Why does real-time ultrasound matter during an abortion?
Lawful, licensed, confidential. Termination of pregnancy at Pai Hospital is carried out lawfully under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended), at a licensed facility, by registered medical practitioners, within the limits and the certification that the Act requires. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, at any stage, for any reason. Your identity and your treatment are confidential.
Real-time ultrasound guidance means the doctor watches your womb live on a screen throughout a suction or D and C procedure. This lowers the risk of complications such as perforation, and shows the exact moment the womb is empty, so the procedure stops there, with no unnecessary scraping, which helps protect the lining for future pregnancies.
What does real-time ultrasound guidance mean?
If you need a surgical abortion, it is natural to want it done well. You may worry about whether the procedure will be careful, whether it could harm your womb, and whether you will still be able to have a baby one day. One part of our care is designed with exactly these worries in mind: every surgical procedure at our hospital, whether suction or a D and C, is done under real-time ultrasound guidance.
Real-time means live. While the procedure is under way, an ultrasound probe rests gently on your lower tummy, and the doctor watches the womb on a screen from the first moment to the last. The doctor can see the shape of the womb, the pregnancy tissue and the instruments themselves, all at the same time. You are under anaesthesia so that you are comfortable, while the scan quietly guides every step. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
The scan itself is gentle. A probe with a little gel rests on the outside of your lower tummy, and it stays there while the doctor works. If you would like to understand more about how the scan guides your care, just ask. We are always happy to explain, before and after.
How does it lower the risk of complications?
The womb is a muscular organ, and its shape, size and position vary from woman to woman. Some wombs tilt backwards, some are softer, and some have an unusual shape. When the doctor can see exactly where the instruments are inside the womb at every moment, each movement can be precise and gentle, using only what is truly needed.
This lowers the risk of complications such as perforation, which is a small tear or hole in the wall of the womb. It also helps the doctor make sure that no pregnancy tissue is left behind, which lowers the chance of bleeding, infection or a repeat procedure later. Ultrasound guidance does not replace skill and experience; it adds a clear view to them.
How does the doctor know exactly when to stop?
This is one of the most valuable things the screen shows. As the procedure goes on, the doctor can watch the cavity of the womb become clear. The exact moment the womb is empty is visible on the screen, and the procedure stops right there. So there is no unnecessary scraping, and the doctor can see that the womb is empty before finishing.
For you, that means a procedure that is as long as it needs to be and no longer, with the womb handled only as much as is necessary. It is a quiet form of respect for your body, and for your future.
Why does that matter for future pregnancies?
The inside of the womb is lined with a soft, delicate layer called the endometrium. Every month it thickens and sheds, and it is where a future pregnancy will one day settle and grow. Scraping more than is needed can thin or scar this lining, and a damaged lining can make it harder to conceive or to carry a pregnancy later.
By stopping at exactly the right moment, real-time ultrasound guidance helps protect the lining of the womb, and so helps protect your chances of a healthy pregnancy in the future. A safe abortion, done properly, does not usually affect fertility, and our guide to abortion and future fertility explains more. If you hope to have children one day, please tell us, and we will talk it through with you.
Why are single-use instruments part of the same care?
Seeing clearly is one safeguard; keeping everything clean is the other. Every instrument that touches you is single-use and disposable — sealed, opened fresh for you, used only for you, and then discarded. Nothing that has touched one patient is ever used for another, so there is no cross-contamination between patients.
Together, these two safeguards reflect one simple idea: a procedure should be done as carefully as possible, with the doctor able to see what is happening, and with instruments that are clean and new. That is the standard we hold ourselves to for every woman.
What happens before and after the procedure?
The ultrasound does not start in the theatre. Before anything is decided, an ultrasound scan confirms that the pregnancy is inside the womb and not somewhere dangerous, such as a tube, and it helps the doctor decide, with you, whether care with medicines or a surgical procedure is right for you. You may come for this first visit on your own.
If you have a surgical procedure, it is done under anaesthesia, so please come with a responsible adult who can take you home afterwards. You rest for a short while and usually go home the same day. Some bleeding and mild cramping for a few days afterwards is normal, but call us straight away if you have heavy bleeding, a fever, severe pain, or you feel unwell. Afterwards, a follow-up check confirms that everything has settled well, and it is a chance to ask any questions and, if you wish, to discuss contraception.
Is this care lawful, private and open to every woman?
Yes. This is lawful care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, given at a government-licensed hospital by a qualified doctor. If you are not married, you are just as welcome, and you will be treated with the same respect and privacy as every other woman. Your visit stays between you and your medical team.
We do not send any medicine by post or courier, and we do not do any abortion by phone. A call, a message or an online consultation can tell you whether treatment is feasible and guide your next step, but any abortion service is received in person, at the hospital in Goa.
Getting started
If you want your care done carefully and well, call or message us. We will listen, answer your questions about real-time ultrasound guidance and single-use instruments, and help you plan a visit to the hospital in Goa. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
What is real-time ultrasound guidance during an abortion?
It means the doctor watches your womb live on an ultrasound screen throughout a suction or D and C procedure, seeing exactly where the instruments are at every moment.
Does real-time ultrasound make the procedure safer?
It lowers the risk of complications such as perforation, and it shows the exact moment the womb is empty, so the procedure stops there, with no unnecessary scraping.
Can it help protect my future fertility?
Stopping as soon as the womb is empty helps protect the lining of the womb, where a future pregnancy settles. Your doctor can talk through your own situation with you.
Do I need someone with me for a surgical procedure?
Yes. Because it is done under anaesthesia, please come with a responsible adult who can take you home afterwards. For a first consultation, you may come on your own.
Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641
This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.