What To Expect

Second Trimester Abortion

Two-Day D & E

You will be cared for by physicians who have been experts in the field of abortion for over 15 years. Plus, Hope's caregivers, nurses, counselors and receptionists are hired for their friendliness and warmth as well as their competence.

There may be protesters at any abortion clinic. At Hope Clinic, they may not come onto our parking lot and a security guard is present. Legally, they can shout anything they can think of - true or not - to stop you from walking into the clinic.

You will be at the clinic for 3 to 4 hours for 2 consecutive days.

On the first day an ultrasound is preformed to determine length of pregnancy.

You will talk to a counselor who will not try to talk you into or out of anything. You must be certain of your decision before you start the first part of the abortion procedure. We will also go over birth control.

The procedure on the 1st day takes five minutes and the procedure on the 2nd day takes about 5-15 minutes. Women say that it feels like strong uncomfortable cramping.

Having an abortion at this stage of pregnancy is as safe as childbirth, as long as you come back tomorrow and complete the abortion. The abortion process begins on the first day.

Overnight your cervix will dilate or open gradually and the 2nd day the doctor will remove the pregnancy. If you fail to return for the 2nd half of the abortion, in a few days you could hemorrhage, get a serious infection and lose the ability to have children, or worse go into shock and die.

Please be sure of our decision before you start
the first part of the abortion procedure.

The 1st Day of the Procedure

First, you will be draped with a sheet from the waist down. You'll leave on your top. The nurse will be with you.

The doctor will insert Laminaria, pieces of a sterile natural fiber that look like smooth matchsticks into the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus. A piece of sterile gauze soaked in an antiseptic (Betadine) will be placed into the vagina next to the cervix.

You’ll feel cramping, ranging from uncomfortable to very strong, but it only takes a few seconds to insert the Laminaria.

Overnight the Laminaria will absorb moisture from your body and expand. As it swells, it slowly and gently dilates or opens the cervix. By the next day, the Laminaria will be twice its size and the cervix will be dilated.

The 2nd Day of the Procedure

You’ll check in and go to the changing room. The nurse will start your I.V. through which you’ll receive a muscle relaxer and pain reliever. You’ll feel relaxed and because of the medication most people don’t remember the procedure afterwards.

The doctor completes the abortion by slipping out the Laminaria, numbing the cervix with local anesthetic and using a small forceps and a smooth tube about the width of a thumb that is connected to the vacuum aspirator. You’ll probably feel strong cramping during the procedure.

At the end of the procedure, the doctor inserts a sterile tampon.

You’ll be in recovery for about an hour .The nurse will check your bleeding and vital signs during that time.

When you’re ready to leave to go home, you'll feel drowsy, maybe some cramping and you'll have bleeding that will last about a week but may continue off and on for 2-3 weeks.