Welcome to All Womens Clinic

Services

All Women's Center provides a wide range of comprehensive and personalized gynecological and obstetrical services.

We are dedicated to meeting the special problems faced by women since 1974: Unintended Pregnancy. Pregnancy Termination. Pregnancy Prevention. Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill, IUD). Abnormal Pap Tests. Sexually Transmitted Infections. Male and Female Sterilization. Post- Menopausal Hormone Replacement. Office surgery. Walk-in Laboratory and Pregnancy Testing. Sonograms.Prenatal and hospital maternity care. Laparoscopic Surgery.

We are here to help you handle these difficulties in every way we can. We understand your problems. We care about them. We can help.

Pregnancy Termination:

ALL WOMEN'S CENTER offers termination from 3 to 22 weeks to women who are facing an unintended pregnancy and desire individual, personalized care at affordable fees. Having established a record of unexcelled medical safety, our physician is widely recognized throughout South Florida for his expertise in First and Second Trimester Pregnancy Termination.
Here your medical and emotional needs are met in a private, friendly atmosphere by our highly skilled medical team. A breast and pelvic exam by the same doctor who performed the procedure will be done in your free two week follow up visit after the termination. Here you find continuity of care by a Board Certified Gynecologist that is a recognized expert in his field. Our affordable and personalized services are provided with the absolute assurance of confidentiality. Female bilingual staff speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French and Creole. Same day or next day appointments are usually available.
The decision to terminate a pregnancy is a personal matter. It is your right to choose what is best for you. Each person has a choice: 1) continue the pregnancy and keep the baby; 2) continue the pregnancy and give the baby up, either temporarily (foster home) or permanently (adoption); or 3) terminate the pregnancy by having a safe, legal abortion. We will support any decision you make, whatever it may be. If under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, unless you are an amancipated minor. Otherwise, you must get a Judicial Bypass at the Court House.
If you decide to terminate the pregnancy, we offer three choices of anesthesia: A)Heavy Twilight with intravenous Morphine and Versed for maximum patient comfort; B) Medium Twilight with lesser dose of intravenous Morphine and Valium; or C) Local Anesthetic and oral Valium, which is the least expensive.

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Early - Vacuum Aspiration (EVA) for very early abortion:

Available to patients who do not want to wait, EVA is the preferred altenative to medication abortion and can be performed as early as 3 weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP). The Early -Vacuum Aspiration (EVA) is a minimized vacuum aspiration using smaller and fewer instruments that the regular suction curettage. If no pregnancy is detected by ultrasound, you may - or may not - require follow up blood pregnancy testing after the procedure. This depends on the results of the microscopic exam which we will perform on the specimen immediately after the procedure. If products of conception are not identified concentration microscopically, you will need to have two tests to measure the amount of HCG hormone in your blood in order to rule out an ectopic (extra-uterine, most commonly tubal) pregnancy; and/or to confirm the success of a very early termination.
Compared to the Technique of Vacuum Aspiration done between 7 -12 weeks gestation, the Early - Vacuum Aspiration has the following advantages:
1) there is generally less discomfort if the procedure is performed earlier in the pregnancy because of the small amount of cervical dilation that is required;
2) the EVA procedure can be performed without delay, which helps decrease anxiety and unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy;
3) it may expedite the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy, before it becomes an emergency.
Compared to the Non-Surgical or Medically Induced "chemical" Abortion Technique, the EVA carries a lesser cost and a faster and easier recovery; and allows earlier resumption of sexual intercourse two weeks following the procedure.
Some of our patients comments have been: "I was very sure that I wanted to have an abortion and I was glad that I didn't have to wait 2 or 3 more weeks to have the procedure performed." "I didn't know the procedure would be so quick. I was surprised when they said it was over."

Early Second Trimester Procedure:
Ending the pregnancy after 12 weeks (during the second trimester) is more difficult because the fetus is larger. Ultrasound staging of the pregnancy is essential. The standard procedure is called Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E). For pregnancies beyond 15 weeks the D&E is usually a two day procedure that includes insertion of multiple laminarias to dilate (D) the cervix overnight, followed by evacuation (E) of the pregnancy. After laminarias are inserted you can not change your mind; and the uterus must be evacuated within 48 hours.
Our current method of Late Second Trimester (21-22 weeks) abortion involves inserting multiple laminarias into the cervical canal; serial placement of misoprostol; and performing a D&C or D&E. This procedure is done in our premises. A far less common method is the Saline Induction which is usually performed in the hospital.

RECOVERY AND POST OPERATORY INSTRUCTIONS:
The patient will have individual recovery following the procedure. Patients who are Rh negative will receive an injection of RhoGam before leaving. The total time at the Center is usually 2 to 4 hours. Patients must bring a responsible driver for their ride home. A prescription for antibiotics and a pain medication can be filled either here or at a pharmacy. Patients are generally able to go back to work or school 24 hours following the procedure. They are instructed to refrain from heavy lifting or other strenuous physical activities for 72 hours; and avoid baths, swimming, intercourse and tampon usage for 2 weeks. The patients are to call our 24-hour hot line 954/ 772-0933 for bleeding more than one pad an hour, temperature greater than 100.4 F, or severe pelvic pain. The patient is to return for her 2-week check up where a pelvic and breast exam is performed free of charge. A low cost Pap test and additional contraceptives may be provided. We make ourselves available whenever you need us. Because we are a full time private medical practice, here you find continuity of care with the same physician who performed your surgery.
IMPORTANT NOTE: IN THE RARE EVENT OF A COMPLICATION YOU SHOULD REMAIN UNDER THE CARE OF THE SAME PHYSICIAN THAT PERFORMED THE ABORTION - AS YOU WOULD LIKELY DO WITH ANY OTHER SURGICAL PROCEDURE. OUR DOCTOR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH COMPLETE MEDICAL CARE FOLLOWING THE ABORTION. HE HAS STAFF PRIVILEGES AT BROWARD GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER.

