Author: Austin Choose Life

Will Insurance Cover The Abortion Cost?

Before panicking over the abortion cost, let’s look at what your options are. Just the thought of your girlfriend saying, “I think I’m pregnant” causes panic. Pregnant? It’s impossible to even imagine, but if you recently had unprotected (or maybe even protected) sex and her period is late, she could be pregnant. 

Free Pregnancy Testing

You need to know a lot more than a positive result on a pregnancy test. Did she take the test correctly? Was it taken at the right time?

Start out with free lab-quality pregnancy testing at First Care Pregnancy Center. Our tests are 99% accurate and will verify the result of her at-home test. 

Free Ultrasounds

A verified positive result on a pregnancy test is just the beginning whether you’re considering abortion or parenting. For either option, she needs to know how far along her pregnancy is. 

Plus, there’s the possibility she’s already miscarried. The Mayo Clinic says up to 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. She could be getting positive results on pregnancy tests and no longer be pregnant. You need to find out if the pregnancy is viable (growing).

It’s also important to find out where the pregnancy is located. Although rare, sometimes pregnancy can form outside of the uterus which is extremely dangerous. 

Abortion in Minnesota

In Minnesota, a patient must receive state-directed abortion counseling and then wait 24 hours before the procedure is provided. The parents of a minor must be notified before an abortion is provided, and the abortion can only be performed at or after viability if the patient’s life or health is endangered.

Abortion cost in Minnesota

The following are average costs and not necessarily particular to any one clinic.

Medication Abortion (11 weeks or less) $700

In-Clinic Suction Abortion (12-13 weeks) $745

In-Clinic Suction Abortion (14 weeks) $845

In-Clinic Suction Abortion (15 weeks) $945

Paying for the abortion

Insurance policies only cover the abortion cost for you or another person who is legally married to you or a dependent child. Insurance rules change from state to state and from insurance company to company. 

Some insurance companies may cover the cost of an abortion. She can contact her insurance provider to verify coverage. She also needs to take her insurance information with her at the time of her appointment.

You have options

Abortion isn’t the only answer. When you come to First Care Pregnancy Center for her pregnancy testing and ultrasound, ask to speak with an options consultant. Walk into any one of our four locations or book your appointment online.

The fact that you are hoping to help her during this time is a great beginning. She will be glad to have you by her side. Let us help you, contact us today.

Top 5 Most Common STIs

All your life you’ve been encouraged to stay healthy. Maybe your Mom lectured you about not wearing a coat in the winter, or a friend suggested you get more sleep. Your health is vital to everything you do. That includes your sexual health too.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are extremely common. Almost half of all STIs occur in people younger than 25 years old. Exposure to an STI can occur any time you have sexual contact with anyone that involves the genitals, the mouth (oral), or the rectum (anal). Exposure is more likely if you have more than one sex partner or you don’t use condoms correctly.

Determining if You Have an STI

There is a wide variety of STIs with different types of symptoms. Common STI symptoms can include burning pain when you urinate, or itching, and sores on the genitals. But, some people don’t experience any symptoms at all until much later. It’s not uncommon to pass an STI to a sexual partner without even knowing you have one. 

Most STIs can be treated and cured. If left untreated, some can lead to serious health issues like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), eye inflammation, arthritis, heart disease, and even infertility. This is why it’s so important to be tested at least once a year and more frequently if you have different sexual partners. 

5 Most Common STIs

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are about 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) per year, with about half occurring in young people ages 15 to 24. Here’s a list of common STIs:

• Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an infection caused by bacteria with few outward symptoms. In most cases, it’s spread through sexual contact. It’s treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility.

• Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact. It’s found most often in the genital area, but it can also infect other areas of the body, such as the rectum or throat. Most people with gonorrhea have symptoms within a few days after infection.

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) / Genital Warts

Genital warts are skin growths on or around the genitals or anus. They are caused by a virus that’s spread by sexual contact. Some types can lead to cervical cancer. Other types may cause cancer of the genitals, mouth, and throat. There are usually no initial signs or symptoms of HPV infections.     

