If you are considering visiting an abortion clinic, we want you to know what this choice could mean to your future. You don't need to make this decision right away. Slow down and allow time to think. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to have an abortion. Pregnancy care centers exist to offer you choices and information. There are risks to most abortion procedures. Be sure that you understand these risks because many abortion clinics are not required to inform you of this before performing an abortion. Abortion Risks

Here is some information to consider about Abortion Clinics before you make the decision to visit an abortion clinic:

Know the possible abortion risks.

From the thousands of women now working in the pregnancy care arena who have had abortions, we know that abortion has physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological risks.

Get urine pregnancy test to confirm you are really pregnant.

It could be that you are not actually pregnant. We offer a laboratory quality urine tests free of charge as a service to women. A trained pregnancy center advocate can provide additional information relevant to your situation. All of these services are free and confidential.

Confirm your pregnancy with a doctor who doesn't do abortions.

There have been cases where abortion clinics have provided clients with incorrect information in order to obtain their abortion fee. Carol Everett was an abortion clinic owner who used to provide abortion services in Texas. She testified in Congress that she sold abortions to women who were not pregnant but feared they were. For the best medical input on abortion, we recommend you speak with a medical professional who has nothing to gain in your abortion decision.

Get an ultrasound.

You may receive an ultrasound from your local pregnancy care center. This non-diagnostic ultrasound can tell you how many weeks you are into the pregnancy or whether or not your pregnancy is viable. In other words, it could be that you are going to miscarry the baby and won’t need the services of an abortion clinic. This service, provided by a certified sonographer, may aid you in making this important decision.

Get the abortion clinics doctor's name that is performing the abortion

Abortion is legal in the United States, but bad medical care is not. Women have died as a result of their "safe and legal" abortions. Some have had their bodies hurt to the point that they can no longer have children. If you don't know the abortion clinics doctor's name that is doing your abortion, you may not find out. The abortion clinics doctor could be counting on you not holding him/her accountable for hurting you because many women are afraid to let anyone know about this choice afterwards. Ask for his/her name and write it down.

Don't sign anything that releases the doctor or the abortion clinic from being responsible for hurting you during the abortion procedure.

Many women have said that they were so upset by the emotion of the day that they signed anything put in front of them in order to "get out and have it done with." If the abortion clinic asks you to sign anything, take your time to read it over. If you don't understand something, ask questions. If you don't understand their answers, push them further. Don't be in a rush because anything you sign could affect you in the future. You can always reschedule your appointment for a later date.

Understand you have rights in an abortion.

It is against the law for anyone to force you to have an abortion. Not even a husband or parent can require you to undergo an abortion against your will, even if you are a minor (under 18 years old). We exist to help you in any circumstance. We can help you discuss this choice with those closest to you who are influencing your decision. The law in many states also requires abortion providers to give you information on:

1. possible complications
2. the development of the baby, and
3. organizations that provide alternatives to abortion.

Many women report that the general area of the abortion clinic where they had their abortions was unclean, dusty, and even bad smelling. Infections can result from unsanitary conditions. If you find yourself in an abortion clinic be sure to question their sanitizing procedures and view the condition of each room to ensure that you are receiving excellent care. If they don't provide sufficient information to determine these conditions, give yourself permission to leave and demand a refund of your money. Infections from unsanitary abortion clinics can lead to infertility and death.

Understand you can change your mind - even at the last minute.

Many women who have experienced abortion relate that they felt they had to go through with the procedure once they had entered the clinic. Others say that they waited on the abortion table to be "rescued" by their boyfriend at the last minute. Some clinics even told the women that they couldn't get their money back if they changed their mind.

Abortion clinics know that this is an agonizing decision and sometimes see women change their minds at the last minute because, as they say, "I simply can't do this!" Know your rights. Don't be pressured or intimidated. If you decide to cancel the abortion procedure, demand your money back.

Understand that the baby is not a "blob of tissue."

Some abortion clinics tell women that their babies are not human at all but simply a "blob of tissue" or a "dot." For many it is easier to have an abortion if they believe their child isn't yet human. Ultrasound photos show that at early stages of pregnancy the humanness of the embryo is clearly evident. When some women see these photos after their abortion, they are overwhelmed and grieved that the information the abortion clinic provides was misleading. An ultrasound will reveal the true development of your children. Learn more about what a preborn child looks like: Just The Facts

Know you are not alone.

Women who feel like abortion is their choice often change their minds after visiting a pregnancy care center and understanding the support services that are available. Pregnancy Care Centers like ours exist to help you during and after your pregnancy. There is no obstacle too big that can't be overcome with friendship and support. Abortion Clinics Information