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Before having an abortion: 5 reasons you should visit a Pregnancy Center first - Alcove Health Women's Clinic Newport News, VA

Before having an abortion: 5 reasons you should visit a Pregnancy Center first

Positive pregnancy test? Before having an abortion, here are 5 important things you should know first, and why they matter.

You just peed on a stick, and you see two little lines. You think you might be pregnant. You are feeling tons of different emotions…fear, anxiety, maybe a little joy.

You have a big decision to make, and the next phone call you make can change everything.

A positive pregnancy test alone just isn’t enough to make a big decision; before having an abortion you should FIRST have a visit with a health professional to talk about the following 5 things:

1) Are you really pregnant?

  • Women CAN have a positive pregnancy test and NOT be pregnant.
  • Certain endocrine conditions like ovarian tumors or pituitary problems can cause the body to release the pregnancy hormone known as hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and this will give a false positive test.
  • User error can be the cause of a false positive test. Be sure to read your test during the window of time that is recommended. Reading a test after the initial 3-5 minutes (as suggested by the package insert) can cause evaporation lines that can mimic a positive result.
  • Taking a test too soon after delivery, miscarriage, or an abortion can result in a false positive.

2) Do you have any medical conditions that would make an abortion not recommended?

Your health matters! Having a conversation about your health and pregnancy history is important.

  • Some women are Rh Negative…this means you have a negative blood type. If this is the case, your body can make antibodies during and after an abortion or miscarriage that can cause very serious problems in future pregnancies. To prevent these problems, women who are Rh-negative should receive a Rhogam injection. It is important to know your blood type and to talk to a healthcare provider BEFORE making an abortion decision.
  • You might be allergic to the medications in the abortion pill. It is very important to speak with someone regarding allergies prior to taking any new medications.
  • Other conditions, like an ectopic pregnancy, may disqualify you from choosing an abortion. An ectopic pregnancy can give you a positive pregnancy test, but it creates a situation where an abortion is not an option. Because of this, it is important to receive a thorough screening before having an abortion.

3) Do you know all your available pregnancy options?

You can read about anything and everything on the internet. But not everything you read is factual. It is important to have the opportunity to receive fact-based medical information regarding your options. You should learn what it would look like to continue with the pregnancy, choose adoption, or choose an abortion. If you are considering an abortion, you should also learn about the following things before having an abortion:

  • The laws in your state
  • The types of abortions available
  • The risks and side effects associated with each type of abortion

4) Do you know these 3 very important things about an ultrasound?

An ultrasound helps verify 3 very important things:

  • Is there a pregnancy and is it in the uterus? This helps eliminate the worry of an ectopic pregnancy (which can be very dangerous and can even be a medical emergency).
  • How far along are you? Women often think they know how far along they are, but sometimes they are surprised. Your abortion choices may be limited by how far you are in your pregnancy. It is important to know your gestational age and due date before having an abortion.
  • Is your pregnancy viable? An ultrasound can be performed very early to determine if the heart has started beating. Confirmation of a heartbeat indicates a pregnancy is progressing as expected and is, indeed, viable. If a viable pregnancy is not confirmed, abortion may not be a choice you need to consider.

5) Do you have an STD?

Studies show that 1 out of every 5 people will have an STD at some point in their life. Many Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are asymptomatic. This means you can be walking around with an STD and not even know it! Before having an abortion – either the pill or procedure abortion – the cervix is opened, which means any STD that is in the vaginal canal can now enter the uterus and can cause what is called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). If untreated, PID can lead to long term health problems and even difficulties getting pregnant in the future!

At Alcove Health, we are here to support you! You can schedule a free appointment where you will receive a pregnancy test, see if you qualify for an ultrasound, and receive an options consultation to help you make an informed decision regarding your pregnancy.

Before having an abortion, call or click the button below to schedule your free and confidential medical appointment today.

Request a Free & Confidential Appointment
RELATED READ 👉 What Will Happen if I Take the Abortion Pill With an Ectopic Pregnancy?

By Michelle, RN, BSN

June 25, 2026

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