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I’m Afraid of How My Partner Will React to My Unplanned Pregnancy

Discovering an unplanned pregnancy is overwhelming and, sometimes, frightening. Knowing you have to share the news with someone whose response is unpredictable is even scarier. While sharing difficult news can be nerve-wracking, we have some ideas that may make breaking the news a little easier.

First, Have You Verified Your Pregnancy?

At First Care, we provide free and confidential lab-quality pregnancy testing. These tests are over 99% accurate 7-10 days after conception and can give you reliable results. If your test is positive, we can schedule you for a free limited ultrasound.

A pregnancy test only indicates a possible pregnancy, but an ultrasound confirms if your pregnancy is viable (growing), where the pregnancy is located, and how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Now’s the time to also review your pregnancy options. The more information you have, the better you will feel about telling your partner.

How Do I Tell My Partner?

Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you’ll have the information to feel more confident when sharing with others. Remember, you are not obligated to tell your partner. Although complete honesty is often the best course of action, if you are fearful for your safety, you do not need to inform him.

Suggestions for Telling Your Partner About Your Pregnancy

If you want to tell your partner, here are a few suggestions for breaking the news:

• Meet in a public place to have your discussion.
• Take a trusted friend or family member with you.
• Let your partner know you have verified your pregnancy.
• Let them know your three options.
• Do not let them dictate which option you choose.
• Try to remain calm as you talk

If you feel unsafe talking to your partner, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233). You can also call the 24/7 MN Day One hotline at (866) 223-1111 or text them at (612) 399-9995.

You’re Not Alone

We are here for you. If you are anxious about informing your partner about your pregnancy, talk with us first. We offer free pregnancy services, resources, and referrals as well as compassionate support.

Set up a free and confidential appointment with a caring team member at your nearest First Care location. We can confirm your pregnancy and discuss your goals to determine your best course of action.

You do not have to face this alone. Schedule an appointment today.a

What Can I Do if I’m Afraid of Giving Birth?

Maybe you’re considering parenting or adoption, but the thought of birth feels like too much for you. We completely understand your concerns.

Before we share some action steps, here are a few facts to keep in mind:

• Birth is a common experience; women have given birth to every human on earth.
• Birth is a natural process that your body knows how to do.
• Birth leads to the delivery of a child, which makes the experience worth it.

While those facts might not alleviate fears, they add helpful perspective as you prepare.

Here are some steps you can take if you want to choose parenting or adoption but feel hesitant about labor and birth.

1. Educate Yourself

Often, fear comes from the unknown. By educating yourself on labor or birth, taking classes, or reading an informative book, you will understand the stages and what to expect.

2. Explore Pain Management Options

There are many pain management options available. You may decide you want an epidural, which is an injection to provide pain relief, or a total lack of feeling in an area temporarily.

Or, you may opt for a natural birth or birth with other pain management options. You have choices and can work with your care team to pick the right one for you.

3. Exercise Regularly

Healthy lifestyle factors like exercise can make birth easier.

According to a research study, regular exercise can help reduce the risk of cesarean delivery (C-sections) in those giving birth for the first time.

Certain exercises like squats can help your muscles prepare for squatting during labor.*

*Consult with your doctor before performing exercises during pregnancy.

4. Create a Birth Plan

Creating a birth plan is one of the best ways to prepare for labor and birth. A birth plan outlines your preferences and informs your care team.

While birth might not go to plan and medical interventions may be necessary, it can help you feel more at ease to have a plan in place.

5. Ask Questions in a Safe Space

First Care offers a safe space to ask questions and equips you for the road ahead.

Join us for our six-session birth class to prepare with other pregnant women. You will be able to experience community and learn along the way.

Contact us today for more information on how First Care can support you during this time.

When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

If you have recently had unprotected sex and are experiencing a missed period, then probably the first concern is that you’re pregnant. However, there is a bit of calculation involved to help you determine when the pregnancy test is likely to be more accurate (you can test too early). It’s best to wait a week after your missed period. 

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work? 

After the egg is fertilized, it then travels into the uterus where it implants itself. At this stage of the pregnancy, small amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone found only in pregnant women, begin to appear in your blood and urine. 

It is this hormone that pregnancy tests are designed to detect, although some women experience this during their period. 

Blood vs. Urine Pregnancy Tests

Urine Tests

Urine pregnancy tests are the most commonly used type of pregnancy test. Some urine tests can detect hCG as early as a week after a missed period. When the pregnancy is very early, many women like to use an at-home urine pregnancy test before scheduling one with their doctor. When used correctly, some tests boast up to 99% accuracy. 

Blood Tests

While blood pregnancy tests are used at a doctor’s office, they do offer insights that urine pregnancy tests cannot offer, such as whether or not it is an ectopic pregnancy (located outside the womb). They can also detect pregnancy earlier than a urine test (6-8 days after ovulation).  

