If you are considering an abortion, If you are considering an abortion, you need to know what this choice could mean to your future. You do have the choice not to have an abortion and we can help. We want to help you avoid being hurt physically and emotionally by offering other solutions. Many women who work at our pregnancy resource clinics have chosen abortion. They can share their story about how abortion doesn't "erase a mistake", but can create many other problems in your life. 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. We exist to offer you choices. There are risks to most abortion procedures. Because of these dangers, we do not recommend or refer for abortion.

Here are some things to consider before you make this decision:

Know the possible risks in an abortion

Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. From the thousands of women now working in the pregnancy care world who have had abortions, we know that abortion has physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological risks.   Abortion Risks  

Get a blood or urine pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy

It could be that you are not actually pregnant. We provide a laboratory-quality urine test free of charge as a service to women. A trained client advocate can provide additional information relevant to your situation. All of   Our Services   are free and confidential.

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

It is possible that the abortion clinic may provide you with incorrect information in order to obtain your abortion fee. Carol Everett is a woman 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.1 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 a free ultrasound

You may receive a free ultrasound from one of our pregnancy resource clinics which will confirm your pregnancy. This ultrasound can tell you how many weeks you are into the pregnancy. This service, provided by a nurse or a sonographer who is trained in limited obstetrical ultrasound, may aid you in making this important decision. All of   Our Services   are free and confidential.

Ask for the doctor's name who is performing the abortion

Abortion is legal in the United States, but bad medical care is not. Some women have died as a result of their "safe and legal" abortion. Some have had physical damage to their bodies to the point that they can no longer have children. If you don't know the doctor's name that is doing your abortion, you need to find out.

Insist that your abortion be performed by a licensed physician

One of your legal rights within the jurisdiction of the U.S. is your right to insist that your abortion be performed by a licensed physician. The abortion doctor could be counting on you not holding him accountable for hurting you, because many women are afraid to let anyone know about their choice afterwards.

Ensure that the physician performing your abortion has admitting privileges to the closest hospital

Ask if the physician will treat you for complications and at which hospital does he have admitting privileges. In the event of an emergency related to your abortion procedure, it is important that your abortion physician is allowed to admit you to the hospital. If he is unable to admit you to a hospital it may result in a delay of treating emergency situations.

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

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. Ask for the physician’s name and write it down. Ask if there are any lawsuits pending against the physician. Pending lawsuits may indicate potential poor medical care.

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 coerce you to undergo an abortion against your will, even if you are a minor (under 18 years old). Our clinics exist to help you in any circumstance. We can help you discuss this choice with those closest to you who are influencing your decision. One of your legal rights within the jurisdiction of the U.S. is your right to insist that the abortionist carry insurance to protect your interests in case of injury or death.

The law in many states also requires abortion providers to give you information on: 1) possible immediate or long-term complications, physical and/or psychological 2) the development of the baby and 3) organizations that provide alternatives to abortion.

Be aware of the cleanliness of the clinic

Many women report that the general area of the clinic where they had their abortion was unclean, dusty, and even smelled bad. Infections can result from unsanitary conditions. If you choose to go to 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.

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

Many women who have experienced abortion relay 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 abortion clinics even told the women that they couldn't get their money back if they changed their mind. Abortion providers know that this is an agonizing decision and sometimes see women change their mind at the last minute. Know your rights. Don't be pressured or intimidated. If the procedure is not performed, demand your money back.

Understand that it's 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 women 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.

Insist on viewing the ultrasound screen. When some women see these photos after their abortion, they are overwhelmed and grieved that the information the abortion clinic provided was misleading. An ultrasound will reveal the true development of your child. Learn more about what a preborn child looks like   Just The Facts  

Know you are not alone

We know you are facing a difficult decision and we are here to help. There is no obstacle too big that can't be overcome with friendship and support.


1 Carol Everett, What I Saw In The Abortion Industry, Jefferson City, MO: Easton Publishing, Inc