Knowledge is Power….

Here are Facts You Need to Know:

Abortion is a procedure that results in the voluntary termination of a pregnancy, either medically or surgically. There are many facts about abortion that you need to be aware of before making an informed decision.

Abortion is a choice.

Do not let anyone force you into the procedure. Be sure you understand the procedure and make an informed decision about what is best for you and your baby.

Abortion has risks.

As with any medical procedure, you should know the physical and emotional risks before the procedure. It is your right to be informed.

Abortion is life changing.

Abortion will not make it all go away. Many women think abortion will wipe away all the confusion and fears so they can move on with their lives. This is often not the case.

If you’re overwhelmed by an unplanned pregnancy, you are not alone. You may be considering an abortion. Before you make any decisions, it is essential to recognize this is a big decision. It would help if you gave yourself time to get as much information as possible to decide what is truly the best option for you.

Sparrow Women’s Clinic helps you gain the knowledge you need to make an informed decision and answer any questions you may have.

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

Verify You Are Pregnant

Before scheduling an abortion, you need to know that you are, in fact, pregnant and how far along you are. Even if you have pregnancy symptoms or have taken a home test, we suggest visiting Sparrow Women’s Clinic for a FREE pregnancy test. Our tests are professional medical-grade quality and highly accurate.

Come For A Free Ultrasound

Statistics show that 1 in 4 early pregnancies end in natural miscarriage. If you have a positive pregnancy test at Sparrow Women’s Clinic, you may be eligible for a free, limited ultrasound. This information will help you in your decision-making process by answering the following three questions:

Find out how far along you are in pregnancy:

• Is the pregnancy located in the uterus?

• Does your baby have a detectable heartbeat?

Consider Your Options

Become empowered to make a well-informed pregnancy decision. Consider the three options for your pregnancy. Discuss the details of various abortion procedures, and understand precisely what your decision means for you now and in the 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 last menstrual period (LMP). 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 a healthcare provider about 7-14 days later to ensure the abortion is complete and that there are no immediate complications.

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.

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 for reversing the procedure, called Abortion Pill Reversal. The process uses the progesterone hormone, which has shown to counteract the effects of the abortion pill.

Time Matters!

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

Any attempts to counteract the abortion pill should not be done without the assistance of a medical professional. If you are experiencing any bleeding go to the Emergency Room immediately.

What are the potential side effects and risks?

Abortion, as with any medical procedure, is not without side effects and risks. For you to make the best possible informed decision, you need to know the potential risks involved.

Abortion Pill Risks:

Reactions to the abortion pill, Mifepristone (Mifeprex or RU486) varies, from painful to extremely dangerous. These pills have a “black box” warning, which is the highest level of caution, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) puts on medication. The FDA also warns against taking them without medical supervision. Before taking these pills (especially without a doctor’s help), you should be aware of possible side effects you may encounter.

Common Side Effects from the abortion pill include:

• Abdominal pain, severe cramping, prolonged heavy bleeding

• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or fever and chills

To learn more about the short- and long-term risks of abortion, schedule an appointment to talk with one of our nurses.

Risks and Side Effects

The abortion pill is 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.

Some common side effects can include cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heavy bleeding, infection and in rare cases, even 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.

If you are experiencing any heavy bleeding or cramping go to your local Emergency Room immediately.

Surgical Abortion Risks:

The main risks and complications associated with having a surgical procedure increase later in pregnancy an abortion performed.

Risks include:

• Hemorrhaging

• Blood clots

• Rh sensitization

• Infection - the chance of infection increases if you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD)

• Nausea and vomiting, sweating, or feeling faint

• Cervical tears or lacerations

• Incomplete abortion

• Organ damage

• Allergic or adverse reactions to medications

***If you are experiencing severe physical side effects from an abortion, immediately seek medical attention from your physician or go to your local Emergency Room immediately.

Abortion is a decision that should be made only after deeply considering all the risks involved. It is not merely a medical procedure. It is life-changing.

Sparrow Women’s Clinic is here to help. Schedule an appointment or feel free to Walk-in. We want to help you make the best decision for you!

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) pose a severe risk to a woman’s future reproductive and overall health, especially if left untreated.

If you are considering getting an abortion

STI/STD testing and treatment are critical!

If you are considering an abortion because the most common STI in the US, chlamydia, rarely has symptoms. This is way testing is critical.

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.

STIs affect women more than men

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

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

• Chlamydia and gonorrhea left untreated, raise the risk of chronic pelvic pain, life-threatening ectopic pregnancy and can also 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 STI during unprotected vaginal sex. Unprotected anal sex puts women at even more risk for getting a STI than unprotected vaginal sex.

What can you do to protect yourself from getting an STD?

• The only way to be 100% confident of avoiding STD/STI 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 STI/STD, let us help you. Sparrow Women’s Clinic provides free, confidential STI testing. Feel free to schedule an appointment or Walk-in to our clinic. We are here to serve you!

There is evidence that abortion is associated with long-term mental health risks.

• Emotional: In line with the evidence, you should know abortion increases the emotional risk for symptoms consistent with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P/TSD), clinical depression and/or anxiety, possibly suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

• Relational: Research reveals that couples who choose abortion are more likely to have problems in their relationships. After the abortion, some women may experience a short- or long-term lack of interest, discomfort, or decreased dissatisfaction with sex.

Abortion is a decision that should be made only after deeply considering all the risks involved. It is not merely a medical procedure. It is life-changing.

Sparrow Women’s Clinic is here to help. Schedule an appointment or feel free to Walk-in. We want to help you make the best decision for you!

We recognize the decision to have an abortion is never easy.

You may have made the decision without considering other options, you may have felt like it was your only choice. You may have been pressured by your boyfriend, parent, family member, friend, professor, or coach. Perhaps there were several people rallying around you, supporting you. Or you kept it a secret and made the decision by yourself. Regardless of the circumstances, it seemed like the right answer at the time. Yet, why is it hurting you more than you ever thought possible and causing emotions which scare you?

Where can I find support after abortion?

Sitting In The Dust support group

This is a group to help support you post abortion or through pregnancy loss.

Sadness takes a toll, at Sparrow Women’s Clinic we are here to support you and help you heal without judgment.

It’s more common than you might think to be emotionally wounded from an abortion decision. You don’t have to suffer alone. Sparrow Women’s Clinic staff is here to help you.

Studies have shown that having an abortion can cause significant psychological trauma, equivalent of dealing with PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder).

Post abortion support group meets Tuesday 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm in a confidential space. To register contact kathy4hope@yahoo.com or contact us for more information.

Pregnancy Loss Group meets on Wednesday 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm in Sparrow’s Nest next door to our clinic.

If you would like more information about after-abortion resources or preganancy loss, call us at Sparrow Women’s Clinic or email us. We are eager to get you the help you need!