Before Your Abortion

Below is an overview of how to prepare before your abortion visit at Summit Centers, and what to expect upon arrival.

Because each patient, doctor, and clinic is different, be sure to call your local Summit office for instructions and answers to specific questions.

Each patient must call and schedule her own abortion appointment. This is one of the many ways that we protect your privacy.
For Michigan, please bring your 24-hour consent confirmation page. For Georgia, legally, you must make your appointment by phone at least 24 hours in advance.
You (and your guest) must bring a valid ID with you to the office.
If you are using health insurance or have state assistance, bring your insurance card with you. Payment is due at the beginning of the appointment.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew anything beginning at midnight on day of your appointment.
Do not use drugs or alcohol for 48 hours prior to your appointment. It is usually OK to take your prescribed medicines; please mention any when you make your appointment.
Wear comfortable clothes for your appointment. We provide pads, so we recommend that you wear underwear. For security reasons, we ask that you leave purses or bags in your car, and we do not allow phones in some parts of the clinic.
If you select twilight or general anesthesia, you will need a friend or family member to drive you home after your abortion.
You may bring one guest only with you to the office, and children are not allowed.
If you are under 18 years of age, contact your local office to ask if there are additional requirements for minors.

Staff will greet you at the reception desk and give you paperwork. These forms ask for your contact information, medical history, and other important details.
If someone is dropping you off and returning later, they must first come into the center to sign paperwork stating they will come back to pick you up.
You’ll meet for a medical intake session and will complete basic lab work.
Our sonogram technologist will do an ultrasound to determine length of pregnancy.
All patients will have a health education session to discuss their decision and to answer any questions or concerns. The health educator will advise you what to expect during and after your surgical or medical abortion, and go over all instructions you may need.
We also provide an opportunity to discuss birth control options, including same-day IUDs and implants.

Our well-trained and caring staff will be with you throughout the entire procedure.

After your health education session, you will meet with the doctor. They will review any medical concerns and summarize your instructions.
While you are with the doctor, you will take the first portion of your medical abortion, Mifeprex.
We will give you the other of your medications to take home: Misoprostol and medicines that help with pain and nausea.
If you decide begin birth control, the doctor may offer a sample pack or write you a prescription

For more information about medication abortions, please visit our medication abortion page

After your health education session, you will go to the exam room for the abortion procedure. The physician will review your medical history with you, and answer any questions or concerns you have.
Your surgical abortion will be performed, and should take about 5-8 minutes (in the 1st trimester)
When your procedure is complete, a medical assistant and another provider will take you to the recovery room. There, you will rest for 30-60 minutes.
In the recovery room, we can give you medications to help with cramping. We will also review your aftercare instructions and medications. A nurse will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and oxygenation, temperature, and bleeding, and offer you a snack and a drink. When you’re ready to go home, we will contact your ride for you.

For more information about surgical abortions, please visit surgical abortion.