If you’re feeling unsure and a bit overwhelmed because you think you might be pregnant, it’s understandable. You’re not alone, truly. There’s support available to help you. Especially at a ThriVe location, a women health center. Here at ThriVe, we’re a no-judgment, no-pressure zone. We’re here to empower you with information and no-cost services (like pregnancy tests and ultrasounds) to help you make your own decision. We believe that you’re the best person to make your choice. That’s why making an appointment at ThriVe is a powerful step toward taking control of your health. We’ll help make sure you have all the answers you need to make informed choices.
Let’s walk through some of the important questions we can help you answer during your appointment. You’re completely capable and smart. You will come through this, no matter what you decide. But there are questions you can ask to make sure you have all the info you need. So, what are key questions to ask?
1. Am I Really Pregnant?
This is usually the first question on your mind — and it’s an important one! A missed period and symptoms like nausea, tender breasts, and fatigue can be early symptoms.1 But there can be other causes for these symptoms, besides being pregnant!
The best way to know for sure is to take a test. Here at ThriVe, we offer no-cost, lab-quality pregnancy tests, so you can get clear, accurate results without the guesswork. Our tests are lab-quality, so you’ll know exactly where you stand.
– Why confirmation matters: Before moving forward with any decisions — especially if you’re considering taking the abortion pill — it’s critical to first make sure you’re actually pregnant. False alarms happen, and there’s no need to rush into any procedure without being sure.
– Timing is everything: Knowing you’re pregnant is the first step. Confirming how far along you are is just as crucial. We can help you do both at ThriVe.
2. How Far Along Is This Pregnancy?
A lot of women aren’t exactly sure when they became pregnant. But it’s important to know for sure! Knowing exactly when conception happened can sometimes be challenging, especially if your menstrual cycle is irregular. Maybe you’ve missed a period or two, but you’re not sure when it all started. This is actually really common, and an ultrasound can give you answers!
At ThriVe, a women health center location, we offer no-cost ultrasounds. That’ll help you figure out exactly how far along you are (also called the gestational age of the fetus).
Why is gestational age important?
This is key because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks.2 Knowing the gestational age helps you understand what choices are available to you moving forward.
– After 10 weeks, the available options change. You should know what those are so you can make a fully informed decision.
– Irregular cycles are more common than you might think, so many women are surprised when an ultrasound shows them how far along they are. Don’t worry if you’re unsure when it happened. We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
3. Is Everything Developing Normally?
One of the most important questions we can help you answer with an ultrasound is whether your pregnancy is developing normally. What does that mean? Well, sometimes, it can start developing outside of the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy, and it requires immediate medical care from a provider.3
Other times the pregnancy is non-viable (meaning it won’t continue on its own).4 Some medical professionals think that over 20% of all pregnancies end naturally.4
Why does this matter?
– An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if left untreated. A professional ultrasound helps rule this out so you can get immediate care if necessary. The abortion pill won’t end it if it is ectopic..2
– And if it ends naturally on its own (called a miscarriage), an abortion wouldn’t even be necessary.
By getting an ultrasound at ThriVe, you can rule out these conditions. We’ll make sure everything is progressing as expected. If there’s a complication, we’ll talk about what that means and how to address it with your provider. If everything is developing normally, we’ll help you understand what your choices are — so you can make an authentic, informed decision.
4. Do I Have an STI That Needs to Be Treated?
Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: even if you don’t have any symptoms, it’s possible to have an STI (sexually transmitted infection).5 And if you’re pregnant or considering an abortion, untreated STIs can cause serious problems for your health and future.
– Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is one potential complication. During an abortion, bacteria from an untreated STI can enter the uterus and cause an infection like PID, which can lead to long-term reproductive issues, including chronic pain and not being able to get pregnant in the future when you’re ready.5
That’s one reason it’s important to get tested for STDs, even if you don’t feel sick. At ThriVe, we offer no-cost STI screenings, so you can get tested and treated if needed. Our team can walk you through the process and make sure you’re healthy and ready for whatever comes next. Let’s make sure you’re experiencing good health so you can feel ready for whatever steps come next for you.
– No symptoms doesn’t mean no infection. Even if everything seems fine, it’s still smart to get checked out. Anyone who has been sexually active (even if it was in the past) could have been exposed to an STD.
5. What Choices Do I Have for This Pregnancy?
Whether this was planned or unplanned, deciding what to do next is a big decision. We totally understand how hard this is — we’ve been there. At ThriVe, a women health center, we provide medically-accurate, judgment-free info on all your pregnancy choices so you can choose the path that’s right for you. You’re the only one who should make this choice, and you’re totally capable!
Your choices include:
| Continuing the pregnancy and exploring parenting options | Abortion |
| Adoption |
We know this is a deeply personal decision, and no one else should make it for you. Our job is to get you the info you need so you can make a choice that aligns with your goals, values, and desires for your future. We never pressure or judge you — our role is to support you with information, whatever you decide.
6. What Does an Authentic Choice Mean?
Making this decision is one of the biggest choices you’ll ever make, and it’s not something you should rush through. You have time. An authentic choice means gathering all the information. Taking time to reflect on what you want. Weighing your options based on your goals, values, and vision for your future.
To make an authentic choice, consider:
| What are your long-term goals? |
| What values are most important to you? |
| How do you see your life in the future, and how does this decision impact that vision? |
An authentic choice is about doing what’s best for you—not anyone else. We’re here to help you work through these questions, providing the support and care you need to make a decision that’s right for you.
We’re Here for You
At ThriVe, we know this is an emotional and complex time for you. Our medical staff and women’s advocates are here to walk you through each step. We’ll answer any questions you have, and give you the support you need to feel confident in your choices. You deserve to move forward with confidence. Take your time, and make sure you’re making the best choice for you, not your family, your partner, or your friends.
Remember, all these services are no cost at ThriVe:
| Lab-quality pregnancy tests. |
| Ultrasounds to confirm viability, gestational age, and rule out ectopic pregnancy. |
| Medically-accurate information to understand all your options |
| STI screenings — including treatment, free of charge! (it’s expensive!) |
You deserve to feel empowered. Informed. Supported. At ThriVe, we’re here to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for yourself — without judgment, without pressure.
If you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to listen. You’ve got options, even now. We’re here to help you figure out the best path for you.
Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. Whether you have questions or just need someone to listen, our team at ThriVe is here for you every step of the way.
Sources:
3https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
