preparation reduces the amount of manual dilation needed in the cervix. So, it decreases the risk of injury to the cervix, especially in young women or women with a history of previous cervical surgeries.
• LESS BLEEDING - This special technique actually reduces the amount of bleeding by gently stimulating the uterus to begin contracting before the abortion procedure has started.

We will review the entire process with you when you come in for you appointment.

Sedation medication plan options
Here, it's all about you!
We know each woman's definition of pain is unique. That's why we offer several levels of sedation for your particular comfort needs. Additionally, our Physicians consider both your medical and personal factors as they adjust medications for your individual requirements.

If you are experiencing a real fear of pain, it may be helpful to explore the possible emotional issues behind this fear. For more information on understanding how and why we experience pain and how our insight can offer more control over pain, please click here: Looking at Physical & Emotional Pain

Standard medication plan
Our standard abortion care fee includes, at no extra charge:

• Pre-Surgery treatment
• Light IV sedation medication for relaxation
• Local anesthesia for the cervix

For a small additional fee, we offer extra comfort with Moderate or Deep Sedation.

Moderate IV sedation
For Extra Comfort
Patients concerned about pain prefer this option of stronger medication. Stronger, faster acting IV sedation medications are used to ease pain and anxiety. These are given in addition to the standard local anesthesia plan.

Deep IV sedation
New at Northland
This is our deepest and strongest IV sedation. You may actually feel you are asleep or not conscious for the period of time during your abortion surgery. Keeping our commitment to strict national standards, we have a Nurse Anesthetist in the surgery room with you as well as additional equipment recommended for your safety and comfort. This is NOT general anesthesia, which is much more serious and requires additional personnel and safety measures to be in place. For the short duration of your surgery, general anesthesia is not the preferred method of sedation. In fact, this is reserved for hospital or licensed ambulatory-surgical centers, due to the increased risk.

Deep IV sedation may feel like general anesthesia, but it is different and designed to be shorter and safer for you and your recovery.

Post-abortion examination
Two weeks after the abortion, it is extremely important to return to us for a post-surgery check-up. Because we care about your health, there is no charge for this check-up if you come within 2-4 weeks after your abortion.

By this time, you have had an opportunity to read through the materials in your Take-Home Packet and we will be glad to answer your questions or help you set a plan for your reproductive health, protecting your fertility and your general health so you are ready to take on your dreams for your future.

Please remember, here at Northland Centers, it's all about you!
We are here to answer your questions, offer you support and resources
for all your reproductive healthcare decisions.
Most of all, here, we treat you with the dignity
and respect you deserve.
Call us.

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Last page update: 9/07