What is Emergency Contraception? Emergency contraception (EC)is a term for medications that prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, birth control failure, or sexual assault by delaying ovulation and preventing sperm and egg from meeting. When taken as directed, EC can effectively prevent 95% of pregnancies. There are currently four different types of of emergency contraception on
When I was very newly pregnant with my second baby (but didn’t know it yet; she was a surprise!), my cycle was funky. I experienced a few days of light bleeding, enough that I thought it was my period slowly getting started, but it stopped fairly quickly. I didn’t think much of it until a
False Positives and False Negatives – How Do I Know That My Pregnancy Test Result is Accurate? When you’re wondering if you’re pregnant (whether it’s planned or not), the last thing you want is a inaccurate test result. This can lead to a lot of emotional upheaval, whether your pregnancy test displays a false positive
If you watched Grey’s Anatomy’s first seasons, you may vaguely remember something about Christina Yang getting pregnant and then passing out in the operating room, subsequently requiring emergency surgery. When I first saw it, I remember thinking, “What is that about??” The answer? She suffered an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured. As with most incidents on
You’ve probably heard or seen that the O-Pill is now available over the counter – meaning you can buy it in stores without a prescription from your primary care doctor. At Alpha Center, we want to provide you with the information you need about your reproductive healthcare decisions, and the O-Pill is no different! What
If you’re considering taking Plan C, also called the Medication Abortion Pill or RU486, you may have seen the claim that it is safer than taking Tylenol. You may have wondered—can that be true? We looked into it as a medical clinic that cares about your health. And the answer? In short: No. Reason #1:
Side Effects of The Abortion Pill As with any medication, it is important to weigh the costs and benefits of taking mifepristone (the abortion pill) before making a decision about your pregnancy. What is mifepristone? Mifepristone is a drug that is approved by the FDA to block the pregnancy hormone, progesterone, from reaching the uterus,
If you’re worried that you could be pregnant, when is it time to take a pregnancy test? Does it matter when you take it? Many assume that a pregnancy test doesn’t have to be timed to be correct, or that if they take many different kinds of tests they may get a different result. The
One of the first questions asked after you find out that you’re pregnant is “how far along am I?” or “When is the due date?” No matter what options you may be considering for your pregnancy, answering the question of gestational age is important for planning and determining your next steps. If you’re wondering if
What is a pre-abortion screening? If you’re unexpectedly pregnant, your mind may (understandably) be spinning. If you’re considering abortion as one of your options, getting a free pre-abortion screening at Alpha Center is a good way to see if abortion (whether medication or surgical) is right for you. Check out our pregnancy symptoms quiz. Why
