Buena Vista Women's Consultation Center, California

Buena Vista Women's Surgery Center

Non-Surgical Abortion Program (NSAP)

Choose from the Following:

Abortion Care

Fees

Before Surgery

The Procedure

General Information

Map

Home

We have been offering a medical abortion alternative to women since 1995 when it was apparent that RU-486 was not going to make it quickly into this country. The use of methotrexate was already well established for treating ectopic pregnancies, and we participated in some of the first large scale trials of its use for elective early abortion in San Francisco in 1994-1995.

We are now pleased to offer the recently FDA-approved RU-486. This drug ends pregnancy in the first 7 weeks and only requires a 2-3 day process. Although the cost of the medication raises the price, it saves time and most women who use this method would choose to do so again if necessary.

Currently, 25-30% of women with early pregnancies (less than 9 weeks from last menstrual period) opt for the non-surgical program (NSAP). They pay about the same as they would for an abortion under general anesthesia, but instead are able to have a "miscarriage" at home in private and surrounded by friends and/or family. There is an ultrasound done before and after the program is initiated, and the usual blood type and count testing are done.

The NSAP experience at BVWCC has been extremely satisfying to patients and to staff. We are able to offer the option six days a week and have so far taken care of thousands of women in this way. Our success rate is 99%, almost the same as the published rates of successful surgical abortion. When we do have a failure or a woman becomes impatient with the process (it does take 5-6 days to complete) we offer a standard surgical abortion for no extra cost.

If the patient decides to have a non-surgical abortion, it is best to begin as early in the pregnancy as possible. This results in the least bleeding and best success rates. Medical abortion is at least as safe as surgical abortions, but does require a follow-up visit.


Buena Vista Women's Surgery Center
	Non-Surgical Abortion Program (NSAP)
Choose from the Following: Abortion Care Fees Before Surgery The Procedure General Information Map Home		We have been offering a medical abortion alternative to women since 1995 when it was apparent that RU-486 was not going to make it quickly into this country. The use of methotrexate was already well established for treating ectopic pregnancies, and we participated in some of the first large scale trials of its use for elective early abortion in San Francisco in 1994-1995. We are now pleased to offer the recently FDA-approved RU-486. This drug ends pregnancy in the first 7 weeks and only requires a 2-3 day process. Although the cost of the medication raises the price, it saves time and most women who use this method would choose to do so again if necessary. Currently, 25-30% of women with early pregnancies (less than 9 weeks from last menstrual period) opt for the non-surgical program (NSAP). They pay about the same as they would for an abortion under general anesthesia, but instead are able to have a "miscarriage" at home in private and surrounded by friends and/or family. There is an ultrasound done before and after the program is initiated, and the usual blood type and count testing are done. The NSAP experience at BVWCC has been extremely satisfying to patients and to staff. We are able to offer the option six days a week and have so far taken care of thousands of women in this way. Our success rate is 99%, almost the same as the published rates of successful surgical abortion. When we do have a failure or a woman becomes impatient with the process (it does take 5-6 days to complete) we offer a standard surgical abortion for no extra cost. If the patient decides to have a non-surgical abortion, it is best to begin as early in the pregnancy as possible. This results in the least bleeding and best success rates. Medical abortion is at least as safe as surgical abortions, but does require a follow-up visit.