FAQ - @Parkmed
Frequently Asked Questions about Abortion
I have no money. How can I get a Free Abortion?
While there is not “free abortion” care available at Parkmed physicians we will make every effort to place eligible patients with resources to help cover the costs of your medical services.
If you are a New York Resident you may be eligible for NYS Medicaid, which does cover the cost of abortion procedures up to 24 weeks in New York State. If you think that you might qualify please contact our office so we can help you apply for Medicaid through agencies we work with so you can receive services as quickly as possible.
If you are a teenage girl and are pregnant you immediately qualify for Medicaid with in essence will provide free abortion services or free prenatal care. Please contact Parkmed physicians and speak to one of our patient facilitators to get the information you need to apply and receive services as quickly as possible.
Can I be asleep for the Abortion?
Yes! Here at Parkmed physicians your comfort and safety are our highest concern. We have board certified anesthesiologists who can put you to sleep for your abortion procedure. You are only given a small amount of anesthesia so you sleep between 7 to 10 minutes total time. The anesthesiologist monitors you during the whole procedure to make sure that you do not wake up too soon or receive too much medication. Many patients choose Parkmed physician for this reason. If you are looking at going to anther office but want to be asleep make sure when you book your appointment that this is an option.
Why can’t I eat or drink anything at all after midnight the night before my abortion appointment?
We know that it is very difficult to fast before your appointment, however it is very important. If you want to be asleep for your procedure you MUST NOT eat, drink smoke or chew anything at all for at least 8 hours before you come in. We let women know when you book your appointment that this is the case. If you eat or drink anything, chew gum, suck on candy or smoke cigarettes before coming in for your appointment acids in your stomach will begin to build up and can come up your throat into you lungs while you are under anesthesia. This can cause serious damage to your lungs and in the worst case situation can lead to hospitalization and even death. Sometimes women think that this is not a serious instruction but if you do not follow these instructions we will not be able to put you to sleep for your procedure. Your safety is our first concern.
Why do I need someone to escort me home after the abortion procedure?
At Parkmed physicians we want to make sure that our patients are safe while the return home after their procedure. If you have a surgical procedure you will need someone to meet you at the end of your appointment to travel home with you. While we will not release you until you are OK to go home by public transportation, you will still have some medications in your system and will have lost some blood during your surgery.
In the unlikely event that you become light headed or disoriented on your way home we need to know someone will be able to help you to safety. Without that assurance of safety the doctors will not feel comfortable putting you to sleep during the abortion procedure.
I am a teenage. Do I need parental consent to get an abortion?
Of course, at Parkmed physicians your physical and emotional health and wellbeing is our up most concern. In New York State minors do not need parental consent in order to receive family planning and / or abortion services. While some states require parental involvement in reproductive health care decisions New York is not one of them. If you are under 16 years old you do need to have someone over 18 years old with a photo ID to come with you as an escort – but that person does not need to be a parent. Social workers, friends, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends all have acted as adult escorts for teen patients. Of course, if you have supportive parents that is often the best situation – but at Parkmed we understand that this is not always the case.
How do I figure out about how many weeks I am into a pregnancy?
The best way to get an estimate of how many weeks you are onto a pregnancy is to write down the first day of your last period. Count the number of weeks from that date and it will give you and idea of the number of weeks. Unfortunately, while this is the only way to estimate without a sonogram it is not always accurate. Some women have period like bleeding during pregnancy. This is often mistaken for a regular period and throws the estimate of by weeks – sometimes by months. The only accurate way to figure out about how many weeks you are is to have a sonogram which measures the size of the amniotic sac and the size of the pregnancy if it is visible. The number of weeks of pregnancy is then calculated by comparing a scale of average measurements for pregnancies from first visibility to 40 weeks into the pregnancy. Again, this is an estimate but it is the most accurate way to determine how much development has taken place.
Why can’t an abortion be performed before 5 weeks of pregnancy?
