Historically, surgical abortion procedures were performed at 6 weeks gestation or further. With new medical equipment and surgical instruments surgical abortion early can now be performed as early as 3 to 4 weeks gestation. This means the surgical abortion early can be performed before the first menstrual period is missed. As soon as a woman suspects she is pregnant, she should take a pregnancy test. If she concludes the pregnancy is unwanted, she should call a abortion clinic and make an appo