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ALL of the Atlanta SurgiCenter's
SECOND TIMESTER ABORTION PATIENTS will have all pre-op screenings done at our new private doctor's office located in Atlanta, Georgia. ALL SECOND TRIMESTER ABORTION PROCEDURES will be performed at a licensed surgery center where our doctor practices.
Our New Address:
Atlanta SurgiCenter
Piedmont Pointe Complex
1874 Piedmont Road, Suite #580E
Atlanta, GA 30324
Call: (404) 892-8608 | (800) 282-1046
THE FACTS ABOUT LATE ABORTION
(15 TO 20 WEEKS) - Second Trimester | (21 TO 26 WEEKS) - Late
Second Trimester
Atlanta SurgiCenter facilitates access to Second Trimester and
Late Second Trimester abortion procedures. The Second Trimester
begins at 15 weeks from the last normal menstrual period thru
20 weeks LMP. The Late Second Trimester begins at 21 weeks LMP
through 26 weeks LMP. This procedure is known as a dilatation
and evacuation (D&E) procedure. There are several steps that you
will take before your abortion procedure, to ensure your safety
and well-being.
PREGNANCY VERIFICATION
Every woman who is a patient at the Atlanta SurgiCenter will have
an ultrasound. This advanced diagnostic technique is used 5 weeks
or more after the last menstrual period to determine the correct
length of the pregnancy. It is an important diagnosis and further
assures the safety of the patient and the procedure.
PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION
Further laboratory work is completed to screen all potential
patients. Routine laboratory analysis includes Rh typing, hemoglobin
testing, and urinalysis. Rhogam is administered for an additional
charge to Rh-negative women. With the completion of the laboratory
testing, a Nurse will evaluate your health. Within this evaluation,
your medical history and physical is completed and each patient
is pre-screened for anesthesia risks.
The Atlanta SurgiCenter is concerned with the success
of your termination and we want to make sure that your current
health and gestational age of your pregnancy will allow the safest
of procedures.
COUNSELING
Counseling has proven to be on e of
the most important safe assurances for patients scheduled for
abortion services. Each woman gets personalized, confidential
attention and care throughout her visit. Counseling services provide
information about the procedure, its possible risks and complications
and birth control.
Counselors are also here to help with feelings and concerns related
to the termination. Our counselors treat each patient with warmth,
understanding and sensitivity. Each counselor provides an attentive,
supportive, and caring atmosphere for the patient, her family,
and significant others. Additional information about post abortion
health and well being is available by clicking on our Post
Abortion tab.
The
D&E Procedure (Dilatation and Evacuation)
Through the Atlanta SurgiCenter we can schedule your
procedure to be performed at a licensed surgery center where
our doctor practices. A one-day D&E procedure is available
through 20 weeks. Late Second Trimester procedures are performed
on two consecutive days.
The D&E procedure consists
of two parts: dilatation and evacuation. Dilatation
means a slow and easy enlargement of the opening of your uterus,
which is your cervix. The cervix is enlarged with the use of
osmotic dilators. Osmotic dilators are sterile sticks of compressed
seaweed that upon insertion will gradually swell in size. This
process gently opens (dilates) the cervix. The number of osmotic
dilators used and the time required for dilatation will depend
upon the length of your pregnancy and whether or not you are
having a one or two-day procedure.
Evacuation is the removal
of the contents of the uterus. The evacuation procedure is performed
with a combination of suction aspiration and surgical instruments.
Two-Day and/or Late Second Trimester procedures are performed
on two consecutive days. The D&E method is a safe and easy outpatient
procedure performed by our Board Certified Medical Director
in a licensed surgical center.
WHAT TO EXPECT
On the first day, patients are checked in by the Business Office
staff. You will then receive an ultrasound, laboratory work-up
and a physical examination. Your medical history will be taken
and reviewed by a Nurse. You will be assigned a Counselor for
a private counseling session.
When all pre-screening and counseling is complete,e you will
then be escorted to the licensed surgical center where you will
then be prepared for insertion of the osmotic dilators. It
is very important for you and your companion to know that upon
insertion of the osmotic dilators the abortion procedure has
begun.
Changing your mind after the insertion of the osmotic dilators
carries a HIGH RISK of miscarriage and infection. You should
not consent to the insertion if you have any doubts about terminating
pregnancy.
After the osmotic dilators are inserted in the surgical center,
One Day D&E patients will be escorted to a "patient
holding area" for monitoring by the surgical center's Nursing
staff until the required number of hours have passed to safely
complete the procedure. This time is determined by the physician.
After the osmotic dilators are inserted in the surgical center, Two Day/Late D&E
patients and their driver are REQUIRED to spend the night at
a nearby hotel or private residence (clinic staff approval required).
Patients are discharged from the surgical center with a 24-hour medical emergency number,
written overnight care instructions, instructions for taking
medications and the time to return to the surgical center for the completion of the
procedure for the following day.
Two Day/Late D&E patients must return at the
appointed time the following day. After brief processing by
the Business Office the patient will be escorted to the patient
change room by a member of the Operating Room staff for pre-operative
processing.
COMPLETION OF THE PROCEDURE
The surgical procedure for One Day and Two Day D&E procedures
are the same from this point on. Following pre-operative processing
by the surgical center's Nursing staff, patients will be escorted
from the Pre-Op Holding Room to one of the Operating Rooms by
an OR Technician. The OR Technician will explain each step as
she prepares the patient for the final surgical procedure.
Anesthesia will be administered by an ACLS Certified Nurse Anesthetist.
The Physician will complete the procedure with the use of suction
aspiration and special surgical instruments designed for use
in these procedures. The majority of these One Day/Two Day Late
D&E procedures are performed by our Medical Director, who
is a Board Certified OB/GYN with 20 years of experience in abortion
medicine.
RECOVERY ROOM
Following the procedure there is a recovery period where the
Recovery Room Nursing staff will carefully monitor all patients.
While in the Recovery Room you will be given medication to help
reduce bleeding and relieve pain (if needed).
You will be discharged after both the physician and Certified Nurse Anesthetist have evaluated
you and authorized your medical discharge by the Discharge Nurse.
The Discharge Nurse will review your post-operative instructions
with you and about how to take care of yourself after surgery,
how to take your medications and the use of contraceptives if
you choose this option. You will receive an After-Care booklet
which will contain all of the instructions in writing as well
as our 24-hour emergency line where a Registered Nurse is on
call 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
D&E Patient Comments
"I will never
forget your kindness and patience as I entered and departed
from your facility. Thank you for everything."
"I feel that you offered the
best care a person could expect. I wish every clinic in the
medical profession were like yours. Thank you so much."
"I want to thank every member of your staff, from the
security guards to the doctor for making my experience as comfortable
as possible. You are an amazing group of people...your genuine
care, compassion and patience was much appreciated."
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