Some women experience worry, stress, and anxiety because of an unexpected pregnancy. They consider abortion as an option. At Waterleaf, we want to give women clarity and control, so they can choose what’s best for their situation.
We care about the women in our communities. Our goal is to have women walking out of our clinic feeling more encouraged and empowered.
The first step towards this goal is to answer these questions:
1. Am I really pregnant?
It is possible to have a positive test at home and not be pregnant. At Waterleaf, we can confirm your pregnancy with a lab-quality test and provide a confidential ultrasound.
2. How far along am I?
Different procedures vary in cost and risk. How far along you are in your pregnancy determines your available abortion procedures. Our nurses assess several factors during an ultrasound, including how far along you are.
Waterleaf offers lab-quality pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and private medical consultations ALL AT NO COST.
Women leave our clinic knowing a.) if they are pregnant and b.) a plan of action.
Basic Abortion Facts
ABORTION PILL
The abortion pill (or medical or chemical abortion) is a non-surgical abortion. It is done between the fifth and seventh weeks of pregnancy (seven to nine weeks after the first day of your last period). The regimen involves taking 2 pills. The first pill, mifepristone or RU-486, terminates the pregnancy. The second pill, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract, and as a result, the pregnancy is expelled.
Side effects from the abortion pill include:
- excessive bleeding (lasting from several days to a few weeks)
- heart palpitations
- infection
- incomplete abortion (in this case you may need to have a surgical procedure).
Because there are several contraindications for the abortion pill, a medical history should be done first.
For more information on the abortion pill, risks, and whether this procedure would be an option for you, please call 888.98-WE-HELP. If you’ve taken the first pill and changed your mind or want to learn more about Abortion Pill Reversal (APR), visit our APR page here.
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion is also known as “in-clinic” abortion. A suction aspiration procedure is often accompanied by dilation and curettage (scraping of the uterus). It is done from six to about twelve weeks. It involves a “twilight” or general anesthetic (being “put to sleep”), a dilation (opening up) of the cervix and a suctioning and/or surgical removal of the fetus. Possible risk factors for this type of procedure include:
- severe cramping
- excessive bleeding
- blood clot formation
- damage to the cervix/tearing
- perforation of the uterus or scarring of the uterine lining
Dilation and evacuation is a procedure done after fourteen weeks of pregnancy. It involves dilating the cervix, sometimes with seaweed strips, and surgically removing the fetus. This type of abortion has similar risk factors for surgical abortions done earlier. A woman’s risk factors are increased the farther along she is in her pregnancy.
For more information on surgical abortion, the possible risk factors and whether this procedure would be an option for you, please call 888-98-WE-HELP.
EQUIP, ENCOURAGE & EMPOWER HER
We know that an unplanned pregnancy can be a challenging, scary situation. The last thing you need is to feel pressured into making a fear-based decision, rather than a confident one.
Waterleaf does not financially benefit from our services. We have no financial interest in a pregnancy decision. There will be no pressure from us! We are Pro-Woman and want to do all we can to help. Every woman deserves the information she needs to determine what’s best for her.
Our services are available regardless of income, race or religion, and no insurance required.
Contact Waterleaf
Contact a member of our experienced team today to schedule an initial consultation.
Waterleaf Women’s Center does not perform nor refer for abortions, nor administers the abortion pill.