New York Abortion Safety Checklist
Abortion Safety
Your health and well-being are paramount. Your local New York 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 York 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 York 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 York Pregnancy Centers
New York pregnancy centers are located in all major cities including New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Albany, New Rochelle, Cheektowaga, Mount Vernon, Schenectady, and even many smaller cities.
Most New York pregnancy centers listed offer free and confidential services including medical grade pregnancy tests and ultrasound exams.
Alpha Pregnancy Care Center
518 Clinon Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
518-462-2188
Care Net Center
168 S. Main Street, Suite 2
Albion, NY 14411
585-589-7505
Alpha Pregnancy Care Center
1050 Riverfront Center
Amsterdam, NY 12010
518-842-5025
The Pregnancy Care Center of Cayuga County
75 Genessee St
Auburn, NY 13201
315-255-2778
All Babies Cherished
445 Ellicott Street
Batavia, NY 14020
585-344-5660
Pregnancy Resource Center of the Valleys
22 Liberty St
Bath, NY 14810
607-776-8004
Life Choices Center
93 Oak Street
Binghamton, NY 13904
607-205-8506
Willow Network
44 E. Schuyler Street
Boonville, NY 13309
315-737-3036
Compass Care
44 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
716-219-0494
The Life Center
6802 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-748-4992
Compass Care
951 Albany Shaker Rd
Buffalo, NY 12110
716-219-0494
Buffalo Women's Services
2500 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-835-2510
Willow Network
20 Main Street
Camden, NY 13316
315-245-2364
Care Net Canandaigua
120 N. Main Street Suite 28
Canandaigua, NY 14424
585-393-0437
Soundview Pregnancy Services
1919 Middle Country Road Suite 100
Centereach, NY 11620
888-709-3227
Alpha Pregnancy Care Center
159B Remsen Street
Cohoes, NY 12047
518-279-7673
The Bridge to Life
14-02 124th Street
College Point, NY 11356
718-463-1810
Pregnancy Resource Center of the Valleys
300 Nasser Civic Center Plz, Suite 300
Corning, NY 14830
607-936-3100
Cortland & Ithaca Pregnancy Centers
4 Church Street
Cortland, NY 13045
607-753-3909
Women's First Pregnancy Options
1767 Deer Park Ave
Deer Park, NY 11729
631-243-0066
Soundview Pregnancy Services
1975 Hempstead Tpk Suite 304
East Meadow, NY 11554
888-709-3227
Mosaic of the Southern Tier
375 W. Water Street
Elmira, NY 14902
607-732-2111
Boro Pregnancy Center
142-04 Bayside Ave L1
Flushing, NY 11354
718-281-4357
Family Hope Center
511 Exchange Street
Geneva, NY 14456
315-789-0708
Tri-County Crisis Pregnancy Center
17 S Water Street
Gowanda, NY 14070
716-532-9738
Women's First Pregnancy Options
474 Fulton Ave
Hempstead, NY 11550
516-408-6300
Pregnancy Resource Center
282 Canisteo Street
Hornell, NY 14843
607-385-3017
Alight Pregnancy Center
199 Fairview Avenue
Hudson, NY 12534
518-822-9008
Willow Network
12 West Street
Ilion, NY 13357
315-867-6148
Birthright
210 West Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-4673
Options Care Center
560 W. Third Street
Jamestown, NY 14701
716-484-1234
Pregnancy Support Center of Ulster County
432 Albany Ave
Kingston, NY 12401
845-340-7355
Willow Network
913 Old Liverpool Rd, Suite A
Liverpool, NY 13088
315-937-4334
Women First Pregnancy Options
35 E. Willow Street
Massapequa, NY 11758
516-798-9100
My Choice Pregnancy Care Center
18 Grove St
Middletown, NY 10940
845-561-3057
Pregnancy Resource Center
115 Main Street
Mt Morris, NY 14510
585-658-2436
Birthright
257 S. Middletown Road
Nanuet, NY 10954
845-623-9098
My Choice Pregnancy Care Center
388 Blooming Grove Turnpike
New Windsor, NY 12553
845-561-3057
Avail NYC
115 W. 45th St, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10036
234-201-0532
Pregnancy Help
229 W. 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
917-456-9105
Care Net of Wayne County
1141 East Union St
Newark, NY 14513
315-573-7833
Summit Life Center
1622 Pine Ave
Niagra Falls, NY 14301
716-298-8600
Willow Network
730 Lenox Ave Suite 2
Oneida, NY 13421
315-366-9902
The Family Resource Center
157 Liberty Street
Oswego, NY 13126
315-343-4866
Plattsburgh Pregnancy Center
63 Brinkerhoff St, Suite 103
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
518-324-2010
CareNet of the Hudson Valley
226 Church Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-471-9284
Soundview Pregnancy Services
1149 Old Country Road Suite E3 & E4
Riverhead, NY 11901
888-709-3227
Compass Care
2024 W. Hyenrietta Rd Suite 6D
Rochester, NY 14623
716-219-0494
Caring Choices
651 Chili Ave
Rochester, NY 14611
585-354-0913
Birthright
320 N. Washington St. Suite 116
Rochester, NY 14625
585-385-2100
Willow Network
207 N. George St
Rome, NY 13440
315-337-0242
AscentCare
20 Academy Street
Saranac Lake, New York 12983
518-739-3388
Alpha Care
967 Albany Street
Schenectady, NY 12307
518-688-2677
Birthright
21 Liberty St.
Sidney, NY 13838
607-563-4321
Women's First Pregnancy Options
91 Maple Avenue
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-656-0441
Carenet Pregnancy Center
2 Pearlman Dr. Suite L9
Spring Valley, NY 10977
845-352-6074
New Hope Family Services
3519 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13206
315-437-8300
Willow Network
1418 Genesee St
Utica, NY 13502
315-738-9435
Pregnancy Resource Center
220 Front Street
Vestal, NY 13850
607-444-1388
Caring Choices
35 Curtice Park
Webster, NY 14580
585-280-8098
C.H.O.I.C.E.S
12109 Old Olean Road
Yorkshire, NY 14173
716-353-3414
New York, located in the northeastern United States, is known for its global cultural influence, economic strength, and diverse landscapes. New York City is its largest city and a major international hub. New York features a varied geography, including coastal areas, rolling hills, and the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, with a climate that ranges from humid subtropical in the south to humid continental in the north, characterized by cold winters and warm summers. As of 2022, the population of New York is projected to be 19.68 million. Universities in New York include: The City University of New York - CUNY, New York University, Columbia University, and many other colleges and universities. The capital is Albany, New York
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.