Step by Step: How to Face the Future with an Unexpected Pregnancy
An unexpected pregnancy isn’t what you wanted, and now you aren’t sure how to face the future. It’s really hard to get past the anxiety when something so big is looming just ahead. But you’re stronger than you realize right now, and you WILL be able to handle this.
During all the uncertainty, there’s a place you can go where the people understand what you’re going through. Even more, they’re dedicated to helping you through it, no matter what choice you make.
At Thrive St. Louis, our medical team and caring advocates are here to walk with you, hand-in-hand, to listen to your concerns, to answer your questions, and to give you unbiased information that’ll calm you down.
You’ll discover that you can face your future head-on, with confidence and the knowledge that whatever you choose is the best decision for you. Every person’s story is different and everyone’s path is, too. Yours will be just right for you.
No Cost Pregnancy Test
The first step is to confirm if you are pregnant or not. Schedule an appointment to come in for a no cost, lab-grade pregnancy test. About 10% – 25% of pregnancies will end in a miscarriage, the majority of those occurring during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Once the results are complete, an advocate will go over them with you.
Confirm Viability Through Ultrasound
Once we’ve given you the pregnancy test, and it’s come back positive, we’ll offer you a no cost ultrasound. This is important because it’ll tell you if your pregnancy is viable, if it is ectopic (a dangerous situation that requires medical treatment), and how far along your pregnancy is.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to form images that are shown on a screen. Those images can provide a lot of detailed information to the technician, who can explain what it is you’re seeing.
STI/STD Testing
After the ultrasound is completed, and if it shows the pregnancy is viable, we recommend testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI/STD). The reason for this is that left untreated, an STI/STD present when an abortion is performed can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If this happens, you could suffer a lifetime of reproductive health problems, including pain and infertility.
The testing is done for you at low cost or no cost. Thrive St. Louis tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Syphilis, Bacterial Vaginosis, and Trichomoniasis. Certain criteria do apply. Don’t make the mistake of refusing testing because you have no symptoms. Even without symptoms, you can still have an undiagnosed STI/STD.
It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control that nearly 20 million new, sexually transmitted infections occur each year. They also estimate that undiagnosed STDs cause infertility in more than 20,000 women each year.
Let Us Help You
Come in and see us at Thrive St. Louis. We offer a confidential, non-judgmental atmosphere for you to meet with our staff and caring advocates. Let us help you, answer your questions, and give you the confidence to make the best choice for YOU. Schedule an appointment today.
