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Kanawha
Surgicenter • 800.642.1011 or 304.925.6390 |
Gorli Harish, M.D. 4803 MacCorkle Ave., SE Charleston, W. Virginia 25304 |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Does it hurt? There is some discomfort with the abortion procedure. The discomfort you will experience is similar to the cramping you may feel with your menstrual period. Cramping may be moderate, and in some cases relatively uncomfortable. If you choose to have anesthesia, you are less likely to experience intense cramping. Sedation is recommended for anyone who is very anxious and desires to have the procedure performed as soon as possible. For patients who prefer, can request general anesthesia which involves being put fully asleep during the procedure. What are the differences between IV Sedation and General Anesthesia? IV Sedation greatly reduces a patient's feelings of anxiety, and makes the patient relax yet they are still aware of what is taking place, and is able to communicate with the medical staff. General Anesthesia will cause the patient to fall completely asleep and they will not be aware of what is going on during the procedure. Patients can expect to be fully asleep for the duration of the procedure and will be awoken within minutes after completion. Which procedure is less painful? The level of discomfort varies from patient to patient because every individual has a different pain tolerance. Most women feel that the medical procedure is less invasive, it is a less painful procedure. How long does the procedure take? Depending on the length of your pregnancy the actual procedure may take 3 to 7 minutes. Why does the entire visit require 2 or more hours? Although the actual procedure takes only a few minutes, there are various steps that have to be completed during your visit. Upon arrival, you will be asked to complete medical history forms and read a variety of papers with information and consent forms. You will receive laboratory tests which will include an analysis of blood volume, your RH factor, a routine urinalysis that will include a pregnancy test, and preoperative vital signs such as temperature, and pulse. Once the laboratory tests have been completed, you will spend time with a counselor. The counselor will go over your forms with you to determine whether you fully understand all of the information. The counselor will make sure you fully and completely understand the abortion procedure, the risks involved, and inform and discuss with you what you should expect during the procedure. After speaking to the counselor, the receptionist will collect your payment, and you then be escorted to the patient waiting area. Will an abortion have any effect on future pregnancies? Having an abortion is safer than full term labor and delivery. It is unlikely that you would have lasting complications from an abortion procedure; however, as with any type of surgical procedure there are always some risks involved. Are there any restrictions following an abortion procedure? There are only a few restrictions a patient must follow after an abortion procedure; however limitations are very necessary to achieve full recovery. For three weeks after having surgery patients cannot insert anything into the vagina. This means no tampons, no douching, and no intercourse. Swimming, tub bathing, heavy lifting, strenuous activity, sun bathing and standing for prolonged periods of time are also prohibited. How soon can I return to work or school after having an abortion? Most women may return the following day. If your schedule involves heavy lifting or strenuous activity we will provide a work or school excuse indicating that you must avoid certain activities for three weeks. How long after having an abortion will I have bleeding? This will vary from patient to patient. The bleeding, will be similar to that of your menstrual period. You may expect to have bleeding from one to seven days. Spotting may even be experienced for up to a month. The bleeding may be very light to somewhat heavy. You may have some blood clots -- this is normal. When can I expect to have normal period? Most women will have a normal period within 4 to 6 weeks after having an abortion. How is a surgical abortion performed? The cervix is anesthetized with Lidocaine, which is similar to Novocain. The cervix is then dilated to allow for access to the uterus. A hollow plastic tube comparable to a drinking straw is inserted into the uterus, and the contents are then removed by suction aspiration. Is the abortion procedure performed by a "real" doctor? Our Doctor is a Licensed Medical Doctor. Our Medical Director is Board Certified in Abortion and Gynecology. Our Physician is highly experienced in performing pregnancy terminations. And all of our staff members are experienced and dedicated to providing the utmost professional care to our patients. The safety and well-being of our patient's is always our first priority. We pride ourselves in providing the highest level of quality healthcare to women in our community. When can I schedule an appointment for an abortion? We do abortion procedures Monday through Friday and some on Saturdays. Tuesday through Thursday anesthesia is offered for your convenience. Please call our office to schedule an appointment. Is it necessary to come to Kanawha Surgicenter for pregnancy test prior to my appointment? No. It is not necessary because we will be performing a pregnancy test along with your other tests on the day of your scheduled procedure. How much will it cost? The cost of the pregnancy termination varies according to gestational age and the choice of the anesthesia selected for the procedure. We strive to offer the highest level of quality care at the lowest possible price. We believe that our patients will find our fees to be as low, and in some areas even lower than other clinics. We also offer more benefits, included in the cost of the abortion procedure. Do you have a payment plan? We regret that we are unable to provide payment plans. Payment is expected in FULL on the day of your scheduled procedure. For your convenience, we accept cash and West Virginia medical cards. No Personal Checks or Credit Cards. Is the procedure covered by my health insurance? Some policies do cover elective abortion; however, there are some that do not. You will need to call your insurance provider to determine if elective abortion is covered under your plan. If you find that the abortion is covered under your plan, please let us know and we will contact your insurance company to verify. Is everything confidential? Yes. Everything is strictly confidential. We cannot and will not give out information about a patient without their written permission. |
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Copyright © 2005
Kanawha Surgicenter |