Choosing a Quality
Abortion Provider
ABOUT THIS SECTION
The decision to choose abortion as your alternative to continuing a pregnancy is often a difficult choice.
Once that decision is made however, you must also choose which abortion provider you will entrust with your care -your future - your life. Good for you for checking providers out!
This section offers a list of questions that will help you choose the highest quality abortion care provider. There are many abortion clinics in the tri-county area, so choosing an abortion provider may involve more than a single phone call. We know you want the best care.
When you call us here at Northland, we'll be glad to have a conversation about all the medical information you seek as well as offer the emotional support for what matters most to you about this decision.
WE BELIEVE
You already know you deserve the highest quality care. You also deserve to feel at peace with your decision. And, you deserve the best care for you body and your heart.
WE PROMISE
We promise to take care of both your physical and emotional health. We promise to treat you with the respect and dignity you deserve. You know the life story that brings you here. We know the stories of many women before you. We promise to care for you like we would our sisters, our daughters, our friends, the kind of care you give family.
We promise to treat all of you: mind, body and spirit, not just your uterus. You know what is best for your life at this time and we promise to support you in listening to your own true voice. Speak first from your heart.
We promise to be here for you with open hearts and open minds.
Yes, we are different. Here, at Northland, healthcare is a different - and a better - experience.
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Choosing a Quality Provider
What does quality really mean to you? What matters most? We know you want to protect your future health and dreams. In addition to good medical care, you deserve a care provider who respects you and honors your dignity. Read how we define quality and what to look for to have the best experience possible.
Ask Questions
You know the basic questions about time and fees, but there is so much more that goes into making your abortion experience one that protects your physical and emotional health. Sometimes it helps to have a list of what quality providers know represents the best in care. So we created one for you.
Choosing a Quality Provider
A quality abortion care provider serves both your physical and your emotional health. How do you choose a quality abortion provider who will offer you the best care, ensure comfort and treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve?
You ask questions.
Read through the list of questions below. It's good to take the time to ask these questions of the providers you visit or call. Quality care providers will welcome your questions, not be annoyed. In fact, quality providers such as Northland may offer the answers before you ask and may ask you some questions to make sure we can be supportive right from the beginning.
Throughout this section you will see links to other helpful sections on our website. Click on the links to see what the model of quality care looks and feels like here at Northland.
Remember, the term abortion provider means more here at Northland. Here, abortion care provider means everyone on your care team, beginning with the person you have your first phone conversation with, and including your healthcare support counselor, your full medical team and Physician, your recovery support Nurse and your Nurse Practitioner at your follow-up appointment!
We're all here for YOU!
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Ask Questions.
Listen for compassion and support.
Often your first contact with an abortion provider is by phone. As you are talking to the abortion provider, be sure to listen for the following:
- You are treated kindly and patiently.
- Information regarding abortion services is being given clearly and willingly.
- The telephone counselor is well informed and answers your questions easily.
Beware of a clinic that sends you elsewhere to obtain the State-Mandated 24-hour waiting information.
How do I know what questions to ask?
Being on the phone gives you an opportunity to ask a great many questions. Listed below are some of the many questions women often ask. How do we know? Because we have been caring for women since 1976. We welcome your questions and offer our open-hearted support.
CAUTION!
If you are looking for an abortion provider,
or a source for unbiased counseling,
ask the most important question:
Do you perform abortions in your office?
If they do not answer with a direct YES,
you may not have contacted a legitimate provider.
There are a number of pregnancy counseling and testing centers
that are operated by anti-abortion groups.
These centers do not present a complete, unbiased overview
of pregnancy options. They do not provide accurate
family planning or birth control information.
Their goal is to prevent women from choosing abortion.
If, while you are waiting for your pregnancy test results,
you are required to view a disturbing film or read literature
that is not clearly marked as the state-mandated information,
we recommend you leave and find another facility.
Pregnancy testing
What days and hours are pregnancy tests available?
How fast will I have the results?
