Abortion & Pregnancy Options

PGOMG providers and staff are sensitive to the needs and concerns of patients who are considering ending a pregnancy. In the state of California, abortion is legal, and there are no major types of restrictions on abortion, such as waiting periods or mandated parental involvement by the state.

Decisions made on abortion procedures are very private and only take place between providers and patients, with procedure options dependent on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy. If a patient is considering an abortion, PGOMG providers will need to confirm that the patient is in-fact pregnant, determine how far along the pregnancy is, and discuss options available at PGOMG with the patient before determining the best possible recommendation. We recommend that patients do not delay in coming to PGOMG once they have made the decision to end their pregnancy.

Medical abortion refers to methods in which a pregnancy is ended non-surgically; i.e. medication. For patients of PGOMG that choose to end a pregnancy, care providers will prescribe Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, or “the abortion pill”. Patients should note that RU-486 works best early in a pregnancy and is only taken up to 9 weeks after the start of a patient’s latest menstruation. After 48 hours – two days have passed the patient will then take Misoprostol, once the Misoprostol is taken, the pregnancy is passed, or a miscarriage occurs.  The entire process will take a few days.

Patients can experience bleeding, cramping, and other symptoms. PGOMG providers will explain all of the effects of a medical abortion and counsel patients who go through this process in more detail during their appointment. Patients who have a medical abortion are required to receive follow-up care with their PGOMG provider in order to ensure that the abortion is complete and that the patient’s health is in order.

D&C, also known as vacuum aspiration, or machine aspiration uses suction to remove the contents of a women’s uterus through the cervix. Vacuum aspiration is a minor medical procedure that is often used after a miscarriage occurs, but it can also be used to end a pregnancy during the first trimester (up to twelve weeks). It is an outpatient procedure, and only occurs once a pregnancy is confirmed. Patients who undergo aspiration will be prepared by a PGOMG provider the day before the procedure, and will need to rest after the procedure in PGOMG’s recovery area where they will be carefully observed by our specialists.

Patients who have an aspiration will likely experience some bleeding and cramping post-procedure, and will need to attend a follow-up appointment with PGOMG after two weeks to ensure that the pregnancy has ended and that the patient’s health is in order. Please contact your PGOMG physician to discuss options for ending a pregnancy using aspiration within the first trimester.