Calling for an Appointment

Our appointment center staff will be happy to answer your questions and can schedule an appointment promptly. Call 216-991-4000 or toll free 1-877-PRETERM (773-8376). Our appointment center hours are generally 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday with extended hours on some days and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays. We schedule appointments for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. We can also schedule a private appointment upon request.

It will take about 10 to 15 minutes to set up an appointment. An appointment center advocate will ask you several questions and explain your options and fees. We'll need to know when your last normal menstrual cycle began to help us determine how many weeks pregnant you are.

If you're less than 17 weeks pregnant, we can schedule a 2-day appointment. If you're 17 through 20 weeks pregnant, the abortion will require 3 visits. If you're from out-of-town, we can help you find nearby lodging.

Preparing for Your Appointments

Here are several reminders to help your visits go more smoothly:

	You are welcome to bring a support person, but please limit it to one adult. We cannot accommodate children so please make other arrangements for their care while you're here.
	Wear a loose-fitting, 2-piece outfit, including socks and underwear.
	Bring a valid photo ID. If you're a minor coming with your parent, you both need a valid photo ID and you need to bring a copy of your birth certificate.
	If you're using a credit card for payment, make sure the cardholder is with you.
	Make sure you park in Preterm's parking lot, not in any of the nearby lots.
	Be prepared to see protesters in front of our building. Please ignore them.
If you're having oral sedation, conscious sedation or anesthesia, here are some additional reminders:
	You must have a driver with you to drive you home.
	Don't have any alcohol or marijuana for 24 hours before your appointment.
If you're having anesthesia:
	Don't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your appointment-not even water or gum.
If you're having conscious sedation:
	Don't take anything by mouth after midnight the night before your appointment except clear liquids. This means no food, including candy or gum. You can drink clear liquids up until four hours before your appointment.
If you're having anesthesia or conscious sedation:
	If you have a tongue piercing, you'll need to remove it before the procedure.

Your Time at Preterm

There are several steps to having an abortion besides the procedure itself. During the first visit, you'll meet with our intake staff, undergo lab work and an ultrasound, and have a private counseling session with a patient advocate and a private consultation with a physician. This process takes about 2 to 4 hours. During your second visit, you'll have your procedure and spend time in the recovery room. The second visit can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on where you are in your pregnancy, whether you're having sedation or anesthesia, and other factors. When you schedule your second visit, we'll give you an estimate of how long your appointment will take.