Commonly Asked Questions

How safe is the procedure?
Abortion is a very safe, quick procedure that has been perfected over the past 30 years. As long as an abortion remains legal, it will remain safe. Complications are very rare. In fact, our clinic has a "very low" complication rate. Having an abortion in no way interferes with your ability to have children in the future.

Will the abortion be painful?
Pain is a very subjective individual experience. Patients' descriptions vary; some state the abortion feels like very bad menstrual cramps; others state they feel minimal cramping. The IV sedation assists with the cramping. We did a study to assess patients perceived pain and found that on a scale of 1-10, 1 being no pain whatsoever, and 10 being the worst pain you could possibly imagine, the average number used to describe the pain was a 4.

How much bleeding will I have after the abortion?
Again, this varies for every woman. Some women bleed for several days, others for several weeks. Some women do not bleed at all. We state that any bleeding is considered normal for 4-6 weeks after the abortion, unless, it is very heavy.

When will I have my next period?
If you begin using the Pill the Sunday after your abortion, you should expect your period on the 4th week, although it may not resemble your normal period. If you are not on the pill, you could get your period any time between 3-8 weeks after the abortion. It may take 2 cycles before your period resumes normally. Depo can also affect your bleeding.

When can I resume normal activities?
Most women feel fine the day after the abortion. You may experience some cramping and bleeding, but you can return to work/school. You should monitor your own symptoms. If, after exercise or activity, you experience increased cramping or bleeding, you should rest. The only activity we ask you to refrain from is intercourse for 3 weeks.

Why are there protesters outside the clinic?
Some people believe that abortion should not be legal, and because of freedom of speech, they can picket outside. These people also believe that women do not have the ability to make their own decisions. Many of the statements they make or signs they hold are not true. They say these things to scare you and stop you from finding out the truth. We have a guard and escorts in front of the clinic to help you. If a protester has harassed you be sure to tell your counselor.

Is this confidential?
All of our records are completely confidential. No one can find out whether or not you were here unless you give us written permission to release your records (for instance, to your doctor for your follow up care). We refuse to confirm appointments over the phone and will not acknowledge that you are a patient at the clinic unless you give us the OK.

Why can't my boyfriend/mother/friend be in the procedure room with me?
We feel strongly that during surgery only medical personnel should be present in the operating room. Remember, our priority is the patient. Our concern is that your friend or loved one may get nervous or anxious. We do not want anything to divert attention away from your medical needs.

Will a doctor be able to tell I had an abortion?
After an abortion, it takes approximately 3 weeks for your cervix to heal. After that time period, a physician most likely will not be able to tell you had an abortion. We strongly recommend that you inform your doctor of your complete medical history including abortions. If you feel your doctor may "judge" you, we can recommend very good Pro Choice gynecologists.

Why will I be at the clinic so long, if the procedure only takes 5-30 minutes?
To provide the best patient care possible, we don't rush anything. There are forms to fill out, lab work, ultrasound, counseling, the procedure itself and recovery time. Each woman is treated as an individual and is given individualized care. Also remember that we only have one doctor each day.

Why don't you just hire more doctors?
Buffalo GYN Womenservices experienced the loss of our doctor in October of 1998. Dr. Slepian was shot and killed in his own home, in front of his family, by an anti-abortion fanatic. After this tragedy, we were fortunate to find other very competent and skilled physicians who are willing to risk their lives to provide abortions. As you may know, across the nation many physicians are afraid to do abortions because they are harassed and take the chance of being killed. If we could hire more doctors, we would. In fact, we are involved in a training program to teach new physicians to perform abortions. You may meet one of these brave physicians in training.

For Significant Others
If you have a friend or loved one who is having an abortion, we know you are concerned and have questions so we have listed some of our most frequently asked questions below. Please remember you can do a lot to assist in this process.

It is very normal to experience sadness, apathy, or the "blues" after an abortion. This can be related to the drastic change in hormones in the body. Your friend or loved one may appear moody or tired, with an increase in appetite and perspiration. It is important to realize that these are normal and acceptable reactions.

Your friend or loved one may also feel a sense of relief that the problem she is having is resolved. Remember, less than 10% of women experience any serious adverse emotional responses after an abortion. Most women make this decision after much consideration. Have confidence that your friend or loved one is making the decision that is best for her.

After her abortion, they may need additional understanding and someone to listen to her talk about her thoughts and feelings. You can help by being non-judgmental and letting her know that you accept her feelings and that you are there to listen and provide support.

<back to top>