Surgical Terminations

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 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 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 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. We are available 24 hours per day on the clinic numbers.

> FAQs Surgical Termination
> Online Booking Form

The Procedure

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 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. It is the most common type of anaesthesia used for this procedure in Australia.

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 down after it has been emptied. Extra analgesia may be given, if required.

> FAQs Surgical Termination
> Online Booking Form

Afterwards

Whilst you are in recovery, you will be given an antibiotic to take at home (after food). This acts as a preventative for infection. Full courses of antibiotics are not routinely prescribed, unless indicated. Extra antibiotics are prescribed if someone has an undiagnosed infection or develops an infection. Getting an infection is uncommon but when you go home we will give you an information sheet that explains what to expect after the procedure. If there are any concerns, we may be contacted on the surgery number. We are available 24 hours a day.

At the beginning of the procedure, the doctor also does a swab test of the vagina. This is used to identify any women who may have an undiagnosed infection. If there is any abnormality that requires treatment, we will call you. If the test is negative, you won't be contacted. We recommend a "general wellbeing" check-up with your own doctor 10 to 14 days after the procedure. In the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions, please call us first. Remember you may call us at any time.

Before the procedure it is important to have made arrangements for transport home afterwards. When you arrive home, you should rest for the remainder of the day - don't operate any machinery and don't drive a motor vehicle for the remainder of that day and night. Normal activities may be resumed the next day.

> FAQs Surgical Termination
> Online Booking Form

Patient Forms

Listed below as PDF documents are patient documentation forms. If you are coming to see us, we advise that you print and complete these forms prior to the consultation and bring them with you.

> Counselling Questionnaire
> Counselling Questionnaire - Chinese Translation
> ID Form
> Medical History
> Medical History - Chinese Translation

As well as filling out the above forms, we suggest you read the following PDF documents prior to your consultation.

> Read prior to Consultation
> Read prior to Consultation - Chinese Translation
> Possible Complications
> Possible Complications - Chinese Translation
> After a Termination
> After a Termination - Chinese Translation