New Jersey Abortion Safety Checklist
Abortion Safety
Your health and well-being are paramount. Your local New Jersey pregnancy center understands that this is your pregnancy, your future, and ultimately, your choice. Their commitment is to support and empower you, ensuring you have all the necessary information to make a decision you feel confident about.
If you find yourself uncertain or have questions, we warmly invite you to speak with their knowledgeable staff or medical team.
Considering an Abortion?
Follow Our Abortion Safety Checklist:
1. Confirm Your Pregnancy
A standard pregnancy test does not provide a complete confirmation of pregnancy. An ultrasound, which an New Jersey pregnancy center provides at no cost, will confirm the presence of a pregnancy within the uterus and determine its stage. This is essential as it affects the types of abortion procedures available to you.
2. Understand the Risks
Like any medical intervention, abortions carry their own set of risks, both immediate and long-term. We recommend discussing these with our medical professionals to fully understand the potential impacts on your health.
3. Consider All Alternatives
Making an informed decision involves exploring every available option—abortion, adoption, or parenting. This choice is deeply personal, and taking the time to consider all possibilities will equip you with the assurance to make the best decision for yourself.
4. Get Tested for STDs/STIs
Undergoing an abortion with an untreated STD/STI can increase the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may lead to future infertility or chronic pain. We offer free referrals for comprehensive STD/STI testing and treatment to safeguard your health.
5. Take a Moment to Reflect
When faced with a significant decision, it’s beneficial to pause and reflect on your feelings and concerns. Visit your local New Jersey pregnancy clinic to discuss your thoughts and questions, ensuring you are fully prepared to make an informed choice about your pregnancy.
Questions For You
Question: Has your pregnancy been medically confirmed?
Answer: Even if you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, you will need an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, determine how far along you are, and rule out an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. As many as 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage, and more than 80% of miscarriages occur in the first three months of pregnancy.
Question: Are you aware of which abortion procedure is appropriate for you?
Answer: Consider all your options. At your local pregnancy center you can receive a pre-abortion screening at no-cost by a medical professional.
Question: Do you understand the details of the abortion procedure and what to expect afterwards?
cnswer: At your local pregnancy Center you can receive a pre-abortion screening at no-cost by a medical professional.
Question: Are you informed about the possible physical and emotional risks and complications associated with the abortion procedure?
Answer: You deserve to be informed with all the facts. At your local pregnancy center you can receive a pre-abortion screening at no-cost by a medical professional.
Question: Does the clinic you have chosen commit to providing care for any complications that may arise?
Answer: Remember, you are not alone in navigating this decision. We encourage you to take the time you need to consider all aspects of your choice. If you have any questions, need more information, or simply wish to talk to someone who understands, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Question: Do you know that it is completely acceptable to change your mind?
Answer: Many women who have experienced abortion relate that they felt they could not change their mind once they had entered the facility. Others say that they waited on the table to be “rescued” by the baby’s father at the last minute. Some facilities even told the women that they couldn’t get their money back if they changed their mind, which is not legal.
Abortion providers understand this choice is a difficult decision and can work to encourage you to abort even as they say, “I simply can’t do this!” Know your rights. Don’t be pressured or intimidated, particularly by the clinic staff. If you are not sure about your abortion decision, you can change your mind. If the procedure is not performed, demand your money back.
Question: Have there been any legal actions against the clinic or its physicians?
Answer: Abortion is legal in the United States, but bad medical care is not. Women have died as a result of their “safe and legal abortions.” Some have had their bodies harmed to the point that they can no longer have children. Be sure and do your research.
Question: Is a licensed physician required to perform a surgical abortion?
Answer: Yes, only a licensed physician can perform an abortion, regardless of the type of abortion or the facility where it takes place.
Question: When was your last STD/STI test?
Answer: An untreated infection can cause complications if not treated before an abortion. Many local pregnancy centersoffers free STI testing.
Question: Have you received information about the abortion pill and surgical abortion options?
Answer: Pregnancy centers are committed to ensuring that your decision is an empowered one, rooted in full awareness and understanding. During your initial visit, they will provide detailed information about the various types of abortion procedures and thoroughly discuss all your pregnancy options with you.
