What should you expect when you arrive for your first appointment?

When you walk through our doors you will be welcomed by one of our staff members. She will walk you through the paperwork and get you settled. While you wait for your appointment, you can relax in our comfortable waiting room.

Intake paperwork

We can text you the intake paperwork so you can complete it online before your appointment, or you can complete the forms at the center on an iPad once you arrive.

Photo ID

We ask that you bring a photo ID. We will make a copy to keep with your paperwork. Call our office if you have any questions regarding this.

Services provided during your first visit include:

Medical

A nurse and client advocate will be in the room during your appointment. A professional medical-grade quality pregnancy test will be administered by our licensed medical professional. If your pregnancy is verified, you are at least six weeks along, and the schedule permits, you may be able to have a limited ultrasound at this appointment. You can also schedule a limited ultrasound for another day. Drink plenty of fluids before your appointment to allow for optimum results and ultrasound images.

Education

If you haven’t made a final decision, want to learn more before deciding, or just want to discuss what you want to do with your pregnancy, a client advocate can discuss information about your pregnancy options– parenting, adoption or abortion.

Information

Depending on your situation, pregnancy decision, and individual needs, the nurse and client advocate can provide information about other programs and resources offered by our center and/or the community.

Most doctors recommend you take a pregnancy test after your first missed period. A missed period is the most common sign that you might be pregnant. Other pregnancy symptoms may include:

Nausea and vomiting

Frequent urination

Unexplained fatigue

Lightheaded or dizziness

Food cravings or aversions

Sore, swollen, or itchy breasts

Spotting or cramping

Increased sense of smell

If you think you might be pregnant, schedule an appointment today for a FREE professional medical-grade quality pregnancy test administered by our licensed medical professionals.

Pregnancy Test Information

When you are sexually active, there is always the possibility of becoming pregnant regardless of whatever safety measures you may have taken.

Sparrow Women’s Clinic offers FREE professional medical-grade quality pregnancy tests administered by our licensed medical professionals. Our tests are 99% accurate and are available within 3 to 5 minutes after testing a urine sample. If your test is positive, we can also provide you with a pregnancy verification and a limited ultrasound.

It is vital for you to verify your pregnancy before making any decisions. Our trained client advocate will provide information and insight in a safe, friendly atmosphere where you can thoughtfully consider your options and plan for your future.

An ultrasound is a commonly used diagnostic procedure to show that you have a viable intrauterine pregnancy. When performing a limited ultrasound, our trained nurse sonographer will be looking for three things:

1. Fetal cardiac activity (a heartbeat)

2. How far along you are

3. Location of your pregnancy

Kansas law requires counseling and informed consent.

Informed consent includes telling a woman of her right to see ultrasound images of her unborn child at least 30 minutes prior to an abortion and giving a list of providers for free ultrasound services at least 24 hours prior.

What are the different types of ultrasounds?

Ultrasound is a type of imaging technology that uses sound waves to create images. The sound waves bounce off of your baby’s tissues, fluids, and bones, and the transducer (or wand) then picks up these echos and translates them into the image of your baby you see on the screen. There are two types of ultrasounds:

The abdominal ultrasound is a standard procedure that uses a transducer over the abdomen to show the developing baby’s images.

A transvaginal ultrasound is designed to be used inside the vagina to generate sonogram images. This type is most generally used during the early stages of pregnancy.

Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, our nurse sonographer may choose to perform both types with your consent. At the time of your initial appointment, our nurse will determine if you are a candidate for an ultrasound. If not, one may be scheduled for another day.

While we can provide a pregnancy test, an ultrasound, and give you up-to-date

medically accurate information about all your options,

Sparrow Women’s Clinic does not offer, recommend, or refer for abortions.

What are the different options for my pregnancy?

You had plans, and pregnancy was not one of them. So now, what are your pregnancy options? Taking some time to learn all the facts will help you in making your decision. Whatever you are feeling, we are here to help you navigate through this! You are not alone!

