Before an abortion, there are a few steps you should take to protect your health. An abortion safety screening is the best place to start!
Abortion safety screenings include STI testing and treatment, an ultrasound, and Rh factor testing. Each test provides the insight you need to make an informed decision for your unplanned pregnancy! Keep reading to learn more.
STI Testing & Treatment
It’s crucial to get tested for STIs regularly, as many don’t have obvious symptoms. Additionally, having an untreated STI at the time of an abortion can increase your risk of developing a post-abortive infection, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).1
Pregnancy Resource Center Athens provides free STI testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas. If your test is positive, we provide the treatment to you free of charge. Tests for other STIs are also available, if needed, for a low-cost lab fee.
Your first visit to the clinic will likely last 60-75 minutes, depending on the need for lab draws or procedures. You can expect to discuss which tests are necessary for you with the medical provider during your appointment. You will also receive information about the typical signs and symptoms of STIs and ways to prevent them.
Ultrasound
You may be wondering why you’d want an ultrasound, especially if you’re considering abortion. Ultrasounds provide the insight needed to make an informed decision for an unplanned pregnancy. They determine two key things about your pregnancy: viability and gestational age.
What is Pregnancy Viability?
A viable pregnancy means that, in the early stages, growth and development are progressing as expected. This is critical information because a significant number of pregnancies end on their own in miscarriage.2
The ultrasound also can show if the pregnancy is inside the uterus. A small number of pregnancies form outside the uterus, known as ectopic pregnancy. Not only can ectopic pregnancies be life-threatening, but the abortion pill doesn’t treat them3—in either case, abortion is no longer an option to consider.
What is Gestational Age?
Gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy. It’s important to know your gestational age) since the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.4
To receive a free ultrasound at Pregnancy Resource Center Athens, you must meet the following criteria:
- Must be at least 6 weeks past the date of the last menstrual period. Click here to calculate how far along you are.
- No active bleeding, cramping, or pelvic pain
- No IUD in place or prior history of ectopic pregnancy
Rh Factor Testing
Rh (Rhesus) factor is a protein that is found on the outside of red blood cells. If you have the protein, you are Rh-positive. If you don’t have the protein, you are Rh-negative. A blood test can determine which type you are. This is important to know if you’re Rh-negative and pregnant with a fetus who is Rh-positive.
If you’re Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, your body might produce antibodies if your blood and the baby’s blood mix during delivery, a miscarriage, or abortion. This isn’t a problem during the first pregnancy, but it can cause complications if you become pregnant again. Future complications can be prevented with an injection called Rh immune globulin, which stops your body from making antibodies against Rh-positive blood.
Pregnancy Resource Center Athens offers free blood typing to confirm whether you are Rh-negative or positive. If your test determines that you are Rh-negative, you can speak to your OB about whether Rh immune globulin is right for you.
Schedule Your Abortion Safety Screening Today
We get it—an unplanned pregnancy can leave you reeling. Even one choice can feel like too many. Pregnancy Resource Center Athens is here to help! We provide free abortion safety screenings, so you can take the next step with confidence.
Give us a call at 419-354-4673 or schedule your appointment today!
Please be aware that Pregnancy Resource Center Athens does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage – Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298
- FDA. (2023, September 1). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2023, March 23). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information