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I think I might be pregnant. How do I know for sure?
Have you missed your period? Have you taken a home test, but you want to know for sure? Are you pretty sure you're pregnant, but don't know what to do?
We can help. The Advocacy and Pregnancy Center offers free laboratory-grade pregnancy tests. Our advocates will not only administer your test, but we can give you the information you need to make your best decision.
If you want someone to talk to, come visit our Lewisville office (no appointment necessary) or give us a call 972-436-2273 today.
I don't know what to do... Parenting - Choosing to continue your pregnancy and to parent is very challenging. But with the support of caring people, parenting classes, and other resources, many women find the help they need to make this choice.
Adoption - You may decide to place your child for adoption. Each year over 50,000 women in America make this choice. This loving decision is often made by women who first thought abortion was their only way out.
Abortion - If you are considering abortion here are a few things to consider.
Should I be concerned about having an abortion? You might be thinking that abortion is the only way out, but there are IMPORTANT things you need to know, before making a decision... What happens during an abortion? Click here Are there any risks during or after an abortion?coming soon) Do I really have another option? Click here My boyfriend really wants me to have an abortion. What can I do? (coming soon)
What happens during an abortion? * LMP - last menstrual period
RU486, Mifepristone (Abortion Pill) within 4 to 7 weeks after * LMP This medical abortion is used for women who are within 30 to 49 days after their last menstrual period. This procedure usually requires three office visits. The RU486 or mifepristone pills are given to the woman who returns two days later for a second medication called misprostol. The combination of these medications causes the uterus to expel the fetus.
Manual Vacuum Aspiration within 7 weeks after * LMP This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period. The cervical muscle is stretched with dilators (metal rods) until the opening is wide enough to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. A hand held syringe is attached to tubing that is inserted into the uterus and the fetus is suctioned out.
Suction Curettage (most common) within 6 to 14 weeks after * LMP In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and inserted hours before the procedure). The doctor inserts tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus. One variation of this procedure is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). In this method, the doctor may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to scrape the fetal parts out of the uterus.
Dilation and Evacuation (D & E) within 13 to 24 weeks after * LMP This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the eleventh and twelfth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal.
Dilation and Extraction (D & X) from 20 weeks after * LMP to full-term This procedure takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. After labor begins, the abortion doctor used ultrasound to locate the baby's legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby's head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.
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