Willow Womens Center

How to Tell if You’re Pregnant Without a Test

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:20:45 GMT

If you think you might be pregnant, it’s normal to start paying close attention to your body. Small changes can feel more noticeable, and questions can come up quickly. You might be searching for answers before taking a test or visiting a clinic.

There are early signs that can point to pregnancy, but it can be hard to know what they mean on your own. Every person’s body responds differently, and some symptoms can overlap with everyday health changes or stress.

Can You Tell If You’re Pregnant Without a Test?

It’s possible to notice changes in your body that may point to pregnancy, but there isn’t a reliable way to confirm it without a test. Early symptoms can give clues, especially if you know what is typical for your body.

Some women notice signs within the first few weeks, while others do not feel any different at all. Timing, hormone levels, and overall health can all affect what you experience.

Paying attention to these changes can be helpful, but they should be seen as signals to take the next step, not final answers. A pregnancy test and follow-up appointment are the only ways to know for sure.

Early Signs You Might Be Pregnant

Early pregnancy symptoms can show up differently for each person, but there are a few common signs to watch for. These changes are often linked to rising hormone levels in the body.

Some early signs include:

Feeling more tired than usual
Nausea or an upset stomach
Tender or swollen breasts
Frequent urination
Light spotting or cramping

You might notice one or several of these symptoms, or none at all. Some of these signs can also happen before a period or during times of stress, which can make them confusing.

Paying attention to patterns in your body can help you decide when it’s time to take a pregnancy test or seek medical confirmation.

Missed Period and Other Key Clues

A missed period is usually the first sign that leads many women to question if they might be pregnant. If your cycle is regular and your period doesn’t come on time, it can be a strong signal to pay attention to other symptoms.

Along with a missed period, some women notice changes like a lighter or shorter period, unusual fatigue, or increased sensitivity to smells. These shifts can stand out if they feel different from your normal cycle.

Still, a missed period can happen for other reasons, including stress, changes in weight, or hormonal imbalances. Looking at your full set of symptoms can give you a better sense of what’s going on, but it won’t give you a clear answer on its own.

Why Symptoms Alone Are Not Enough

It’s easy to look at symptoms and try to piece together an answer, but they can’t confirm a pregnancy on their own. Many early signs are similar to what you might feel before a period or during times of stress or illness.

Hormone changes can affect your body in different ways, and symptoms like nausea, fatigue, or cramping are not unique to pregnancy. This can lead to confusion or false assumptions.

The only way to know for sure is through a pregnancy test and a follow-up appointment. Getting clear answers can help you understand what’s happening and what steps you want to take next.

Schedule a Free Pregnancy Appointment Today

If you think you might be pregnant, getting clear answers can bring peace of mind. At Willow Womens Center , you can receive a no-cost pregnancy test and talk through your symptoms in a private, supportive setting .

If your test is positive, an ultrasound may be offered to help determine how far along you are and if the pregnancy is developing.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Schedule a free appointment today to get the information you need and talk through your next steps.

Signs of Complications After the Abortion Pill

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:43:35 GMT

If you have taken the abortion pill or are considering it, you may be wondering what is normal and what is not. While some symptoms are expected, others could point to a complication that needs medical attention.

Understanding the signs of complications after the abortion pill can help you know when to seek care and feel more confident about what your body is experiencing.

What Is the Abortion Pill and How It Works

The abortion pill is a process that uses two medications to end an early pregnancy. The first medication, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for the pregnancy to continue.

The second medication, misoprostol, is taken later and causes the uterus to contract and empty. Cramping and bleeding are expected during this stage and can range from mild to heavy.

Because symptoms can vary, it is not always easy to tell what is typical and what could be one of the signs of complications after the abortion pill.

Common Signs of Abortion Pill Complications

While cramping and bleeding are expected, certain symptoms may signal a complication and should not be ignored. Here are some signs of complications after the abortion pill to watch for:

Very heavy bleeding, such as soaking two or more pads per hour for two hours in a row

Severe abdominal or back pain that does not improve with time or pain relief

Fever that lasts more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol

Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Feeling dizzy, weak, or lightheaded, which could point to excessive blood loss

Little to no bleeding after taking misoprostol, which may mean the process was not successful

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are normal, it is always safer to get checked. Your health and safety matter, and you deserve clear answers.

When to Seek Medical Care After Taking It

It is important to listen to your body after taking the abortion pill. If you notice any of the warning signs listed above, seeking medical care right away can help prevent more serious complications.

You should also seek care if something just does not feel right, even if you cannot clearly explain why. Ongoing pain, unusual symptoms, or concerns about how the process is progressing are all valid reasons to get checked.

Prompt medical attention can help address issues early and give you clarity about what is happening with your body.

Why a Follow-Up Appointment Matters

A follow-up appointment is an important step after taking the abortion pill. It helps confirm that the process is complete and that your body is recovering as expected.

Without a follow-up, it can be difficult to know if there are remaining concerns, such as an incomplete abortion or ongoing pregnancy. Some issues may not have clear symptoms right away.

A simple appointment can give you clarity, peace of mind, and the chance to ask questions about your health and next steps.

Schedule a Confidential Pregnancy Consultation

I f you are experiencing symptoms or have questions about the signs of complications after the abortion pill, you do not have to figure it out on your own. Getting clear answers can help you feel more confident about your health.

Willow Womens Center offers confidential pregnancy consultations at no cost. You can receive pregnancy testing and, if your test is positive, an ultrasound to help you better understand what is going on with your body.

Our team is here to listen, answer your questions , and help you take your next step with care. Schedule your confidential appointment today .

How to Prepare Your Relationship for Parenthood

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:38:29 GMT

An unexpected pregnancy can bring a rush of emotions for both partners. Questions about the future, finances, and daily life often surface fast. Many couples worry about how parenthood could affect their connection. These feelings are common, especially during an unplanned situation. Taking time to talk, listen, and plan early can reduce fear and build trust. The sections ahead share realistic insight and encouragement so couples feel less alone and more supported during this season.

Why Parenthood Changes a Relationship

Parenthood brings major shifts to daily routines, priorities, and emotional energy. Time that once went toward work, rest, or each other often becomes focused on caring for a new life. Sleep can feel scarce, stress levels can rise, and communication may start to feel rushed or strained. These changes can surprise couples, especially when the pregnancy was not planned.

Many partners notice differences in how they handle responsibility or decision-making during this stage. One person may feel pressure to provide financially, while the other may feel overwhelmed physically or emotionally. These reactions are normal and do not mean the relationship is failing. They often signal the need for more understanding and honest conversation.

Preparing your relationship for parenthood starts with recognizing that change is coming. When couples expect adjustments instead of resisting them, it becomes easier to show patience and compassion. Understanding that challenges are common can remove a lot of fear and help partners face the next steps together.

Talk Through Expectations Before Parenthood

Open conversations early can ease tension later. Many couples carry assumptions about finances, responsibilities, or daily routines without realizing it. One partner may expect shared duties, while the other assumes different roles. Talking these things through helps reduce frustration once stress levels rise.

Making room for honest discussion helps both partners feel heard and respected. Sharing fears, hopes, and needs can strengthen trust during a season that often feels uncertain.

Strengthen Your Partnership as a Team

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel isolating, but approaching it together can change that experience. Small actions matter, like checking in daily, sharing meals, or setting aside a few minutes to talk without distractions. These moments help keep the relationship connected during busy or stressful days.

Seeing challenges as shared problems rather than personal failures builds unity. Preparing your relationship for parenthood usually looks like learning how to support each other in practical ways, especially when emotions run high. When both partners feel valued and involved, the relationship has more room to grow through change.

Prepare for Stress and Emotional Changes Together

Stress and strong emotions can increase during pregnancy and early parenthood. Hormonal changes, financial worries, and uncertainty about the future may affect mood and communication. One partner may feel anxious or withdrawn, while the other feels pressure to stay strong. These reactions are common and deserve patience.

Talking openly about stress helps prevent resentment from building. Taking breaks, asking for help, and allowing space for rest can make a real difference. Preparing your relationship for parenthood includes recognizing emotional strain early and choosing to face it together rather than in silence.

Get Support to Prepare Your Relationship for Parenthood

No couple has everything figured out at the start of parenthood. Reaching out for support can bring clarity and relief during an uncertain time. Trusted resources provide space to ask questions, talk through concerns, and feel understood without pressure or judgment. Support can strengthen communication and help couples feel more confident moving forward.

Preparing your relationship for parenthood does not have to happen alone. Willow Womens Center offers no-cost pregnancy consultations , ultrasounds after a positive test at the center, and education about available options.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want support for both your relationship and your next steps, schedule an appointment at Willow Womens Center today. You deserve clear information, compassionate care, and a place to talk things through.

The Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:34:37 GMT

When you first see a positive pregnancy test, a thousand questions can flood your mind. What now? What do I need to do next? What’s safe for me and the pregnancy? One of the most common pieces of advice you might hear is to start taking folic acid, but you might not know why it matters or when to begin.

If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy or just found out you’re pregnant, understanding folic acid can be a simple but powerful place to start.

Why Folic Acid Matters in Early Pregnancy

Folic acid plays a big role during the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before you even know you're pregnant. It helps form the neural tube, which becomes the brain and spine. Without enough folic acid during this early stage, there’s a higher risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida.

Since the neural tube develops so early, it’s important to start getting folic acid as soon as possible. For many women, that means even before a confirmed pregnancy. Starting early gives the body time to build up enough folate to help the pregnancy get off to a strong beginning.

Benefits of Folic Acid for Your Health and Pregnancy

Folic acid plays an ongoing role throughout pregnancy. It helps your body make new cells, which matters when so much is changing at once. This includes the development of the placenta, the increase in blood volume, and the growth of tissues that help carry the pregnancy forward.

