Abortion

Plan C: What is it?

What is Plan C?

COVID-19 changed a lot of things for a lot of people. In a season where many things have gone virtual, you may be finding yourself with questions about telemedicine, TelAbortion, and access to the abortion pill without having to see a doctor. You may have head of Plan C, but are wondering what it means?

If you have been searching for abortion options online, you may have stumbled upon Plan C. Plan C, founded in 2015, is a campaign to ensure everyone knows about abortion pills. What they are, how they’re used, and how people are accessing them in the US for a safe self-managed abortion.

Ordering abortion pills online may seem like a convenient and safe way to end your pregnancy. However taking abortion pills, or any drug, without a health professional’s oversight poses serious risks to your health now and in the future.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only approves the abortion pill (which is made up of two different drugs: mifeprex and misoprostol) when prescribed and dispensed by health care professionals. They also warn people not to order these drugs over the internet. Online abortion pills bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health. Abortion pills have special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. When ordering online, proper assessment for the safety of this drug can not occur.

The abortion pill or non-surgical (medical) abortion is an abortion method approved by the FDA for pregnancies up to 70 days after the last menstrual period. Without a confirmed ultrasound to determine the age of baby, the risk of taking the abortion pill past this recommended date could occur.

What to Do?

If considering an abortion, we highly encourage you to do your research. Find a place where you can get a lab confirmed pregnancy test and ultrasound to confirm pregnancy before deciding whether or not take the abortion pill.

At First Care Pregnancy Center, we do not provide nor refer for abortions. We do offer free and confidential pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. If this is something you would like before deciding to have an abortion, please give us a call!

Our Sources

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information

https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wrtk/handbook.html

https://plancpills.org/about

Learn More

When Abortion Feels Like the Only Option

Finding out you’re pregnant can be overwhelming and scary, especially if having a baby wasn’t part of your plan right now. With the current uncertainty with COVID-19, even more complexity has been added to becoming pregnant. We have talked with many pregnant women who have felt alone, scared, and confused, uncertain of what to do with the idea of being pregnant and abortion feels like the only option.

If your pregnancy was unexpected you might be thinking “How am I going to make this work?” For many people, an abortion seems like an easy way to erase or undo the situation they are currently finding themselves in. While abortion may seem like an easy fix, abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For many women, it is a life-changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Most women who have had an abortion say they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion and its risks.

Your Options

Abortion: Did You Know?

An average abortion costs anywhere between $0-1,000 depending on the type of abortion and medical insurance. Depending on the gestational age of the baby, a non-surgical or surgical abortion may be performed. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cramping and vaginal bleeding are expected side effects. In some cases, very heavy vaginal bleeding will need to be stopped by a surgical procedure, which has to be performed in a healthcare provider’s office.

Other common side effects of a medical abortion include nausea, weakness, fever, chills, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness in the first day or two after taking the two medicines. For surgical abortions, possible complications include heavy bleeding (hemorrhage), infections, and incomplete abortions. In addition to physical complications, emotional side effects of abortion may be experienced as well. Long-term grief and loss is common with those who have had abortions, and support is essential during that time.

So what other options are there to consider?

Parenting: Support is Available

If you are considering parenting, you probably have a lot of questions. It is natural to feel some uncertainty as you try to imagine your life in a new way, and depending on where you are in life, you might be feeling overwhelmed as you try to figure out how you would parent. While being a parent is both challenging and rewarding, choosing to continue your pregnancy enables you to experience a baby growing inside of you all the way to the baby gradually developing unique characteristics, interests, and personalities. Having a baby is a lifelong commitment that takes love and patience. Take time to really consider what parenting would look like for you.

You don’t need to feel alone. Our professional staff at First Care are here to work with you to provide the resources and support you need to create a successful parenting plan. We offer support such as a parenting program (up to age 5), baby items such as diapers, wipes, and clothing, prenatal education classes, community resources, and grant and aid assistance. We desire to help you to make an informed decision and provide support should you decide to parent.

Adoption: Make a Plan Right for You

Adoption, just like parenting and abortion, is a significant, life-changing decision. Placing a child for adoption is a courageous and loving decision and perhaps making an adoption plan is an option you want to consider. There is a wide range of adoption options available, from closed adoptions to open adoptions and we encourage you meet with our staff and learn about adoption so you can make an informed decision.

