Almost weekly we hear of new laws related to abortions in different states. If you live in a nearby state that has an abortion ban and you’re looking at a positive pregnancy test, your first question may be, “What if I come to Virginia for an abortion?”

Abortion laws in Virginia haven’t changed. The laws affecting abortion are the same as they were before the overturning of the Roe decision last summer.

The FDA has approved medical abortions up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Some clinics in Virginia, though not medically advised by the FDA, will offer the abortion pill up to 11 weeks from your LMP.

Although there are some restrictions to abortion access, abortion is legal in Virginia, up to 26 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy.

If you’ve scheduled an abortion in Virginia, whether medical or surgical, there are additional services available in Virginia before your abortion appointment.

Like what? you may be wondering.

It’s a reasonable question, with a reasonable answer.

If you’re like most women seeking an abortion, your only evidence that you’re pregnant is a positive pregnancy test. Probably one you purchased over the counter and took at home. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s most women’s first step.

And while that gives you some information – after all, it does test for pregnancy – it doesn’t give you complete information.

Here at Alcove Health, we’ve helped thousands of women over the past 30 years. They come to our clinic, get the medical services they want, understand their pregnancy options, and then move on with their plans.

For some that’s abortion, for others that’s parenting, and then for a few that’s adoption.

But last year something different happened for 42 women who walked in our doors planning to leave our clinic and head to an abortion provider.

These 42 women left our clinic realizing they either weren’t pregnant, or they were in the process of a miscarriage (so they didn’t even have a viable pregnancy to abort).

That’s a big deal and a compelling reason to have a medical services appointment before beginning any abortion procedure. The services these 42 received at Alcove Health protected their bodies, their wallets, and their emotions.

If you’re planning to come to Virginia for an abortion, Alcove Health Women’s Clinic in Newport News is a worthy stop for you, too. You’ll receive the medical services you need to get complete information about your pregnancy, so you can plan what’s safe for you.

So, how can Alcove Health help you?

Our free and confidential services include ultrasounds, and an ultrasound provides three pieces of medically necessary information.

First, an ultrasound can tell if your pregnancy is located properly inside your uterus. If you’re going to come to Virginia for an abortion – or go anywhere else, for that matter – you need to rule out an ectopic pregnancy before beginning any abortion procedure.

The abortion pill doesn’t treat an ectopic pregnancy and it won’t end a pregnancy that’s not implanted in the uterus. If undetected and untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening for you.

Secondly, an ultrasound can take measurements that show how far along you are. A period tracker can be accurate, but a medical abortion is only effective up to a certain date – and when it comes to the abortion pill, days can make a difference.

When you’re making this type of decision and spending this kind of money to come to Virginia for an abortion, you need to know exactly how far along you are. A few days off can mean the difference between a medical abortion and a surgical abortion.

Finally, an ultrasound can determine if the pregnancy is viable. If the pregnancy isn’t viable, then it is in the process of miscarrying – or you have already miscarried. Miscarriages don’t need abortions.

Plus, medical attention for a miscarriage is usually covered under health insurance, while many abortions are not. So, the cost of an abortion would be wasted money if your pregnancy isn’t viable.

Alcove Health provides additional free services – like STI testing, lab-grade pregnancy tests, and options consultations. And if you’re planning to come to Virginia for an abortion that’s already scheduled, you don’t even need to cancel your appointment with the abortion provider.

Contact us and we’ll try to get you in for these medical services before your scheduled abortion.

A few more things to know about Alcove Health Women’s Clinic: you’re welcome to bring a guest with you to your appointment, there are no residency requirements for our free services, and, if you’re a minor, you don’t need parental consent to receive our services.

Call or click here to request your free and confidential medical appointment today.