ABORTION SERVICESA woman's right to reproductive freedom and personal choice is protected by our United States Constitution. We realize that beyond the emotional and often difficult decisions to terminate a pregnancy is the need and responsibility to provide women with the opportunity to have a surgical abortion in a professional and safe physician-run medical environment. We know and respect how difficult the decision to terminate a pregnancy can often be, and we are dedicated to provide you with information you may need to come to a decision that is right for you and your individual situation. Our goal to make sure women always have a safe facility and physician to go to when this decision is being made.
No one ever wants to be faced with the decision to have an abortion. Often we go through our life thinking "this will never happen to me." But as a woman between the ages of 13-50 years old, it is likely that there will be a time in your life that you will be faced with an unplanned and even impossible pregnancy. The chances that a woman in her reproductive years will elect to have an abortion is essentially 1 out of every 2 persons. For some women, the choice is very clear. For others, the choice can be much more difficult.
This is now about making a decision that is right for you and your individual situation at this time in your life. Be assured that in making a decision to have an abortion, you are definitely not alone.
The surgical abortion is one of the most common procedures performed in the United States. We want you to know that if you choose to have an abortion, our physicians and staff are here to assist you in every way we can.
SURGICAL ABORTIONWe currently offer the surgical abortion procedure for patients ranging from 3-18 weeks by standard gestational dating. Dating a pregnancy starts from the first day of your last menstrual cycle. All of our surgical procedures utilize effective, modern and patient individualized IV anesthesia medicines, specifically chosen to meet each patient's individual comfort needs. Because we have dedicated our practice to providing safe abortions, our physicians are able to stay up-to-date in all related medical advances related to providing abortion procedures. Our facility has a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine in every examination and treatment room which allows us the highest technical advantage to assure patient safety by having immediate access to real-time ultrasound technology. All pregnancies which are recognized to be complicated or advanced in gestational dates are performed utilizing this advanced ultrasound technology. This technical approach to providing a surgical abortion has virtually eliminated many of the known more serious risks associated with the surgical abortion procedure in the past.
ABORTION PILLThere is another option available to our patients, which is the RU-486 (abortion pill). This is a very effective non-surgical method of ending an early pregnancy which is verified to be less than 7 weeks by ultrasound. Although the abortion pill has been around for several years now, it still thought of as relatively new and is an excellent alternative for ending pregnancies under 7 weeks if a patient wishes to avoid the surgical abortion procedure. By administering this medicine, we can safely induce an early pregnancy to pass in a more natural way, with the experience and risks being comparable to a very early miscarriage. This process includes 2 different medicines, one to stop the pregnancy (which is an event usually not physically noticed by the patient), and the other to cause the ended pregnancy to pass 2 days later (which involves cramping similar to an early spontaneous miscarriage). There are 3 very important office visits with the physician which must be kept to assure your continued well-being and successful completion of the process. It is important to understand that because every patient and pregnancy is different, only a qualified medical physician experienced in the use of the RU-486 abortion pill method can determine and verify that this "pill method" is appropriate for your situation. Our current unique physician protocols have a completion success rate which is approximately 99%. In addition, if this pill method should fail to stop the pregnancy, we will perform the surgical procedure at no additional charge.
ANESTHESIA OPTIONSEven these days, anesthesia options still vary widely from facility to facility, often depending on the level of services available in the area and the type of facility or clinic you have chosen. The effectiveness and comfort level will differ depending on which anesthesia method is available in the facility you have chosen.
One of the most common questions patients have is "Will the abortion procedure be painful?"
Not too long ago in the past, the majority of clinics providing abortions either did not offer anesthesia or used only a weak Nitrous Oxide breathable gas while performing a surgical abortion procedure. This is the primary reason the abortion procedure had developed a reputation of often being a "painful" and even sometimes intolerable experience. It is understandable that if you are alert or awake during a surgical procedure such as an abortion, you are going to feel and be aware of many uncomfortable aspects of the surgical process.
Fortunately, over the past several years, physician operated facilities have developed protocols to provide all women with the option to receive complete comfort by the safe administration of IV anesthetics during the surgical abortion procedure. The availability of IV anesthesia is now the standard of care for modern abortion procedures.
| Modern medical facilities and experienced physicians have available very safe and effective combinations of IV anesthesia, which now can assure you of the comfort you expect when undergoing any surgical procedure. Florida Women's Center is one of Florida's leading facilities providing safe and effective anesthesia options for patients undergoing the abortion procedure. |
The use of IV anesthesia for the surgical abortion is clearly a modern and responsible choice for patients. Without appropriate anesthesia, many women are unable to tolerate the discomfort and awareness of the surgical abortion procedure. Inadequately sedated patients have increased risks of complications if they are unable to tolerate the surgical procedure. Appropriate IV anesthesia has been found to significantly improve the patient experience, outcome and safety of the surgical procedure.
The use of appropriate anesthesia is well accepted by experienced abortion providers and gynecologists. Our extensive experience in providing safe and comfortable abortion procedures, coupled with our physician's unique additional advanced training in the anesthesia sub-specialty, has now made it possible for patients to transition through the surgical abortion in comfort and safety. A modern abortion procedure is now a "painless" and comfortable surgical procedure.
At Florida Women's Center, we provide patients with some of the most effective and safe IV sedation in our field of medicine, which allows our patients to transition through their visit and surgical procedure comfortably. Accordingly, all patients must not eat or drink four-six hours before their appointment. You will be provided snacks and drinks in the recovery area after your procedure is completed. Every patient should also have a designated driver to assure a safe trip home.
GYNECOLOGY SERVICES
Our board-certified staff gynecologist also provides women with the opportunity to obtain affordable and convenient physician provided gynecology services. We offer affordable continuing care with annual exams, PAP smears with the appropriate treatment for abnormalities, and all STD evaluations, diagnosis, and treatments. We also have a state-of-the-art dual wavelength laser which provides patients the option removing unwanted hair from all regions of the body effectively. We offer all forms of birth control options including all brands of oral contraceptives, the Ortho-EVRA contraceptive patch, the Nuva-ring, Seasonale pill packs, Yaz, Yasmin, Estro-step, ON-777, Ortho-Lo, Mircette, Depo-provera injections and IUD placements and removals. We also remove Norplants devices.
In addition, for those unexpected emergencies, we can immediately provide the "Morning after pill" upon request.
Our fully staffed facility is able to offer appointments for affordable gynecology care to patients in our exceptionally private medical environment. With the enhanced availability of our extensive on-site ultrasound technology, we are often able to obtain immediate information for patients with gynecology concerns which is not available in many facilities. Our efficient and affordable patient management and care has proven to be a convenient option for patients in need of professional and affordable women's medical care.
FEES
Fees for medical services are based on many criteria, depending on what services you request and the associated complexity of your individual situation. We recognize that cost is very important to patients so we always make sure our care, while offering the an very private and personal environment, is still affordable to everyone. We provide affordable abortion options and procedures while also allowing patients the benefit of our private and professional medical care environment. Based on information you provide us when you schedule and appointment, we can provide you with the costs of care necessary to assist in your needs.
All surgical IV anesthesia and post-operative medications associated with an abortion procedure are included in the initial cost and provided without any additional charge to our patients. This provides the extra benefit of our patients not having to go to the pharmacy after their visit with us, allowing a comfortable and timely experience in this important post-operative time period.
We recommend a follow-up visit in 3-4 weeks after the surgical procedure. This visit is also included in the cost of the initial visit. We will address all birth control options and needs as part of our services during your initial visit after your surgical procedure or at the follow-up visit if you choose. All patients receive physician approved Birth Control information, complimentary starter packs, and a continued prescription for most methods of contraception commonly chosen by our patients. We offer all modern brands of Birth Control Pills as well as the Ortho-evra patch, Seasonale, the Nuva-ring, Depo 3 month injections, and IUD placements.
In the event that you have an uncommon negative blood type (Rh-negative), while there is no additional charge to determine this blood type, there is an additional fee for the administration of the Anti-Rh serum (rhogam injection).
We accept all forms of payment, major credit cards, debit cards, and check cards but we are unable to accept personal checks. Upon request, our staff can assist with insurance filing in order for you to receive a reimbursement if your policy covers the medical visit and associated procedures. We also offer reduced fees to patients who are students, active military, or on Medicaid, so be sure and mention this when making your appointment.