up to 13 weeks

Suction curettage

A quick, safe, and effective method for terminating pregnancies between 5 and 13 weeks.

We're here for you every step of the way. With care and attention.

About the treatment

Are you between 5 and 13 weeks pregnant? If so, 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’ll be at the clinic for about three hours.

During the procedure, the doctor gently empties the uterus using a thin tube. At Vrelinghuis, you can choose from:

Sedation: Many women choose to undergo the procedure under sedation so that they are not conscious during the procedure and do not feel anything.

Local anesthesia: If you’d prefer to stay awake, that’s also an option. The doctor will numb the cervix with a few injections. Since the uterus itself cannot be completely numbed, you will feel cramps during the procedure.

If you wish, you can have an IUD inserted immediately after the 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?

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.

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 duration of your pregnancy. Following this preliminary examination, you will have a consultation with the doctor.

At the clinic

Treatment

Depending on your preference, you will be given 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 the contents of your uterus.

At the clinic

Immediately after treatment

After the procedure, you’ll rest for a while at 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.

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 primary care physician 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

If you live in the Netherlands and have health insurance, the costs of treatment will be fully covered 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 your local city hall and bring it with you.

If you are not officially a resident of the Netherlands and do not have insurance, you will be responsible for the costs, which must be paid in cash or by debit card before treatment begins.

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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

“They were very friendly and caring. They made the experience a lot more bearable than I had expected. I didn’t find it an unpleasant place to be, and the atmosphere is very pleasant. They really help you get through it.”

“I think everyone was really kind and understanding. I had a wonderful experience here with all the doctors and nurses. They’re very good at accommodating people who don’t speak Dutch.”

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.

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Suction curettage

About the treatment

Benefits

Disadvantages