Getting enough folic acid can also lower the risk of complications like low birth weight or preterm delivery. Some studies have linked it to a lower chance of heart defects or cleft lip and palate.

For women who are pregnant, it may also help reduce fatigue and contribute to feeling more balanced during a physically demanding time.

How Much Folic Acid You Need and When to Start

Most women are advised to take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid each day, even if they’re not planning to get pregnant. This is because early development happens fast, and those first few weeks are often missed before pregnancy is confirmed.

Some women may need more than the standard amount, especially if there’s a history of neural tube defects or other medical factors. A healthcare provider can help decide the right dose based on individual needs.

Folic acid is available in many multivitamins and prenatal supplements. It's also added to certain foods like breakfast cereals, breads, and pasta. Eating foods rich in natural folate, like spinach, oranges, and lentils, adds another layer of support.

Common Myths About Folic Acid Explained

It’s easy to run into mixed messages about folic acid, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. Clearing up a few common myths can make it easier to know what your body really needs:

Myth: You only need folic acid if you're already pregnant.

Fact: The first few weeks matter most, which is why folic acid is recommended for anyone who could become pregnant .

Myth: You can get enough folic acid from food alone.

Fact: Foods like spinach, beans, and citrus are helpful, but most people need a supplement to meet the full daily amount .

Myth: Once you're out of the first trimester, folic acid doesn’t matter anymore.

Fact: It continues to help with cell growth and development throughout the pregnancy.

Schedule a No-Cost Pregnancy Consultation Today

If you're feeling unsure about what steps to take after a positive pregnancy test, you're not alone. It’s common to have questions about what’s safe, what to avoid, and how to take care of your health in the early weeks.

You don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. Willow Womens Center offers no-cost pregnancy consultations that give you space to ask questions, learn about your options, and take a breath. If your pregnancy test is positive at our center, an ultrasound may be available during your visit to learn more about how far along you are and if the pregnancy is developing.

We provide clear information in a private, caring environment so you can move forward feeling more confident.

Make your appointment today. We’re here to help when you’re ready.

Can I Be Pregnant and Still Get My Period?

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 21:50:48 GMT

You thought getting your period meant you weren’t pregnant. Now you’re bleeding, but something still feels off. You’re tired, maybe a little nauseous, and your body just doesn’t feel quite right. That one question keeps popping up in your mind: Can I get my period and still be pregnant?

If you’re feeling confused or anxious, you’re not the only one. Bleeding in early pregnancy can happen, and it doesn’t always mean your period has started. Trying to figure it out on your own can be stressful, especially when every online search seems to give a different answer.

The good news is, there’s a way to know for sure. It starts with understanding what kind of bleeding you’re seeing, and when to take the next step.

It’s Confusing, But You’re Not Alone

Many women are caught off guard when they notice bleeding and aren’t sure what it means. The truth is, while a true period doesn’t happen during pregnancy, other types of bleeding can. And in the moment, it can look and feel the same.

Some women experience light spotting or bleeding around the time their period would normally start, especially in the early weeks. This can delay recognizing a pregnancy or lead to mixed emotions and second-guessing what your body is trying to tell you.

If you’re in this place right now, you’re not alone. It’s more common than you think to feel unsure, worried, or even frustrated when symptoms don’t make sense.

What Bleeding During Pregnancy Can Mean

Not all bleeding means something is wrong, but it’s important to pay attention to the timing, amount, and type.

Some women experience implantation bleeding, which can happen when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. It usually shows up as light spotting, pink or brown in color, and lasts just a day or two. This often happens around the time a period would normally start, which is why it can be so confusing.

Other causes of bleeding in early pregnancy might include hormonal changes, irritation after intercourse, or even certain infections. In some cases, bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy , which is why it's always smart to get checked.

If your bleeding is heavy, includes clots, or comes with sharp pain, seek medical care right away. But even light spotting deserves attention when you’re trying to figure out what’s going on.

Knowing what bleeding means for you starts with a reliable pregnancy test and a conversation about your symptoms.

Signs of Early Pregnancy to Look For

When bleeding shows up unexpectedly, it can be easy to miss other early signs your body might be giving you. Paying attention to the full picture can help you know when it’s time to take a test.

Common signs of early pregnancy include:

Feeling more tired than usual
Nausea or changes in appetite
Sore or swollen breasts

Needing to use the bathroom more often
Mood swings or feeling more emotional
A missed period—or lighter bleeding than normal

Even if you’ve had what looks like a period, these symptoms can still point to pregnancy. Light bleeding doesn't always mean your period has started. That’s why it helps to check in and get clear answers.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test and What Happens Next

If you’ve had unusual bleeding and notice early pregnancy symptoms, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test. For the most accurate results, wait until at least the first day of a missed period. If your periods are irregular or you’re unsure when they should start, testing about three weeks after possible conception can still give clear results.

At-home tests can be a helpful first step, but getting a lab-quality pregnancy test followed by an ultrasound gives you more information. A positive test only tells you that your body is producing the pregnancy hormone; it doesn’t confirm how far along you are or if the pregnancy is developing in the right place.

That’s where an ultrasound comes in. If your test is positive during your appointment, an ultrasound can help confirm if the pregnancy is viable and measure how far along you may be.

Find Clarity and Peace of Mind with a Free Appointment

You’re trying to make sense of symptoms that don’t quite add up. It’s frustrating not knowing what your body is telling you, or what to do next. You want answers you can trust and a safe place to talk it through.

That’s exactly what you’ll find at Willow Women's Center in Beloit.

We offer free pregnancy testing , and if your test is positive, a limited ultrasound may be available during the same visit. Our caring medical team is here to listen, provide answers, and walk you through your options, without pressure or judgment .

You don’t have to keep second-guessing or wondering what’s really going on. You can know for sure.

Schedule your free appointment today and take the next step toward clarity and peace of mind.

Why an Ultrasound is Important Before an Abortion

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 20:34:08 GMT

You may have taken a pregnancy test and weren’t expecting the result. Maybe you’re feeling unsure, nervous, or just trying to figure out what to do next. Abortion might seem like the quickest way forward, but there’s still a lot you might want to know first.

One of the first steps is getting an ultrasound. It gives you important medical details that a test alone can’t confirm. Things like how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and whether it’s progressing normally.

Understanding what’s happening in your body can help bring a little more clarity to a confusing time. You don’t have to decide everything today, but knowing where things stand is a good place to start.

Feeling Unsure About Your Next Step?

It’s common to feel pressure to decide quickly after a positive pregnancy test. Maybe people in your life have strong opinions. Maybe you’re trying to keep it to yourself for now. Whatever your situation, feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It just means you care about making the right decision.

Before making any choice about your pregnancy, it helps to have space to breathe and access to accurate information. An ultrasound before an abortion can give you a clearer picture of what’s happening. It’s not about locking you into anything. It’s a chance to slow things down and look at the facts first.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. One step at a time is enough.

What an Ultrasound Can Tell You

A pregnancy test can suggest you’re pregnant, but it doesn’t confirm what’s actually happening inside your body. That’s where an ultrasound comes in. It provides important medical details that help you understand the next steps.

Here’s what an ultrasound can show:

Gestational age — how far along you are in the pregnancy

Pregnancy location — whether the pregnancy is developing in the uterus

Viability — if there is cardiac activity, which can indicate a progressing pregnancy

This information matters. For example, if the pregnancy isn’t in the uterus, it could be ectopic, which requires immediate medical attention. If there’s no heartbeat or the pregnancy isn’t progressing, you may not need to make a decision about abortion at all.

Why You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion

If you’re considering abortion, it might feel like something you need to act on quickly. But without knowing the details of your pregnancy, there’s a chance you could move forward without all the information you need to protect your health.

An ultrasound before an abortion can confirm that the pregnancy is located in the uterus, is developing, and how far along you are. These details directly impact what type of abortion procedures may be available to you, and if you might be at risk for complications.

Skipping this step could mean undergoing a procedure for a pregnancy that isn’t viable or needs a different kind of medical care. That’s not something anyone wants to find out too late.

Ultrasound gives you a clearer starting point so your next decision is based on facts, not assumptions.

What Happens During an Ultrasound Appointment

If you've never had an ultrasound before, you might feel nervous or unsure about what to expect. The process is simple and typically takes less than an hour.

At Willow Women’s Center, the appointment starts with a lab-grade pregnancy test. If the result is positive, the next step is an ultrasound performed by a trained medical professional. Depending on how far along you are, the scan may be done abdominally or transvaginally. Both methods are safe and commonly used in early pregnancy care.

During the scan, the nurse will take images to confirm how far along you are, check for a heartbeat, and make sure the pregnancy is located in the uterus. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and talk through what the results mean.

There’s no cost, no insurance required, and no pressure to make a decision during the appointment.

Get a Free Ultrasound Exam in Beloit

Willow Womens Center offers no-cost pregnancy confirmation appointments to women in Beloit and the surrounding areas. If your test is positive, you may qualify for an ultrasound during the same visit.

Our team is here to provide clear medical information in a calm, supportive environment . We don’t profit from your decision, and we’re not here to pressure you. We’re here to help you understand what’s happening in your body so you can take your next step with confidence.

If you’re considering abortion, schedule an appointment to get an ultrasound and find out exactly what’s going on. You don’t have to do this alone. We're here when you're ready.

Do You Get an STD/STI Test When Pregnant? What You Need to Know

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:48:49 GMT

You just found out you're pregnant, or you're still waiting to take a test. Either way, you probably have a lot on your mind. On top of everything else, someone may have mentioned STI testing, and now you're wondering if that’s something you actually need.

It might feel like one more thing to deal with, but knowing whether you have an STI while pregnant can help you make informed choices early on. Testing is simple, and it can give you peace of mind as you take the next step in your care.

