THE OPERATION
What can you tell me about the operation itself?
In 1969, the law was changed, making termination of pregnancy legal. Before then women often sought help by untrained persons, resulting in many complications. Since the law was changed doctors who have under gone training now perform the operation. Our female doctor has been trained by specialist gynaecologists and then was employed by them for a number of years, working with their constant guidance. Her practices are reflective of her training. She has worked in three states of Australia.
The operation is performed in our new licensed day surgery theatre. We maintain the highest standards of sterilisation and infection control practices.
Once you have been given the anaesthetic the doctor will commence the procedure. To begin with, the doctor places a ‘speculum’ into the vagina. This is the same instrument used in performing routine pap smears. This allows the doctor to see your cervix. Then the doctor will numb your cervix using a local anaesthetic. You will not be aware of this occurring. The cervix is then gently stretched in a process called ‘dilatation.’ Once the cervix has been dilated a small plastic instrument is gently slid into the uterus through the opening created by stretching the cervix. With gentle suction the pregnancy is removed. The final stage of the operation is when the doctor checks to make sure that the uterus is empty with an instrument called a curette. The curette is used to gently feel the walls of the uterus to make sure that the uterus is empty. The operation usually takes less than 15 minutes.
Once finished you will be taken into recovery where you will awake. The nurse will care for you until you go home. Most patients experience mild period like cramping after the operation.
It is important to remember that the procedure is an operation. When deciding to have any operation it is important to understand what will occur in the operation and what are the possible risks. It is equally important to understand the information provided to you about after the operation, detailing what you should know. This will be discussed later in," After the Operation.”
The operation is performed in our new licensed day surgery theatre. We maintain the highest standards of sterilisation and infection control practices.
Once you have been given the anaesthetic the doctor will commence the procedure. To begin with, the doctor places a ‘speculum’ into the vagina. This is the same instrument used in performing routine pap smears. This allows the doctor to see your cervix. Then the doctor will numb your cervix using a local anaesthetic. You will not be aware of this occurring. The cervix is then gently stretched in a process called ‘dilatation.’ Once the cervix has been dilated a small plastic instrument is gently slid into the uterus through the opening created by stretching the cervix. With gentle suction the pregnancy is removed. The final stage of the operation is when the doctor checks to make sure that the uterus is empty with an instrument called a curette. The curette is used to gently feel the walls of the uterus to make sure that the uterus is empty. The operation usually takes less than 15 minutes.
Once finished you will be taken into recovery where you will awake. The nurse will care for you until you go home. Most patients experience mild period like cramping after the operation.
It is important to remember that the procedure is an operation. When deciding to have any operation it is important to understand what will occur in the operation and what are the possible risks. It is equally important to understand the information provided to you about after the operation, detailing what you should know. This will be discussed later in," After the Operation.”
If you wish to view information regarding possible complications please click here.