Frequently Asked Questions
- How much will I bleed?
- Will the procedure hurt?
- Is the procedure risky?
- What is the difference between a surgical and a nonsurgical (medical) abortion?
- Will I be able to have children in the future?
- Can I have all of my services in 1 day?
- Can I bring someone with me?
- When will I get my next period?
- What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?
- My doctor did an ultrasound and blood work. Can I bring the results with me and save some money?
- Do my parents have to know?
- What's the difference between the "abortion pill" and the "morning after pill?"
Submit your own question here.
How much will I bleed?
After a surgical abortion some women don't bleed at all. Some spot or bleed lightly. Others bleed more heavily, similar to having a period. Bleeding can last from just a few hours to as long as 3 to 4 weeks. It can remain constant or start and stop. All of these variations are usually normal.
If you're having a medication abortion, you can expect heavy bleeding (similar to or heavier than a normal heavy period) for 1 to 12 hours followed by light bleeding for up to 3 to 4 weeks.
You can use this chart to help you judge how much you are bleeding (opens as a PDF).
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Will the procedure hurt?
There's no simple answer because everyone experiences pain differently.
There is some discomfort with the surgical procedure. Every surgical patient receives local anesthetic to numb the cervical area. Our holistic approach to pain management includes relaxation techniques, soft music and lighting, aromatherapy, and heated pads, and we provide three other medication pain relief options. You can read more about them at Pain Relief & Sedation.
If you choose to have a medication abortion, you should be prepared for strong menstrual-type cramping for 4 to 12 hours. We'll give you a prescription for a pain reliever.
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Is the procedure risky?
Every medical procedure has certain risks and possible complications. However, complications are rare (our complication rate is only one quarter of one percent), and most of them are easily remedied. In fact, abortion is far safer than childbirth and safer even than a tooth extraction. You'll have an opportunity to discuss the procedure and its risks prior to your abortion.
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What is the difference between a surgical and a medication abortion?
A surgical abortion involves a procedure in which the doctor numbs the cervix and uses instruments to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. The procedure usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes. In a medication abortion you terminate your pregnancy by taking a combination of two drugs. The physician gives you the first drug at your appointment. You take a second drug at Preterm two days later. It makes your uterus cramp and causes bleeding to expel the pregnancy. We perform medication abortions from 4 through 7 weeks.
For more information on these options, see the pages on Surgical abortion, Medication abortion, and Choosing the Best Method for You.
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Will I be able to have children in the future?
Generally, an abortion will not affect your ability to have children. This is true even if you've had more than one abortion. A complication of the surgery could affect this, but Preterm's complication rate is less than one percent.
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Can I have all of my services in 1 day?
No. Because of an Ohio law that went into effect in September 2005, an abortion requires at least two visits, no less than 24 hours apart. If your pregnancy is 17 weeks or more, you'll need to make three visits. A medication abortion requires four visits, including a follow-up appointment.
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Can I bring someone with me?
You're welcome to bring a support person with you. If you're having oral sedation, conscious sedation or anesthesia, you must have a responsible adult driver with you. We cannot accommodate children, so please make other arrangements for their care while you're here.
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When will I get my next period?
Expect to get your regular period 4 to 6 weeks after the abortion. If you're taking birth control pills, they may affect when you get your period. Please be aware that if you're not using birth control, you could become pregnant even before your next period begins.
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What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?
Bring a valid photo ID. Bring your insurance, Medicaid, or CareSource card, if you have one. Bring payment to cover the fees you were quoted when you made the appointment or met with your patient advocate. (If you're using a credit card for payment, make sure the cardholder is with you and has ID.)
For minors: If your parent is coming with you, you both need a valid photo ID, and you need to bring a copy of your birth certificate. If your parent is not coming, you need to bring your notarized consent form or the proper paperwork for a judicial bypass. (See For Teens for more info.)
You might also like to have a book or other quiet activity to pass the time while you wait, and you should wear a loose-fitting, 2-piece outfit, including socks and underwear.
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My doctor did an ultrasound and blood work. Can I bring the results with me and save some money?
No. To make sure we provide the best medical care possible, we do our own in-house lab work, medical screening, and ultrasound.
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Do my parents have to know?
In Ohio, the law says that one of your parents or legal guardians must sign a consent form if you want to have an abortion. If you cannot involve a parent or you feel like it would not be safe to do so, you can obtain a judicial bypass from Juvenile Court. (See For Teens for more info.)
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What's the difference between the "abortion pill" and the "morning after pill?"
The abortion pill, also called RU-486, mifepristone, and Mifeprex™, is a drug used in medication abortions to end an early pregnancy. The morning after pill, more commonly called emergency contraception or EC, is a drug used to prevent unintended pregnancy up to 120 hours after a woman has had unprotected sex. Both the abortion pill and morning after pill are available at Preterm. See Medication abortion and Emergency Contraception to learn more.
