On September 30, 2009, the omnibus abortion bill became law. This law requires that patients seeking abortion be informed of state mandated consent material at least 24 hours prior to their scheduled abortion. These materials must be read to the patient by the physician doing the abortion. What this law means is that PATIENTS MUST NOW MAKE TWO VISITS TO THE OFFICE. At the first visit, the physician will read the state mandated materials to you, click the link to see a copy of the state mandated materials for medical abortion or to see the state mandated materials for surgical abortion. For your convenience, we will also use this time to explain your procedure to you and to answer any questions that you may have. At the second visit, the actual procedure will take place. Please remember that the law requires that your second visit be scheduled AT LEAST 24 HOURS AFTER THE TIME THAT YOU HEAR THE STATE MANDATED MATERIALS. For example, if you sign the form acknowledging that you have heard these materials at 9:00 am on your first visit, your second visit must be scheduled any time after 9:00 am the following day. If you plan to obtain an abortion at Tucson Women’s Center, you will have to complete the following steps prior to having the procedure:

1. At least-twenty four hours prior to having your abortion, you will need to schedule an appointment to meet with our doctor. You can schedule your 24 hour consent appointment online by clicking the “Schedule Appointment” option at the top of the page or by calling our office.

2. At your 24 hour consent appointment, you will be registered as a patient and read, fill out, and sign all of the consent forms and information sheets.

3. Next, you will be taken back to an exam room where you will undergo blood testing and have an ultrasound to determine the exact length of your pregnancy.  Arizona law also requires that you be given the opportunity to see and hear (when possible), the fetal heartbeat.  You can decline this offer if you choose.

4. The doctor will explain your procedure to you and answer all of your questions.  At the end of this process, he will read to you the state mandated materials for your procedure, and you will be asked to sign the 24 hour consent form acknowledging the date and time that you heard these materials.

5. At least 24 hours after the time on your form, you can schedule an appointment for your procedure.  The procedure can be scheduled before you leave the office.  Payment in full is expected at the time of your second appointment.

Finally, please feel free to call or email our office at any time if you have any questions regarding your procedure, this process, or anything else, including questions about any of the information provided on this site. You will also have the opportunity to ask the physician any additional questions on the day of your procedure.