Why STD & STI Testing Matters During Pregnancy

Some STIs can be passed during pregnancy or delivery without showing any signs ahead of time. This makes early testing an important part of protecting both your health and the pregnancy. Many women have no symptoms at all, so they wouldn’t know there’s an issue without being tested.

If an infection is found, treatment is often straightforward and safe. Getting care early can lower the chance of complications later on. Even if you don’t feel at risk, being tested allows you to move forward with clarity and confidence .

What to Expect From an STD & STI Test While Pregnant

STI testing during pregnancy is usually simple and quick. It often starts with a few questions about your health and any symptoms you may have. From there, testing may involve a urine sample, a swab, or a small blood draw, depending on what’s being checked.

The goal is to identify any infections early so they can be treated right away. Most tests take only a few minutes, and results are often available quickly. If something does come back positive, treatment options are available and can be used safely during pregnancy.

Common STDs & STIs Checked in Early Pregnancy

During early prenatal care, several STIs are commonly tested for because they can affect both your body and the pregnancy if left untreated. These include:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
HIV
Hepatitis B

Each of these can be present without symptoms, which is why testing matters. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common infections and are often included in the first round of tests. Catching them early gives you the chance to get treated and lowers the risk of complications later on.

Will Insurance or Cost Be an Issue?

Cost is a common concern, especially if the pregnancy wasn’t expected. Many women worry that testing or care might be too expensive or that they’ll need insurance to be seen. The good news is that there are places that offer free STI testing during pregnancy, along with pregnancy testing and support .

You can get the answers you need without worrying about a bill. Services are often confidential, so you don’t have to share your information unless you choose to. Getting tested shouldn’t be one more thing to stress about. Help is available, and it’s easier to access than you might think.

Take the First Step: Schedule a Confidential Test

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of unknowns. Getting tested for an STI while pregnant is a simple way to take care of your health and get clear on what comes next. The process is quick, private, and gives you answers you can trust.

At Willow Womens Center , we offer no-cost pregnancy testing and STI testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea in a confidential and supportive setting. You don’t need insurance, and you won’t be pressured or judged.

Schedule your free appointment today . We’re here when you’re ready.

Breaking the Silence of Loneliness in Motherhood

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:46:28 GMT

There’s a quiet side of motherhood that few people talk about. It can feel heavy, isolating, and hard to explain. For many women, especially after an unplanned pregnancy, the early days of parenting bring long hours, constant responsibility, and moments of deep emotional exhaustion. Even when others are around, it’s possible to feel completely alone.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it. Loneliness in motherhood is real, and it’s more common than most people realize.

Why So Many Moms Feel Alone

Motherhood sometimes looks different from what women expect. There’s pressure to feel grateful, fulfilled, and completely connected to your child right away. When that doesn’t happen, it can feel like something is wrong. Many moms feel isolated because their daily routines revolve around caretaking, which leaves little time for adult connection or rest.

After an unplanned pregnancy, that isolation can hit even harder. Friends may not know what to say, family members might offer advice instead of support, and social media can make it seem like everyone else has it all figured out. The truth is, loneliness in motherhood often stems from unmet emotional needs and a lack of safe, honest spaces to talk about them.

You Are Not Broken or Failing

Feeling overwhelmed or disconnected doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you’re human. Motherhood brings a mix of emotions that aren’t always easy to process, especially when you’re carrying the weight of unexpected changes or doing most of it on your own.

Loneliness in motherhood can convince you that you’re the only one struggling, but many women quietly carry the same feelings. You might be showing up every day, caring for your child, managing appointments, and still wondering why it feels so heavy. That doesn’t make you weak. It means you need care and connection, too.

Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference

You don’t have to fix everything all at once. Sometimes, small changes can help ease the weight you’re carrying and create moments of relief. Here are a few simple shifts that might help:

Talk to someone who listens without trying to fix it. Whether it’s a trusted friend or a caring professional, being heard can lighten the emotional load.

Step outside, even for a few minutes. A short walk or fresh air can reset your mood and give your mind a break from the constant demands.

Accept help. If someone offers to bring a meal, hold the baby, or run an errand, say yes. Letting others in makes a difference.

Lower the bar for what “productive” looks like. Some days, keeping everyone safe and fed is more than enough.

Give yourself permission to feel everything. You don’t have to pretend everything’s fine when it’s not.

These small steps won’t erase loneliness in motherhood, but they can create space for connection, peace, and healing to grow.

Support Is Closer Than You Think

You don’t have to figure this out alone. There are people nearby who care about what you’re going through and want to walk alongside you. Willow Women's Center offers a calm, welcoming space to talk through your options, ask questions, and breathe a little easier.

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy or feeling overwhelmed in the early stages of motherhood, you’re welcome here. Sometimes just being heard can make the next step feel more manageable.

You Deserve to Feel Supported Again

Loneliness in motherhood doesn’t have to be your everyday experience. You don’t have to carry all of this on your own. There is support , understanding, and relief available right here in your community.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to turn, Willow Women's Center is here for you. Schedule a free, confidential appointment today . You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just start with a conversation.

What are the Side Effects of the Depo Shot?

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:45:56 GMT

Finding the right birth control method can feel overwhelming, especially if you're sorting through a lot of options and opinions. If you're considering the Depo shot or already using it, you might be wondering how it could affect your body. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more confident and informed as you think through your next steps.

What is the Depo Shot?

The Depo shot, also called Depo-Provera, is a birth control injection that contains a hormone called progestin. It’s given once every three months, usually in the arm or hip, and is designed to help prevent pregnancy during that time.

Some women choose the Depo shot because it doesn’t require daily pills or frequent appointments. It’s a long-acting method that can offer privacy and convenience, especially for those who prefer not to use other forms of contraception.

How Does the Depo Shot Work?

The Depo shot works mainly by stopping ovulation. Without ovulation, there’s no egg released for sperm to fertilize. It also thickens cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg. At the same time, it thins the lining of the uterus, making it less likely for a fertilized egg to attach.

Once the shot is given, it starts working quickly. If taken during the first five days of a menstrual cycle, it typically begins to prevent pregnancy within 24 hours. Each dose stays active in the body for about 12 to 13 weeks.

Is the Depo Shot Safe?

Many women choose injectable birth control because it’s simple and long-lasting. The Depo shot is FDA-approved and has been widely used as a reliable option for pregnancy prevention.

Still, it’s not the right fit for everyone. Some women experience side effects, and there are certain health conditions where this method may not be recommended. These include unexplained vaginal bleeding or a history of bone loss. Studies have also shown that using the shot for more than two years may lead to a drop in bone density, which can increase the risk of fractures over time.

Before deciding, it’s helpful to talk with a provider who can review your personal health history and explain what to watch for.

What Are the Side Effects of the Depo Shot?

Like any form of hormonal birth control, the Depo shot can cause side effects. Some are short-term and may go away after a few weeks or months. Others can last as long as you're using the method.

Common side effects include:

Irregular bleeding or spotting
Lighter or missed periods
Headaches
Weight gain
Mood changes
Breast tenderness
Lower sex drive

Some women may also notice a delay in the return of their regular cycle after stopping the shot. It can take several months, and in some cases up to a year, for fertility to return.

While not everyone will experience problems, it's important to be aware of what could happen so you’re not caught off guard. If anything feels off or uncomfortable, checking in with a medical provider is always a good idea.

Thinking About Your Birth Control Options?

Choosing birth control is personal, and it’s okay to have questions. If you're trying to figure out what’s right for your body or feel unsure about the side effects of the Depo shot, you’re not alone.

Willow Womens Center offers a calm, pressure-free place to talk through your options . If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy or need STI testing, our team is here to support you with care that respects your choices.

Schedule a no-cost consultation today. We’re here to help you get clarity, not judgment.

The Fertile Window: Best Time to Conceive & Plan Pregnancy

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:23:31 GMT

Trying to figure out the best time to get pregnant can feel confusing at first. Your body works on a monthly rhythm, and within that rhythm, there are only a handful of days when pregnancy is most likely to happen. This is called your fertile window. Knowing when it happens can help you plan for pregnancy and understand your cycle in a new way.

What Is a Fertile Window and Why Does It Matter?

Your fertile window is the span of days in your menstrual cycle when you are most likely to conceive. It includes the day you ovulate and the five days before it. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for several days, which means having intercourse in the days leading up to ovulation can still result in pregnancy.

For many women, ovulation happens about halfway through the cycle, but the exact timing can vary from month to month. Stress, illness, changes in routine, and certain health conditions can all shift when ovulation occurs. Understanding your fertile window can give you a clearer picture of when conception is most likely, which can be especially helpful if you’ve been trying for a while or are just beginning to plan for pregnancy.

Best Day of the Fertile Window to Conceive

The highest chance of conceiving usually comes from having intercourse in the day or two before ovulation. This timing gives sperm the best opportunity to be present when the egg is released. Once ovulation occurs, the egg can only be fertilized for about 12 to 24 hours, so the window after ovulation is much shorter.

If you are tracking your cycle, you may notice signs that ovulation is approaching. These can include changes in cervical mucus, a slight rise in basal body temperature after ovulation, and mild pelvic discomfort known as ovulation pain. Paying attention to these signs can help you identify the best day of your fertile window to conceive and plan accordingly.

When Can I Conceive? Understanding Your Fertile Window

Ovulation happens once during each menstrual cycle, but the exact timing can vary. If your cycle length is fairly steady from month to month, it’s a good sign that you may be ovulating regularly.

Some women notice changes in their bodies around this time, such as a shift in cervical mucus texture or a light twinge in the lower abdomen. Ovulation tests, available at most pharmacies, can also help pinpoint fertile days by detecting hormone changes.

If you have irregular cycles or aren’t sure when ovulation is happening, talking with a healthcare provider can help you figure out what’s typical for you.

