How safe is surgical abortion?
The mortality rate of first trimester abortions is approximately 1 out of a quarter-million women. This, incidentally, compares favorably with a single oral dose of penicillin, which has a fatality rate (from anaphylaxis) of 1/100,000. Infections occur in less than 1% of surgical abortions. Uterine perforation occurs in approximately 1/5000 cases. Can patients receive sedation for early surgical abortion? Yes! What happens on the day of the procedure? Patients are asked to bring the following information: the date of their last menstrual period (LMP), insurance information, results of a urine or serum pregnancy test, and Rh type (if known). If a woman is planning on receiving intravenous sedation, she should be accompanied by an adult who must remain in our waiting room during the entire procedure. Please note that children are not allowed in our waiting room. The actual procedure takes 2-4 minutes, excluding the time necessary for ultrasound examinations (about 1-2 minutes). Micrhogam
