Jeff Abel

Abortion, Medical, Pregnancy

Do I Need an Ultrasound Before I Have an Abortion?

Ultrasound before an Abortion

Maybe you’ve already made up your mind. You want an abortion. So why would someone suggest you have an ultrasound?

There are solid reasons to have an ultrasound before going forward with an abortion. Here are four reasons to consider.

1. Ultrasounds diagnose ectopic pregnancies.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg most often implants in the fallopian tube (a tubal pregnancy), but it can also implant inside the ovary, in the abdominal cavity or on the cervix. Ectopic pregnancies cannot continue. The baby continues to grow in a space not designed for carrying a baby. Continuing the pregnancy could destroy an ovary or a fallopian tube and cause life-threatening blood loss for the mother.

A pregnancy test cannot detect an ectopic pregnancy. The only way to confirm this is with an ultrasound. If you have an ectopic pregnancy and follow through with an abortion procedure, the abortion will not be complete. The baby would continue to grow and pose serious risks to you.

2. Ultrasounds confirm viability.

A viable pregnancy means that there is a heartbeat and the baby is alive. According to the Mayo Clinic, 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. An ultrasound can determine if your pregnancy is viable. If the ultrasound doesn’t detect a heartbeat, then you don’t need to endure the health risks of an abortion.

3. Ultrasounds determine gestational age.

The gestational age is how far along in your pregnancy you are. Certain abortion procedures are not recommended for certain stages of pregnancy. It is very important to know exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy before having an abortion.

4. Ultrasounds help you be fully informed.

We want you to be fully informed before making any decision. And having an ultrasound will help you make a fully-informed choice.

At LivingWell, we can provide you with a limited OB ultrasound at no cost to you. We also provide a safe place for you to get all the facts before deciding. Please call us to schedule an appointment. All our services are confidential, and we are committed to serving you with kindness and compassion, no matter what decision you ultimately make.

Eva Fisher

Eva Fisher

Nursing Director

The content on this page has been reviewed and approved by our Nursing Director.

Medical, Sexual Health, STIs

STI Quiz – Are You At Risk?

STI Quiz

Our online STI quiz can help you determine your risk for infection.

It can be embarrassing, awkward and sort of scary to talk about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It may seem easier to ignore the subject and hope for the best. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 20 million cases of STIs each year in the United States, and about half of these cases are in young people, ages 15 – 24.

Because untreated STIs can cause irreversible damage or even death, we want to help you determine your risk and get the appropriate testing and treatment. With proper treatment, some STIs can be cured and others can be managed.

A good first step is to determine if you are at risk for contracting an STI. Take this STI quiz to see if you are at risk and need to get tested.

STI Quiz

  1. Are you a sexually active woman younger than 25 years of age?
  1. Have you had sex with someone who has been diagnosed with an STI?
  1. Have you touched your sex organs after touching your partner’s sex organs?
  1. Have you exchanged any bodily fluids (semen, vaginal fluids or blood) with someone?
  1. Have you had new or multiple sex partners within the past 12 months?
  1. Have you had vaginal sex within the last 12 months?
  1. Have you had oral sex within the last 12 months?
  1. Have you had anal sex within the last 12 months?
  1. Have you shared injection drug equipment with anyone within the last 12 months?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are at risk for an STI. We’re here to help you. All of our services are confidential and free. Call us or leave a message in the comments below.

We want to take the embarrassment, awkwardness and fear out of the STI conversation.

Eva Fisher

Eva Fisher

Nursing Director

The content on this page has been reviewed and approved by our Nursing Director.

LivingWell, Relationships

5 Things To Do in the New Year

5 Things To Do in the New Year As the calendar turns to a new year, why not take this opportunity to get 2022 off to a fresh start. We’ve compiled a list of five things do in the new year.

1. Express yourself

Take time to express yourself in a journal. Many times when you write down your thoughts, it can clarify how you really feel about a situation whether it is a relationship, problem, or goal. Getting your thoughts onto paper can make it easier to think through issues or situations you are facing and come up with a solution. Sometimes just clearing your head helps you resolve things that are bothering you and make changes. And looking back on your past journal entries, you can see how far you have progressed on your goals.

2. Stop the comparisons

Have you ever thought about the fact that there is only one you? Think about all the things that make you unique and special. Are you quiet and reflective? Are you adventurous? Outgoing? Do you have a great sense of humor? This self assessment can also bring to light if you are being true to who you really are. When you appreciate the wonderfulness of how you are put together, you bring that into all your relationships.

3. Evaluate your relationships

Are your current relationships healthy? We choose the people that we hang out with. Are you spending time with people who respect you and bring out the best in you? Or do you find yourself changing your personality to be accepted by others? Have you become “comfortable” yet know that it is time to move on? Relationships based upon a need for attention, acceptance, sexual gratification, or security often will end and usually with a lot of pain and heartache in the process.  Evaluate your relationships to see if it might be time to establish some new friendships or stay with the ones you have.

4. Try something new

We aren’t suggesting you go sky-diving ~ unless of course that is something you have always wanted to do. What we are suggesting is that you might broaden your horizons and try something that sounds interesting. Whether this is finding a new hobby, starting an exercise program, or checking something off your bucket list, trying something you have never done before serves to make you a well-rounded and interesting individual. You never know, but that new hobby may be something that might affect your future career goals.

5. Look up

With the ease of social media and constant communication at our fingertips, sometimes we forget to look up from our phones and appreciate the people who are in our lives or even the beauty of a sunset. We’ve all heard the saying, “take time to smell the roses.” Learn to enjoy the people and things in your life that often get taken for granted.

Let us know some of your new year’s resolutions, and how you are progressing. We always love to hear from you.