THIS IS YOUR CHOICE
It is wise to seek guidance from trusted sources when making important decisions, and approaching family members or friends is usually helpful. But, when talking to those people actually complicates life, or they are not able to answer your questions, it is important to find someone else whom you can trust.
Our clients consistently describe our staff as being caring, professional, and safe.
We are ready to listen to you and respond to your questions.
Whomever you approach, keep in mind that regardless of your age or situation, it is illegal for you to be pressured or forced to choose an option that you actually don't want.
Our clients consistently describe our staff as being caring, professional, and safe.
We are ready to listen to you and respond to your questions.
Whomever you approach, keep in mind that regardless of your age or situation, it is illegal for you to be pressured or forced to choose an option that you actually don't want.
make an informed decision
Regardless of which option you are currently considering (abortion, adoption, or parenting), each has different implications, both now and in your future.
It is important that you educate yourself as fully as possible so that you can make an informed decision.
It is important that you educate yourself as fully as possible so that you can make an informed decision.
ABORTION information
Click any of the below listed topics for more details.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Whether you have missed a period, are experiencing signs of pregnancy, or have a positive pregnancy test, a medical professional can confirm your pregnancy through ultrasound.
This is an important early step as up to 1/5 of U.S. pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Part of our caring, confidential, and free services are performing limited obstetrical ultrasound exams during the first trimester of a pregnancy in order to;
Our limited ultrasound exams will not diagnose gender, abnormalities, and/or other potential problems.
This is an important early step as up to 1/5 of U.S. pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Part of our caring, confidential, and free services are performing limited obstetrical ultrasound exams during the first trimester of a pregnancy in order to;
- confirm pregnancy,
- determine gestational age,
- check the fetal heartbeat, and
- rule out an ectopic pregnancy (when the embryo is outside of the uterus) or miscarriage.
Our limited ultrasound exams will not diagnose gender, abnormalities, and/or other potential problems.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Having an undiagnosed STI during an abortion procedure, may cause complications following the abortion, including Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can lead to serious medical consequences including infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Our Registered Nurses can provide you with a referral to a community service provider of STI testing & treatment services, or in some cases test you on site for Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea.
Our Registered Nurses can provide you with a referral to a community service provider of STI testing & treatment services, or in some cases test you on site for Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea.
Informed Consent
To ensure that you are aware of all of your options Utah law requires "that before performing the abortion, the physician who will perform the abortion obtains a voluntary and informed written consent from the woman on whom the abortion is performed . . . at least 72 hours before the abortion." There are exceptions to this requirement.
Fees for Abortions
There are many factors that impact costs for an abortion including fetal age and the type of abortion to be performed. Abortion fees can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
Depending upon your insurance coverage, your out-of-pocket expenses can be lower, but many Utah insurance plans only cover abortion if the woman's life is endangered, her health is severely compromised, or in cases of fetal impairment, rape or incest.
Depending upon your insurance coverage, your out-of-pocket expenses can be lower, but many Utah insurance plans only cover abortion if the woman's life is endangered, her health is severely compromised, or in cases of fetal impairment, rape or incest.
Medical (Chemical) Abortions
The Food & Drug Administration requires that this method be used up to 10 weeks after the beginning of one's last menstrual period. After that, surgical abortions (see below) are the methods used.
An initial appointment is scheduled so medical professionals can collect a medical history, complete lab work, and perform a physical exam. An ultrasound exam to determine fetal age may also need to be done.
Consent forms releasing liability and written guidance (sometimes including a phone number to use for future questions/concerns) are then completed before beginning the medical abortion.
The first oral dose of Mifepristone, also known as the abortion pill, is provided towards the end of the first appointment. This blocks the ability of the uterus to recognize progesterone, causing the lining of the uterus to deteriorate and the developing embryo is terminated.
Usually, 24 to 48 hours later the woman takes the provided Misoprostol tables orally or inserts the medication vaginally. This medicine causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo, embryonic sac, and the lining of the uterus in as little as 4 hours but typically within 24 to 48 hours. Heavy bleeding and intense uterine cramping result for 9 to 16 days.
Two weeks later the woman should return to the medical professionals overseeing the medical abortion to confirm that the abortion was completely successful. If it was not completely successful, infection and/or other permanent effects can result.
An initial appointment is scheduled so medical professionals can collect a medical history, complete lab work, and perform a physical exam. An ultrasound exam to determine fetal age may also need to be done.
Consent forms releasing liability and written guidance (sometimes including a phone number to use for future questions/concerns) are then completed before beginning the medical abortion.
The first oral dose of Mifepristone, also known as the abortion pill, is provided towards the end of the first appointment. This blocks the ability of the uterus to recognize progesterone, causing the lining of the uterus to deteriorate and the developing embryo is terminated.
Usually, 24 to 48 hours later the woman takes the provided Misoprostol tables orally or inserts the medication vaginally. This medicine causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo, embryonic sac, and the lining of the uterus in as little as 4 hours but typically within 24 to 48 hours. Heavy bleeding and intense uterine cramping result for 9 to 16 days.
Two weeks later the woman should return to the medical professionals overseeing the medical abortion to confirm that the abortion was completely successful. If it was not completely successful, infection and/or other permanent effects can result.
Vacuum (Suction) Aspirations
These are the most common form of abortion and this procedure is typically used during the 1st Trimester.
Receiving some form of sedation, pain medication for cramping, and antibiotics are typically a part of the process.
Additional medication to assist with opening the cervix and possibly the placement of small dilator sticks (laminaria) into the opening of your cervix a day or a few hours before an abortion may be necessary.
During the procedure medical staff will typically examine the uterus, place a speculum into the vagina, inject numbing medication into or near the cervix, use dilator sticks to stretch the cervix (unless done prior to the procedure), insert a tube through the cervix into the uterus, attach a a suction device/machine to the tube, and if necessary use additional surgical tools to ensure the uterus is totally empty.
After the procedure, you will need to remain until you have sufficiently recovered.
Receiving some form of sedation, pain medication for cramping, and antibiotics are typically a part of the process.
Additional medication to assist with opening the cervix and possibly the placement of small dilator sticks (laminaria) into the opening of your cervix a day or a few hours before an abortion may be necessary.
During the procedure medical staff will typically examine the uterus, place a speculum into the vagina, inject numbing medication into or near the cervix, use dilator sticks to stretch the cervix (unless done prior to the procedure), insert a tube through the cervix into the uterus, attach a a suction device/machine to the tube, and if necessary use additional surgical tools to ensure the uterus is totally empty.
After the procedure, you will need to remain until you have sufficiently recovered.
Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) Procedures
This procedure is used during the 2nd Trimester.
The steps listed above for "Vacuum (Suction) Aspirations" are also used for D & E procedures; however, some additional steps may include;
Use of multiple surgical tools to ensure the uterus is totally empty is even more necessary. Forceps are used to remove fetal parts through the cervix, and all parts must be accounted for to ensure the abortion is complete.
After the procedure, you will need to remain until you have sufficiently recovered.
The steps listed above for "Vacuum (Suction) Aspirations" are also used for D & E procedures; however, some additional steps may include;
Use of multiple surgical tools to ensure the uterus is totally empty is even more necessary. Forceps are used to remove fetal parts through the cervix, and all parts must be accounted for to ensure the abortion is complete.
After the procedure, you will need to remain until you have sufficiently recovered.
Want to Learn More?
While the Pregnancy Resource Center of Salt Lake City does not perform or refer for abortions, our Registered Nurses and Peer Counselors will listen to you and respond to your questions and concerns by providing you with current and medically accurate information about any of the options you are considering.