What kinds of tests are available? What are the costs?
Abortion care: counseling
Is counseling provided? Will I speak privately with someone?
Does the clinic offer counseling after my abortion?
Do they offer counseling for those who are with me?
Quality abortion providers have health educators or counselors available who can answer questions or address concerns about all pregnancy options - parenthood, adoption and abortion. Even for those who are very certain about their abortion decision, each woman should have an opportunity to meet with a health counselor to discuss feelings and concerns.
The counseling staff should be there to support and help both patients and those who are with you in this experience. Here at Northland, we offer counseling, both before and after your abortion, and with your partner, friend or parent. This service is not available at all abortion clinics.
You may want to look at our website section , The Abortion Decision and the section, After Your Abortion.
Laboratory tests
What lab tests will be done the day of my abortion? Are there extra charges?
Will I know my lab results before my abortion surgery?
If my blood type is RH-, do they offer a Rhogam injection to protect future pregnancies? What is the cost?
Laboratory tests usually include a pregnancy test and a blood sample to check your hematocrit (to see if you are /are not anemic) and your RH factor. Quality providers also offer tests to detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Surgical and Non-Surgical
How long will the abortion take?
How long will I be in the center?
What are your pain management options? What are the extra charges?
If they are offering General Anesthesia, is it really General Anesthesia that is offered? Is the provider meeting safety guidelines for General Anesthesia? Is there a Nurse Anesthetist with me in the surgery room?
You may want to look at our web page: Comfort Options for Pain Management
CAUTION!
GENERAL ANESTHESIA WARNING
Some abortion providers may tell you they are using General Anesthesia,
when, in fact, they are using deep IV sedation.
Be careful.
If the provider says they are using ‘General”:
Ask if a Nurse Anesthetist will be present for your safety.
Ask about equipment and training.
YOUR HEALTHCARE IS NOT FOR SALE.
What kind of procedure will be performed?
Do they offer early abortion at four weeks?
Do they offer early surgical abortion through manual vacuum aspiration?
For non-surgical abortion, is the method used the FDA approved method and pill or a substitute?
You may want to take a look at our web page: Early Abortion Care.
Is there an option for one-day second trimester abortion?
Have they made the changes required in 2nd trimester abortion care to comply with the Supreme Court Ruling?
You may want to take a look at our web page: Abortion Care Services/2nd Trimester Care.
Who will be in the room during the procedure?
Can my partner or friend be with me?
What qualifications does the doctor have?
How long has he or she been performing abortions?
Will the doctor do a pelvic exam before the abortion to confirm my length of pregnancy? An ultrasound?
Is there a recovery area separate from the surgery room?
Is there a 24-hour phone number for emergencies?
You may want to take a look at our web page: Abortion Care Services.
Surgical abortion usually takes only a few minutes, but patients can be in the center for several hours because quality providers ensure that counseling is provided, a medical history is obtained and lab work is performed before you are readied for surgery. These are important opportunities for you to meet the medical team and to relax. Following surgery, patients need ample recovery time with medical and counseling staff available and a comprehensive Recovery At Home packet of information.
Non-surgical abortion can be performed early in pregnancy. There are certain requirements and an experienced care provider should offer the information and be willing to answer your questions.
Two weeks after abortion, it is very important for all patients to have a follow-up examination. Higher quality abortion providers will not charge for this visit.
Appointments and fees
When are appointments available?
Are they credentialed by insurance companies to accept insurance?
Do they offer Special Options for appointments?
You may want to look at our web page: Appointments and Payment Information.
On-going reproductive health care
Are there several choices of birth control available the same day as your surgery if you want it? What are the costs?
Does the provider offer follow-up services for birth control and total reproductive health care?
You may want to look at our web pages: Abortion Care Services and Reproductive Health Care.
Here, at Northland Family Planning Centers, we welcome your questions.
Stop by the center closest to you and have a conversation with us.
Here at Northland,
we make the world a better place for women!
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