When you schedule your appointment you will be asked how many weeks are you into the pregnancy or when you last menstrual period began. This helps the patient counselor figure out approximately how many weeks you are into the pregnancy. If you are less then five weeks into a pregnancy by sonogram when you come into the office the sonographer will not be able to locate the pregnancy on the sonogram image. If the pregnancy is so small it is not visible the doctor cannot rule out ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy is outside the uterus or in the fallopian tubes). This is a dangerous condition and needs to be investigated through blood work and close monitoring. The abortion pill does not work on ectopic pregnancy which is why it is not an option earlier then 5 weeks. The regular abortion procedure and the aspiration procedure also cannot be done on ectopic pregnancies so they also must be done after 5 weeks.
Why can’t you tell me the date conceived?
This is a very common question. We cannot tell you exactly when you became pregnant based on the date of your last period or even based on the sonogram image for several reasons. You last period date only gives us an idea of when you were not pregnant. That is how we are calculating your number of weeks. This does not give us a date of conception because you could have become pregnant any time during or after your last period. In some case you may have become pregnant even before the last time you had period like bleeding. The sonogram is also am estimate. While it is more accurate it is measuring the size of the pregnancy and how it compares to the average size of pregnancy that are the number of weeks we told you that you are. This give you about a 14 day window of when you got pregnant by does not give the exact date or time.
Often times this question is asked because paternity is in question. Unfortunately the only way to determine paternity is through genetic testing. This can be done before a child is born through amniocentesis – however we do not perform this testing at Parkmed physicians.
Why do I have to have a two day procedure if I am over 14 weeks?
Here at Parkmed we understand that coming into the office more then one day can be an inconvenient for many patients. If we can safely do your procedure in one day we will. This is determined by the doctors upon review of your medical history, sonogram and your physical exam. However, the further you are into your pregnancy the more we will need to dilate your cervix to perform the procedure. This needs to be done carefully so as not to injure your body. Once you are more the 13 weeks into the pregnancy, in many cases the doctors will need to insert spongy dilators (often referred to by non-medical personnel as ‘Sticks’) to slowly expand and press your cervix open over night. This is the simplest and gentlest way to safely do the procedure and protect your ability to have children in the future. Your continued good health is our first concern.
I am coming from another city / state / country to have a two day abortion procedure. Why do I need to stay in New York City in order to have this procedure done?
Unfortunately, traveling to receive abortion services has become more and more common. At Parkmed physicians we see patients from all over the world. You do need to stay in the New York City area overnight the day you begin your procedure. This allows us to know you are within reach if you have any complications overnight. Our physicians have contacts at hospitals in New York City so that if there are problems over night they would direct you to the closest Emergency Room and get information to the Doctors you would see there. We rarely need to refer patients to the hospital but having this as a safety net ensures you will be able to have your abortion while protecting your health and well being.
I have little or no funds and need to stay overnight in New York City for the procedure? What can I do?
Unfortunately, it is not unusual for women to finally get the funds together for an abortion procedure – but then run out of funds to pay for lodging over night. At Parkmed we understand this dilemma. We have community contacts with organizations that can find housing for women (and one support person up) over night when they come to New York City for a two day abortion procedure. This helps reduce the over all cost of coming to the city for your abortion. We also have referral information for various lower cost hotels in the area which you can book a place with if volunteers are not available. If you are traveling to New York for your procedure please contact Parkmed offices so we can help.
Why is it so hard to find offices that perform abortions?
Abortion is a controversial issue. Fewer and fewer OBGYN doctors are willing to perform abortion services as part of their OB / GYN practice because of the stigma and violence towards them from anti – choice groups. Doctors also face legal harassment by state and federal anti –choice groups which interfere with the ability of the doctor to treat their patients. This has discouraged many OBGYN doctors from providing abortions. Anti-choice groups have also made it difficult, is not impossible, for women to get coverage to help pay for abortion services. For all these reasons abortion providers are hard to find. If you are looking for abortion service or have questions about abortion please feel free to contact Parkmed physicians. Our counselors and doctors will try to help you find services in your area.
