Post-Operative Abortion Care
Because pregnancy is not a benign condition, and because terminating a pregnancy is a surgical procedure, each patient must have excellent post-operative abortion care and follow-up care.
This care is absolutely necessary to prevent complications and to treat them satisfactorily if they occur. No matter how well an abortion is performed, complications can occur. In the rare event of a complication, the difference between a safe result with a full return to good health and an undesirable result is often good post-operative care and prompt treatment of complications.
Each patient who has an abortion at Boulder Abortion Clinic is taken from the operating room to a nearby recovery room where she can lie down, relax, and receive the attention of the recovery room nurses as well as her family members and friends.
During this time, expert recovery room nurses will monitor her blood pressure and pulse as well as other aspects of physical evaluation. She will receive information concerning aftercare and her follow-up examination.
If she has chosen a method of birth control, she may receive information or, in the case of oral contraceptives, a starting supply of these. Her vital signs (blood pressure, pulse) will be observed on several occasions after the abortion; before leaving the operating room, upon arriving in the recovery room, and before being discharged from the recovery room.
The nurse makes numerous other observations of each patient such as general status, presence or absence of abdominal pain, amount of bleeding, and state of recovery from pain medications. Follow-up exams at Boulder Abortion Clinic are included in the fee for those who can and wish to return to see Dr. Hern and his staff for the follow-up exam.
Our patients almost always feel well enough to travel the day after their procedures. We remain available at all times to discuss our patients’ post-operative concerns and arrange more prompt follow-up if needed; it is very rare that this is necessary.
Our purpose is to see that every woman who comes to Dr. Hern’s office for termination of pregnancy receives the safest possible care that is thorough, humane, and supportive of her and her family. When she leaves, we want her to feel confident that she is returning to good health and that she is able to live her life as she chooses to live it.
Member of National Abortion Federation (“NAF”)