A Guide to Understanding the Process
At Ivy Women’s Center in Mentor, Ohio, we understand that navigating an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming. If you’re considering abortion, it’s important to fully understand your options and the process you may encounter at an abortion clinic. Ivy Women’s Center is not an abortion clinic. Because processes, procedures, and costs vary from clinic to clinic, we have found it more empowering to provide our patients with general information on what to expect, as well as what questions are important to ask when calling the clinics and deciding which is best for them. For this reason, we are unable to provide referrals to specific abortion clinics.
This article contains typical information regarding what you can expect during your abortion appointment at any abortion clinic.
What Happens When You Visit an Abortion Clinic?
When you choose to visit an abortion clinic, it’s often part of a process where you are looking for information and making decisions about your pregnancy. Here’s what you can typically expect:
- Initial Consultation and Pregnancy Confirmation
At an abortion clinic, the first step is usually an initial consultation. During this appointment, you’ll discuss your medical history and current health. It’s also when the pregnancy is confirmed, typically through a urine test or ultrasound.
At Ivy Women’s Center, we believe in providing complete, confidential consultations where you can discuss your situation and feel empowered to make an informed choice. We offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasound services to confirm the gestational age of your pregnancy and help you understand your options.
- Discussion of Abortion Options
Once the pregnancy is confirmed, a clinic will typically go over the different abortion procedures that may be available. These can include both the abortion pill and surgical abortion, depending on the stage of your pregnancy.
At Ivy Women’s Center, we believe it is important to understand that each option has its own risks and recovery time. A thorough discussion with a healthcare provider is necessary to make the best decision for your health and well-being. That’s why we offer consultations where you can learn more about all of your options in a safe, supportive environment.
- Understanding Risks and Considerations
No matter which option you are considering, it’s important to understand the potential risks and side effects. Clinics are required to give patients this information before proceeding. While abortion services are typically safe, there can be physical and emotional aspects to consider. Discussing these risks ahead of time can help you feel more prepared.
At Ivy Women’s Center, we help ensure that you understand not just the procedures, but also the emotional and mental well-being aspects of your decision. Our team is here to answer your questions and provide guidance in a non-judgmental way.
- Post-Abortion Ultrasound
Many clinics may recommend getting an ultrasound post-procedure to ensure the abortion was complete. This may result in an additional charge but as part of a comprehensive care plan, this is something that the clinic may offer.
At Ivy Women’s Center, we provide limited prenatal ultrasounds to determine gestational age, location, and viability of the pregnancy. Post-abortive ultrasounds are not offered at Ivy due to the possibility of retained products of abortion in the uterus. This could require an emergency surgery and Ivy is not a licensed surgical center.
- Healing After the Abortion
As some women may experience emotional effects after their procedure, effective post-abortive support can be essential to help those affected work through their emotions and move forward in a healthy way.
At Ivy Women’s Center, we understand that not all women experience emotional struggles after an abortion—but some do. If that’s you, you’re not alone. If you need someone to talk with and help you process those emotions, give us a call. Ivy provides compassionate, non-judgmental peer support for those struggling after an abortion.
Empower Your Decision-Making at Ivy Women’s Center
Providing Compassionate, Non-Judgmental Support
At Ivy Women’s Center in Mentor, we understand that making decisions about your reproductive health is deeply personal. While we do not provide abortion services, we specialize in providing a range of compassionate, non-judgmental services for women facing unplanned pregnancies. We offer free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and abortion consultations to ensure that you are fully informed about your options, including abortion. Our center is located in Lake County, but we serve women from across Northeast Ohio.
If you’re seeking more information or support in understanding your options, including the abortion pill, surgical abortion, or any other reproductive health services, Ivy Women’s Center is here for you. We provide confidential consultations and personalized care, focusing on your health and well-being.