If you are faced with an unplanned pregnancy, need help with family planning, or have a reproductive concern, you may be unsure where to go. This can be a very difficult time in a woman’s life, and it is important to be able to access unbiased, accurate, and clear information on your options. At My Choice Medical Center, we help support women and their loved ones throughout this time. We gently explain each option, making sure that you have all the knowledge you need to make a decision.
Abortion Services
Accessing abortion services can be a difficult choice for many women. It is one that only you can make; no one at My Choice is going to talk you into any particular decision. We do let you know that it is important to seek out services as soon as possible, to minimize the invasiveness of the procedure. We also offer emotional support to women as well as their families who may be in need. You can rely on us to provide you with high-quality, non-judgmental care.
Our emotional support workers are also here to help in cases of pregnancy termination due to medical concerns or non-viability. We know that this can be devastating to many families and do our best to provide each member with the compassion they need to make it through this difficult time. For many women, talking with a trained medical professional can help ensure that all your needs, physical as well as emotional, are met.
Types of Services
When a patient is in her first trimester, she may opt to undergo what is known as a manual vacuum aspiration. This procedure is typically done using local anesthesia. Dilation and curettage, also known as aspiration, is a second option available throughout the first trimester, up until the 16thweek.
During the first and early second trimester, surgical abortion is also available. This procedure is only done in cases where the abortion pill is no longer suitable. This procedure is completely safe, and has fewer complications than childbirth, when you have it done at a reputable abortion clinic, such as My Choice Pregnancy Center.
Once a woman enters her second trimester, the options become narrower. Dilation and evacuation can be performed until the end of the 16thweek. In rare circumstances, none of these options are considered safe. When situations like that arrive, healthcare professionals often turn to induced abortion.
Abortion Pill
The so-called “abortion pill” is technically separate doses of two different types of medication. It is also called a medical abortion, and is a much less invasive technique than the others. It is 93 to 99 percent effective and can be performed until the 10thweek of pregnancy. There are very few risks of further complications, which is one of the biggest reasons why this option is recommended to many women.
When the patient is at our client, she is given a dose of Mifeprex. Approximately 12 to 48 hours later, depending on her condition and the pregnancy’s progression, a substance called Misoprostol is administered. This can be done at the clinic or at the woman’s home. Again, the location of administration depends on the condition and length of the pregnancy. These medications block progesterone and soften the cervix. There are no invasive procedures required, and even the aftercare is simple. Many women prefer this procedure to others, since it reduces the risk of infection, is more private, and gives the patient greater agency than other methods. In particular, women who have been a victim of trauma in the past may appreciate the benefits of the abortion pill.
Compassionate Staff
We know that unplanned pregnancies, pregnancies that cannot be carried to term, and other family planning services can be hard to seek out. Whether you are dealing with a high-emotion situation, find yourself in need of more information, or are seeking out family planning services for the first time, you can count on our staff to treat you with respect, compassion, and dignity at all times. Working with unsympathetic people can only make these difficult times that much harder, which is why each one of our staff members receives compassion training. Our job is to ensure that you are fully informed and feel as supported as possible about your options, not to scold you or make you feel as though you have no agency in this decision.
Family Planning
My Choice Medical Center can help with more than pregnancy termination procedures and counseling. We also offer family planning services. We believe that choices you make about your reproductive health start as soon as you become sexually active. As a result, our caring staff members are happy to work with you to find the ideal contraception for your needs. We give you all the information you need about each type, including the pros and cons as well as any side effects you need to be mindful of. Every woman must make a choice about what is best for her needs, and we do everything in our power to make that decision as easy as possible. There are many birth control options available at our clinic, including:
- Ortho Evra Patch
- Nuvaring
- Depo Provera
- IUDs, including Minera and Paragard
- The Pill (various brands)
- Condoms (both female and male)
Women’s Health
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a family doctor who sees them on a regular basis and follows their care closely. My Choice Medical Center helps to overcome this doctor shortage by helping to educate women on the best ways to screen for breast cancer, arranging for PAP smears, and assisting with any additional cancer screening tools. We also offer a wide range of testing, including pregnancy tests and STD tests, both of which are done on site and are completely confidential.
How My Choice Can Help
Our clinic was built to help women with a variety of medical issues, including pregnancy testing, counseling, and ensuring you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your reproductive care. Our abortion clinic has been designed to set patients at ease, and we encourage you to bring a support person with you to all appointments. Your comfort is our first priority.
Women who have questions about their reproductive care, family planning, or abortion services, can contact us at My Choice Medical Center to book an appointment, to obtain abortion information, or to find out more about our services. Our staff members are caring and empathetic; happy to help you however they can. Stop in and visit our San Fernando Valley location or give us a call at 866-397-3070.