Do You Need a Free Pre-Abortion Screening?
If you are considering an abortion for your unexpected pregnancy, you should protect your health first. Abortion is a serious medical decision that comes with specific side effects and potential risks.
Be prepared with the necessary information beforehand. We can help with our free pre-abortion screening. Schedule your appointment today.
What is a Pre-Abortion Screening?
There are a few essential questions to answer before you schedule an abortion.
Are you confident that you’re pregnant? Experts have determined that as many as 26% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage. It is also possible to get a false positive result on a pregnancy test.
If you are pregnant, the number of weeks you have been pregnant determines the type of abortion procedure you qualify for. Do you know exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy? In addition, is the pregnancy viable? Nearly 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage, so it’s possible you may not need an abortion.
Finally, have you tested for STIs? No one wants to think about having an STI, but if you’re considering an abortion, be aware having an untreated STI at the time of an abortion can cause serious health issues.
A pre-abortion screening aims to answer the above questions so that no matter what you choose, you are equipped with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Determining the Gestational Age
The gestational age refers to how far along you are in your pregnancy. The FDA has approved the use of the abortion pill method through 10 weeks only (70 days from the first day of your last menstrual period). Others suggest not using this method past nine weeks (56 days).
Why is there a limit to the time you can use the abortion pill? The drugs become less effective the farther along you are. You run the risk of an incomplete abortion, which can lead to a severe infection if left untreated.
Ultrasound is the best way to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. Following a positive pregnancy test at Alpha Center, your nurse will determine if you qualify for a gestational dating ultrasound.
Finding Out if You Have a Viable Pregnancy
A viable pregnancy means that the pregnancy is growing and you have not had a miscarriage. Be aware that even if you have miscarried, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test result days or even weeks afterward.
Taking more than one pregnancy test is important. An ultrasound can also determine if your pregnancy is viable with a detectable heartbeat or if you have miscarried.
Another possibility that could present a serious health risk is an ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy forms somewhere other than the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. As it grows, it can cause a life-threatening situation.
Abortion (either medical or surgical) does not treat an ectopic pregnancy. Ultrasound determines the location of your pregnancy and can confirm that you do not have an ectopic pregnancy.
It is Possible to Have an STI and Not Know It
Without symptoms, most people put off testing for an STI. But The CDC states STIs are on the rise and up to 75% of STIs are asymptomatic, which means you can have one without knowing it. An untreated STI puts you at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), HIV, or chronic pelvic pain.
Schedule Your Pre-Abortion Screening
Contact Alpha Center to set up an appointment for your free pre-abortion screening. During your appointment, you will receive a situational assessment, pregnancy test, ultrasound if your test is positive, and, if applicable, STD testing.
If you are interested in a telehealth option for your pre-abortion screening, our nurses are ready to meet with you to go over a medical assessment and information. Same-day appointments for telehealth are usually available. The pregnancy testing and ultrasound portions of the screening would then be performed in an abbreviated in-person visit. Ask about our telehealth pre-abortion screening when you call our scheduling line at 970.239.2292.
We do not perform or refer for abortion, and because of this, Alpha Center has no financial interest in your decision. We want to ensure that you have the information you need to make the best decision for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a pre-abortion screening?
A pre-abortion screening is designed to provide essential health information before a medical procedure and aid you in the decision making process. At Alpha Center, this free screening includes a situational assessment, a lab-quality pregnancy test, a gestational dating ultrasound (if the test is positive), and testing for STIs/STDs.
Why do I need an ultrasound before getting an abortion?
An ultrasound is necessary to confirm three critical factors:
Viability: To ensure you have not already miscarried, as nearly 1 in 4 pregnancies end naturally.
Gestational Age: To determine how many weeks pregnant you are, which dictates whether you qualify for the abortion pill or require a surgical procedure.
Location: To rule out an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus), which is life-threatening and cannot be treated by abortion.
How far along can you be to take the abortion pill?
The FDA has approved the use of the abortion pill (medical abortion) through 10 weeks of pregnancy (70 days from the first day of your last period). Using the abortion pill past the recommended timeframe increases the risk of an incomplete abortion and severe infection.
Do I need an STI test before having an abortion?
Yes. It is vital to be tested because many STIs (up to 75%) are asymptomatic. Having an untreated STI at the time of an abortion can lead to serious health complications, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or chronic pelvic pain.
Can I get a positive pregnancy test if I’ve had a miscarriage?
Yes, it is possible to receive a positive pregnancy test result for days or even weeks after a miscarriage has occurred. This is why a clinical ultrasound is recommended to confirm if a pregnancy is still viable.
Are telehealth appointments available for pre-abortion screenings?
Yes. Alpha Center offers telehealth options where a nurse can perform a medical assessment and provide information virtually. Following the telehealth visit, an abbreviated in-person appointment is scheduled for the pregnancy test and ultrasound.
How much does a pre-abortion screening cost?
At Alpha Center, pre-abortion screenings—including pregnancy testing and ultrasounds—are provided free of charge. Because we do not perform or refer for abortions, we have no financial interest in your decision and focus solely on providing the health information you need.