If you are worried about the medical expenses related to continuing with your pregnancy, it is important to know that adoptive families or adoption agencies will usually assist with medical and living expenses. You can select the adoptive family based on your preferences, and you also decide what level of involvement you will have in your child’s life. You can choose whether the adoption is open, closed, or somewhere in between — based on your level of comfort and future plans.

If you’re thinking about adoption, we would love to connect and help guide you in this decision.

It is natural to be scared or hesitant about pregnancy, especially when you weren’t expecting it to happen yet. But we encourage you to take time to talk about your decision with your family and friends and consider all of your options before deciding on a plan.

If you want to talk about your situation and learn more about your options, contact our staff today.

 

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex

https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wrtk/handbook.html

Learn More

Plan B: Is It Abortion?

Thinking you might be pregnant when you aren’t ready for a baby may have you considering Plan B, or the Morning After Pill, as an emergency contraceptive. If you’re wondering about the ethical complications of Plan B, wondering if it is abortion, or want to know more about how it works, you’ve come to the right place.

A study from Princeton University says this about emergency contraceptives, like Plan B:

To make an informed choice, women must know that [emergency contraceptives] … prevent pregnancy primarily by delaying or inhibiting ovulation and inhibiting fertilization, but it is not scientifically possible to definitively rule out that any of these methods, including breastfeeding, may inhibit implantation of a fertilized egg in the endometrium. At the same time, however, all women should be informed that the best available evidence is that the ability of levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate ECPs to prevent pregnancy can be fully accounted for by mechanisms that do not involve interference with post-fertilization events.

If you’re unsure what that means, that’s okay! This article will break it down for you. We want to explain what Plan B is and how it works, so you can make an informed decision about your possible pregnancy. Let’s get started!

What is Plan B?

Plan B is one type of emergency contraceptive. Women typically use Plan B after unprotected sex or after the failed attempts of another birth control method: a condom breaks, a dosage of birth control gets missed, etc.

Plan B is available over-the-counter in most drugstores. A prescription is not required, and anyone of any age can buy it in-store or online. It typically costs $15 to $50, depending on the brand and where you buy it from.

How Does Plan B work?

How Plan B works is dependent on when a woman takes it. Therefore, before explaining how Plan B works, it’s important to understand a few key terms within a woman’s monthly cycle: ovulation, fertilization, and implantation.

• Ovulation occurs during the midpoint of a woman’s cycle when an egg gets released from her ovaries.
• Fertilization occurs after intercourse when a sperm enters a woman’s released egg. This is also called “conception.”
• Implantation occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall.

Research suggests that Plan B primarily interferes with the ovulation stage of pregnancy. Plan B does this by containing a high dosage of levonorgestrel, a hormone that essentially mimics progesterone. Progesterone is naturally produced in a woman’s body and gets released after ovulation to thicken the wall of the uterine lining to prepare for a fertilized egg and also maintain a pregnancy. If there is no fertilized egg, progesterone levels drop and your period begins.

Progesterone is found in both Plan B and birth control pills. However, Plan B is less effective when used routinely, and it should not be relied upon as a primary form of birth control. Plan B also contains a high concentration of levonorgestrel, which can lead to negative or acute side effects.

What About Ella? Is It The Same as Plan B?

Not exactly. Ella is another brand of emergency contraception that contains ulipristal acetate. Ella is only available by prescription, and it is recommended to take only once during a menstrual cycle. There have not been adequate studies to know if ulipristal acetate is safe or effective to take several times during a cycle. Taking Ella alongside Plan B can cancel the effectiveness of both.

Research says that the primary function of Plan B (levonorgestrel) is to interfere with ovulation, which can prevent fertilization. If a woman has unprotected sex after ovulation and takes Plan B, studies show that taking Plan B doesn’t lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant.

Similarly, Ella (ulipristal acetate) interferes with ovulation, and studies have indicated that it can alter the endometrium, or the uterine lining. It’s inconclusive if this could prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. However, studies agree that neither emergency contraceptive will terminate an established, active pregnancy.

