Pregnancy Options

When you are pregnant and faced with making the decision to parent, place your child for adoption, or have an abortion, there are very real implications for your mind and body. You’ve got time. No woman should feel rushed, pressured, or judged. Medically accurate information is the key to making good decisions and is the hallmark of quality healthcare. Vida Medical Clinic nurses and Vida Support Services mentors are here to help. We will meet you where you are on your journey, through what can be a very difficult time.

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, heavy hearts and frantic minds have struggled with these types of questions/fears:

  • What do I do because my boyfriend/husband doesn’t want the baby?
  • I’m too young!
  • I just can’t tell my family.
  • I have no support.
  • How will I finish school?
  • I can’t afford a child.

You are not alone! Our nurses and mentors have helped thousands of women, young and old, who are trying to find answers to challenging questions. No woman should feel as if they cannot make the choice to parent because they have no money, no place to live, or lack the support of family and/or friends. When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, you may also feel alone, afraid, and overwhelmed by how this choice may change your life.

Vida firmly believes that no woman should have to walk this road alone. We provide support services that will address many of the issues you may feel are too difficult to overcome. We also work closely with other community agencies to make sure you have the help you need including financial assistance, temporary housing, maternity clothing, pre-natal education, free lactation consultation, free labor and delivery classes, mentoring, etc.

It’s ok if you are not ready to parent. It is important to understand and make a fully informed decision about adoption. Some benefits of choosing an adoption are:

  • You can focus on your education and/or career
  • You will not need to parent before you are ready
  • You will have the time and space you need to plan your future and your baby’s future
  • You can continue to have contact with your child and be a part of his or her life

Vida has the resources to help you formulate an adoption plan that empowers you to make healthy, life-affirming decisions for you and your baby. If you choose to, you can select and meet the parents who will raise your child. You can also choose how involved, if at all, you want to be in the life of your child. Our nurses and mentors would be happy to discuss this option with you.

After giving birth, you may feel you are not ready to parent. Safe surrender is an option in which you may safely and confidentially surrender your child unharmed up to 72 hours old to any EMT, hospital employee, at any fire station or police station, or at Vida, no questions asked. 

Under Wisconsin’s Safe Haven law, you may choose to safely deliver your child in a hospital and still choose safe surrender as an option.

Vida has resources and more information available about safe surrender. Our nurses and mentors would be happy to discuss this option with you if interested.

We do not refer for or perform abortions at Vida Medical Clinic. However, we do provide health care services that would be necessary/required before obtaining an abortion. 

We can confirm your pregnancy through a lab quality hCG urine test. Vida Medical Clinic offers a limited OB ultrasound free of charge. 

Through the ultrasound three main questions will be answered: 1) is there a pregnancy inside the uterus; 2) how far along are you in weeks and days from your last menstrual period and estimated delivery date; and 3) is there a heartbeat (versus possible miscarriage). The ultrasound will determine which abortion procedure can be done. If your pregnancy is not viable, you will not need an abortion. 

We can also provide STD testing and treatment free of charge. For your health and safety, it is recommended to be tested and treated for any STDs prior to having an abortion. Click here for more information about STD testing and treatment at Vida.

Click here for  information about at-home abortion. 

Plan B One Step, also known as the morning after pill or emergency contraception, is used by women to prevent a pregnancy if they have had unprotected sex.

Plan B One Step works by releasing a high dose of levonorgestrel. It may work by preventing the egg and sperm from meeting by delaying ovulation or not allowing fertilization to take place. If implantation has already occurred, this will not be effective in terminating the pregnancy and does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.

The following are potential side effects when using these types of pills: changes in mood; nausea and/or vomiting; dizziness; fatigue; headache; breast tenderness; spotting; heavy period; and lower abdominal pain or cramping.

How do I know if I am having a miscarriage?

A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. The loss of pregnancy during the first trimester is called early pregnancy loss, miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most women who experience a loss have successful pregnancies in the future. Symptoms may include vaginal spotting, abdominal cramping, and lower back pain and/or passing of fluids or tissue. A miscarriage should be managed by a medical provider. Vida Medical Clinic makes referrals to providers.

Can Vida give me a due date?

Your Estimated Due Date (EDD) is calculated by the 1st day of your last menstrual period. Ultrasound is often used to confirm the due date.

When do I need to see a doctor?

At 8-10 weeks into your pregnancy.

When can I have an ultrasound?

After 6 ½ weeks after missing a period.

Is a visit to your clinic confidential?

Yes, all of our services are confidential and free.

Can someone come with me to my appointment?

Yes. We may need to see you for part of your appointment alone, but your support person can be there for most of your appointment.

How do I know if I am having an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

In most cases, a woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm in one of her fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg moves through the tube to the lining of the uterus where it implants and starts to grow. An ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus. This is a potential emergency. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain on one side or radiating to a shoulder, light headedness and/ or dizziness. If you are experiencing these symptoms seek care immediately or call 911. Vida Medical Clinic cannot manage an ectopic pregnancy.

If I am under the age of 18, do I need my parent’s permission to come into the clinic?

No. You can call 920-731-4354 and schedule your own appointment. Testing and treatment is confidential and free.

How early can I have a positive pregnancy test?

The best time to test is 1 week after your 1st missed period.

What medications can I take?

A summarized medication list will be given to you at your visit at Vida Medical Clinic. It is best to speak with your medical provider before taking any new medications and to address those you currently are taking regularly.

What do I need to do before I get an abortion?

For your health and safety if you are considering an abortion, viability and pregnancy dating should be confirmed by pregnancy test and ultrasound. A viable pregnancy is one that is capable of developing under normal conditions. Accurate information on abortion procedures and risks, as well as STD testing and treatment is important to obtain prior to an abortion.

We do not provide or refer for abortions, but our nurses will discuss and answer any questions.