• Herpes   

Herpes can cause skin blisters and sores in the genital area but often causes no visible symptoms. It is commonly associated with cold sores or fever blisters (oral herpes), but also genital or anal sores. Herpes can also affect the developing fetus in a pregnant woman, especially if the woman becomes infected during the first trimester.

• Syphilis

Syphilis is an infection spread through sex. The most common symptom is a painless sore on the genitals, rectal area, or mouth. Later symptoms may include a rash, hair loss, and flu-like symptoms. It’s simple to cure but left untreated, it can affect the heart and brain.

Pregnancy and Abortion

Pregnant women can spread STIs to their babies. Health consequences include low birth weight, eye infection, pneumonia, blood infection, brain damage, blindness, deafness, lack of coordination, hepatitis, meningitis, chronic liver disease, and stillbirth.

We’re Your Next Best Step

If you believe you may be pregnant or have an STI, contact First Care Pregnancy Center for free and confidential health services. For a suspected STI, a nurse will oversee sample collection for testing, which may include a urine sample, blood draw, and swabs on the throat, vagina, and/or rectum, as indicated. 

We are here to help you because we care about you and your sexual health. Our center is judgment-free and you are always welcome!

Top 7 Pregnancy Symptoms

Not knowing whether or not you’re pregnant can lead to extreme feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.

As you wait until it’s time to take a pregnancy test, there are a few physical symptoms of pregnancy to be on the lookout for that might provide you with insight.

     1. A Missed Period 

A missed period is often the first physical sign women notice in early pregnancy as pregnant women typically do not ovulate or have periods. Those who are attentive to their cycles and have regular monthly periods may want to pay particular attention to this sign as an indication of pregnancy. 

     2. Nausea

Pregnancy-related nausea, also often referred to as “morning sickness,” occurs in early pregnancy due to an influx of hormones as the pregnancy develops. Thankfully, this pregnancy symptom usually disappears in the second or third trimester.

     3. Spotting and Cramping

Many women experience light spotting early on in pregnancy as the embryo attaches to the uterine lining, also referred to as implantation bleeding. Additionally, women experience cramping similar to period cramps.

     4. Exhaustion

Pregnancy-related fatigue is to be expected as your body produces progesterone to support your growing pregnancy. If you’re planning on carrying your pregnancy, it’s important to give your body the rest it needs during this time.

     5. Changes in Nipples

Pregnancy hormones can lead to a change in the appearance and texture of the nipples. This can be accompanied by discomfort and itching sensations.

     6. Tender Breasts

While many women experience breast tenderness around their ovulation or periods, pregnancy can bring about a more acute tenderness and can also be accompanied by swelling. Not to worry — this is a typical symptom of early pregnancy. 

     7. New Food Cravings and Aversions

An influx of hormones can bring about a variety of strange cravings and aversions. If you are pregnant, you may find your body craving new things and developing aversions to new food or smells. 

Schedule an Appointment

It’s important to note that while these symptoms can indicate pregnancy, they can also be related to other health conditions and hormonal changes. To confirm your pregnancy through lab-quality pregnancy testing, schedule your free appointment at First Care Pregnancy Center today! 

What is the Abortion Pill?

No woman dreams of getting an abortion, but if you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may feel like it’s your only option.

If you’re considering terminating your pregnancy using the abortion pill, it’s important to take time to learn about the medications used, when you may be eligible for the procedure, and what to expect after you’ve taken the pills.

What is the Abortion Pill and How Does it Work to End a Pregnancy? 

The abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, is a chemical procedure that utilizes two drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprostol. 

The first pill, Mifepristone, is administered to end the body’s natural production of the pregnancy hormone called progesterone. Progesterone provides the pregnancy with nourishment and support and without it, the pregnancy will end.

Once the pregnancy ends, Misoprostol is used to force contractions, which will push the pregnancy tissue from the body.