Wondering If You're Pregnant? We Can Help

If you think you might be pregnant, the only way to know for sure is through testing. Willow Womens Center in Beloit offers no-cost pregnancy tests and, if the result is positive, limited ultrasounds to confirm how far along you are. Every appointment is private and one-on-one, giving you space to ask questions and learn about your options without pressure.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Call Willow Womens Center or schedule your free appointment today to get the answers you need and take your next step confidently.

The Best Questions to Ask at Your First Prenatal Visit

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:58:04 GMT

Finding out you're pregnant can bring a flood of emotions. If the pregnancy wasn’t planned , it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure. Still, your health matters , and so does the life growing inside you. Your first prenatal visit is an important step to understand what’s happening in your body, ask questions, and receive the support you need to make informed and confident choices.

The Importance of Prenatal Visits

Prenatal visits are a key part of protecting your health during pregnancy. These early appointments give medical professionals the chance to check for any signs of concern, confirm how far along you are, and offer important guidance for the weeks ahead. Even if you didn’t plan to be pregnant, early care can bring clarity and reassurance. It’s also a good time to start asking questions and getting honest answers about what to expect.

What to Expect at Your First Prenatal Appointment

At your first prenatal visit, the provider will usually confirm the pregnancy, review your medical history, and possibly run some lab work. If the pregnancy is far enough along, they may also recommend an ultrasound to check for viability and gestational age. You’ll likely talk through your symptoms, any medications you’re taking, and what changes to expect in the coming weeks. This appointment is also a great time to bring up any concerns or questions you have about your health and next steps.

Questions to Ask at Your First Prenatal Visit

Knowing the right questions to ask at your first prenatal visit can help you feel more prepared and confident. Here are some common ones to consider bringing up:

What are common pregnancy symptoms in the first trimester?
Which symptoms should I be concerned about?
Is there someone I can contact if I have questions after hours?
What is a healthy amount of weight to gain?
Are there foods or drinks I should avoid?
Can I continue my current exercise routine?
What should I do if I experience an emergency?
What are my options for giving birth?
Are there medications I should stop taking or avoid during pregnancy?

No question is too small, and the more you ask, the better equipped you’ll be to take care of your health.

Ready to Schedule a No-Cost Pregnancy Consultation?

If you think you might be pregnant, Willow Womens Center is here for you. We offer no-cost pregnancy consultations , including lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds if the test is positive. You can also talk through your questions and get the information you need about next steps.

Our caring medical staff is here to support you with honest answers and a judgment-free space. Scheduling is easy, and your visit is completely confidential.

Make your appointment today and take the first step toward clarity and support.

Is the Abortion Pill Safe? What to Know Before Taking It

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 20:29:15 GMT

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming, and it’s normal to have many questions about your options. One common option some women consider is the abortion pill. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand how the abortion pill works, how safe it is, and what risks may be involved. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed choice about your health.

What is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is a combination of two different medications used to end an early pregnancy. It’s often called a “medication abortion” and is typically available up to 10 weeks into pregnancy.

The first medication, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone, a hormone your body needs to maintain a pregnancy. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot continue. The second medication, misoprostol, is taken later and causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus.

It’s important to note that the abortion pill is not the same as emergency contraception, like the morning-after pill. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy, while the abortion pill is designed to end an existing pregnancy.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

The abortion pill process usually involves two steps over a couple of days. First, mifepristone is taken to block the hormone progesterone, which is essential for a pregnancy to grow. Without this hormone, the lining of the uterus begins to break down.

Within 24 to 48 hours after taking mifepristone, the second medication, misoprostol, is taken. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel its contents, leading to cramping and bleeding that can last for several hours or days.

The process can often feel like a heavy period, though experiences vary from person to person. Follow-up care with a healthcare provider is typically recommended to ensure the pregnancy has ended and to check for any complications.

Is the Abortion Pill Safe?

The abortion pill is FDA-approved and has been used by millions of women. When taken early in pregnancy and under medical supervision, it is generally considered safe.

However, like any medical procedure, it carries risks. Common side effects include cramping, heavy bleeding, nausea, and fever. Rare but serious complications can include incomplete abortion, infection, or excessive bleeding that may require further medical care.

Not everyone is eligible for the abortion pill. It may not be recommended for women with certain health conditions, ectopic pregnancies, or those further along in pregnancy. That’s why a medical consultation is important to protect your health and well-being.

What Are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?

Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill has potential risks that are important to understand. Most women experience cramping and bleeding as part of the process, but some may face additional side effects like nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, or fever.

Although serious complications are rare, they can happen. These include:

Incomplete abortion, which may require follow-up treatment
Infection due to retained tissue
Excessive bleeding that may need medical care

The effectiveness of the abortion pill also decreases if taken later in pregnancy. Without proper evaluation before and after taking it, there is a risk of complications being missed. This is why a healthcare provider often recommends an ultrasound and a follow-up visit to help ensure your safety.

Is the Abortion Pill Right for Me?

Deciding if the abortion pill is the right option depends on a few important factors. Your health history, how far along you are in your pregnancy, and any underlying medical conditions all play a part.

The abortion pill is usually only available for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. It may not be recommended if you have certain health concerns, such as bleeding disorders, adrenal gland problems, or if the pregnancy is ectopic.

Since every situation is different, a medical consultation is important. An ultrasound can confirm how far along you are and check for any risks. Understanding your health and all available options helps you make an informed decision for your future.

Get Support at Willow Womens Center

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and have questions about the abortion pill, you do not have to navigate this alone. At Willow Womens Center, we provide a safe and welcoming place where you can get medically accurate information and explore all your options without pressure.

We offer no-cost pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds to confirm how far along you are and if the pregnancy is viable. Our caring team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help you make an informed decision with confidence.

Before making any decision, it’s important to have all the facts. Schedule a confidential appointment today to get the clarity and support you deserve .

Introducing Our Pregnancy 24/7 Nurse Chat

Thu, 22 May 2025 15:50:10 GMT

Facing an unplanned pregnancy or sudden health concern outside of normal clinic hours can feel overwhelming. Willow Womens Center recognizes that support should not be limited to a schedule. That is why we offer a 24/7 nurse chat, a secure and private way to connect with a licensed medical professional whenever you need answers. Whether it is late at night or early in the morning, help is available when you need it most.

What Is Nurse Chat and How Does It Work?

Nurse chat is a confidential and free messaging feature on the Willow Womens Center website. It connects you with a licensed nurse at any hour, even when the clinic is closed. This service is designed to support women who need accurate medical information and caring guidance at the time they need it most.

To use the chat, you simply enter your first name and phone number. A nurse will respond directly and begin a conversation with you in real time. You can use nurse chat to ask medical questions, get support for pregnancy-related concerns, or learn about your options. The nurse can also help you schedule an appointment at Willow or connect you with trusted community resources. If you are unsure about next steps or just need someone to talk to, this feature offers a calm and professional space to begin that journey.

Why You Might Want to Ask a Nurse

Access to a licensed nurse at any hour can be a valuable source of comfort and clarity. If you are feeling uncertain, anxious, or simply need reliable information, speaking with a nurse can help you feel more confident about your next steps.

You may want to ask a nurse if you are:

Unsure if you could be pregnant and need guidance on what to do next
Noticing symptoms and want to understand what they might mean
Exploring your pregnancy options and looking for accurate, unbiased information
Thinking about scheduling an appointment, but have questions about the process
In need of community resources or referrals for support

The nurse chat gives you a private and professional space to ask what is on your mind and receive clear, compassionate answers.

Common Questions You Can Ask a Nurse

When you start a chat, you do not need to have everything figured out. The nurse is there to listen and help, no matter where you are in the process. You can ask questions that feel too personal or confusing to search online, and you will get real, medically accurate answers you can trust.

Here are a few examples of what you can ask a nurse:

How soon should I take a pregnancy test?
What does a positive pregnancy test mean for me?
What happens during an appointment at Willow?
What are the differences between my pregnancy options?
Is it too early or too late to get an ultrasound?
Can I get an STI test at Willow?

There is no judgment, and no question is too small. The nurse chat is designed to give you clarity in the moments that matter most.

Start a Private Chat or Book an Appointment

If you are looking for answers or simply need someone to talk to, the 24/7 nurse chat is here when you are ready. You can start a private conversation anytime by visiting the Willow Womens Center website and clicking the chat icon. A licensed nurse will respond promptly to guide you, support you, and help you take the next step if you choose.

You can also use the chat to schedule a free appointment at Willow for a pregnancy consultation or STI screening. If you are gathering information or ready to move forward, this is a safe and easy place to begin.

Still have questions? Contact us today or start a private nurse chat to get the guidance you need.

Can a Pregnancy Test Detect an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:00:02 GMT

Experiencing an ectopic pregnancy can be a life-threatening event. Many women do not know it is happening to them. It is critical that you know what is happening with your body so you can take action immediately if needed. If you have questions, such as “Do ectopic pregnancies show on pregnancy tests?” it may be time to contact us about our pregnancy services to get the reassurance you need.

What Is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. It happens when a fertilized egg implants where it should not, often in the fallopian tube, ovaries, cervix, or abdominal cavity. It is not safe for this type of pregnancy to continue because it can put your health at risk. The uterus is the only part of your body in which a pregnancy can occur.

What Pregnancy Tests Can and Cannot Detect

A pregnancy test can detect an ectopic pregnancy in some situations. That is because these pregnancies produce human growth hormones or HGH. That is the hormone that these pregnancy tests look for to indicate that you are pregnant. When you come in for free pregnancy testing , we can offer insight into whether there is a risk that your pregnancy is ectopic.

If you have other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, we may recommend additional testing, including a limited ultrasound, to find out what is occurring. In some situations, this can prove to be lifesaving.

Many women do not know that they have an ectopic pregnancy until their first prenatal appointment. While a pregnancy test can detect the presence of HGH, it cannot tell the difference between a viable pregnancy and an ectopic one.

Common Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy

If you have any of the following symptoms, it is quite important to seek support and guidance . Our team is here to help you.