Here’s a quick comparison chart to show you the differences between Plan B and Ella.

	Plan B / Levonorgestrel	Ella / Ulipristal Acetate
Offered Over-the-Counter	Yes	No
Prescription Required	No	Yes
Delays Ovulation	No	Possibly
Prevents Ovulation	Yes	Yes
Impairs Sperm Function	Possibly, at higher dosages	No
Compromises Uterine Lining	Possibly	Possibly
Inhibits Fertilization	Possibly	Possibly
Affects Implantation	No	Possibly
Interferes with Post-Fertilization	No	No
Terminates Active Pregnancy	No	No

(Source: Study from Princeton University in 2019)

How Effective Is Plan B?

If taken within the recommended 72 hours (three days) of unprotected sex, Plan B has a 56% to 89% chance of preventing pregnancy. Again, this is dependent on when a woman takes the pill during her cycle, and at what point after unprotected sex she takes the pill. If she takes Plan B after ovulation or after the recommended time frame, she will likely experience a similar pregnancy rate than if she didn’t take emergency contraception in the first place. Some studies also indicate that Plan B may not work as effectively in women who are overweight.

Experts say that Plan B does not stop an active pregnancy, and the side effects it may have on an unborn baby are not well researched. For these reasons, a woman should not take Plan B if she suspects she is already pregnant.

What are Side Effects of Plan B / Levonorgestrel?

If a woman decides to take Plan B, here is a list of side effects she should be aware of. Common side effects of taking Plan B include:

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Depression
• Abdominal Pain
• Breast Tenderness
• Spotting
• Cycle Changes (including heavy bleeding or timing irregularities)

These side effects usually last a few days. When it comes to cycle changes, her period may come sooner, later, last longer than expected, or she may bleed heavier than usual. If a woman’s period is a week or more late, she should take a pregnancy test.

Because the hormonal dosage in Plan B is much higher than what most women experience, some who have taken it experience severe side effects. Rare side effects can include:

• Vision changes
• Migraines
• Stroke
• Breast cancer
• Ectopic pregnancy

If a woman experiences severe effects from taking Plan B, she should seek professional medical assistance immediately.

Need Help Making the Right Decision?

If you would like support in making a decision about your unplanned pregnancy, we have friendly and trained staff who would love to speak with you about your options, judgement free. Feel free to call or text us at (612) 712-6113. You can also schedule a visit at one of our pregnancy centers in Minneapolis, Richfield, Rochester, or Saint Paul for a free consultation.

Like a non-judgemental friend, we are here for you! We will always have your best interest in mind as we help you sort through the pros and cons of your options. All our services are free and confidential for your benefit.

Learn More

What Does Abortion Cost in Minnesota?

Are you considering abortion as an option? Below you will find information on abortion costs and the different types of procedures in Minnesota.

If you are undecided about a plan for your pregnancy and you would like extra support, consider Options Counseling with one of our staff.

We always recommend taking time to get all the information about your options so you can make a well-informed decision about your pregnancy and your future.

Factors that Affect Abortion Cost:

• Stage of pregnancy. This means how far along you are in the pregnancy and how developed the baby is. This is best determined by having an ultrasound. Abortion clinics charge a fee for the ultrasound. Some pregnancy centers, like First Care, offer free ultrasounds.
• Insurance. Private insurances may cover the cost of an abortion. Many states do not cover abortion under Medicaid plans.
• Your state’s abortion laws. For instance, Minnesota has enacted the “Women’s Right To Know” informed consent law requiring that at least 24 hours before an abortion takes place, a woman must receive information about the medical risks associated with the abortion procedure, the gestational age of the unborn child, and the medical assistance benefits and child support payments available to her.

Minnesota Abortion Costs

In the state of Minnesota there are four different abortion procedures:

1. A Medication Abortion (or the Abortion Pill): within 10 weeks of gestation
2. Suction Aspiration/ Vacuum Abortion: 6-12 weeks gestation
3. Dilation and Curettage: 13-16 weeks gestation
4. Dilation and Evacuation: 17-21 weeks gestation*

*After 21 weeks you are unable to legally get an abortion in the state of Minnesota.

