• 7777 North University Drive, Suite 102, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33321

  • (954) 720-7777

Dilation and Aspiration (D&A)

SAFEST Surgical Procedure Performed

Early Surgical Abortion to 15.6 Weeks

First Trimester Early Surgical Abortion

Florida abortion laws effective May 1st, 2024

  • You can obtain an abortion up to 6 weeks after you’ve completed a 24 hour state mandate.
  • A legal abortion may be performed after 6 weeks until 24.0 weeks, if the pregnancy is not viable with (2) physician’s certification.

With few exceptions, surgically induced abortions are performed by a procedure generally known as Dilation and Aspiration (“D&A”). Typically, this procedure is performed in a physician’s office or abortion clinic. It may also be performed in an outpatient surgical center or hospital.

How a Surgical Abortion Works

The procedure may safely be performed using LOCAL ANESTHESIA with reasonable comfort, but in recent years it has become common practice to provide various levels of sedation or “twilight sleep” using intravenous drugs in the category of narcotics and tranquilizers. Once a satisfactory level of sedation and local anesthesia is achieved, the cervix or neck of the uterus (womb) must be opened to remove the contents of the uterus.

In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy this is generally accomplished by sequentially inserting tapered rods of increasing width called “dilators”. Usually, the cervix needs to be opened no more than 1/4″ – 1/2″ in the first trimester. This can be done with anywhere between 1 and 8 dilator insertions, depending on the stage of pregnancy and the resistance of the individual cervix.

Once the cervix has been adequately dilated, the products of conception are removed by inserting a hollow plastic tube called a “vacurette” and applying negative pressure (suction/ vacuum). Generally, the vacurette is moved in a series of in and out strokes or is rotated to enhance the traction forces at the tip of the vacurette. This is sometimes followed by curettage (scraping) the walls of the uterus to ensure that no tissues are remaining that might cause subsequent problems.

It is appropriate immediately following surgery to examine the tissues to assure compatibility between what was removed and what was expected based on preoperative evaluation.

  • D&A in reasonably experienced hands is one of the safest surgical procedures performed today, the mortality being 80 times less than childbirth which is quite low.
  • The most common complications involve excessive bleeding and infection that sometimes require recuretting (repeat suctioning) of the uterus.

Post D&A (Surgical Abortion) Symptoms

  • Typically consists of bleeding which is similar in degree to a normal menstrual period and menstrual-like cramps which are similar in severity to a “bad menstrual period”. These symptoms tend to subside rapidly but persist to some degree for as long as 2 weeks.
  • Emotional reactions to surgery are common. Mild depression associated with low hormone levels and a feeling of loss is usually brief. The emotionally healthy individual will generally rationalize the situation as they do with other life stresses and quickly put their experience in perspective.
  • On rare occasion, counseling or drug therapy may be required. Long range concerns usually center about future fertility. If there have been serious complications from surgery such as severe infection or excessive bleeding that required vigorous scraping, fertility may be affeEarly surgical abortion - Dr. Michael Benjamin abortion clinic in Fort Lauderdale, Floridacted.

Complications

  • Infrequently, D&A may result in injury to the uterus or surrounding internal organs, e.g. intestines, bladder or major blood vessels which requires opening the abdomen to surgically repair.
  • May result in hysterectomy thus result in sterility. These problems are RARE.
  • The issue of an increased risk of breast cancer has received wide publicity. This concern has been essentially put to rest by studies which rather than relying on an individual recollection, reviewed patient records.

What Our Patients Say

“I wanted to reach out one last time and thank you for your kindness and the staffs kindness my entire time being in the clinic. I’ll never be able to explain how much it meant to me to feel comfortable and cared for, I never felt like a burden or hindrance and it made the experience a lot easier to handle both emotionally and physically. I was so terrified before I was able to talk to you and meet your staff and after leaving, I would recommend this clinic to anyone. Thank you so much again. "

“Went today for the first time and loved it. Beautiful office, very professional. I got an abortion and was very scared and nervous but they made me feel very comfortable. I would give this more stars if I could. I am going to recommend this office to other people.I will be making this my primary Doctor. Thank you!!"

“This office is amazing! After running around Florida to find a good doctor, this is where we finally went. They were very accommodating to my financial situation. They were sensitive to my pain tolerance as well as emotional. "

“I had the best experience in this office. They have a Friendly staff and a great doctor. I will be making this my primary office. Thank you."

“My girlfriend got a colposcopy here and we really recommend this clinic. Personnel is helpful and the doctor answered all my girlfriend questions. He is a really good doctor and also the rest of the staff is great."

“(Translated by Google) In Dr. M Benjamin's office the entire staff is very welcoming and empathetic to situations. They make you feel very confident and attention is excellent. Definitely worth it to have gone from Mexico. (Original) En la oficina de Dr. M Benjamín todo el personal es muy acogedor y empático con las situaciones. Te hacen sentir en mucha confianza y la atención es excelente. Definitivamente valió la pena haber ido desde México."

“Hi Everybody!! This is an amazing clinic. We all care about the Doctor being good, well all the Doctors here are great and have years of experience. The staff is respectful, attentive, cooperative, and very helpful. The clinic always look spotless. I would recommend this clinic with my eyes close!!! I love them."

“I was an emotional mess and everyone in the office made me feel comfortable. Very clean facility and friendly staff."