Confirming Your Pregnancy

At First Care , we offer no-cost pregnancy tests as well as a no-cost ultrasound if you’re already taken a verified positive pregnancy test. Ultrasound confirms the stage of your pregnancy as well as alerts you to any possible risks or complications (like ectopic pregnancy). Schedule one today and we will be glad to help offer support and answer any questions you have about this process!

What Are the Risks of Abortion?

Abortion could seem like a simple fix to your unplanned pregnancy – but it comes with many risks including infection, incomplete abortion, damage to the cervix, and many mental effects. Keep reading to learn about all the potential risks of abortion – and become better informed about how abortion works. 

Confirm you’re actually pregnant with lab-quality pregnancy testing and ultrasound at our center today. 

Medical vs. Surgical Abortion Risks: What’s the Difference?

The Risks of Medical Abortion

Medical abortion, often called the abortion pill, involves taking two abortion drugs: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. These drugs work together (within 24-48 hours) to terminate an existing pregnancy and cause the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina. The physical risks of medical abortion are…

• Incomplete abortion – may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing unwanted pregnancy (if the procedure doesn’t work)
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever

The Risks of Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is a procedure that terminates an existing pregnancy by removing the fetus from the uterus. This type of abortion involves dilating the opening to the uterus and inserting a small suction tube. The suction works to remove all parts of the pregnancy from the uterus. The physical risks of surgical abortion are…

• Damage to the womb or cervix
• Uterine perforation 
• Scarring of the inside of the uterus
• Reaction to the medicines or anesthesia (such as problems breathing)
• Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
• Incomplete abortion (requiring another procedure)
• Excessive bleeding

Mental Health Effects of Abortion

Psychotherapist Vincent Rue’s study, “Induced Abortion and Traumatic Stress” shares that
65% of U.S. women experienced multiple symptoms of PTSD, which they attributed to their abortions. 

According to a study done by Professor David Fergusson, many women experienced mental health effects after abortion. Two major findings include:

• Abortion was linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicidal behaviors.
• At age 25, 42% of the women experienced major depression during the previous four years, twice that of other women.

Free Pregnancy Confirmation Services

Whether you’re still going back and forth between pregnancy options or not, pregnancy confirmation is necessary to know how far along you are in your pregnancy (as medical abortion is only available to women up to 10 weeks pregnant). An ultrasound will reveal if you have a healthy and growing pregnancy.

Contact us today to set up your free and confidential pregnancy confirmation appointment. Our compassionate team is here to inform you about all your pregnancy options. Same-day appointments are available!

3 Things to Know If You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

Every woman handles unexpected pregnancy differently. While one might take her time and process her emotions, another might begin searching for options right after a positive pregnancy test. Regardless of how you’re feeling or handling the news, know we can help you.

Some women look to mail-order abortion pills as a quick way to terminate a pregnancy, but this comes with risks. Keep reading to learn the three things you should know if you’re considering mail-order abortion.

Mail-order abortion might not be an option for you

If you live in a state with certain abortion restrictions, mail-order abortion could be illegal and unavailable for you. Thirty-two states require licensed physicians to administer medical abortion (the abortion pill), and nineteen states require the clinician to be physically present when administering the drugs. Those nineteen states do not allow telemedicine for the abortion pill.

Trying to bypass state laws and purchasing the abortion pill online can be dangerous, as not every seller online is legitimate or selling what they claim to sell. Reputable providers and health systems will follow the laws for the states they operate in.

You might not need an abortion

There are a few conditions that can only be determined by an ultrasound. If doing a mail-order abortion without an ultrasound, you could pay money for an unnecessary procedure, only to later find out you need to do something else.

According to Mayo Clinic, about 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. This means, even if your pregnancy test was positive, your pregnancy might not be viable or progressing. If this is the case, you could miscarry on your own, or you might need to seek medical attention. 

Ectopic Pregnancy

The abortion pill will not terminate a pregnancy outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are pregnancies that have implanted outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube. These can be dangerous to your health and should be identified and treated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

You’re Too Far Along

The FDA has only approved the use of the abortion pill up to 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual cycle. If you’re considering mail-order abortion, and haven’t had an ultrasound, you could be farther along than you realize.

You should get tested for STDs before mail-order abortion

The presence of a sexually transmitted disease during an abortion procedure raises the risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) because it can spread the infection from the vagina or cervix further into the uterus. You’ll want to make sure you have STD testing performed prior to any abortion procedures. 

Be Safe and Confident

You owe it to yourself to take the proper safety precautions and think through this life-changing decision before buying mail-order abortion pills. Schedule your free and confidential appointment at First Care Pregnancy Center. We’ll provide free pregnancy testing, an ultrasound, STD testing, and a safe environment to talk through your next steps.

Can You Buy the Abortion Pill Online?

When we are faced with life’s most difficult challenges, we typically respond with emotion and action. We feel burdened and fearful about the challenge, but we also look for ways to overcome our challenges. 

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, it is likely that you are feeling fear about the future. That feeling of fear is normal. Our team exists to offer services that calm your fears. We are always here for you.