Cost:
Fees are all-inclusive and include pre- and post-abortion individual counseling, laboratory studies, sonogram to more accurately determine gestational age, anesthesia, physician's fees, birth control sample pack, and 2 week post-abortion check. RhoGam for RH- women is provided at an additional cost. Full payment is made on the day of the procedures in the form of cash, money orders, cashier's checks, or major credit cards. Medical Insurance is accepted on an individual basis. For more information, please click on ABORTION FACTS.

Emergency Contraception: (Morning-after pill or IUD):

Increasing use of emergency contraception could serve to reduce the high medical and social cost of unintended pregnancy. ALL WOMEN'S CENTER provides same day or next day appointments for emergency contraception. You may get Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) or an Intrauterine Device (IUD) which can provide continuos contraceptive protection for ten years thereafter.

The ECPs contain a high dose of hormones that act to prevent pregnancy. High dose of either combination birth control pills containing levonorgestrel; or pills with a high dose of levonorgestrel but no estrogen may be used for emergency contraception. If the woman is already pregnant the ECPs will not stop the pregnancy. ECPs are to be used as an emergency treatment only, and not as a regular method of contraception. They may work by preventing or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary, preventing fertilization, or causing changes in the lining of the uterus that may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. Because of the short duration of exposure and the low total hormone dose, ECPs may be used by almost all women, including those who are not typically advised to use combination birth control pills on a daily basis. The US Food and Drug Administration has stated that the use of certain hormonal pills is safe and effective for emergency contraception.

The ECPs should be started as soon as convenient, but within three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex (sex without birth control). A second dose should be taken 12 hours after the first dose. Since nausea occurs with half of women who take ECPs, the two doses should be taken with meals. It is also advisable to take an antiemetic such as Meclizine hydrochloride two 25-mg tablets prior to each ECP dose. If vomiting occurs within 2 hours of taking a dose, it may be advisable to repeat the dose. You should continue to use condoms, or a diaphragm or birth control pills to prevent pregnancy if you have sex before your next menstrual period after you can use any regular method of contraception. In addition you should continue to protect yourself against, or get treatment for, sexually transmitted diseases. If you are concerned about STD, you need to seek diagnosis and treatment in addition to emergency contraception.

ECPs are not 100 percent effective. The available data suggest that there is no risk to the fetus if the ECP fails, but little research has been done on this issue. You need to return to the clinic or get a pregnancy test if your menstrual period has not started within three weeks after treatment.

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A full range of specialized services are offered. Many test and procedures are performed in the office at substantial savings to patients, particularly those without insurance coverage. We have state of the art equipment for the in-office management of the abnormal Pap test and for a variety of benign and pre-malignant gynecological conditions: video enhanced colposcopy, biopsy procedures, radio-frequency electrosurgery (LEEP), Dilatation and Curettage (D&C), fine needle aspiration and sonographically guided core biopsy of the breast. In addition, we offer intrauterine insemination and ovulation induction therapy for infertility patients. Family Planning services include dispensing of Birth Control Pills, DepoProvera injections, IUD insertions, and Diaphragm fittings.
Tests are available to both patient and her partner for the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including confidential and complete testing for chlamidia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, hepatitis and HIV. Because STD often can only be detected by laboratory means, we recommend routine annual testing unless the relationship is mutually monogamous.

A wide variety of blood and urine lab tests are available daily Monday through Saturday with no appointment necessary

Patients who come in for a pregnancy test are given the results immediately and will have the opportunity to speak with a counselor. We have three pregnancy tests: a free slide urine test that can be performed three weeks after a missed period; a more sensitive urine test; and a blood test that may detect pregnancy as early as 9 days after a possible conception, and even if your period is not late.

Vasectomy:
Male sterilization represents a safe and effective alternative to tubal ligation for couples who decide that the male should be sterilized. Compared to tubal ligation, vasectomy has a slightly higher rate of spontaneous failure and pregnancy and it takes longer to become effective (usually less than 6 weeks but may take up to six months). It is less expensive and has almost no risk of serious internal injuries or other life threatening complications. On the other hand, a tubal ligation is effective immediately and has a slight risk of major complications. Both can be performed under local anesthesia.
As a general rule, the choice of vasectomy vs. tubal ligation should be based on the preferences of each partner. We have found that women accept the concept of sterilization more readily than men. We have available a new surgical technique named "no-scalpel" vasectomy. It has the advantage of having less bleeding and fewer complications than when a scalpel is used.
The procedure takes approximately one half of an hour. A sperm count check is performed six weeks later and is included in the surgical fee. We require that an additional sperm count be done at a private lab to confirm sterilization.

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