First Trimester Abortion

Phoenix Women’s Clinic will help you review all your pregnancy options and offer you a free consultation to help you better understand what to expect if you are considering abortion. Call us to ask questions or make an appointment today 602-305-5100 or click here to request an appointment.

1st Trimester abortion

Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters.  In Arizona 92% of abortions occur on or before the 13th  week of pregnancy.  Pregnancy is around 280 days.  At Phoenix Women’s Clinics we can help determine how far along a patient is in pregnancy based on the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) and with an ultrasound. Pregnancies are counted from the LMP even if conception date is known.  An ultrasound will be a more accurate indicator of gestational age. Ovulation typically occurs two weeks prior to mense.  The first trimester is up to the 13th week from the LMP.  

Abortion Pill

1st trimester abortion includes the abortion pill which the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends being taken only in the first 70 days. When taken later in the pregnancy, patients risk a higher rate of missed abortion, heavier bleeding and greater abdominal pain.    Learn more about the abortion pill here  

Surgical Abortion

The most common surgical termination of pregnancy in the 1st trimester is suction curettage. You can see a diagram of the vacuum aspiration. You can see a first-trimester abortion diagram here.  In this procedure, a suction device is inserted into the uterus that will vacuum out the pregnancy. 

As with any surgery or procedure, vacuum aspiration abortion has a risk of infection.  Phoenix Women’s Clinics offer a free STD/STI screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea prior to an abortion. If you have an infection you can be treated before an abortion.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

D&E is often used later in pregnancy. It uses a combination of vacuum aspiration, forceps, and dilation and curettage (D&C).

To start, the provider dilates (or widens) your cervix to make it easier to remove the pregnancy tissue. They may have you take misoprostol medications that help soften the uterus and cause it to contract, to help.

Then, the provider will use forceps to remove the fetus and placenta, a tube to suction out the uterus, and a scoop-like instrument called a curette to scrape out the uterine lining.

Risk of surgical abortion include:

In-Clinic Surgical Abortion Risks Include:

• heavy bleeding
• incomplete abortion
• infection
• organ damage
• emboli (blood clot, air bubble, fatty deposit, or other object which enters the bloodstream to lodge in a vessel or in the lung)
• anesthesia complications
• Rh sensitization

If you would like to see a Provider at Phoenix Women’s Clinic you can call or make an appointment online. Phoenix Women’s Clinic provides women’s healthcare, not abortions.  We have many ways to help including a free consultation. You do not need health insurance.  

Your Life ˑ Your Health ˑ Our Priority

Call or make an appointment online.   

 7th Street Office

 McDowell Office

First Trimester Abortion Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a trimester?

      A trimester is the division of the time of the pregnancy. A pregnancy lasts for three trimesters. Each trimester lasts about three months, or 12-13 weeks each. 

What kind of abortion can I have in the first trimester?

     The abortion pill and surgical abortion are eligible within the first trimester. The abortion pill is eligible only up to 10 weeks.

Is abortion easier in the first trimester?

     Each abortion experience varies from woman to woman. Side effects commonly include heavy bleeding, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Adverse effects include hemorrhaging and infection. These side effects span through the different trimesters when the abortion is conducted. Some women describe their abortions as easy and others may experience complications. It is important to review the abortion process and have all questions answered prior to making a decision. If you are interested in a free pregnancy consultation that will review this information, please contact us at 602-305-5100.

Do I need to have an ultrasound in the first trimester prior to an abortion?

     An ultrasound is imperative prior to an abortion in the first trimester, as it can determine if the pregnancy is progression in a normal fashion. The limited ultrasound verifies three things: if the pregnancy is in the uterus, dating of the pregnancy, and if the pregnancy is viable (heartbeat present). These factors are important as miscarriage occurs in one out of five pregnancies and to ensure there is no ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).