Abdominal Pain

Many women will feel abdominal pain, including tenderness or soreness. Over time, it may worsen into pain that hurts more when you move and may be constant. It may be pain on just one side of your body or lower abdominal or back pain.

Shoulder Pain

You may also have shoulder tip pain. This very distinctive pain is likely something you have never experienced before. It often develops when you are feeling other types of pain, such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or just an overall sense of being unwell.

Vaginal Pain

Painful Bladder or Bowel Movements

Some women experience changes in bowel habits, including the onset of diarrhea, pain when having a bowel movement, or pain when you urinate. Any type of sharp or shooting vaginal pain should also be investigated.

Fainting and Lightheadedness

If you feel lightheaded or faint, that is a sign to sit down and then get medical care. If you are feeling generally unwell, that could also be a contributing factor.

When to Get an Ultrasound and Additional Support

If you are experiencing unusual pregnancy symptoms and are concerned about the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Willow Womens Center offers limited ultrasounds to check for pregnancy viability. If there is concern about an ectopic pregnancy, we can perform an ultrasound as long as there has been no active vaginal bleeding in the past 24 hours and no severe cramping.

However, if you are experiencing either of these symptoms, we will refer you directly to Urgent Care or the ER for further evaluation, as immediate medical attention is necessary. Your health and safety are our top priorities.

Get an Accurate Pregnancy Test at

Willow Womens Center

Find out what we can do to support you. Contact us now at Willow Womens Center for a free pregnancy test.

Understanding Maternity Leave Rights in Wisconsin

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:01:45 GMT

For women, having the flexibility to take time off to heal, care for, and bond with a new baby can be overwhelming if there is a concern about going back to work. Understanding your rights to maternity leave in Wisconsin could offer some peace of mind to you.

What Are Wisconsin’s Maternity Leave Laws?

Wisconsin law provides those who qualify with up to six weeks of leave that must start within 16 weeks before or after the birth of a child. Federal law, under the Family Medical Leave Act, provides for up to 12 weeks of time off for the birth of a child. Let us break down what these laws mean as you prepare for motherhood .

Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act

The Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act is available to certain employees in the state. It allows you to take unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. It applies to all employees who work with a company that has at least 50 permanent employees during at least 6 of the last 12 months. Employees are covered if they have worked for that employer for at least 52 consecutive weeks and at least 1000 hours in the previous 52 weeks before they request leave.

Those who meet these qualifications can take up to 6 weeks off for the birth or adoption of a child. You can take that time off in chunks as needed.

Federal FMLA

The Federal Family Medical Leave Act is similar to the state version, though it provides 12 weeks of time off. To qualify under federal law, you must have worked at least 1250 hours in the previous 12 months with that employer.

Note that this time off does not provide benefits, but it protects your health insurance while you take time off. It also protects your job position so that you have support when you are ready to come back.

Paid Parental Leave

Every employer must follow the laws noted above if their business qualifies. However, some employers go further and provide for paid parental leave or other services. This differs from one organization to the next, but no company is required under the state’s laws to pay for care.

Note that some employers provide additional services that could help you. If not, you can also find free parenting classes and other pregnancy services available to you from Willow Womens Center.

How Does Wisconsin’s Family and Medical Leave Work?

If you work for a company that is required to provide leave under state or federal programs, you simply need to inform them of your need to take time off. They may ask for proof of the medical needs you have, such as documentation of the pregnancy, which your doctor can provide to you. It is that easy to gain protection.

How Does Wisconsin’s Family and Medical Leave Work?

Who Qualifies for Maternity Leave in Wisconsin?

You have to meet requirements based on the number of hours worked for a company, as noted above. Keep in mind that many companies also have their own programs to help you cover some of the costs or may offer supportive services that have their own eligibility requirements.

Does Wisconsin Pay for Maternity Leave?

No, there is no law that requires the state’s employers to pay for time off for maternity leave. Remember, some companies do.

Willow Womens Center Is Here to Help

At Willow Womens Center , you can find a wide range of services available to help you navigate your future. Start by setting up a consultation with us, and let us help you navigate the unplanned pregnancy options available to you. If you are not working or pregnant in college , reach out to us to gain additional supportive services to help you at this time.

Do Pregnancy Tests Expire? The Truth About Test Accuracy

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:07:25 GMT

Whether you are trying to conceive or not, having a pregnancy test tucked away in the back of the bathroom cabinet is not all that uncommon. Now that you are late and feeling achy and perhaps even a bit sick to your stomach, you are wondering if maybe you should dig it out. But do pregnancy texts expire? If it has been stored for some time, you may not be sure if the results are going to be accurate.

You may know you can get free pregnancy testing at Willow Women’s Center. It is always best to get an accurate consultation, but let us consider whether using that old pregnancy test can be helpful.

Understanding Pregnancy Test Expiration Dates

Home pregnancy tests work by measuring the amount of hCG, a hormone your body produces, in your urine. Your body will produce hCG once a fertilized egg implants. Though there are some variations, most pregnancy tests attach antibodies to colored labels that, when present, will bind with hCG when present. That is what changes the line to blue.

The problem is that these antibodies will not remain in the same overall condition over time. That is why your pregnancy test will have an expiration date on it. Most of the time, they last between one and three years from the date of manufacturing. You will find the expiration date on the exterior packaging, usually on the bottom of the box and on the foil wrapper that each pregnancy testing stick contains.

What Happens When Pregnancy Tests Expire?

When a pregnancy test expires, those antibodies are not working properly. In some situations, you may end up with a false positive or, conversely, it may produce no evidence of hCG even though you are pregnant. It is hard enough to understand pregnancy test results . Wondering if it is accurate only creates more worries for you.

Should You Use an Expired Pregnancy Test?

While it will not harm you to use a pregnancy test that is expired, it may also not help. The fact is, if the test expires, you cannot count on it to provide you with an accurate result. That means that positive or negative, you will still need to seek our pregnancy services or different pregnancy tests that are still accurate.

Tips for Proper Pregnancy Test Storage

There is no benefit to using an expired pregnancy test. There is also no benefit to not following the directions, including using the pregnancy test early or not storing it properly. Here are some tips to help you minimize those risks:

If you use numerous tests, create a first-in-first-out rule. This means that you always use the oldest pregnancy test in your storage first.
You can remove the test from the box but do not remove it from the foil wrapper until you are ready to use it.
Store them in a dry location without significant temperature ranges. Poor storage can also impact the test's results.

Get Reliable Results at Willow Women’s Center

The best way to get accurate results is to reach out to Willow Women’s Center . Make an appointment with us today to get a free pregnancy test or to inquire about any of our services. We are here to help you.

How to Prepare for Fatherhood: Tips for First-Time Dads

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:04:33 GMT

Becoming a new father is hard work. You may have expectations based on your own experiences with your father. Your role in fatherhood is yet to be determined. You can achieve a wide range of goals in building a relationship with your child. As you think about what it means to be a new dad, consider a few helpful first steps.

Prepare Yourself for Your Newborn

One of the most important steps you can take is to prepare yourself. Not only do parenting classes for dads teach you life-saving strategies “just in case.” They can also help you build your confidence on this life-changing event.

These classes empower you by teaching you more than just the basics. They can help you learn:

How to change a baby
How to burp a baby
How to fit the car seat into the vehicle properly
How to calm a baby that is tired or fussy
How to bond with your child
What the role of a father is and how to be successful

It is okay to not know everything. No one expects you to know everything. Learning how to help a crying baby , for example, takes practice. Give yourself time and the opportunity to learn.

Support Your Partner However You Can

Talk to your partner about expectations in this area, too. What do they want and need from you? You cannot understand how they feel or what they are experiencing from a physical aspect, but you can understand these new emotions and uncertainties. Find ways to provide meaningful support to your partner.

Embrace the Learning Curve

Everyone makes mistakes. No new dad (or mom) is perfect. Yet, as long as you learn from mistakes, you are accomplishing something meaningful. Self-doubt can get in the way of many new fathers enjoying this experience. First-time anxiety is a real thing and can interfere with your quality of life. Expect to learn, want to learn, and set out to educate yourself.

Find Your Support System

How are you going to learn- from your support team ? Who is your go-to when you need help with either caring for your child or being a father? Consider the people in your life who can become these resources for you.

Is there a father figure in your life that you can learn from?
Perhaps you want to emulate traits from someone you recognize as a good father.
Who do you know who is knowledgeable about children and providing quality care?

Remember that, when it comes down to it, your ability to solve problems and keep your baby safe really comes from empowering yourself with knowledge. Take parenting classes for dads , build on that knowledge by watching and learning from friends, and ask questions of those you respect.

Take Care of Yourself Too

You have needs during this time, too. Take time to talk about your fears and goals. Spend time with friends and doing the things you love. Becoming a new dad does not mean you have to give up on the things important to you.

Learn and Lean on Others for Guidance

Make friends with other fathers. Spend time in activities where you can meet and engage with other new dads. Remember that having that support team will help you build confidence when you need it the most.

Prepare Yourself for Your Newborn

Discover how Willow Womens Center supports new dads. Schedule an appointment with our team to learn how we can help you navigate this new chapter with confidence. We have male fatherhood mentors ready to meet with you!

Can You Catch an STI or STD Without Sex?

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:00:02 GMT

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are most commonly spread through sexual contact. Some of the STIs that are diagnosed most often in the United States are chlamydia , gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Other sexually transmitted infections include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and trichomoniasis. Left untreated, sexually transmitted infections can lead to serious complications including increased cancer risk, infertility, and chronic pain.

Patients often ask, "Can you get an STD without having sex?" These infections are almost always spread through sexual contact, but there are some exceptions. The more you know about the spread of infection, the more power you have to protect yourself.

How are STIs and STDs Spread?

