Abortion Services At Planned Parenthood of Connecticut

Try to call us for information about abortion procedures as soon as you are sure of your decision. The earlier you are, the more options you have. Earlier surgical abortions are easier to perform and cost less.

Preparing for an Abortion
When you call to make your appointment, we will answer all your questions and give you all the information you need to be prepared.   When you come to the health center for the abortion, here are many of the things that will happen:
     Fill out a medical history form Click here to print the forms you'll need
     Discuss your options to make sure this is what you want
     Give informed consent for having an abortion
     Select a method of birth control to begin after the abortion (if desired)
     Have laboratory tests
     Have an ultrasound, an exam, and the abortion procedure
     Schedule an appointment to return for a post abortion checkup to make sure the abortion was complete

We offer Surgical Abortion and Medication Abortion

Surgical Abortion Planned Parenthood of CT provides surgical abortion from 5-16 weeks from the last menstrual period. The usual method of early abortion is vacuum aspiration. It is performed from five to 14 weeks after your last period. A speculum is inserted into the vagina. The vagina is washed with an antiseptic. A numbing medication is injected into or near the cervix. The opening of the cervix is gradually stretched. After the opening is stretched, a tube attached to a suction machine is inserted into the uterus. The uterus is emptied by gentle suction. The walls of the uterus may also be gently scraped in order to remove the tissue lining it. You will have the option of intravenous sedation. You may also be given medication or have absorbent dilators inserted to soften and stretch the opening of your cervix. This is done in the office before the abortion.   After the procedure, you will rest in the recovery room for about 30-45 minutes.

For pregnancies that are 14-16 weeks, the procedure is the same except that instruments are used to help empty the uterus. Intravenous sedation is always given for abortions at 12-16 weeks, and the cervix is always softened with medication or dilators.
Prepare for your appointment.

Intravenous Sedation An IV will be started in your arm with medications that will help you feel more relaxed. You will be awake but the medications will help you feel less pain and less anxiety. Many women don’t remember the procedure after it is over. The sedation will be given by a certified registered nurse anesthetist who will also monitor you during the procedure. You must have a ride home. You will not be able to eat prior to the abortion.

Medication Abortion This procedure can be performed as soon as a pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound. In order to have a medication abortion, a woman may be up to 63 days pregnant (as confirmed by ultrasound).
Medication abortion uses a combination of drugs to end a pregnancy. At Planned Parenthood, the medications Mifepristone (RU-486) and Misoprostol are used. A woman receives a Mifepristone pill at her appointment. She will take the Misoprostal at home, between one and three days later. She takes four Misoprostol tablets and lets them dissolve between her cheek and gum. The bleeding usually starts within a few hours but may take longer or may start earlier. Most women abort within 4-5 hours of taking Misoprostol. Bleeding and spotting can continue for several weeks. Five percent of medication abortions do not expel the pregnancy tissue. In this rare situation either more Misoprostol is inserted, or a surgical abortion is performed. No sedation is used for medication abortion.
Prepare for your apointment.

Read about many other medical services available at Planned Parenthood.

Back to top

Abortion Services at Planned Parenthood of Connecticut