The cost of each abortion procedure varies and can have a range in price depending on which clinic/provider you see. Below is the typical range for abortion costs in Minnesota (without insurance).

Abortion Pill	Vacuum Abortion	Dilation and Curettage Abortion	Dilation and Evacuation Abortion
$350-$675	$600-$1000	$850-$2550	$1500-$2550

 

Please also be aware that the FDA highly discourages buying or procuring abortion medications online. Drugs from unknown sources can be dangerous and ineffective.

Women who receive one abortion procedure may also find that they’ll need another procedure for successful termination.

Explore Your Options at First Care

It is good to take time to think about your options. At our First Care centers we offer a variety of pregnancy related services for free to help you navigate your pregnancy journey and take time to explore your options.

While we do not provide or refer for abortion, our services are all free of charge and are a good first step if you are facing an unplanned pregnancy. Our medical staff can run a free pregnancy test for you—even if you’ve taken one at home.

If you are considering abortion, our sonographers can provide a free limited ultrasound to determine how far along you are and if your pregnancy is viable. In some cases, women experience miscarriages before they even have an abortion.

If you would like more information on our services or you would like to talk with one of our staff, connect with a location nearest to you or schedule an appointment online.

Learn More

If I Choose Abortion, How Will the Decision Impact Me Now and in the Future?

While the gift of time is priceless when making a big decision, it’s also important to consider the various outcomes to the “forever” decisions you are considering making. Be informed and think through all possible outcomes before coming to a decision about abortion. Look at all the details of how this decision could impact you not just today, but a week, year or even 20+ years from now.

Ask Yourself, How Long Will This Crisis Last? Look at Each Possible Outcome.

For example, a woman learns she is pregnant and just started college. The initial thought may be, “How could I go to school and care for a baby?” Abortion may sound like a simple answer. After all, you know women who have had abortions and they seem fine. Life will go on. While life does go on, that’s not the whole picture.

Emotional Risks

The truth is, abortion related PTSS (post traumatic stress syndrome) is real and affects a large number of women with symptoms often manifesting years after the abortion.

Emotional symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Guilt
• Grief
• Shame
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low Self-Esteem
• Relationship Issues
• Intimacy Issues
• Thoughts of Self Harm
• Anger Toward Self and Others
• Fear

Physical Risks

There are medical risks* of having an abortion to consider:

• Incomplete Abortion
• Blood Clots in the Uterus
• Heavy Bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Cut or Torn Cervix
• Perforation of the Uterus Wall
• Anesthesia Related Complications
• Painful Cramping

There are also long-term consequences to abortion often not talked about. Many women struggle with infertility, have increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, or struggle with new or increased substance or alcohol abuse.

It’s Important To Have All the Facts When Making a “Forever” Decision.

Now let’s look at the example situation again, you’re in college, pregnant and feel abortion is your only option. Use that gift of time to really think through all options to this forever decision. The crisis you may find yourself in today, may look much more manageable tomorrow. Abortion is a forever decision, one we cannot undo.

Learn From Others

As you make a decision, also consider talking with someone who has experienced abortion and can provide an honest assessment of their experience. At First Care we are happy to put you in touch with our staff or others who have experienced abortion and can answer some of your questions.

Some of the women who have come through our post-abortion healing program have shared their stories with us, including the following thoughts about their abortion decision:

“I wish with all my being, I could take back what I did.”

“They all said I would be okay after…but I’m not.”

“20 years later, I still struggle with great depression and grief.”

“I feel selfish…I feel stupid for getting pregnant in the first place…Before this I never believed in abortion… I have let myself and my family down…”

“After the abortion, I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself.”

“I felt like a monster for killing my child.”

“Looking back at the situation, I could have had my baby and been okay.”

Find Support

If you are worried about how carrying a pregnancy may impact your future goals and plans for your life, we have staff available to help you talk through those concerns. We also have a variety of resources we can help connect you with as well.

We won’t tell you what to do or not do.

We won’t pressure you.

We will provide a place for you to process and think through the impact of your pregnancy decision now and in the future so you can make a well informed decision that you’ll feel positive about today and in the future.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule an appointment for Options Counseling to talk with someone about your options.