It is remarkably easy to catch and spread an STI. Approximately 68 million Americans have an STI, which means when you look around, one out of five people around you is likely to have a sexually transmitted infection. While this means you aren't alone if you've contracted an infection, it also means the risk of getting an infection is high.

STIs and STDs are typically spread through blood and bodily fluids like semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva. Any activity that involves the exchange of these fluids can put you at risk of infection, including kissing and sharing food. However, in the vast majority of cases, these infections are spread through vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex or sexual touching.

Can You Get an STI Without Having Sex?

Although you can contract a sexually transmitted infection without having sexual intercourse, it is rare to contract a disease without some form of sexual contact. Although you can contract a sexually transmitted infection without having sexual intercourse, it is rare to contract a disease without some form of sexual contact. In the vast majority of cases, diseases are spread through vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or another form of oral or genital contact.

Sexually transmitted diseases can be spread without any sexual contact at all, although this is very rare. Herpes Simplex I - the virus responsible for cold sores - is not considered an STI but can be spread through kissing and then, through oral sex, be spread to the genitals. Additionally, mononucleosis, which is not an STI, can be spread through kissing.

What are the Most Common Ways STIs/STDs Spread Without Sex?

Some of the ways you can catch an STI or STD without sexual intercourse include:

through sexual contact, or touching an infected partner's penis, vagina, anus, mouth, or open sore
through oral sex, where the infection is spread from mouth to genitals or vice versa - from genitals to mouth
through kissing, especially if both parties have sores in their mouth or bleeding gums
through infected fabrics; pubic lice can be spread through infested linens and towels, and trichomoniasis can live on damp fabrics for up to an hour
through contaminated foods; any infection spread through the oral-fecal route - like Hepatitis A - can be spread through both sexual contact and contaminated food
by sharing needles or syringes; infections that are spread through blood, like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, can be contracted by sharing needles

Because it is not only possible but likely to have a sexually transmitted infection without symptoms, routine screening is important for people who are sexually active. Those at the highest risk of contracting an infection should be screened more often.

Prevention Methods

Because STIs can lead to lasting and serious consequences, knowing how to prevent them is critical in protecting your health and wellness. The vast majority of sexually transmitted infections are spread through unprotected sexual contact. These steps can reduce your risk.

Always use condoms . Using a barrier like condoms and dental dams is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. SEE CDC.GOV: Condom Use: An Overview

Get tested regularly . You can have a sexually transmitted infection without experiencing any noticeable symptoms and then spread the infection to others. Likewise, your partner can have an STI without symptoms and spread it to you. Routine STI testing is the best way to detect and treat infections early, limiting their spread. Willow Womens Center offers free testing.
Engage in discussion about your status . Before you engage in sexual activity with a new partner, ask how recently they've been tested and share your own status or test results. Talk about your expectations for prevention. Transparent dialogue promotes disease prevention.
Stay up to date on vaccinations . There are vaccines available and recommended for HPV and Hepatitis B. Getting vaccinated according to the recommended schedule can help protect you.
Wash your hands after using the restroom . Because diseases that are spread through the anal-oral route can be spread through contaminated food, it is important to wash your hands after using the restroom and especially before touching your mouth, eating, smoking, or preparing food.

You can take the first step toward protecting your health and future fertility by scheduling an appointment for STI screening today. While the thought of screening might feel daunting, most diseases can be detected by testing your urine.

The CDC provides recommendations for STI screening:

Yearly gonorrhea and chlamydia screening for all women under 25 who are sexually active
Yearly gonorrhea and chlamydia testing for women under 25 who have multiple partners, who have changed sexual partners, or who have had a partner who was diagnosed with an STI
Testing for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV during early pregnancy for all pregnant women

The team here at Willow Womens Center is committed to providing accurate STI testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea without judgment. When you schedule free STI screening , we'll collect your urine sample, share the results with you, prescribe treatment, or refer you to someone who can answer your questions. Give us a call today at 608.312.2025 to schedule.

How to Prepare for Motherhood as a Pregnant Single Mom

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 19:33:36 GMT

The thought of being a single parent can be frightening. It is certainly challenging, but that does not mean you are alone or that you cannot make it work. What is most important is knowing what to expect, preparing yourself, and finding your support team. As a pregnant single mom, you may feel like you are in this on your own, but the reality is that resources, like Willow Womens Center, can offer you guidance, support, and a nonjudgmental, reliable service to turn to when you need help.

What to Expect as a Single Parent

Being single and pregnant is not uncommon, but every situation is vastly different. Not only is it more common today than ever for women to be single parents, it is also more widely accepted. The reality is that you will be stressed, and there will be nights when you will not get much sleep. Yet, your first step is to recognize those challenges so you can prepare for them.

Common Issues for Pregnant Single Moms

Being single and pregnant means you will likely be responsible for a wide range of changes to come in the next few months and throughout your future. It is important to know that some of the most common challenges women face during pregnancy specifically include:

Emotional struggles are likely. Your hormones will change rapidly, and with that comes days when it will be challenging to focus on the good. Those moments will pass.
Balancing work and time off will be critical to give your body more time to restore your energy levels. Single mothers often must find a way to juggle those desires to do more with less energy.
Lack of financial support can be critically challenging for some, especially if you are unsure how you will prepare for the baby and cannot miss work even if you are feeling overwhelmed.
Your life is your own , and the challenges you face within it will range widely. However, there are several positive strategies you can put into place now for help.

How to Thrive Being Single and Pregnant

Consider these tools that will provide you with the support you need for those tough moments. You can thrive with the right tools.

Attend Parenting Classes

Parenting classes are by far one of the best resources you have. Here, you will learn everything necessary to make decisions about health and your own well-being, as well as preparing for your child. The resources are phenomenal.

Create a Routine

Create a routine that you stick with, including routine sleep, work, periods of exercise, downtime, and time for family or friends. Make sure you are focused on eating, sleeping, and getting enough sunlight to support your body’s needs. Be gentle with yourself - progress should be your goal. Not perfection.

Set Personal Limits

Do not push yourself to the point of being overwhelmed physically or emotionally. Simply give yourself limits and be okay with them. If you are tired, it is okay to stay home. Do not try to do everything possible with every minute of your day.

Budget Accordingly

Create a budget for yourself. Instead of trying to buy everything you need, consider starting early by putting aside a bit of money, looking for savings opportunities, and preparing for the future. Setting a budget allows you to stay within your means and provides peace of mind.

Find Support

Find support where you can. If someone cannot be supportive of your needs, step out of their life for right now. Turn to old friends, family members you trust, and professionals for one-on-one support .

Take It One Day at a Time

This is an incredible time of your life. There are so many challenges and opportunities ahead, but it is also best to focus on just right now. Take it one day at a time, and even just one hour at a time when you need a break.

You Are Never Alone with Willow Womens Center!

Willow Womens Center offers free parenting classes and mentoring designed to give you all of the knowledge and confidence you need right now. Now is the ideal time to make an appointment with our team to learn how we can offer you support as a single and pregnant woman.

Tips for Coping with Unexpected Pregnancy

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 19:57:59 GMT

In just a moment, the world can seem to change drastically. Coping with an unexpected pregnancy often means navigating complex thoughts, emotions, and decisions. With support, you do not have to go through it alone no matter what decisions you make moving forward . The good news is it's not uncommon to experience an unexpected pregnancy (about half of all pregnancies are not planned). The question is, what do you do next?

Our pregnancy services provide guidance, support, and reliable insight into your options, needs, and goals. Remember, you are not alone.

Get Medical Confirmation

The first step is to get medical confirmation about your pregnancy. At-home tests work, but they can be inaccurate. Willow Womens Center provides clinical-grade urine-based testing. We are able to provide you with a full pregnancy confirmation at your no-cost appointment.

Make Sure it's a Healthy Pregnancy with an Ultrasound

With the help of a limited ultrasound , you gain insight into whether or not the pregnancy is a healthy one. At Willow Womens Center, we check to ensure the pregnancy is placed in the uterus, measure the pregnancy to find out how far along you are, and check to see if the fetus is viable by detecting a fetal heartbeat. Your doctor will follow up with a more detailed ultrasound when they determine the timing is appropriate.

Embrace Your Emotions

Your emotions might be everywhere. This is normal. Emotional upheaval is expected, whether you're pregnant in college or dealing with a bad relationship. Work through all of your emotions, gaining insight into the good and bad. Give yourself time to go through this process as well. Talking with a trusted family member, friend or counselor may help you process through your emotions.

Consider Your Options

Take the time to consider all of your options.

Adoption : You may not be ready to be a new parent just yet, but you are not comfortable with an abortion. Adoption could be a viable option.
Abortion : In some situations, it may not feel like you can move forward. It’s important to fully understand all aspects of an abortion prior to scheduling your procedure. Willow Womens Center is here to help you answer all of your questions.
Parenting : If you are unsure you can be a parent but want to do so, Willow Womens Center will help you find support on this journey.

Talk to Friends and Family Members for Support

Only you know who you can talk to and receive honest support , guidance, and authentic caring. Choose a friend or family member to operate as your support. Discuss your needs, concerns, and goals. Having someone to talk to enables you to work through this decision with more confidence and peace of mind.

Look into Financial and Life Assistance

Think about the financial and life assistance options available to you. When you make an appointment with Willow Womens Center , we can provide you with guidance on getting the support you need so you can make better decisions moving forward.

For Men: Be Supportive and Don't Panic

Men are also facing intense decisions and life-changing factors at this moment. Your first step is not to panic. Your second is to get the services you need to make the right decisions for you. Getting advice for men enables you to navigate with clarity.

Visit Willow Womens Center for Additional Support

You need support and guidance that's authentic. Reach out to make an appointment with Willow Womens Center . Let us help you through this process with confidence.

