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The professional staff of Reproductive Services provide the following
health care options:
Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing is available on a walk-in basis Monday thru
Saturday. Our warm and caring staff members offer "decision counseling"
to help a pregnant woman determine the best option for her, if
her pregnancy is unintended. The choices of parenthood, adoption
and pregnancy termination are explored in a confidential and non-judgmental
setting.
Medical Abortion (also known as RU 486, or "medication"
or "non-surgical" abortion)
Reproductive Services offers a non-surgical, medication-induced
abortion procedure. This early non-surgical abortion is an option
for women who are within seven weeks from the first day of their
last normal period (LMP). The medication has been approved by
the Food and Drug Administration following ten years of use in
Europe and extensive testing in the United States. This early
process for ending a pregnancy allows a woman the choice to avoid
surgery and anesthesia in most situations. It is 92% - 95% effective,
and a surgical abortion would only be required if the medication
did not work. As a patient, you will be given all the information
about using this program, have an ultrasound exam to measure the
weeks of your pregnancy and complete a comprehensive health history
and screening in order to determine if an early non-surgical abortion
is appropriate for you.
Surgical Abortion
Reproductive Services provides terminations
into the second trimester of pregnancy. (Contact the nearest clinic site to learn
the upper limit on the number of weeks of pregnancy at that location.) These abortion
procedures may be performed with a local anesthetic or under IV sedation ("twilight
sleep"). The staff at the five clinics will be happy to answer all your questions
and discuss any special concerns that you may have.
Anesthesia
Although surgical abortion takes only a few minutes to complete,
it can be an uncomfortable procedure for patients. Several medications
can be used to decrease discomfort. If a patient is able to use
IV sedation, this is the method that is the most effective for
relieving discomfort during and after the surgery. It is also
very safe as each patient's health history is carefully evaluated
to determine any reasons that would keep her from using the medications.
Careful monitoring by modern equipment and knowledgeable medical
staff further increase patient safety. Following the abortion,
patients are able to dress and walk to recovery with staff assistance.
There, monitoring is continued as patients rest and have something
to eat and drink. Patients receiving IV medications may not eat
or drink for at least six hours before their appointment and are
instructed not to drive when they are discharged from Recovery.
Birth Control / Family Planning
Reproductive Services offers a full range of family planning options to women
and their families, including birth control pills, Depo-Provera injections, diaphragms,
condoms, contraceptive foam, contraceptive patch and ring, natural family planning
and abstinence. The staff discusses the pluses and minuses of each approach and
helps the patient select the appropriate option based on her health history, individual
beliefs and situation. Partners are encouraged to participate in the discussion
and the selection process. Clinic Pharmacy
Post-surgical medications,
birth control pills, and over-the-counter contraceptive methods are available
to patients at a reasonable cost through the on-site pharmacy.
Emergency Contraception (Plan B)
Also called Morning After Treatment, this is a prescribed
dosage of hormones that is highly effective in intervening in pregnancy if used
within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Please call our nearest clinic for
more information. Cancer & Sexually Transmitted Disease Screening
PAP Smears and breast examinations are offered to patients as preventive screening
for uterine and breast cancer. Sexually transmitted disease information and screening
are also available as indicated. Sterilization
Vasectomies,
male sterilization procedures, are performed in the San Antonio clinic. All other
male and female sterilization procedures are referred to reliable, experienced
medical personnel at other clinics. Educational Programs and Information
Well-trained staff members offer educational programs and information
on reproductive health to community organizations, schools and churches. Resources
are available for a wide range of subjects including physiology & anatomy, contraception,
reproductive choices, and sexually transmitted diseases. You can visit the clinic
for information or we can present programs to your group. Adoption
Reproductive Service's sister agency, Adoption Affiliates, works
with pregnant women when they choose adoption as the best choice
for them and finds loving families who wish to adopt. Birth parents
may select an adoptive family for their child from families who
have been carefully screened and educated about all facets of
adoption. Adoption Affiliate's experienced, caring, and knowledgeable
staff provides confidential counseling and extends help and support
throughout the pregnancy and adoption process. For more information
about adoption services, call 210-824-9977 in Texas or Toll-Free
800-270-6757. If you live in or near Oklahoma, you may call 800-253-6307.
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