If you live in the Netherlands and have health insurance, the cost of treatment will be fully covered by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Please bring your insurance card or policy document and a valid form of identification.
If you are not officially a resident of the Netherlands and do not have health insurance, you will be responsible for the costs, which must be paid in cash or by debit card before treatment begins.
About the treatment
If you are between 5 and 13 weeks pregnant, suction curettage is a safe and effective treatment option. The procedure itself takes just a few minutes, but including preparation and follow-up care, you will be at the clinic for about three hours.
During the procedure, the doctor will gently empty the uterus using a thin tube. You can choose between:
Sedation: Many women opt for sedation so that they are not conscious during the procedure and do not feel anything.
Local anesthesia: If you prefer to stay awake, that’s also an option. The cervix is then numbed with a few injections. Because the uterus cannot be completely numbed, you will feel contractions during the procedure under local anesthesia.
Following your treatment, you can have an IUD inserted if you wish. Please discuss this with the doctor or nurse during your initial consultation.
Benefits
- Safe and medically supervised
- Short treatment time of just a few minutes
- Over a 99% success rate
- Short recovery period: an average of one day of rest is recommended
Disadvantages
- Cramps and bleeding after treatment
- The procedure may feel less natural than a medical abortion
- Soms een tweede ingreep nodig (zeer zelden, < 1%)
What can you expect?
01
Before treatment
Preparation at home
Take a shower or bath at home and make sure you have an empty stomach (6 hours beforehand) if you are receiving treatment under sedation. You may drink water or tea (without milk) up to 2 hours before your treatment. Arrange for transportation: you must not drive a vehicle for 24 hours after receiving sedation.
Please bring: ID with your social security number, insurance card, proof of enrollment, a nightgown, slippers, and sanitary pads. Do you take any medication? Please let us know in advance.
02
At the clinic
Assessment & Intake
Before your treatment, we ask you to fill out a medical questionnaire. We will then use an ultrasound scan to accurately determine the length of your pregnancy. Following this preliminary examination, you will have a consultation with the doctor.
03
At the clinic
Treatment
Depending on your preference, you will receive either light sedation or local anesthesia. During a procedure performed under sedation, you will not feel anything. The doctor will use a speculum to insert a narrow tube into your uterine cavity. This tube is used to suction out the contents of your uterus.
04
At the clinic
Immediately after treatment
After the procedure, you’ll rest in the clinic and be given something to eat and drink. A nurse will stay with you. When you go home, you’ll be given instructions to follow. You’ll also need to take antibiotics that same day.
05
Follow-up Care & Check-ups
Aftercare
Listen to your body and rest if necessary. Be sure to schedule a follow-up appointment at the clinic or with your doctor after 3 weeks. Keep in mind that you can become pregnant again immediately after an abortion. We’re happy to discuss birth control options with you.
How long does it take?
Pending consideration
Preparation for the clinic: 1 hour
Treatment duration: 5 minutes
In the department: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Post-abortion follow-up
Costs
Take your time before making a decision
When you're pregnant, you have several options:
- Carry the pregnancy to term and raise the child on my own
- Placing a child for adoption or foster care
- Terminating a pregnancy (abortion)
Take your time before making a decision. Try to think about how you feel and what matters to you. What does this situation mean for you, your life, and your future? Only you can weigh these factors. We believe it’s important that you reach a well-considered decision at your own pace.
Want to talk to someone?
It can be helpful to talk to someone who will listen without judging you. This could be a friend or family member, but you can also make an appointment with your family doctor or schedule a consultation at our clinic. The consultation is confidential, non-binding, and free of charge. For information on the decision-making process, you can also contact FIOM.
We're here for you when you need us most
Do you have any questions or would you like to schedule an appointment? Please contact us.