UTI vs STI: How to Determine the Difference

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 19:42:19 GMT

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) share many common symptoms, making it hard to know the difference. Differentiating between the two is important to prevent spreading STIs further and to get the right treatment as soon as possible, preventing complications and long-term problems. At Willow Womens Center, we provide free, limited STI testing to support early diagnosis and treatment. Below, we explore the etiology, symptoms, and treatment for each.

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection is an infection occurring somewhere in the urinary tract: the bladder, ureters, urethra, or kidneys. UTIs develop when bacteria, which often come from the surface of the skin or from stool, enter the urethra.

Most urinary tract infections affect the bladder and urethra, which comprise the lower urinary tract system. Infections that go unnoticed can reach the kidneys and ureters, becoming more serious.

Anybody at any age can get a urinary tract infection, and both men and women suffer from UTIs. You do not have to be sexually active to contract a urinary tract infection. However, you can help prevent UTIs from developing by urinating after sex, drinking plenty of water, keeping sprays and powders away from your genital area, and taking showers in lieu of baths. Women can also wipe from front to back and avoid douching.

UTIs are treatable, and catching a UTI early can make treatment easier and stop the infection from spreading further into the urinary tract.

What is an STI?

A sexually transmitted infection is an infection that is transmitted through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. STIs can be caused by over 30 different pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and parasites). Because of the way STIs are spread, they typically infect the genital, oral, and anal areas.

Unlike UTIs, sexually transmitted infections may be more difficult to treat. Of the eight most common infections, four are curable (gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia) and four are incurable (herpes simplex virus or HSV, human papillomavirus or HPV, HIV, and hepatitis B). In some cases, STIs are transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy , delivery, or while breastfeeding.

While anyone who is sexually active can contract a sexually transmitted infection, teens, young adults, and men who have sex with men are at highest risk. Both men and women can contract and spread sexually transmitted infections, and STIs can spread between same-sex and opposite-sex partners.

There are many ways you can reduce your risk of contracting an STI:

practice abstinence (avoid having vaginal, anal, or oral sex)
get vaccinated against hepatitis B and HPV
reduce the number of people you have sexual contact with
practice mutual monogamy, in which both partners agree to be sexually active with only each other
use condoms to prevent the spread of disease

Getting early treatment for STIs can help improve your outcome.

UTI Symptoms

The symptoms of a urinary tract infection can vary. Some people may not have symptoms at all, while others are very uncomfortable. Some of the most common symptoms:

having to urinate more frequently
burning, pain, or discomfort associated with urination
urinary urgency
difficulty emptying your bladder
pain in the lower abdomen
changes in your urine: darker, foul-smelling, or cloudy urine
blood in your urine
malaise, or feeling generally sick

If the infection reaches your upper urinary tract system (kidneys and ureters), the symptoms are a little different. In that case, you might notice pain in your back or sides, fever, chills, confusion, and restlessness.

It is crucial to see treatment right away if you think you have a urinary tract infection to receive treatment before it reaches your kidneys. Early diagnosis and treatment are also key in differentiating a UTI from an STI and getting the appropriate treatment started.

STI Symptoms

In some ways, the symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection mirror the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Sometimes, an STI produces no symptoms. Other times, the infection is accompanied by uncomfortable and even miserable symptoms.

The most common symptoms include:

unusual discharge from the penis, vagina, or anus
bumps, warts, or sores around the genital area, anus, or mouth
pain when urinating
itching around the genital area or anus
a rash
lower abdominal pain

It is important to seek STI screening if you think you might have a sexually transmitted disease. Refrain from engaging in sexual activity with others until you have been screened (and treated, if needed) to prevent spreading the infection further.

Differences in Symptoms

While both urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections can cause pain when urinating and lower abdominal pain, other symptoms are generally different. Urinary tract infections typically will not cause lumps, bumps, or sores in the genital area.

Because it is hard to tell the difference between a urinary tract infection and a sexually transmitted infection without testing, early STI screening can quickly rule out or diagnose an STI and get you on the right track.

UTI Treatments

Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics. When a urinary tract infection reaches the kidneys, hospitalization is sometimes required. In less common cases, urinary tract infections are caused by a virus or parasite. In those situations, treatment is different and individualized depending on the pathogen.

STI Treatments

Treatment for sexually transmitted infections depends on the infection.

Chlamydia , syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis are treated with antibiotics
HIV, hepatitis B, and herpes are not curable, however, the symptoms can be managed and disease progression can be slowed with antivirals

Willow Womens Center offers free, limited STI screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. If you are thinking about having sex with a new partner, have signs or symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, are at higher risk of contracting an STI, or you are worried you may have been exposed, we recommend a free STI screening.

To schedule an appointment, you can either call our office at 608-312-2025 or schedule an appointment online here .

The Abortion Pill and its Side Effects: A Full Breakdown

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 15:00:01 GMT

Women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy may have heard about the abortion pill. It seems to offer a direct and fast solution to what is occurring, but it is critical to understand what it is, the complications that can occur, and what you can expect from it.

Willow Womens Center is a trusted medical center that offers authentic, accurate insight into all pregnancy options to empower women to make decisions that are right for their needs and their future. Before you make this decision, learn what you should know about the abortion pill.

What is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill , also known as a medical abortion or Plan C, is a process that enables the body to stop the fetus from growing and then expels it from the body. It is not a single pill but rather two different medications taken over several days. It is one of several types of abortion available to women in some states.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

In the US, there are two prescription pills that are taken together leading to an abortion. The first medication is mifepristone (Mifeprex). This component stops the growth of the fetus. The second pill, taken up to two days later, is misoprostol (Cytotec). It works to expel the fetus from the body.

In the first step, mifepristone stops progesterone, which is the hormone that supports the pregnancy’s development. This leads to the pregnancy detaching from the wall of the uterus, preventing it from growing. This drug also releases the hormone prostaglandins, which stimulates contractions.

The second medication, misoprostol, is usually taken 24 to 48 hours later. This is much like prostaglandins, though it is lab-made and stronger. It will create more significant contractions that help to push the pregnancy from the uterus. This medication typically causes bleeding and cramping as the pregnancy is discharged through the vagina.

Is the Pill Safe?

The abortion pill has been approved by the FDA for use when prescribed by doctors. It is prescribed by those who are a certified abortion provider, such as a gynecologist, or through an abortion clinic. The abortion pill may also be available online without an in-person visit. While not all providers require an ultrasound to prescribe the abortion pill, it is still important to confirm the pregnancy’s location and viability.

It is best to speak to your doctor about your medical needs and to ensure that you have full confidence in your decision. Willow Womens Center offers free ultrasound services to determine whether the pregnancy is located within the uterus and viable and provides the gestational age so you have all the information you need to make an educated choice.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

You can expect a variety of symptoms when taking the abortion pill, including:

Heavy vaginal bleeding and cramping
Tiredness and weakness

Abortion pill side effects typically improve on their own within a few days to several weeks. If they do not, or if you experience other symptoms, it is critical to seek medical care immediately.

What Complications Can Occur?

Some of the complications that can occur are listed below, and there is also the risk of failure to end the pregnancy . In some situations, women may retain pregnancy tissue, requiring a surgical procedure for its removal. Other potential complications of a medical abortion may include:

Allergic reactions to the medications
Heavy bleeding that will not stop on its own
Diarrhea and digestive system pain
Infection
Scarring
Ectopic pregnancy
Pre-term labor in future pregnancies
Depression/mental health issues

Who Can’t Take the Abortion Pill?

Some people should not use the abortion pill without speaking to their doctor first. And some people may not be able to have a medical abortion, no matter the timing. This includes those with any of the following:

Ectopic pregnancy, or a pregnancy that develops outside of the uterus
Those with a history of bleeding disorders or clotting problems
People who are taking long-term corticosteroids
Those who are allergic to any of the ingredients in the abortion pill
Those who are taking a blood thinner for any reason
Those who have porphyria
Those who have an adrenal gland problem

Patients that currently have an IUD in place, will need to have this device removed by their doctor before a medical abortion.

What to Expect After Taking the Pill

After you take the abortion pill , you will likely start to feel cramping within a few hours. Bleeding may begin right away as well. This is likely to continue and worsen during the hours that follow over the next few days. Most of the time, taking the second pill will cause pain and bleeding to increase even more. This could be an indication that the abortion is working.

Many women will experience a sense of being unwell or physically drained during this period. You may have some nausea and weakness as part of the process as well. It is not uncommon for women to have a fever as their body fights the changes that are occurring. It is normal to pass blood clots during this process, though they should not be anything larger than a tennis ball.

In situations where you experience a fever that lasts longer than a day or you have abdominal pain and cramping that do not seem to get better, it is important to speak to a medical provider.

Most women should begin to feel less tired within 24 hours after taking the second pill. Light bleeding and cramping may still continue for several days after the process. Most women are able to go back to work the next day, though you may still feel tired. You should also seek help from a medical provider if you experience no bleeding or your bleeding does not stop after the 12th day. Take care of yourself after your abortion by resting and listening to your body.

Where to Find Help and Support

Willow Womens Center offers quality care and fact-based information tailored to your individual situation and circumstances. You are valuable and should have the support you need during this time. We provide no-cost pregnancy services, from pregnancy testing to ultrasound, as well as STI testing. Contact us today to schedule a confidential appointment to discuss your needs. Willow Womens Center offers a judgment-free environment where you will be treated with compassion and where we will listen to your concerns and what matters to you.

7 Self Care Tips to Practice During Pregnancy

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 20:02:11 GMT

The Importance of Self-Care

For many women, pregnancy is a time of preparation, which often comes with lots of focus on what your baby needs and what you need to do to support their well-being. Yet, pregnancy self-care is also important. If you have not considered doing something for yourself, you could miss key opportunities to support a healthy, well-rounded pregnancy.

7 Key Self Care Tips to Practice During Pregnancy

Check out the following tips for your self-care during pregnancy that may be easier to do than you realize.

