3 Things Needed Before Abortion

When an unexpected pregnancy leads you to consider abortion, it can be hard to know where to start or what’s necessary. However, before making a decision, you can take three essential steps to ensure your health and safety.

Collage offers the following services at no cost, providing you with the care and answers you need during this critical time.

Pregnancy Testing

You don’t have to rely on ambiguous pregnancy signs or symptoms. Pregnancy testing is an accurate way to get answers. While at-home tests can provide an initial indication of pregnancy, a lab-quality pregnancy test can be more reliable.

Collage offers no-cost lab-quality pregnancy testing, ensuring you get the accuracy you can depend on. This first step helps to rule out possible uncertainties before moving forward.

Limited OB Ultrasound

An ultrasound confirms key details about your pregnancy, including how far along you are (gestational age), if there’s a heartbeat, and where the pregnancy is located.

Knowing the gestational age helps determine what options are available, and the location of your pregnancy is equally important. If the pregnancy is ectopic—developing outside the uterus—it requires immediate medical attention.

At Collage, you can receive a no-cost limited OB ultrasound to obtain this vital information before making any decisions.

STD Testing and Treatment

If you're considering an abortion, it's essential to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Untreated STDs can cause additional complications during an abortion, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to serious health issues like chronic pain and infertility.

Collage provides no-cost STD testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea, ensuring your health is protected and any infections are addressed before moving forward.

Take The First Step

Before making a decision, it’s important to take these steps to safeguard your health. Collage offers no-cost pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing to give you the clarity and care you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule your confidential appointment.

Collage does not provide or refer for abortions.

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What Are the Signs of an Incomplete Abortion?

September 19, 2024

Identifying the signs of complications from an incomplete abortion is crucial to preventing further issues. You must proactively seek medical attention at the first indication that something isn’t right. Explore the warning signs of an incomplete abortion below. If you have any questions or concerns, consider scheduling a no-cost appointment with one of our licensed medical professionals today. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below after an abortion, please contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical care immediately. What is an Incomplete Abortion? An incomplete abortion, also known as " retained products of conception " (RPOC), occurs when fetal or placental tissue remains in the uterus after an elective abortion or miscarriage. If not properly treated, this condition can result in serious complications, including severe infection and heavy bleeding. It’s essential to monitor your health closely and seek medical care if you notice any warning signs of an incomplete abortion. What To Look For Vaginal bleeding is the most common sign of an incomplete abortion. Heavy bleeding or blood clots after pregnancy could indicate a problem. Heavy bleeding can be described as soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row. Other symptoms to be aware of include: Fever. Hypomenorrhea (light or infrequent menstrual periods). Infection. Pelvic pain. What To Do If you suspect an incomplete abortion, it's vital to seek immediate medical attention. A healthcare provider will conduct tests to confirm the diagnosis, often including a transvaginal ultrasound. Treatment options for an incomplete abortion may include medication or surgery. Your health is the top priority, and it's essential to trust your instincts. If you experience any concerning symptoms, don't hesitate to visit your local emergency room. Free Pregnancy Services If you’re dealing with an unexpected pregnancy, you can find many resources at Collage. We provide no-cost pregnancy services to help you feel equipped to navigate your situation. We offer free lab-quality pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, and STD testing and treatment so you can protect your health and get critical details about your pregnancy. Make a free appointment to talk with one of our team today.

What Are the Mental Health Effects of Abortion?

August 29, 2024

When considering an abortion, it's essential to acknowledge both your physical and mental health. While you may already be familiar with the physical risks of abortion, understanding the mental health effects is equally important. An abortion can bring a range of emotions , from relief to guilt, loss, and sadness, and it's crucial to recognize and address these feelings. Every woman's experience is unique, and the emotional impact can vary widely. Acknowledging your mental health is an essential step in caring for yourself during this time. We’ill explore the potential mental health effects of abortion and provide resources to help you manage your emotional well-being. Feeling Pressure A study by the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons reported that 75% of women who had an abortion felt at least subtly pressured into getting one. Of these women, many reported negative mental health outcomes afterward, including feelings of: Worthlessness Being unworthy of love Low self-esteem Anxiety Shame Guilt Regret Self-hatred What this means is feeling pressured to make your decision is one of the most significant risk factors for experiencing negative mental health outcomes. You can prioritize your health by making sure this decision is yours. Other Risk Factors Another thing to look out for when you’re considering abortion is any risk factors that would make you susceptible to mental health issues. Some of these pre-existing factors that can contribute to an issue after an abortion include: Having a history of prior mental illness Having moral or religious beliefs that conflict with abortion Having a maternal desire to have children now or in the future Mental Health Risks Study findings also show abortion is associated with higher rates of various mental health issues, including: Anxiety Depression Substance use Traumatic symptoms Sleep disorders Get Support You don’t have to go through an unexpected pregnancy alone. Collage provides free pregnancy services such as pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, and more to help you feel equipped. We also offer after-abortion support for women who’ve undergone an abortion procedure. You can find healing and support through us. Reach out to us to request a no-cost and confidential appointment today. *All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

What Are the Different Types of Abortion?

August 7, 2024

We understand the decision concerning abortion is complex and personal. Knowing the different types of abortion procedures is essential for making informed decisions about your health. In this blog, we'll cover the various methods available to help you gather information about your situation. Learning about these procedures can help you better protect your health and make the right choice for you. Medical Abortion A medical abortion is the process of using drugs to end a pregnancy. Commonly referred to as the “abortion pill,” a medical abortion actually uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone works by blocking the hormone progesterone. 24-48 hours later, you would then take misoprostol to cause uterine contractions and expel the pregnancy from the vagina. Medical abortion is only FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation (how far along you are). These drugs are typically prescribed at a clinic and taken at home. If you have a medical abortion, you will have vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. You may also experience fever, chills, headache, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. The risks of medical abortion include: Infection Digestive system discomfort Heavy, prolonged bleeding Fever An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure fails) An incomplete abortion (which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion) Surgical Abortion A surgical abortion uses a combination of drugs, medical instruments, suction/vacuuming, or forceps to remove a pregnancy from the uterus. Surgical abortions are performed in a clinic setting or hospital later in pregnancy. You will likely spend a few hours afterward in a recovery room to check for excessive bleeding and complications. The risks of a surgical abortion include: Infection Damage to the cervix Scar tissue on the uterine wall (which can lead to absent, painful periods or future infertility) Perforation of the uterus Before Seeking An Abortion It’s crucial to get informed not only about the risks abortion can pose to your health but also detailed information about your pregnancy and status. There are a variety of circumstances where you might not be eligible for an abortion. At Collage, we offer free and confidential pregnancy services, such as lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited OB ultrasounds, because we believe you deserve to have access to the information you need to protect your health. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you. Make an appointment today.