OPTIONS

Abortion Option
This can be an overwhelming time in your life. Perhaps if you make an appointment , you will be able to make a step toward a wise decision concerning your pregnancy. We would like to help you process all you are going through.

The professional and medical staff at alternatives womens center can help answer any questions you may have regarding an abortion. We are here to provide you with information about pregnancy, abortion, and related health issues. We are here to help.
To that end we are proud to treat the whole women by addressing the physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and psycho-social aspects concerning an abortion decision.

If your pregnancy test is positive you should be evaluated concerning obtaining a limited ultrasound to confirm pregnancy viability.

What is an abortion?
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. It can be induced (abortion) or spontaneous (miscarriage). There two types of induced abortion: Medical and Surgical.

PARENTING OPTION

Parenting can be a struggle at any age no matter what the circumstances. alternatives offers the help you need to even consider a plan to parent, make an appointment to find out more.

We also know that there are no perfect circumstances and certainly no perfect parents. Our role therefore is to encourage, educate, and get resources to our patients in order that they may see their own situation clearly, thereby providing them with the tools, and most importantly, the hope necessary to make the best choices for the lives of both their children and themselves. In short, we want to see our patients become the best parents that they can be.

alternatives womens center helps patients who choose parenting to realistically evaluate their own circumstances and develop a plan to meet individual needs.

I don't want to be a mother on welfare. Can I get job training?
We can help you discover programs that best fit your employment needs. If you are receiving assistance, you may be eligible for programs that help with job training, tuition, and childcare. The REACH PROGRAM at Palomar College is a good example of how you can achieve your goal of independence. Otherwise, you might rely on educational grants and loans while working to cover living expenses and childcare.

Can I still choose adoption later if parenting doesn't work out?
Should single parenting become too difficult, adoption is still an option. It takes courage to realize that by yourself you cannot provide all that your child needs. Separating from a child with whom you have bonded can be difficult. We can connect you with several adoption agencies in our area that can help you.

If I can't afford to live on my own, where can I live with my baby?
Health care professionals will help you explore your housing options. There are safe and affordable places to consider. Most single parents need to work. Consider your childcare options in each situation:

Living with a friend or relative
Staying in a group home for single mothers
Living with your parents or the birthfather's parents
Finding an apartment in public, subsidized housing

How do I get help from the father?
The father's legal responsibilities include providing financial support for your child. Most states have a child support enforcement agency that will withhold money from his paycheck if he is unwilling to pay.

ADOPTION OPTION

The first thing to know about adoption is that a lot has changed and it may not be what you think it is. Today the adoption process empowers the birthmother with countless choices. A woman considering adoption is able to choose the family, where they live, how many kids in the family, religious background, economic level-whatever is important to her. Family options are endless. There are an estimated 2 million families waiting each year to adopt.

Considering adoption?
How much do you really know? Many women are choosing adoption and are proud about their decision. Some women do not feel ready to parent and see adoption as an option that benefits everyone involved.

Researching your options is a smart step to take. Adoption is a choice that you need to think about carefully, but if you can't parent, no matter what the reason, adoption may be the right choice for you. alternatives womens center would be glad to provide you with a referral to several adoption agencies in our area.

What about the “Morning After Pill”?

Q: What about the “Morning After Pill”?
Before taking the “morning after pill”, you should understand what it is, how it works, and how it could affect your health. or make an appointment and one of our staff will be happy to give you more information.

What is it?
The “morning after pill” or Plan B is a large dose of oral contraceptive that is actually 2 tablets, one taken within 72 hours of intercourse and the second 12 hours later. It is not RU-486.

How does it work?
Plan B is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or fertilization. In addition it may act as an abortifacient by inhibiting implantation. It is not effective once the process of implantation has begun.

Things to consider:

Emergency contraception is not effective if a woman is already pregnant.
Plan B does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections.
The most common side effects in the Plan B clinical trial were nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and menstrual changes.
The manufacturer warns that Plan B is not recommended for routine use as a contraceptive.

