Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our abortion and gynecological services.
Administrative
Can I be seen within one week?
Yes. The state of Georgia abortion law requires 24-hour waiting period after mandatory counseling. We will schedule your abortion procedure within the same week.
Do I need a driver or support person with me?
Not if you are doing the medical abortion (abortion pill). If you elect to have an early surgical abortion, then you will need a driver.
Do you provide Concierge services when there is absolute privacy?
Yes, for an additional fee, you would be the ONLY patient in our facility during that time. Ask for details.
Is funding available to help with abortion costs?
Yes, there are abortion funding agencies that we can provide to assist patients coming from out of state, as well as those from the state of Georgia. Ask for details.
Abortion FAQs
What to expect if I want the abortion pill?
1. Take the first medicine in our center
Your clinician will give you the very first pill, mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own fertility. You will also get a few antibiotics.
2. Take the second medication at home
Your clinician will also give you tablets called misoprostol to be taken at home. You’ll take the misoprostol 24-48 hours after you have taken the first pill — your clinician will inform you just how and when to take the medication.
3. Take It Easy
After having taken the second medication at home, intense cramping and bleeding can last several hours or longer — so take it easy for at least a day. It is kind of like having a really heavy, crampy period.
What should I expect during and after the medical abortion (abortion pill) process?
You may experience some mild bleeding after you take the first medication in our clinic.
After you take the second round of medicine you will experience heavy bleeding, cramping, and maybe other symptoms, including:
> Dizziness
> Intense cramping
> Diarrhea
> Light lactation
Preparation and Aftercare:
Pain Relief: Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) is recommended to manage cramps.
Comfort: Use heating pads and have pads ready (avoid tampons during the main bleeding phase).
Recovery: Most people can return to normal activities in a day or two.
Fertility: Fertility can return within a few weeks. Use birth control if you don’t want to get pregnant.
How does the medical abortion work?
The abortion pill consists of two medications:
1) Mifepristone: This pill is taken in our center. The pill stops the pregnancy from growing; few symptoms are expected, though some light spotting may occur.
2) Misoprostol: Taken 24-48 hours later. This medication causes the uterus to empty.
Before taking the abortion pill
You can take ibuprofen about half an hour before taking the medication, to help relieve the cramping. You might even take an anti-nausea medication if your doctor or nurse provides it to you.
During the process
For many patients, they experience intense cramping for a few hours. It’s like having an early miscarriage. If you do not have some bleeding within 24-hours of taking the medication, CALL US.
The bleeding and cramping may last for several hours. Most patients complete passing the pregnancy tissue around 4-5 hours, but it could take longer.
The bleeding and cramping slows down following the pregnancy tissue passing. You may have mild cramping on and off for 1 to 2 days.
Following your abortion
We advise you to use pads for the first couple of days following the abortion so you can monitor how much you are bleeding.
Follow-up with our office within a couple of weeks. This evaluation will guarantee that the abortion functioned properly and that you are no longer pregnant and in good health.
If the abortion pill did not terminate the pregnancy, you will want to discuss your choices with our physician. You may require another dose of medication or have a surgical abortion to complete the abortion.
Does the abortion pill have long term side effects?
The abortion pill is actually safe and effective. It is a super common method to have an abortion, and many individuals have used it without little to no issues.
Unless there is a rare and severe complication that is not treated, there is no danger to your potential pregnancies or to your general wellness.
Having an abortion does not increase your risk for breast feeding or change your fertility.
We will provide you with thorough and accurate information regarding the abortion pill, the symptoms, and any concerns you might have.
What are the possible risks of taking the abortion pill?
Medication abortion has been used safely in the U.S. for at least 15 decades.
Significant complications are extremely rare, but might occur. These include:
1) the abortion pills do not work; the pregnancy has not been terminated.
2) pregnancy tissue left in your uterus
These issues are not common. And when they do occur, they are usually easy to deal with by our experienced physician and staff.
In very rare situations, some issues can be quite serious or even life threatening.