Who is Eligible for the Abortion Pill?

In order for the pill to be effective, it must be taken within the first 70 days of pregnancy.

After that point, your pregnancy may be too developed and this could lead to an incomplete abortion and retained fetal tissue, which may require an emergency surgical abortion procedure.

Before you schedule an appointment for an abortion, it’s vital to confirm the gestational age of your pregnancy through an ultrasound scan. Your ultrasound scan will tell you how far along you are, where your pregnancy is located, and whether there are any health concerns that need to be addressed, such as an ectopic pregnancy.

First Care Pregnancy Center provides ultrasound scans, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment, community referrals, and more! 

Where Does a Medical Abortion Take Place?

Mifepristone is typically administered at a doctor’s office or abortion provider location; however, Misoprostol, the second medication, is taken at home between 24-48 hours later. This means that the pregnancy is typically expelled at home. 

Does the Abortion Pill Have Side Effects? 

Yes — it is normal to experience side effects when taking the abortion pill. 

The abortion pill process involves bleeding and cramping as the body contracts and expels the pregnancy tissue. In fact, it may be cause for concern if the pill does not cause bleeding and cramping, as this can mean the pregnancy is not properly exiting the uterus.

Additionally, women also experience side effects such as vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, fever, chills, diarrhea, weakness, and fatigue.

Does the Abortion Pill Come With Severe Health Risks?

Yes — the abortion pill can be associated with severe health risks, including sepsis, infection, and hemorrhaging.

Is the Abortion Pill Right for Me? 

Deciding what to do regarding an unplanned pregnancy can be a difficult process. In order to know if the abortion pill is right for you and avoid potential health risks, we recommend scheduling a free appointment to learn more about all your options.

First Care Pregnancy Center provides free pregnancy testing, ultrasound scans, and STD testing and treatment to confirm your pregnancy, assess your eligibility for the abortion pill, and determine if you are at risk for serious health complications.

We also provide free options counseling where we will provide you with unbiased information on all of your options and the many community resources available to you during this time.

As you make a choice for your pregnancy, the more information you have, the better! The staff at First Care Pregnancy Center is here to help you navigate this difficult decision and make the choice that’s best for you and your future.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule your free appointment today! 

What’s the Difference Between Plan B and the Abortion Pill?

Are you experiencing some early pregnancy symptoms? A late period, tender breasts, and nausea can all be signs. If your pregnancy was totally unexpected, you may be thinking about either Plan B or the abortion pill. Is there a difference?

Plan B vs. the Abortion Pill

Plan B

Plan B is also known as the “morning-after” pill. It is considered an emergency contraceptive, but should never be used as a regular form of contraception. Plan B works to delay or prevent ovulation and fertilization. However, it’s not effective if an egg has already been fertilized.  

According to the National Institute of Health, the morning-after pill doesn’t stop pregnancy if it’s taken on the day of ovulation or after ovulation. Since the actual date of ovulation is difficult to determine, there’s no guarantee that Plan B will work.

Plan B may not be effective if you’re overweight or obese, allergic to any of its ingredients or taking certain other medications.

Abortion Pill

The abortion pill is a medication method of abortion. It isn’t just one pill. The process actually uses two very powerful drugs, mifepristone, and misoprostol. The first drug, mifepristone, works to block a hormone called progesterone. This drug causes the uterine lining to thin and prevents the embryo from implanting and growing.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina. This abortion method can only be used up to the 10th week of pregnancy. 

Side Effects of Both

Side Effects for Plan B Include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
• Lower abdominal pain or cramps

Side Effects for the Abortion Pill:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

How We Can Help You

If you suspect you are unexpectedly pregnant, First Care Pregnancy Center is your best first step. We provide free lab-quality urine pregnancy testing that is 99% accurate. If the test is positive, First Care provides free limited ultrasounds to help you confirm a viable pregnancy, detect a fetal heartbeat, and estimate how far along you are based on fetal measurements.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule your appointment at one of our four locations today.