General

The following are a series of general questions most often asked by our clients either over the phone or on arrival at the Clinic.

If you require information specific to either of our services (Abortion or Contraception), please contact us direct on
FREE CALL 1800 802 562.

We hope that these may assist you in some way and if there is anything else we can do to assist you please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

Money Questions

How much does it cost?

The cost depends on the gestation of your pregnancy i.e. how many weeks pregnant you are.  When you contact the clinic we can give you the details of the costs involved for either Abortion and or Contraception.

Can I use my private health cover?

Yes you can, it does depend if you have hospital cover and what your excess is. We can check it for you; just give your details when you make the appointment for either procedure.

Is there discount for Single Parent Pension (SPP) or Health Care Card (HCC)?

There is a discount if you hold a current concession card (SPP/HCC), depending on the procedure. However, if you are over a certain time (17 weeks) in your pregnancy, unfortunately we can not use the concession.

Do I get any money back from Medicare?

GSDS is a private clinic so while we do bulk bill some of the procedure, there are out of pocket expenses for either service.

What if I don’t have Medicare?

Unfortunately, we have to charge you the full amount for any service we provide. If you have overseas private cover, we can give you an itemised account that you can take to your fund as you may be able to claim some money back.

Procedure Questions

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

You do not need a referral however if you have a referral we would like you to bring it with you on the day of your appointment. We will need your doctors contact information and a copy of your blood group. If you don’t have your blood group we can do it at the clinic for you.

Does it hurt?

The majority of women who have Termination of Pregnancy say they are very comfortable during their time at the clinic as the procedure is very quick.  Some women do experience cramping similar to period pain and need mild painkillers. Please Contact Us to discuss any concerns you may have.

Am I asleep for the procedure?

We offer a “twilight” sedation, so you are asleep for either procedure which takes about ten minutes.  If you would prefer another type of anaesthetic you can discuss it with the doctor on the day of the procedure.

How long do I have to be at the clinic?

Depending on the procedure the duration of your stay could be between four and six hours-including after care and various consultations with the doctors.  

When can I go back to work?

After a termination of pregnancy, you may return to work the following day. A medical certificate may be provided if required for the day.

Where can I get more information about the decisions I have to make?

You can ring Children by Choice if you feel you need more help making your decision.

Clinic Questions

All of the questions and answers below relate and apply to both type of services carried out by GSDS.

Are you an accredited facility?

We are governed by Queensland Health and operates in accordance with Australian and New Zealand Standard ISO9000 “(Certified by BSI Management Systems 2009).

Is it all confidential? I.e "is there any chance of someone finding out that I have had an abortion?"

GSDS has strict policies regarding privacy and compliance with the Act.  No personal information is disclosed over the phone.

What day do you operate?

We operate on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. The office is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday for enquiries and Appointments.

Can I have someone with me?

It is nice to have a support person to accompany you up until you are processed at the clinic. Due to the privacy of all patients including yourself, your support person cannot go into recovery areas.

Vasectomies

What is a vasectomy?

The vasectomy procedure is generally performed using IV sedation and local anaesthesia to alleviate the possibility of pain and discomfort.  After the anaesthesia has been administered, the doctor makes two incisions, one on either side of the scrotum.  These incisions are made in order to locate the two thin tubes (the vas deferens) that carry the sperm.  Once the tubes are located, a small portion of each tube is removed and the tube is sealed off.  This forms a permanent barrier and prevents sperm moving from the testes into the vas deferens.  You will be in theatre for about half an hour.

What are the risks?

Recovery is rapid and serious complications, if any, are rare.  Fewer than 3 in 100 men develop minor complications which are treatable. 

What are the effects?

The most common complaints concerning post-operative recovery after a vasectomy are swelling and bruising.  Such discomfort subsides usually within a week and easily treatable with ice packs (wrap in a towel) and mild pain relief.  Remember avoid any exercise or strenuous work for a few days.  

A minority of men develop a small lump of inflammatory tissue, called granulomas, which is caused by sperm leaking into surrounding tissues. If they do cause pain, they are generally treated with bed rest and pain relief.

Risk of Infection

Infection is minimised/prevented by the use of sterile techniques and careful wound care post operatively.  Infection, if present, tends to cause localised swelling, redness, tenderness with or without pus.  The 1% or less of men experiencing an infection, which can involve the skin, testes or scrotum, simply requires antibiotics.

How do I prepare for the operation?

Shave the scrotum area at least two days before the procedure and fast at least 6 hours before the appointment time.  Bring with you a jockey pair of underpants (not boxers) for support, and arrange for someone to accompany you home afterwards.

After the Operation?

You will be in recovery for approximately 1 hour.  You cannot drive a car for 24 hours after the procedure.  You must rest, placing a cold pack on the area to prevent swelling.  There should be little activity on the day of the procedure, and no strenuous activity for a few days. 

Do I need to use other forms of birth control after the operation?

The reproductive tract is not clear of sperm for several weeks.  A semen sample is taken only once, 12 weeks later (after approximately 15-20 ejaculations) when it shows no sperm.  You will be given a pathology form on the day of your procedure in order to get this test done. You are to telephone the clinic for the result of this test.

Blood Clots

One of the small blood vessels cut during the procedure may leak or if the area is struck (e.g. by a ball or during heavy work), then the sealed wound can open up.  This will result in a blood clot forming inside the scrotum.  They may need to be drained.

Epididymitis

This is a local inflammation near the side of the operation which occurs mostly within the first year after the vasectomy.  It is treated with heat and usually clears within a week.

Failure of the Procedure

Failure of vasectomy due to recanalisation (re-joining) of the vas can result in pregnancy.  Approximately 1 in 1000.  This can happen any time after the procedure, but is most common during the first 5 years post-operatively. The most common reason for vasectomy failure is unprotected intercourse before the sperm have cleared the reproductive tract, so it is important to use alternative contraception until your sample indicates no more sperm present.