Vacuum Aspiration | Abortion Clinic in The Hague

About the treatment

For pregnancies between 5 and 13 weeks, suction curettage is a safe and effective method. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes. Including preparation and follow-up care, you will spend about three hours at our clinic in The Hague.

During the procedure, the doctor gently empties the uterus using a thin tube. At the Abortion Clinic in The Hague, you can choose between:

Sedation: Most women opt for sedation so that they are not conscious during the procedure and do not feel anything.

Local anesthesia: Would you prefer to stay awake? In that case, the doctor will numb the cervix with a few injections. Because the uterus itself cannot be completely numbed, you will feel cramps during the procedure.

The Hague Abortion Clinic offers the option of having an IUD inserted immediately following your procedure. Please discuss this with the doctor or nurse during your initial consultation.

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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 not eaten or drunk anything (for 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.

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Please bring: ID with your Social Security number, insurance card, proof of enrollment, a nightgown, slippers, and sanitary pads. Are you taking any medication? Please let us know in advance.

02

At the clinic

Assessment & Intake

Before your treatment, we ask that you fill out a medical questionnaire. We will then use an ultrasound to accurately determine the duration 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 be given either light sedation or a local anesthetic. During a procedure with 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

Aftercare

Follow-up Care & Check-ups

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.

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How long does it take?

Day 1–12

Pending consideration

Day 1 of treatment

Preparation for the clinic: 1 hour

Treatment duration: 5 minutes

In the department: 30 minutes to 2 hours

After 3 weeks

Post-abortion follow-up

Costs

Do you live in the Netherlands and have health insurance? If so, the costs will be fully reimbursed by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Please bring your insurance card or policy statement and a valid form of identification. If you do not have these documents, you can request an extract from the civil registry at city hall.

If you are not officially a resident of the Netherlands or do not have insurance, you will have to pay the costs yourself. Payment must be made before treatment, in cash or by debit card.

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Frequently Asked Questions

View all questions

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 about the decision-making process, you can also contact FIOM.

Safe, respectful care

Other people's experiences

Share your experience

“In a great location that’s easy to reach by public transportation and by car. The staff made me feel safe, and I received a warm welcome.”

“It was a very positive experience dealing with a sensitive matter. Everything went very smoothly and pleasantly. Everyone treated me very well, both over the phone and in person.”

“In a great location that’s easy to reach by public transportation and by car. The staff made me feel safe, and I received a warm welcome.”

“It was a very positive experience dealing with a sensitive matter. Everything went very smoothly and pleasantly. Everyone treated me very well, both over the phone and in person.”

Suction curettage

About the treatment

Benefits

Disadvantages