Sparrow Women’s Clinic options education includes factual information on all three of the choices you have if you are pregnant. They include:

1.) Abortion

2.) Parenting

3.) Adoption

Option 1: Abortion

You’re thinking, how did this happen to me? You never expected to be in a place where you had to make a choice regarding an unplanned pregnancy.

“Choice” is the act of making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. It’s essential to understand all your options, including alternatives to abortion. Our job is to empower you with resources and the information you need to decide which pregnancy option is right for you.

Make the best choice for YOU.

Our client advocates will share accurate information about the abortion option: its procedures, and risks. There are two kinds of abortions available depending on how far you are in your pregnancy:

1.) Abortion Pill

2.) In-clinic surgical abortions

While our Center does not offer, recommend, or refer for abortions, we can help you determine how far along you are and share accurate information about abortion procedures and risks—empowering you to make the best choice for you.

Option 2: Adoption

You had a plan; getting pregnant right now wasn’t part of it. Making an adoption plan can be a beautiful option to consider for your unplanned pregnancy.

You Are In Control. This is your choice and your journey.

You choose the forever family for your baby.

You choose the agency or organization to help with the adoption plan.

You choose whether it’s an open, closed, or partially open adoption and how much contact you have with your baby.

Sparrow Women’s Clinic provides free information about the adoption process and referrals to local adoption agencies that can answer additional questions for you. Developing an adoption plan may be the best option for you.

Option 3: Parenting

You have goals and dreams; parenting right now may not have been one of them. Your goals and dreams are still before you. The time frame may look a little different.

Sparrow Women’s Clinic provides support and resources so you can begin to prepare to parent with clarity and confidence. We’re here to help you flourish in your new role as a mom:

• Assistance in applying for KanCare

• Prenatal Vitamins

• Educational classes on pregnancy, delivery, and infant care

• Onsite boutique with baby care items and clothing

• Community Referrals

So You Think She Might Be Pregnant?

Discovering your girlfriend or partner is pregnant, whether planned or unplanned, can leave you with questions, fears, and uncertainties. Pregnancy is not just a women’s health issue. She is not alone, and neither are you.

The man plays a vital role in the decision of whether or not to parent a child.

Understanding your role and responsibility is critical. That’s why we have male coaches and programs explicitly designed to help you understand your options and next steps.

Sparrow Women’s Clinic offers FREE professional medical-grade quality pregnancy tests administered by our licensed medical professionals. Our tests are 99% accurate and are available within 3 to 5 minutes. If her test is positive, we can also provide her with confirmation of pregnancy and a limited ultrasound.

It is vital to confirm her pregnancy before making any decisions. Our trained client advocate will provide information and insight in a safe, friendly atmosphere where you, as a couple, can thoughtfully consider your options and plan for your future.

What is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is a medical abortion that is also known as RU-486. This type of abortion uses two drugs – Mifeprex™(mifepristone) and Misoprostol and can be used until 10- weeks LMP (last menstrual period). However, its effectiveness may decrease as the pregnancy progresses.

Procedure:

***This is for informational purposes only, Sparrow Women’s Clinic does not provide the abortion pill.

The FDA approved regimen for Mifiprex (RU-486) is a two-visit process using two different drugs:

• Mifepristone is given orally during the first office visit. Mifepristone blocks progesterone from sustaining the pregnancy, thereby ending the life of the baby.

• Misoprostol tablets are given orally 48 hours later. The misoprostol will cause contractions to expel the baby’s remains. This does not take place at a medical office and may occur within a few hours or up to two weeks after taking misoprostol.

A physical exam is given by the healthcare provider about 7-14 days later to ensure the abortion is complete and that there are no immediate complications.

Risks and Side Effects

• Not advised for women who have anemia, bleeding disorders, liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder, and acute inflammatory bowel disease, use an intrauterine device (IUD), or are unable to return for the follow-up visit.

• Cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heavy bleeding, infection and in rare cases, death.