Telephone us if you:
1. Don’t have any bleeding over 24 hours after taking the first medication (misoprostol).
2. Have heavy bleeding which soaks through over 2 maxi pads in one hour, for two or more hours in a row.
3. Pass large clots (larger than a lemon) for over 2 hours.
4. Feeling fatigue, nausea, or diarrhea that lasts longer than 24 hours after taking medication.
Our staff will talk to you and allow you to determine whether the abortion pill is the ideal choice for you.
What do I need to do before I take the pill?
Before you choose the abortion pill, you’ll be required to review the state of Georgia mandatory literature in our center 24 hours prior to scheduling your abortion.
You’ll discuss with one of our counselors whether the abortion pill is the right choice for you. Plus, you’ll discuss abortion alternatives that are available to you.
We’ll provide an examination and laboratory tests, and possibly an ultrasound to determine how far along your pregnancy is.
We will inform what to expect and what to do to prepare for your abortion. Written instructions about the best way best to take your tablets will be provided.
You’ll have access to our caring professional staff throughout the process — you can call 24/7 in the event that you have any queries or concerns.
Clinical/Medical
Will I receive all my medications on the day of my appointment?
Yes, you will receive the Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and pain medication on the day of your appointment.
Will I need a RhoGAM shot?
The abortion pill is actually secure and effective. It is a super Common method to have an abortion, and huge numbers of individuals have used it securely.
Unless there is a rare and severe complication that is not treated, There is no danger to your potential pregnancies or into your general wellness. Having an abortion does not increase your risk for breast feeding or change your fertility.
Infrequent, as much as rare as they are later giving birth. They’re more likely to take place in people who need to finish a pregnancy due to health reasons, individuals who don’t have support around their choice to have an abortion, or even individuals that have a history of mental health issues.
There are a number of myths out there about the consequences of abortion. Your nurse or physician can Provide you accurate Information Regarding abortion pill side Consequences or some other concerns you might have.
How soon will I bleed after taking the medications?
This varies, but can be almost immediate to 24 hours after you take the second dose of pills.
Can I use Tampons on the first day?
You should not use Tampons, but pads instead, since the bleeding will be heavy on the first few days.
Can I eat normally on the first day?
Yes, you can, but during the heavy cramping, we would recommend liquids over solid food to decrease the nausea and vomiting.
What is better, taking the second set of pills vaginally or buccally (between the cheek and the gums)?
Both methods are equally effective.. The vaginal approach allows you to insert the meds as early as 6 hours after the pill you receive in our office. The buccal approach requires you to wait 24 hours before placing them in your mouth.
What if I change my mind after I leave the office and decide not to take the second set of pills?
Once you take the Mifepristone in our office, the abortion procedure has started. You may have a miscarriage if you don’t take the second set of pills, or if the pregnancy continues, the baby could be born with birth defects.
Will the medical or surgical abortions prevent me from getting pregnant in the future?
Each pregnancy is a separate, independent event. There is no reason to suspect that having an abortion will affect any future pregnancies.
How long will I bleed from the abortion?
If you have a medical abortion, your bleeding can last for several weeks, but it will be heaviest for the first two to three days. If it is a surgical abortion, there will be minimal bleeding for the first two days
When should I start taking birth control pills after the abortion?
We recommend that the patient start taking her pills on the very first Sunday after she starts bleeding
Can I come in for a follow-up to see if the abortion was successful?
The success rate after an abortion is 97-99% effective, but you may come in at no additional charge to undergo an ultrasound to confirm the absence of the pregnancy.
When will my urine pregnancy test turn negative?
Most pregnancy tests are negative after 5 weeks from the day you took the pills, but occasionally the test may remain positive for up to 7 weeks, even though the abortion is complete.
How soon after the abortion is it possible to get pregnant?
With unprotected intercourse, your ability to conceive begins approximately 10 (ten) days after the abortion; therefore, PLEASE use contraception.
When can I resume normal or sports-related activities?
Let your body answer that question, but you may safely resume those activities in approximately 2-3 weeks.
If you did not see your question above, IT MAY BE on the WEBSITE. IF NOT, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CALL THE OFFICE SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS.