| We accept patients
into our second trimester program who are between 14 and 21 weeks from
their last menstrual period.
You must call for an appointment and be given Arkansas State mandated
information at least one day prior to your visit. Patients 20-21 weeks
must receive this information 24 hours prior to your appointment.
The "weeks gestation" is accurately determined by ultrasound
examination. Pregnancy is dated from the date of the last menstrual
period (LMP). It is known that the time of conception is normally two
weeks after the beginning of the last menstrual period. Our upper limit
by ultrasound
is 5.1 cm, which is 21 weeks from the last menstrual period (19 weeks
after conception).
If you are interested in knowing the appearance of the fetus at various stages of pregnancy click on links below.
Or if you are interested in state provided information about fetal pain click on links below:
Our goal is to provide each patient with the safest abortion possible;
we insert laminaria which dilate or open the cervix on the first visit
and then complete the abortion on the next day.
Laminaria are matchstick like pieces of sterilized seaweed
which, when placed in the cervix, will absorb fluid and gradually
swell in a sponge-like fashion. They gently open and soften
the cervix. Insertion of the laminaria is a brief procedure.
Each patient is given a detailed list of instructions to
follow after the laminaria insertion. A nurse and physician
from our staff are on-call for after hour’s consultation
should you have concerns or needs.
You are required to be within 30 minutes from our clinic during the
two-day process to assure that we are available and nearby should you
need medical care. It is essential that you call the clinic with any
problems or concerns. DO NOT go to a hospital before calling us.
The following morning, you will return to the clinic, and
while under IV sedation, the laminaria are removed and the
abortion completed.
After a recovery room stay of usually less than 1 hour, you will be released
from the clinic to return home. Even though you will feel fully alert,
however, you will still be under the influence of the drugs used for
your sedation. For your safety and that of others you must wait at least
until the next day before you drive, operate machinery or drink alcohol.
On
the day of the appointment |
| Second
Trimester |
|
• You MUST call 24 Hours in advance prior to your appointment day
• Expect to be at the clinic for approximately 2-4 hours
each day of your two day visit schedule.
• For your own safety, you are required to bring an escort
to drive you home after the procedure or take a taxi.
• Please bring Ibuprofen or Advil, and maxi pads for the overnight stay.
• It will be necessary for you to be close to the clinic
(within 30 minutes) on the evening between visit one and two. This
is for your safety and will allow us to manage complications should
they arise.
• If overnight accommodations are needed, several
reasonably priced, quality motels are located nearby.
We will be happy to assist you in any way possible and
will provide a map and all contact information. [click here for Hotel Recommendations] |
> Aftercare & Follow-up
Aftercare Instructions brochure [PDF]
PRINT: Preparing for Your Appointment [PDF] & Patient Information [PDF]
Bring both of these documents with you at the time of your appointment.
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