Abortion with surgery

At the first visit you will see a midwife or doctor who will check your blood pressure, a urin sample, your iron levels (hemoglobin). A gynecological examination and vaginal ultrasound will also be performed. You will discuss contraceptives and set a date for your surgery.

Department 15 will call you in the afternoon on the nearest working day (excluding holidays) prior to the surgery to inform you of  your arrival time.

Day of the surgery

1.5 hours prior to arrival please insert two tablets with Cytotec vaginally. The tablets may also be inserted sublingually upon arrival to the department.

Preparations

• Shower and wash your hair thoroughly the night before your operation. Please also shower thoroughly on the morning of the surgery, without wetting your hair.
• Dress in clean clothes.
• You must not wear make-up, nail polish, contact lenses and jewellery, including piercings, on the day of surgery.
• Avoid smoking.
• If you have asthma medication, such as an inhaler, you must bring it along in the morning. Please also bring the medicine to the hospital.

During the surgery you will receive either:

• Full anaesthesia - where you are sleeping and monitored the whole time by an anaesthesiology nurse or anaesthesiologist.
• Sedation - where you are aware but you can get a relaxant so you will doze off.
• Combination of anaesthetic and sedation. After full anaesthetics it is important that you do not drive for at least 24 hours.

Fasting prior to the surgery

It is important that you follow the rules for fasting prior to the surgery. Otherwise, there is a risk of vomiting when the anaesthetic is given.

• You must not eat solid food or drink milk products six hours before arrival.
• You can drink water, coffee, or tea up to two hours prior to the surgery. It is fine to use sugar, but not milk.
• Please do not ingest products containing milk, yoghurt or soured milk.
• If you are severely overweight, have problems with gastritis or acid reflux, you must fast completely for six hours prior to arrival.

Contraceptives

• If you have planned to have a contraceptive implant or a hormonal IUD inserted, you can bring it to the hospital on the day of surgery. You will receive a written confirmation that you have had an IUD or a contraceptive rod inserted.
• Contraceptive pills or patches can be initiated on the same day or the day after the abortion. You can start with a contraceptive ring when the bleeding has reduced.
• Remember to protect yourself with a condom if you have intercourse before you have received your contraception.
• Feel free to take your own pregnancy test after four weeks.

After the surgery

Usually you will bleed for approximately 7–10 days after the abortion. There is an increased infection risk at first. Please contact the emergency gynecology clinic (gynakuten) in case of severe abdominal pain, foul-smelling discharge, fever or heavy bleeding, which is not reducing. In case of mild menstrual pain, you can, if necessary, take the usual over the counter painkilling tablets such as Ipren and/or Alvedon according to the dosage on the pack.

 

Please register at the reception by the main entrance for both visits. You must also pay the fee of 250 Swedish kronor there. Please remember to bring your ID.