Women’s clinics have provided several key services to women for years at low or no cost, and they have helped thousands of women make informed decisions regarding their health and family planning. You can find women’s clinics in Illinois that offer helpful and life-changing services near you, including the following:
1. Pregnancy Tests
If you think you might be pregnant due to having unprotected sex, contraception malfunctions, or other pregnancy symptoms, like tender breasts, missed periods, or unusual cravings, it’s always a good idea to get a pregnancy test right away.
Store-bought pregnancy tests tend to be quite accurate, but they sometimes have difficulty picking up hormonal changes very early on. This is why you should always take another pregnancy test a few days after the first negative result to confirm. Some women who take multiple store-bought pregnancy tests and get conflicting results, which is stressful in itself.
Many women’s clinics offer free pregnancy tests and screening that can help you know for sure if you are pregnant. You can even schedule a free pregnancy screening online at your convenience in many clinics.
2. Ultrasounds
If you receive a positive result from your clinic pregnancy test, many clinics offer free ultrasounds that can allow a professional to determine how far along the fetus is, confirm cardiac activity, and see where the fetus is located. This can also inform a clinician if the pregnancy is viable, and they can help you make informed decisions about how to proceed.
3. Education
Pregnancy, or potential pregnancy, can lead to dozens of questions, and the internet is full of misinformation that can make it difficult for you to find accurate answers. Women’s clinics can be great places to get evidence-based answers to all of your questions in a safe and warm environment.
Women who aren’t ready to have a child, or have a risky pregnancy, may have inquiries about abortions or adoptions, or they may just want to talk through their thoughts and feelings with a trained professional. Women who decide to keep the fetus may then have questions about staying healthy during pregnancy or help with parenting after the baby is born. Women’s clinics can provide comprehensive answers to any questions you may need to ask.
4. Referrals
One of the most helpful aspects of a women’s clinic is that they can send you a referral to another agency if you have questions or needs that go beyond their scope of practice. A women’s clinic, for example, may not be able to help you through the adoption process, but they may have contact information for a trusted adoption agency that can assist you with your next steps.
They can also help you find a regular doctor for future ultrasound appointments and checkups that will keep both you and the fetus safe if you decide to proceed with the pregnancy.
When faced with the chance of pregnancy or other similar circumstances, it can feel like you are completely alone to deal with these challenges. Fortunately, women’s health clinics are here for you and ensure that you don’t have to face this on your own.
