Medical Abortion at 4.5 Weeks: Safety & Clinic Legitimacy

Question
Dear Dr. Joan,
I wrote earlier after the clinic I visited refused to do a surgical abortion as I was only at 4 and a half weeks.  However, they also refused to do a medical abortion  - again for the same reason. They cited "pathology results" when I asked them why. However, in reading through your site, I see that a medical abortion seems to be safe as early as 3 weeks - is this clinic legitimate? Thank you so much!

Answer
Dear Sky,
THe safest time to do an abortion (medical or surgical) is once it can be identified in your uterus on ultrasound.  This often occurs as early as three weeks.  Sometimes the pregnancy can't be identified for 4 or 5 weeks.  I'm assuming they did an ultrasound, and then gave you that information.  If so, they sound legitimate.
I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan