Q)  How do I know if I’m pregnant?

A)  Most women think they may be pregnant if they miss a menstrual cycle, have morning sickness, or strange cravings. The only way to know for sure is to be tested, and if the test is positive you should follow up with a doctor to confirm the results. Any time you suspect that you could be pregnant it is good to have a pregnancy test.

 The free pregnancy test that we do is an hCG urine test. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a protein hormone produced by the placenta. The urine-based pregnancy test analyzes the presence of hCG. The appearance and increased level of hCG provide an excellent indicator of pregnancy. hCG is released into the mother’s circulation almost immediately after implantation (5-8 days after conception). hCG is produced in minute amounts and then, rising exponentially, the concentration doubles approximately very 2.2 days.

 Sources: Precious Feet Pregnancy Test Training Manual, Heritage House ’76, Inc 2002 Issue date: 4/1/03 p. 1

Free On-Line Pregnancy Test

Q)  How soon can I tell if I’m pregnant?                                                       To Top Of Page 

A)  Our free pregnancy test is so sensitive it may pick up a positive result as early as 7 – 10 days post conception (21 to 24 days after the first day of the last period) depending on when implantation occurs and the client’s personal hCG levels.

Sources: Precious Feet Pregnancy Test, Heritage House ’76, Inc 2002 Issue date: 4/1/03 p. 2

Q)  How does the Morning After Pill (emergency contraception) work?       To Top Of Page 

A)  The Morning After Pill is a so-called emergency contraceptive that can be taken within the first 72 hours after intercourse. The first two pills must be taken within 72 hours after intercourse, followed by two more pills 12 hours later. There are four possible mechanisms by which Preven can prevent a pregnancy:

1.  Ovulation will be prevented (the egg will not be released).
2.  The menstrual cycle will be altered, which will delay ovulation.
3.   Alterations may occur to the uterine wall, interfering with the ability of the fertilized egg to  implant within the uterus.
4.  Sperm penetration or migration may be affected.

Health Risk

Many women who take the Morning After Pill experience flu-like symptoms. This includes:

a.       50 percent experience nausea
b.       20 percent experience vomiting 

The pills are a chemically induced alteration of the female reproductive system. Because of the way the female body works, it is very difficult to limit the effects of this chemically induced change to just the uterus. Other side effects or risks include: Infertility, breast tenderness, blood clot formation, and ectopic pregnancy (in a fallopian tube, which can be quite dangerous to a woman’s health).

Sources: “A Consumer’s Guide to the Pill and Other Drugs,” by pharmacist/researcher John Wilks
              “Infant Homicides Through Contraceptives,” by pharmacist Bogomir Kuthar, 2^nd edition, 1995

Q)  What is the RU-486 (the abortion pill)?                                                    To Top Of Page 

A)  Also know as mifepristone, it is a chemical used to cause abortion. The “Abortion Pill” is actually 3 pills taken at once.

RU-486 is a man made steroid designed to work against a woman’s normal,  natural state during pregnancy. It is sometimes called a “medical abortion” or “chemical abortion” because it does not involve surgery – unless the chemicals fail to kill the baby.

During pregnancy, the pre-born baby requires a chemical called progesterone. This chemical is produced naturally in the mother’s body. It is so valuable to the baby’s proper growth and development that some call it “nature’s pregnancy hormone.” RU-486 works against this hormone. It breaks down and then destroys the surroundings the baby has established in his mother’s womb, and eventually destroys the baby as well. The chemical cuts off nourishment to the pre-born child, who starves to death inside his mother’s womb.

 But RU-486 does not work alone. A second chemical is also involved. The second chemical (misoprostol), causes cramping and contractions. After RU-486 has killed the baby through starvation, this second chemical is designed to push the dead baby out of the mother’s womb.

 A follow-up visit will determine if the abortion is complete. If the RU-486 abortion has failed, the woman will then be scheduled for a surgical abortion.

 Sources: “A Consumer’s Guide to the Pill and Other Drugs,” by pharmacist/researcher John Wilks.
            “Infant Homicides Through Contraceptives,” by pharmacist Bogomir Kuhar, 2^nd edition, 1995

Side effects:

While using RU-486 the woman experiences severe cramping, nausea, vomiting and bleeding. “There is terrible pain with the procedure.” (Human, Lester) The emotional distress, however, may have even more impact. Rather than being “over” this abortion could last for over a week. When the woman finally does abort, she will expel a tiny dead baby human.

Source: “The RU486 Medical Abortion”, Judie Brown 1997, Heritage House ‘76, Inc. “RU486”, 1998

Q)  How soon should I have an abortion?                                                      To Top Of Page 

A)  Truthfully, there is no “safe time” to have an abortion. There are different procedures for each trimester and as with any surgical procedure there are always risks involved.

If you feel abortion is your only solution you need to know the answers to the following questions. Be sure to ask the clinic or hospital these questions. It’s your body, your life, you have the right to know.

1)  Have other women sued your chosen abortion clinic because they have been injured by an abortion?
2)  Can you be permanently damaged by abortion?
3)   Were any of the risks mentioned to you when you asked the questions above? If not, ask why.
4)   Will you be asked to sign a paper releasing the doctor and clinic of all responsibility in case you suffer physical or emotional damage because of your abortion?
5)    If you sign a release form and then have physical problems will the clinic or the doctor pay for medical costs to repair the damage. 