• In a small percentage of pregnancies, the procedure may be unsuccessful in terminating the pregnancy. This risk increases with the length of your pregnancy.

Fetal Development Weeks 4-8

The following describes some of the developmental steps of the baby during the time frame when a woman is eligible for a medication abortion:

• All major systems and organs begin to form.

• The beginnings of the eyes and ears are developing.

• Tiny limb buds appear, which will develop into arms and legs.

• The heart is beating.

• All major body systems continue to develop and function, including the circulatory, nervous, digestive, and urinary systems.

• The eyes, nose, mouth, and ears are becoming more distinct.

Additional Information:

Click here for more information about the procedure, risks and side effects of the abortion pill, Mifepristone (Mifeprex or RU486).

What if I have Second Thoughts?

Reversal Option:

If you have taken the first dose of the abortion pill, Mifepristone, (Mileprex or RU-486) and are experiencing doubts about your abortion, it may be possible to reverse your abortion. There is an effective process, called Abortion Pill Reversal. The process uses the progesterone hormone, which has shown to counteract the effects of the abortion pill.

Every hour since your first dose of the abortion pill matters, so it’s important to call the Abortion Reversal Hotline 877-558-0333.

Any attempts to counteract the abortion pill should not be done without the assistance of a medical professional.

Known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), these pose a severe risk to a woman’s future reproductive and overall health, especially if left untreated.

If you are considering getting an abortion because of a suspected STD:

STD testing and treatment are critical

if you are considering an abortion because chlamydia, the most common STD in the US, rarely has symptoms.

Studies have demonstrated that 70-95% of women and 90% of men who have chlamydia do not realize that they have it. Woman who have an untreated STD (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) are up to 23% more likely to develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) following an abortion procedure. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the United States, 1 out of 4 women, ages 14 to 19, is infected with at least one STD.

STDs affect women more than men

While both men and women in the U.S. are diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in about equal numbers, they are not affected by STDs equally. For example, women are more likely than men to experience long-term health complications from untreated STDs, including infertility (the inability to have a baby). A pregnant woman can also pass an STD along to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

According to the Office on Women’s Health, women often have more serious health problems from STDs than men:

• Chlamydia and gonorrhea left untreated, raise the risk of chronic pelvic pain and life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea also can cause infertility.

• Untreated syphilis in pregnant women results in infant death up to 40% of the time.

• Women have a higher risk than men of getting an STD during unprotected vaginal sex. Unprotected anal sex puts women at even more risk for getting a STD than unprotected vaginal sex.

What can you do to protect from getting an STD?

• The only way to be 100% confident of avoiding STD infections is abstaining from sex or intimate physical contact including oral sex.

• If sexually active, to prevent getting a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, always avoid sex with anyone who has genital sores, a rash, discharge, or other symptoms.

• Proper use of condoms with each act of sexual intercourse can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of STDs. Use latex condoms every time you have sex. If you use a lubricant, make sure it’s water-based. Use condoms for the entire sex act. Condoms are not 100% effective at preventing disease or pregnancy. However, they are extremely effective if used properly. They must be used consistently and correctly each time to reduce the risk of infection. Remember that condom use does not ensure that you will be protected.

• Prevention through avoiding exposure is the best strategy for controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

If you are worried or suspect you may have an STD, let us help you. Sparrow Women’s Clinic provides free, confidential STD testing. Feel free to schedule an appointment or Walk-in to our clinic. We are eager to serve you!

What is sexual trauma?

Sexual trauma is defined as any lingering physical, emotional, or psychological symptoms resulting from a physical assault of a sexual nature, or battery of a sexual nature.

Different types of sexual assault, including but are not limited to the following:

• Rape

• Attempted rape

• Fondling or unwanted sexual touching (which includes groping, kissing, etc.)

• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts

• Unwanted sexual penetration (which could involve non-body parts or objects)

• Sodomy (anal or oral sex) without consent

• Sexual contact with minors, consensual or not