Iowa At Home Abortion Information
At Home Abortion
Opting for an abortion at home is a deeply personal decision. It gives a woman the flexibility to choose her support system, whether she prefers the company of loved ones for emotional backing or desires privacy. However, some are apprehensive about at-home abortions, viewing them as potentially more prolonged and riskier compared to surgical procedures in clinical settings due to the possibility of complications occurring away from medical facilities.
When deciding on an at-home abortion, there are primarily two pathways: arranging a telehealth consultation followed by receiving the necessary medication by mail or visiting a local abortion provider.
Many opt for a telehealth consultation to assess their suitability for a medication-induced abortion (known as the abortion pill or Plan C). Nonetheless, telehealth practitioners are unable to conduct physical exams, including ultrasounds, which are crucial for determining the appropriate abortion method. Such consultations can’t verify an ongoing viable pregnancy, nor can they exclude the possibilities of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, a preliminary screening before deciding on a pregnancy termination is crucial.
Why consider an Iowa pregnancy center?
Iowa pregnancy centers offer a complimentary pre-abortion screening, confirming several vital factors:
- Assessing fetal age (a positive pregnancy test alone doesn’t confirm a viable pregnancy)
- Checking for signs of miscarriage (as many as 1 in 4 known pregnancies may end in miscarriage)
- Excluding an ectopic pregnancy (which can be life-threatening in some instances)
Their qualified medical team conducts these screenings. Their staff is also available to discuss all available options with you. Understanding all facts and risks associated with abortion is an essential step prior to commencing any procedure.
Stay Safe
The FDA advises against the abortion pill for individuals who:
- Have an ectopic pregnancy
- Suffer from adrenal gland disorders
- Are undergoing long-term corticosteroid therapy
- Have previously had allergic reactions to mifepristone, misoprostol, or similar medications
- Have bleeding disorders or are on anticoagulant medication
- Suffer from inherited porphyria
- Have an IUD in place (which must be removed before taking Mifeprex) Additional safety measures include:
- Arranging a follow-up appointment
- Ensuring immediate access to emergency medical care
- Undergoing blood tests for RH factor Before finalizing your decision about an abortion, consider scheduling a no-cost pre-abortion screening at our clinic.
At Iowa pregnancy centers your health and well-being are their top priority. Before you make a decision about abortion, we encourage you to take advantage of their free pre-abortion screening services. Schedule an appointment at your local Iowa pregnancy center today and take the first step towards making an informed and safe choice for your future.
Iowa Pregnancy Centers
In Iowa there are pregnancy centers in all major cities including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, Waterloo, Council Bluffs, Ames, West Des Moines, Dubuque, and even many smaller cities.
Most Iowa pregnancy centers listed offer free and confidential services including medical grade pregnancy tests and ultrasound exams.
1606 Golden Aspen Dr, Suite 105
Ames, IA 50010
515-620-5892
Alpha Women's Center
114 SW State St
Ankeny, IA 50320
515-965-7885
Women's Choice Center
2740 Happy Joe Drive
Bettendorf, IA 52722
563-332-0475
Informed Choices Medical Clinic
1013 S. Central Avenue
Burlington, IA 52601
319-208-9445
Alternatives Pregnancy Center
2016 Campus Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-535-2720
Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center
4250 Glass Road NE Suite 100
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319-364-8967
The Pregnancy Center
240 N Bluff Blvd Ste 105
Clinton, IA 52732
563-242-6628
Gabriel's Corner Pregnancy Center
131 S. 16th Street
Council Bluffs, IA 51502
712-318-1971
Pregnancy Resources
2706 W Central Park
Davenport, IA 52804
563-386-3737
Agape Pregnancy Clinic
2550 ML King Jr. Pkway
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-255-0243
Alpha Women's Center
3605 Southeast 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50320
515-285-5700
Alternatives Pregnancy Center
2720 Merie Hay Rd
Des Moines, IA 60310
319-535-2720
InnerVisions Healthcare South
500 Army Post Road, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50315
515-440-2273
Clarity Clinic
3365 Hillcrest Rd
Dubuque, IA 52002
563-556-5250
Alternatives Pregnancy Center
2006 12th Ave, Lot 57
Eldora, IA 50627
319-535-2720
Cradle of Hope
1700 S. Main Street
Fairfield, IA 52556
319-931-5759
Cradle of Hope
3421 Avenue L
Fort Madison, IA 52627
319-931-5759
1700 W. 2nd Avenue
Indianola, IA 60125
515-255-0243
Informed Choices Medical Clinic
821 S. Gilbert St.
Iowa City, IA 52244
319-358-1000
The Lighthouse Center of Hope
409 Washington Ave
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
641-648-4198
Her Health Women's Center
25 Plymouth Street W
Le Mars, IA 51031
712-224-2000
Caring Pregnancy Center
830 15th St SW Suite 1
Mason City, IA 50401
641-424-2237
Pregnancy Resources
3825 16th Street
Moline, IA 61265
309-797-3636
Cradle of Hope
1400 E. Washington Street
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
319-986-5336
Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa
709 1st Ave W Ste 1
Newton, IA 50208
641-792-3050
Heartland Pregnancy Center
101 S Market St Ste 302
Ottumwa, IA 52501
641-683-3030
Pregnancy Care Center of Pella
1402 Washington Street
Pella, IA 50219
641-780-6075
Pregnancy Center of SW Iowa
101 E Reed Street
Red Oak, IA 51566
712-621-2117
Her Health Women's Center
5732 Sunnybrook Drive
Sioux City, IA 51106
712-224-2000
Mary's Choice
4415 Stone Ave
Sioux City, IA 51102
712-274-6279
Cornerstone for Life PRC
800 Oneida St, Suite 4
Storm Lake, IA 50588
712-299-1707
Alternatives Pregnancy Center
1006 Decathlon Dr
Waterloo, IA 50701
319-535-2720
Alternatives Pregnancy Center
215 3rd St NW
Waverly, IA 50677
319-535-2720
Iowa is located in the Midwestern United States and is known for its fertile farmland, picturesque landscapes, and strong agricultural industry. Iowa's geography includes rolling plains, river valleys, and a climate with hot summers and cold winters. As of 2022, the population of Iowa is projected to be 3.201 million. Universities in Iowa include: University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and many other colleges and universities. The capital is Des Moines, Iowa
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Do I need an appointment?
Answer: Walk-ins are welcome. However, it is best to make an appointment to minimize your office wait time.
Question: What is the cost?
Answer: All services are free and confidential.
Question: What should I expect when I come for my visit?
Answer: Upon your arrival, a friendly receptionist will guide you to meet your client advocate. This advocate will offer you a judgment-free space to talk, followed by essential information and a pregnancy test. In the event of a positive test result, a dedicated medical professional will perform a limited ultrasound to verify the pregnancy's viability and estimate the age of the fetus.
Question: How long after sex does it take for a pregnancy test to work and how accurate is the test?
Answer: Pregnancy tests can be performed 7 to 10 days after conception. A client with a negative result may be invited to return within 2 weeks for a repeat test if she has not had her period.
If you have taken a home pregnancy test, you may want to confirm results with a laboratory-quality test at your local pregnancy center. These pregnancy tests detect HCg levels within 7 to 10 after conception.
Question: Will you tell anyone about my visit?
Answer: Pregnancy centers maintain a rigorous privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients' information is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure, respecting their right to privacy, except in instances mandated by law. This includes situations necessary for public health, preventing harm to the client or others, or in specific circumstances where the use or disclosure of information is justified without prior consent, such as in cases of abuse reporting or suicide/homicide prevention.
Question: When should I schedule an appointment?
Answer: High-quality, medical-grade pregnancy tests are capable of detecting pregnancy from the first day after your initial missed period. We advise scheduling an appointment if you've missed a period, have any queries related to pregnancy, or suspect that you might be pregnant.
Question: How far along do I have to be to get a free ultrasound?
Answer: After an initial consultation with a client advocate, many pregnancy centers offer on-site ultrasound scans. These limited ultrasounds are conducted by a licensed nurse sonographer or a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) and are subsequently reviewed by a licensed physician. The purpose of an ultrasound is to confirm the viability of the pregnancy and to establish the gestational age.
Question: I already know I'm pregnant and I want an abortion, what's next?
Answer: It is advisable to have an ultrasound to confirm the viability of your pregnancy and to ensure it is located within the uterus, as 20% to 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Moreover, the ultrasound helps in determining the stage of your pregnancy, which is essential in making an informed decision about the type of abortion procedure you may consider. Many pregnancy centers offer a limited ultrasound free of charge.