Source: “Abortion as Your Option”, 2000 Heritage House ’76, Inc..

Q)  How do I get help after an abortion?                                                      To Top Of Page 

A)  If you are facing emotional stresses or physical stresses due to an abortion, help is just around the corner.

 If you are having physical side effects, you need to go to the emergency room and seek immediate medical care.

 For help, contact a local PregnancyCareCenter,PregnancyResourceCenter, CrisisPregnancyCenter, or contact your local church.

 Source: “Abortion as Your Option”, 2000 Heritage House ’76, Inc.

Q)  Will my baby feel pain during abortion?                                                 To Top Of Page 

A)  In the past few years, medical research has shown that unborn babies can feel pain. Dr. H.M. Liley, the leading authority on the study of babies before birth, stated, “When doctors first began invading the sanctuary of the womb, they did not know that the unborn baby would react to pain in the same fashion as a child would . But they soon learned that he would.”

 Source: “Abortion as Your Option”, 2000 Heritage House ’76, Inc.

Q)  What is a Sexually Transmitted Disease? (STD)                                      To Top Of Page 

A)  Sexually transmitted diseases are diseases that are passed from one person to another through acts of sexual activity. There are different types of STDs and there are different ways in which they can be passed from one person to another.

• Some STDs are primarily transmitted by infected body fluid (semen, vaginal secretion, blood, etc.) coming in contact with a partner (HIV, hepatitis B, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, bacterialvaginosis, gonorrhea, etc.).
• Other STDs are transmitted by direct, skin-to-skin contact (herpes, HPV, syphilis, pubic lice [crabs], scabies, chancroid, etc.).
• Some STDs are viruses (HIV, hepatitis B, herpes, HPV, etc.).
• Other STDs are bacteria or other organisms (chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinalae, syphilis, pubic lice [crabs], chncroid, etc.) .

While almost all STDs can be treated to relieve pain or minimize symptoms, there is no cure for any human viral infection including viral STDs. Some viral STDs may resolve spontaneously because of the body’s immunity; others may never get better. Bacterial and other STD organisms can usually be cured. In spite of the fact that the germs can be killed with antibiotics, permanent scars may remain in the body as a result of the original infection. 

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1988, March 11). Condoms for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Disease. “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report”, 37(9), 133-137

Q)  Do condoms protect me?                                                                         To Top Of Page 

A)  Condoms have an annual contraceptive failure rate of 18.4 percent for girls under age 18 (1). Among young unmarried, minority women the annual failure rate is 36.3 percent. Among unmarried Hispanic women it is as high as 44.5 percent (2).

All condoms have flaws or holes. These aren’t poked into them intentionally by someone. They occur naturally in all latex condoms. The average hole size is 5 microns, the largest is 70 microns. A sperm is 50 microns. An HIV virus that causes AIDS is only .1 micron (3).  In one test, 33% (1/3) of the latex condoms leaked HIV sized particles! (4) 

Dr. David G. Collart, Ph.D. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, wrote: “condoms are heat and cold sensitive yet they are not transported in climate controlled vehicles. In a study of condoms, 72,000 trucks were checked and actual photographs taken of eggs frying in the back of trucks used for condom distribution.”(5) Latex breaks down in heat, yet condoms are transported in trucks that get so hot you can fry an egg! 

Condoms can also break and slip off during intercourse. Two researchers, Gotzsche and Hording, did a study of condom failure rate during sex. They found that the breakage and slip off rate during use is so high it makes condoms ineffective for protection against HIV. (6) 

Sources:

1.    “Contraceptive Failure Rate in the United States: Estimates from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth, “ M.D. Hayward and J. Yogi, Family Planning Perspectives,September/October 1986, p. 204.

2.     “Contraceptive Failure in the United States: Revised Estimates from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth”, E.F. Jones and J.D. Forrest Family Planning Perspectives, May/June 1989, p. 103

3.      Roland, C.M. and Sobieske, J.W. (1989). Rubber Chemistry and Technology vol. 62, 683.

4.      Sexually Transmitted Diseases vol. 19, 230-234 (1992)

5.     Collart, D. Ph.D., ClarkAtlantaUniversity, Condoms, A Users Right To Know, Impact, Issue 3, 1-2 (1993).

6.     Gotzsche, P.C. & Hording, M (1988) Scand. J. Infect. Dis. 20, 233-234.

Q)  Will my parents know if I come to you?                                                  To Top Of Page 

A)  The services we offer at the PregnancyResourceCenter are free and confidential, unless clear and present danger to the client or another person is indicated.

 Whatever information leaves this building is up to you. We will not even contact you to confirm appointments if you do not give us permission to contact you.

Q)  Is oral sex a safe alternative?                                                                 To Top Of Page 

A)  Oral sex, like other methods of sex, carries with it the risk of serious, untreatable and even life-threatening diseases in both men and women. Oral sex has been found to spread syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV (HIV causes AIDS), HPV genital herpes, chlamydia and possibly hepatitis C.

 Source: S Edwards and C Carne Oral sex and the transmission of viral STIs, Sexually Transmitted Infections, 1998, 74 (1) 6-10, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV,  STD and TB Prevention Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.