 

*taken from “If You are Pregnant” from the Minnesota Department of Health

Learn More

4 Things to Consider Before Scheduling an Abortion

If you are pregnant and are considering abortion, here are four things to consider before making any decision for your pregnancy.

#1: Am I Actually Pregnant?

In the pregnancy center world, “viable” means that baby is implanted in the uterus and there is a heartbeat. Approximately 8-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage according to Mayo Clinic. It is important to make sure your pregnancy is viable so you don’t have to go through the unnecessary medical procedure of having an abortion.

Here at First Care we offer free lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to help you confirm you have a viable pregnancy and determine how far along you are.

#2: What Types of Procedures are Available to Me and What are the Associated Risks?

There are different abortion procedures available depending on how far along you are. Take time to understand the medical procedures and potential risks involved. We recommend that everyone considering abortion read through the Minnesota Department of Health booklet which provides unbiased and factual information on abortion procedures and the potential risks.

#3: How Could an Abortion Impact My Future?

Many women say they experience a deep emotional impact after abortion. For some, feelings of regret or grief come right away. For others, these or other feelings come later in life; during a subsequent pregnancy, or after they have raised their children and are in a new stage of life.

No matter when these emotions impact a woman, it can be difficult to come to terms with the finality that comes with abortion. For many women, it’s not as they hoped; life doesn’t go back to the way it was before the abortion. It is important to think through the long-term effects an abortion could have on your life today and 5, 10 and 20 years from now.

#4: Have I Considered All My Options?

You have three choices when experiencing an unplanned pregnancy: have an abortion, place for adoption, or parent. All options are life changing choices that only you can make. Take time and make an informed decision. Whatever decision you make now will impact your future. Whatever advice you’ve been given, you owe it to yourself and your future to stop and give yourself time to process.

First Care offers free pregnancy options counseling. We will listen to your fears, dreams and uncertainty. You will gain a better understanding of your options and get the support you deserve.

Remember you are not alone!

Whether you choose abortion, parenting or adoption, it is a forever decision that will change your life. We are here to support you as you take that next step. Schedule an appointment to talk with someone today.

Learn More

Reasons You May Be Considering Abortion

What are the Reasons Abortion Seems Like the Best Option for Me?

Often in life when we encounter something unexpected our first thought is, “How am I going to make this work?” At First Care, we realize that same reaction applies to an unplanned pregnancy. We recognize an unplanned pregnancy comes with a range of emotions including: shock, emotional numbness, disappointment, fear, anxiety or stress.

When all of these thoughts and feelings get mixed up together, we may look for an escape; a way to erase or undo the situation we find ourselves in. For some women, abortion feels like the only option due to their life circumstances.

Do Any of These Reasons Apply To Your Situation?

• You feel like you do not have everything in order the way you imagined before having children
• You might already have children and adding another child feels too overwhelming
• You may feel like things are too tight financially to have a child
• You may not have adequate housing
• You may be temporarily without a job
• You may want to finish school and believe having a baby would get in the way of your goals
• You feel like you do not have enough support from the baby’s father or your parents/other family members

If you are dealing with even one of the reasons listed above, it’s understandable why abortion may feel like the only way forward. But it’s important to allow yourself time to make a well-informed decision. Put your decision making in perspective.

Honestly Ask Yourself a Few Key Questions That Will Help You Identify Why Abortion Seems Like the Best Way Forward and Help Bring Clarity to Your Decision Making Process:

1. Why do I feel abortion is the best option for me?
2. Would I consider a different option if my circumstances were different?
3. What problem(s) am I hoping abortion will solve?
4. Would I feel differently about this decision 5 years from now? 10 years from now?
5. What concerns do I have about continuing the pregnancy?
6. Have I thoroughly explored all of my options – including adoption and parenting – and know what resources are available to me?

If your circumstances are the primary reason you are considering abortion, know that circumstances can change. Also know there are a variety of community resources and organizations designed to support moms in our community (including our programs here at First Care Pregnancy Center).

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule an appointment today to meet with one of our staff for Options Counseling to process your decision in a confidential and nonjudgmental environment.

Learn More

Men: You Have a Choice too

Learn More