If you are considering having a termination of pregnancy, prior to the procedure you will have a consultation with the doctor. The doctor will take a medical history and conduct an ultrasound to determine the site of the pregnancy and to make sure it corresponds with dates. The consultation will also include discussion surrounding the pregnancy and reasons for the pregnancy termination.

Next you will be given intravenous anaesthesia to sedate you - you will become very sleepy and you will not know what is happening, you won't feel any pain and very likely won't remember anything. This type of anaesthesia is very effective and very safe because it doesn't make you paralysed where you stop breathing. You are asleep but still breathing on your own.

The pregnancy termination procedure is very simple, quick and safe, and only takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Firstly an internal (vaginal) examination is performed to determine which way the uterus is positioned. Then local anaesthetic will be injected into the cervix. This numbs the area so it may be stretched open slightly. A thin plastic tube is then inserted into the womb and gentle suction is used to remove the pregnancy tissue, and then the procedure is finished.

Afterwards you are transferred into your own private recovery bay for a minimum of 1 hour. You may have 1 person accompany you, if you like. Some people experience a little cramping after the procedure, like a period, and that's because the uterus is contracting after it has been emptied. Extra analgesia may be given, if required.

What to Expect

Expect to be with us for approximately 2 hours. All care is taken to allocate a specific appointment time to minimise waiting times. On the day of your appointment, you will be asked to complete some simple questionnaires regarding your general health and feelings surrounding the pregnancy.

You will also have an opportunity to read some comprehensive information about the procedure of termination of pregnancy. You will then have a consultation with the doctor performing the procedure. For confidentiality reasons, the consultation is conducted with only you and the doctor.

The doctor will take a medical history and conduct an ultrasound to determine the site of the pregnancy and to make sure it corresponds with your dates. You will not hear or see the ultrasound unless you request to do so. The doctor will discuss with you any social, emotional or physical issues you may have and refer you for any further pregnancy counselling, if required. Information on contraception will be available. You are absolutely under no obligation to proceed to the termination of pregnancy. The doctor will discuss your options with you.

Afterwards, when you are in recovery, you will be given written information about possible complications and expectations after the procedure. Contact numbers are located at the base of the written information.

If you have any concerns at all, please call us on 02 9585 9599. We are available 24 hours per day on the clinic numbers.