In the 21st century, it seems as if everything can be delivered to our doorstep in a short amount of time. As you face this unplanned pregnancy, you may be wondering if the abortion pill can be ordered online, and delivered to your home. 

Surprisingly, buying the abortion pill online is more complicated and riskier than you may think. It comes with significant warnings from medical professionals and is something we do not suggest due to the health risks. It’s incredibly important to know the facts.

What is the abortion pill?

The abortion pill is often thought of being a one-time pill consumption, but this is not the case. The abortion pill as actually two pills, composed of two different drugs that complete the medication abortion. Medication abortion is available through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Mifepristone, the first drug, blocks progesterone, a hormone that causes the lining of the uterus to thin. Thinning prevents the embryo from remaining implanted and growing. 

Misoprostol is the second abortion drug given in a medication abortion. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina.

The first abortion drug is typically taken at a doctor’s office and the second at home 24-48 hours later. A follow-up appointment with a doctor is necessary, a week later, to ensure the abortion is complete (FDA).

Is it safe the buy the abortion pill online?

FDA Regulations

The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has abortion pill regulations to protect the health of all women who are considering abortion. The FDA warns about buying the abortion pill online because it bypasses multiple safeguards created to protect you. 

One of the primary concerns related to ordering the abortion pill online is the reality that the drugs do not have a specified origin or creator. When consuming any drug, it is important to only trust manufacturers and providers that are transparent about ingredients and processes. It is also vital to only trust providers that are transparent about side effects, and many online abortion providers fail to be transparent.

The dosage could also be less or more than the standard abortion pill approved by the FDA. This could be deadly and/or cause an incomplete abortion. Many of the online abortion pill providers are overseas and do not follow FDA guidelines.

When you purchase the abortion pill online, you aren’t able to receive consultation or oversight from a doctor. Due to alarming side effects, a qualified doctor should prescribe these pills.

What should I know about the abortion pill before buying it online?

Risks & side effects of the abortion pill

Potential risks of medication abortion include:

• 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
• Allergic reaction to the medication

Potential side effects of medication abortion include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Ultrasound will provide needed information about your pregnancy

Additionally, it is best medical practice to receive an ultrasound before making a pregnancy decision. An ultrasound reveals where your pregnancy is located, if it is a viable pregnancy, and how far along you are. 

The results of the ultrasound will also bring to your attention any potential health concerns, such as an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. 

The staff at First Care Pregnancy Center promises to treat you with kindness, respect, and genuine care. 

Schedule a no-cost, confidential pregnancy test with an ultrasound at First Care. Our medical staff is here to serve you with the information and services you need to make an educated pregnancy choice. Talk to us today to schedule an appointment.

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.

How Will Having a Baby Impact My Future Dreams?

Finding out you are pregnant may come as a surprise. You have future dreams. This isn’t what you wanted, at least not now.

Maybe you’re thinking…

How am I going to finish college?

What will my parents say?

Will my boyfriend leave me?

Will my career be impacted?

Learn From Others.

We understand. At First Care, we have met with thousands of women who have thought their future dreams were shattered too. But, hold on. Take a breath. Pause. Give yourself time to process.

Take a minute to read stories from other women who have been through what you’re experiencing, like Emilie, Ashley, Bailey, Jessie, or Lydia.

Find hope in their stories and know that on the other side of this, you will achieve and accomplish dreams, maybe even some new ones you don’t yet have!

Seek Support.

First, let’s make sure your pregnancy is viable and see how far along you are. At First Care, we provide free and confidential lab-quality pregnancy testing and ultrasounds.

You will meet with someone who has experience in finding resources to help you. We will talk with you about your dreams and how your decision for your pregnancy may impact those dreams.

Once you have a clear path forward, we can help connect you with the services or resources to make your unexpected pregnancy and future plans work!

See, you may think you’re dreams have been lost, but maybe they were never fully clear. The road is never as easy as it looks, but with First Care, we are there to walk alongside you, encourage you, and cheer you on to follow new dreams.

Schedule an appointment today

Call or text today to talk to someone who will listen and offer hope.

Our Current Services & Hours (updated 6/1)

Our centers are currently open the following days and times for the month of June:

Now Offering: Curbside Pregnancy Testing Kits

Our free pregnancy testing kit contains all of the supplies you will need to conduct a test at home, including a lab-quality test and video instructions provided by our medical team.

If you have a positive pregnancy test result, we can provide you with additional resources and information based on your needs and plans. First Care Pregnancy Center has caring staff available to help you process your test results and learn about your options. Same-day phone or virtual counseling sessions are often available.

How to Schedule

To arrange for pick-up of a pregnancy testing kit, schedule an appointment online or call the office location near you. Slots are available every 15 minutes for pick-up during regular office hours.

When you arrive for pick-up, please call us by phone to let us know you are here. We will leave your kit in a box just outside the door allowing you to pick it up in a touch-free manner.

If you have any questions regarding this service or others offered by First Care, please text or call us at (612) 712-6253.