Termination of Pregnancy

Surgical with Local Anaesthetic

This procedure is normally performed by manual vacuum aspiration. It is recommended for women who do not wish to have a general anaesthetic and where gestation is less than 12 weeks.

Recovery is quick and is ideal for those women who want to avoid side effects following a general anaesthetic and who wish to leave the clinic within a short time.

• You may eat and drink as normal right up until the abortion is performed

The procedure itself takes about 5-10 minutes, depending on how relaxed you are.

You will be taken to the treatment area and will be asked to remove your underwear. You will be asked to to put your legs up in stirrups and to lie back on the trolley.The doctor will apply a local anaesthetic gel to the neck of the womb before he injects a local anaesthetic; this will reduce discomfort during the procedure (it is likened to a local anaesthetic at the dentist).

The procedure is not usually pain free, but normally will not feel any worse than cramp-like period pains.

A vacuum syringe is used to remove the pregnancy.

It is normal to have some discomfort during the procedure. At the end of the procedure you will experience a strong contraction which indicates that the procedure is complete.

If you are Rhesus negative you will be given an injection of Anti-D Immunoglobulin.

After the procedure you will be taken back to the rest area and have light refreshments. You should feel well enough to be discharged within an hour after the procedure.