Pregnancy Options

If your pregnancy test is positive, and the ultrasound confirms how far along you are, you have a decision to make. Get the facts before you decide. Call us for an appointment and you can talk through your options in a safe, confidential environment.

Abortion

Abortion is a medical procedure, so you owe it to yourself to get complete information. We can discuss the different types of abortion procedures with you and the risks associated with each so you can have all the facts.

Adoption

Adoption may seem intimidating but when making an adoption plan you have several options. There are many choices inside of adoption including various levels of involvement with the adoptive family. We can discuss all the options and provide referrals.

Parenting

Becoming a parent is a huge step and you probably have a lot of questions. Some of them might be: “Can I afford to parent?” or “Will I be able to stay in school?” We can help you process your thoughts and feelings surrounding parenting and the impact on your life.

Morning After Pill

Before taking the Morning After Pill (also known as “Plan B”), you should understand what it is, what it could mean to your health and how it works. Make an appointment and we will be happy to discuss it with you.¹

What is it?

The “morning after pill” is a large dose of oral contraceptive. Known as Plan B, the pill is actually 2 tablets, one taken within 72 hours of intercourse and the second 12 hours later. It is NOT the same as RU-486.

How does it work?

Plan B is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or fertilization. In addition, it may inhibit implantation. It is not effective once the process of implantation has begun.

Things to consider:

• Emergency contraception is not effective if a woman is already pregnant.
• Plan B does not protect against HIV infection (which leads to AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
• The most common side effects in the Plan B clinical trial were nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and menstrual changes.
• The manufacturer warns that Plan B is not recommended for routine use as a contraceptive.

Sex and Health

There are a lot of things to consider when having sex. Be informed so you can make the best decision, not just for today, but for your future.

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. While substantial progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing, and treating certain STIs in recent years, the CDC estimates that 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24.²
• HPV infection and cervical cancer risk is increased by:
  • Beginning sexual intercourse at an early age-especially age 16 or younger
  • Having multiple sexual partners
  • Sex with partners who engage in a high-risk sexual behavior³
• Of the 3.1 million unintended pregnancies in 2001, 48% of women were using contraceptives. ⁴
• Among women who have had an abortion, 54% used a contraceptive method during the month they became pregnant.⁵

Sources

¹ Source: Manufacturer's Prescribing Information for Plan B (Levonorgestrel) tablets, 0.75 mg. Mfg. by Gedeon Richter, Ltd., Budapest , Hungary for Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pomona , NY 10970 . Revised Feb 2004. BR-038 / 21000382503

² Source: Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2004;36(1):6-10.

³Source: “Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer,” National Cancer Institute, October 15, 2002

⁴Source: Boonstra H et al., Abortion in Womens Lives, New York : Guttmacher Institute, 2006

⁵Source: Boonstra H et al., Abortion in Womens Lives, New York : Guttmacher Institute, 2006