Question: Are you aware of the complications related to the abortion procedure and emotional aftereffects?
Answer: Your local pregnancy center offers complimentary medical consultations with one of their nurses during your ultrasound exam. This session gives you the opportunity to discuss your health history, address any concerns about potential complications or side effects, and openly talk about your feelings regarding the abortion process. We encourage you to take the time needed to ensure you are fully informed and supported.
Question: Do you feel any external pressure to proceed with an abortion?
Answer: It is against the law for anyone to force you to have an abortion. Not even a husband or parent can require you to undergo an abortion against your will, even if you are a minor (under 18 years old). Pregnancy centers exist to help you in any circumstance. They can even help you discuss this choice with those closest to you that are influencing your decision.
New Jersey Pregnancy Centers
New Jersey pregnancy centers are located in all major cities including Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Toms River, Trenton, Clifton, Camden, Bayonne, Lakewood, and even many smaller cities.
Most New Jersey pregnancy centers listed offer free and confidential services including medical grade pregnancy tests and ultrasound exams.
Birthright
623 Bloomdfield Ave.
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-743-2061
Options for Women
329 Marlton Pike West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
856-795-0048
Birthright
1920 Belmont Ave
Dover, NJ 07801
973-361-6665
Crisis Pregnancy Serivces
1307 White Horse Pike
Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
609-965-8022
Gateway
209 Jefferson Ave, 4th Floor
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
908-353-0605
Friendship Center for New Beginnings
162 Main Street
Flemington, NJ 08822
908-806-4444
Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center
58 W. Main Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-702-8181
Jersey Shore Women's Center
335 E. Jimmie Leads Road 200 Bldg Ste d
Galloway, NJ 08205
609-626-0421
Light House Pregnancy Resource Center
809 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07840
973-238-9045
CareNet Pregnancy Resources
108 Bilby Road, Suite 307
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
908-409-1920
First Choice Women's Resource Center
10 Patterson St
Jersey City, NJ 07307
201-656-6120
Choice One
1764 Brunswick
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
267-217-3430
Life Choices Resource Center
503 Main Street
Metuchen, NJ 08840
732-516-0911
First Choice Women's Resource Center
180 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-655-9806
First Choice Women's Resource Center
82 Speedwell Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-538-1426
First Choice Women's Resource Center
116 New Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
908-561-0079
First Choice Women's Resource Center
35 Halsey Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973-856-6658
Today's Choice Resource Center
49 High Street
Newton, NJ 07860
973-579-2272
Options for Her
321 West Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
609-398-9449
Bridge Women's Center
127 White Oak Lane
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
732-588-0999
Abba Pregnancy Center
257 W. Broad Street
Palmyra, NJ 08065
856-829-0202
Life Choices Medical
156 S. Main Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
908-387-0020
Pregnancy Aid & Information Center
59 Thompson Street
Raritan, NJ 08869
908-523-8121
Cornerstone Pregnancy Care Center
567 Salem-Quinton Road
Salem, NJ 08079
856-935-0300
Solutions Pregnancy & Health Center
837 Broad Street
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
732-747-5454
Open Door Pregnancy Center
533 Lakehurst Road
Toms River, NJ 08754
732-240-5504
Options for Her
945 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
732-362-2256
Choices of the Heart
133 Ganttown Rd
Turnersville, NJ 08012
856-374-2445
Light House Pregnancy Resource Center
2025 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite L
Wayne, NJ 07570
973-238-9045
New Hope PRC
149 Third Ave
Westwood, NJ 07677
201-722-4705
New Jersey, located in the northeastern United States, is known for its diverse population, rich history, and proximity to major metropolitan areas. Newark is its largest city. New Jersey features a varied landscape that includes coastal beaches, rolling hills, and urban areas, with a climate that has hot, humid summers and cold winters. As of 2022, the population of New Jersey is projected to be 9.262 million. Universities in New Jersey include: Rutgers University, Montclair State University, Rowan University, and many other colleges and universities. The capital is Trenton, New Jersey
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.
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