Source: Manufacturer's Prescribing Information for Plan B (Levonorgestrel) tablets, 0.75 mg. Mfg. by Gedeon Richter, Ltd., Budapest, Hungary for Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pomona, NY 10970. Revised Feb 2004. BR-038 / 21000382503

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (INFECTIONS)

What about STDs?
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease which can be contracted through any type of sexual activity. It is also referred as an STI or sexually transmitted infection. For the purposes of common vernacular we will use the term STD.

Many women never get tested, because they have no symptoms, or don’t realize how common they are. The statistics are staggering. There are more than 25 major STDs, including many that have no cure.

Do I need to get tested?
If you ever have been sexually active, it is important to get tested. This means vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Any sexual activity puts you at risk. Many Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Sexually Transmitted Infections do not have symptoms until damage to your body has already been done.

Take an Online STD Quiz

Q: Which STDs are stopped by using condoms?

Condoms provide the best (though not complete) protection against HIV.
They are less effective protecting against herpes type 2, trichomonas, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Condoms provide little protection against bacterial vaginosis and HPV (the most common STD).

Source: Cates, W. Jr. & Stone, K.M. (1992, March/April). Family Planning, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Contraceptive Choice: A Literature Update-Part I. Family Planning Perspectives, 24(2), 75-84

Over 65 million Americans are now infected with an incurable STD. Each year, 29 million more become infected with STDs, and almost 4 million of these are teenagers.

STDs can be identified by the following common symptoms:

unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
a burning feeling when urinating
growths, sores or itching in the genital area
lower abdominal pain
dark urine
skin rashes or sores
yellow eyes
fever
headache
nausea
joint inflammation and enlarged lymph nodes

It is important to understand that many STDs have no obvious symptoms, or only very mild symptoms, but still may affect you reproductive health. It is critical to treat them as early as possible to avoid permanent damage.

make an appointment to find out more.

POST ABORTION

What is Post Abortion Stress?
“The process of making an abortion choice, experiencing the procedure and living with the grief, pain and regret is certainly, at its very core, traumatic. As with any trauma, individuals often try to "forget" the ordeal and deny or ignore any pain that may result. Many simply don't relate their distress to the abortion experience. At some point, however, memories resurface and the truth of this loss can no longer be denied. During these moments, the pain of post-abortion syndrome reveals itself in the hearts of millions of lives. Post-abortion stress is the inability to process the stress and emotions accompanying one’s abortion decision and experience. This may be an immediate or delayed reaction that can surface anytime in a person’s life. When it does resurface, it can be confusing, painful and overwhelming.” Sydna Masse
www.ramahinternational.org

Symptoms of post abortion trauma

Guilt/regret
Depression
Experiencing anxiety or tension
Emotionally numb
Nightmares
Fearful of others finding out about my abortion
Inability to forgive myself
Loss of interest in things I love
Avoiding intimate relationships
Bouts of crying
Drug and alcohol abuse
Anger/rage
Engaging in unhealthy relationships
Feel emotionally numb
Intense grief/pain
Multiple abortions
Suicidal thoughts

If you are experiencing symptoms consider joining a post abortion program. alternatives offers a variety of programs designed to help you find emotional peace after an abortion.

Check out www.abortionchangesyou.com to see what others are saying.

FOR MEN

Is your girlfriend pregnant and you don't know what to do? Are friends and family encouraging you to tell her to get an abortion? You really just want this to be over with now, right?

Whatever your situation, you are not alone. You can be an important part of your girlfriend’s decision. An unplanned pregnancy does not have to be the end of either of your future plans. At alternatives quality healthcare and needed information is available for both you and your girlfriend or wife.

Abortion is "a woman's choice" but the woman with an unplanned pregnancy rarely wants to make that choice alone. She is looking to you for support because she can't confide in many people about this situation. Hearing "Don't expect me to tell you what to do," or “I’ll support whatever you decide” automatically makes a woman believe you want her to have the abortion.

“Manning up” means that you will stand beside her in whatever way she needs. Inform her immediately that she doesn't need to have an abortion to please you. Encourage her to make an appointment and get all the information she needs to make the right “choice”.