FAQs

How do I know if I’m pregnant?

Pregnancy symptoms are different for every woman. They can be very obvious for some women and others might experience no symptoms at all. However, the most common sign of pregnancy is a missed period.

Pregnancy FAQ’s

Unexpected pregnancies and unanswered questions go hand in hand. Below are answers to the most common questions women ask us.

Q: How much will I be charged?
A: Nothing. The cost of all services at Willow Womens Center are covered. There is no cost to you, and fees will never be submitted to your insurance.

Q: Will you tell my parents or anyone else that I was here for an appointment?
A: No. Your privacy is important to us, and we take confidentiality very seriously. We will not tell anyone you called or visited.

Q: I read about “fake clinics” online. Are you a fake clinic?
A: No, Willow Womens Center is a real medical center staffed by real, licensed healthcare professionals.

Q: Is the morning-after pill the same as the abortion pill?
A: No. Women take the morning-after pill (i.e., Plan B) within 72 hours of unprotected sex or failed contraception. The abortion pill (also called medical abortion or RU-486) ends a confirmed pregnancy.

Q: How will I know if I am pregnant?
A: The most common sign of pregnancy is a missed period. If your period is late and you think you might be pregnant, make an appointment for a free, medical-grade pregnancy test.

Q: How quickly can I get pregnant after an abortion or miscarriage?
A: You can ovulate and become pregnant as soon as two weeks after an abortion or miscarriage. To prevent complications, avoid pregnancy shortly after a previous one.

Q: How long does the pregnancy hormone (hCG) stay in your body after delivery /abortion/ miscarriage?
A: It can take a month or more for your hCG levels to return to normal, depending on how high your hormone levels were when your pregnancy ended. If you have a positive pregnancy test after a recent pregnancy, be sure to visit your doctor.

Q: I do not have any symptoms, so why do I need sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening if my pregnancy test is positive?
A: STI screening protects your health. The most common STIs are usually symptomless in women and can lead to pregnancy complications if you choose to carry your pregnancy. If you have an abortion with untreated STI, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and permanent damage to your reproductive system.

Q: Can I get an STI from oral sex?
A: Yes, some STIs spread from only skin-to-skin contact. Your throat and other parts of your body can become infected.

Q: Why do I need an ultrasound if I know I want an abortion?
A: An ultrasound is essential to protect your health and confirm that you have a viable pregnancy. If your pregnancy is outside your uterus or there is no fetal heart rate detected, you need a different medical procedure, not an abortion. Since approximately 20 percent of known pregnancies aren’t viable and abortions can be hard on many levels, it’s critical to know whether or not you have a viable pregnancy before moving forward.

Q: Why do I have to wait for an ultrasound?
A: The soonest an ultrasound will give us the answers needed is at six weeks of pregnancy, so if you are less than six weeks pregnant, we may perform an ultrasound, but may not be able to see what we need to provide accurate information. In this situation, we will ask you to return for a follow-up visit after you have reached your sixth week.

Q: Are you going to pressure me into an abortion or out of an abortion?
A: No. Your autonomy and ability to make decisions for your life are highly valued here. Our role is to empower you with unbiased facts about your options, so you will be equipped with accurate knowledge to make a confident decision. We will never judge you for the choice you make about your unexpected pregnancy.