1. Visit a Prenatal Massage Therapist

Prenatal massage therapy is one of the best ways to reduce tension and stress and stimulate overall well-being. Not only does the massage help with back pain, hip pain, and foot swelling, but it can also provide a way to de-stress after a long day.

2. Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

A healthy diet rich in whole foods can make a difference in the way you feel while also helping you to recover faster after pregnancy. You certainly want to consider taking the prenatal vitamins your doctor recommends , but don’t forget that healthy, nutritious food can be critical.

3. Get Outside and Enjoy Fresh Air

The outside air is good for the soul, but it also means you may get more of the Vitamin D your body needs for healthy bone growth. For many pregnant women, it can be important to think about mental health, too. Just being outside can give you a fresh perspective.

4. Take Time Alone to Reflect

When it comes to advice for new parents , one thing cannot be overstated: a pregnancy will mean incredible changes for your life and your future. Take the time to think about your goals and aspirations, as well as your fears about the future. And then take things one step at a time.

5. Find the Right Support System

There are many valuable resources that offer support during your pregnancy. Reach out to those you trust, such as family and friends, who are happy for you and willing to help you when you need it. Now is also the perfect time to take a free parenting class where you can learn about topics important to you, and where you can make connections with other women in the same situation. You can always call us to find out more about additional resources.

6. Spend Time Exercising

Though you should always follow your doctor’s advice, most women will benefit from exercising during pregnancy. Do activities you enjoy, like swimming, going for walks, or dancing, instead of weight-focused exercises that could cause strain.

7. Step Away from the Digital World

There are so many benefits to using the internet to connect with resources and people. At the same time, you really need to be focused on you! That means not comparing yourself to others and creating the life you truly want and need. By spending at least some of your day without your phone in hand, you may find a refreshed state of mind that could help you for years to come.

Enjoy Peace of Mind and Sign Up for classes with Willow!

Willow Womens Center offers in-person and online parenting and mentoring classes with a variety of topics to suit your needs. Taking a parenting class could empower you to get more insight into what your future will be like. You will learn about topics such as postpartum depression , self-care, and overall health and well-being. Sign up with us today.

Signs and Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 19:32:38 GMT

At Willow Womens Center, we understand the stress and overwhelm that accompany unplanned pregnancies. On top of deciding the future for your baby, you also have to consider the risk you are accepting for yourself with each option. All options come with inherent risk. Unfortunately, some women who make the difficult choice to terminate their pregnancy end up experiencing an unexpected complication: incomplete abortion.

Women and couples who find out they are expecting typically have three options:

Choosing to continue the pregnancy and raise the child, which involves significant responsibility but can be rewarding with the right support and resources
Carrying the pregnancy to term and then placing the child with adoptive parents, where you can choose whether to maintain contact with the child or not
Terminating the pregnancy through surgical or medical interventions, which is typically only available if the pregnancy is still in early stages

The decision to have an abortion is a complex and deeply personal one based on emotional readiness for parenting, personal beliefs, financial circumstances, and more. Pregnancy options counseling, community support services, and parenting classes can offer tremendous support during the decision-making process. The more you know, the easier it is to make an informed decision.

In this blog, we will explore incomplete abortions in depth. We will discuss what an incomplete abortion is, what causes it, the signs and symptoms, when to see a doctor and more.

What is an Incomplete Abortion?

First, it is important to understand abortion. Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the removal or expulsion of the products of conception and preventing further development and potential birth. Abortion can be performed using medication to induce the termination of pregnancy for women who are less than 10 weeks pregnant. It can also be performed surgically through procedures like vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C) and dilation and evacuation (D&E).

Just like its name suggests, an incomplete abortion occurs when your medical or surgical abortion fails to fully remove all pregnancy and fetal tissue from your womb. This remaining tissue can lead to problems and complications. In some cases, a viable pregnancy remains.

What Causes an Incomplete Abortion

Incomplete abortions occur most often when the abortion pill – or medications used to induce abortion – are taken too late in pregnancy. This can happen if the pregnancy isn’t confirmed before the abortion pill is prescribed. It can also happen if you take the abortion pill without receiving corresponding medical care. This is most common when the pill is ordered online or received from someone who is not authorized to give it to you.

Incomplete surgical abortions can be caused by anatomical differences that make it more challenging to remove all of the productions of conception. Complications during the procedure can also increase your risk.

It is imperative to have an ultrasound examination before an abortion procedure. Seek guidance from a qualified medical professional to prevent this and other serious complications.

What are the Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion

After your medical or surgical abortion, follow your provider’s instructions for recovery .

It is normal to experience some cramping and bleeding after a medical or surgical abortion. Symptoms that might indicate there is still some tissue remaining include:

continued or heavy bleeding beyond what is expected after an abortion
persistent or increasing abdominal or pelvic pain, which might be accompanied by cramping
a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
passing large clots or visible tissue that seems to be different from what you expect after an abortion
foul-smelling discharge
signs of pregnancy after abortion like breast tenderness, fatigue, or nausea that persist after the procedure

What to Do if You are Having These Symptoms

If you think you might have an incomplete abortion, see a doctor as soon as possible. If you develop a fever after a surgical or medical abortion, seek emergency medical attention.

How Likely is an Incomplete Abortion?

Almost half of all abortions are unsafe. Unsafe abortions are most likely to result in serious and life-threatening complications.

The likelihood of incomplete abortion is substantially lowered when you partner with a qualified team to determine the gestational age of the fetus before moving forward with an abortion and, if you choose, plan and carry out the termination of pregnancy. Only take medications prescribed to you by a doctor who is treating you.

Sometimes, anatomical abnormalities lead to this complication in even the safest situations.

Treatment for Incomplete Abortion

First, an ultrasound is required to confirm if tissue remains in the uterus after your procedure. Then, there are three primary approaches to incomplete abortion:

monitoring ongoing hCG levels and preparing for a potentially successful pregnancy
removing the remnants of the pregnancy through vacuum aspiration, an outpatient procedure
removing the remnants of the pregnancy through the administration of medication

In some cases, women go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries after a failed abortion. The team at Willow Womens Center has helped women in this situation understand their options, get the care they need and prepare to parent their children.

Do you think you might be pregnant? Willow Womens Center offers free, compassionate services for women and couples facing unplanned pregnancy, including:

STI screening and treatment
early ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy and gestational age
pregnancy options counseling to help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of all of the options available to you
parenting classes
free disposable diapers for women in need through their Diaper Assistance Program

The more you know about all of the options available to you as you embark on this journey, the more likely you are to make the best option for you and your family. Whether you are considering your options, need information, or are seeking healthcare, we can help. Schedule your free consultation appointment today online or by calling Willow Womens Center at 608-312-2025. Our compassionate team is here to listen and help.

Why Are Prenatal Vitamins Important?

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:04:41 GMT

When you find out that you are expecting , one of the first tasks on your list will be selecting a prenatal vitamin. In this blog post, we discuss what prenatal vitamins are and the most important nutrients during pregnancy.

What are Prenatal Vitamins?

Many patients ask, “Why are prenatal vitamins important?” Just like your own body needs vitamins and minerals to function properly, a fetus needs certain vitamins and minerals to grow properly. A fetus can only get these nutrients through its mother, and its mother can get the nutrients she needs through her diet and supplemental vitamins.

Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins designed with the developing fetus in mind; they help bridge the gap if your diet lacks some of the vitamins and minerals required for development. They are typically bought over-the-counter and taken by mouth daily during pregnancy .

Most Important Nutrients During Pregnancy

While having a balanced diet that provides as many vitamins and minerals as possible is important, certain nutrients are more critical during pregnancy. Those are folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, omega 3, iodine, and zinc. Here, we explore them in detail to better understand the role they play in pregnancy and some of the risks associated with deficiency.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is important in pregnancy because it supports healthy fetal development. This B vitamin is necessary for neural tube formation in the early stages of pregnancy, which eventually becomes the baby’s brain and spinal cord. A folic acid deficiency during the first trimester can cause neural tube defects like spina bifida, a serious genetic condition characterized by a wide range of physical and neurological issues.

Additionally, folic acid aids in DNA and red blood cell production.

Iron

Iron, which is responsible for making hemoglobin and transporting oxygen throughout the body, is vital during pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your blood volume will increase and more iron will be required to make more blood and supply your baby with oxygen.

Not getting enough iron through diet and supplements can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which can cause fatigue, breathing problems, fainting, sleep issues, and palpitations for the mother. Anemia also has a negative impact on the baby, increasing the risk of fetal death.

Calcium

Calcium is an important nutrient for both mother and baby. Both need calcium for blood clotting, muscle function, and nerve transmission, while the baby also needs adequate calcium to develop strong bones and a functioning nervous system. If the mother’s diet lacks calcium, the mother’s body will draw calcium from her bones to supply it for the baby, leading to maternal bone density loss.

To help increase the likelihood that the baby will have enough calcium, the mother’s digestive system increases absorption of calcium during pregnancy. That means you will absorb more calcium from the foods and supplements that enter your body when you are pregnant than you will from those you eat or take when you are not pregnant. Taking calcium supplements during pregnancy can also help prevent preeclampsia and preterm birth.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important during pregnancy because it aids in calcium absorption, supports the immune system, regulates cell growth, prevents pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and improves maternal mood and mental health. While you can get some vitamin D from sunlight and foods like fortified cereal and milk, most expectant mothers need to take prenatal vitamins to get enough vitamin D in the diet during pregnancy.

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy can impair fetal bone development, reduce maternal bone density, put both mom and baby at higher risk of infection, and increase your risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

Omega 3

Two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) play a pivotal role in fetal development and maternal and fetal health. These fatty acids are needed for fetal brain and eye development and the mother’s heart health and can reduce the risk of preterm birth. Omega-3 deficiency can lead to reduced behavioral and neurological function for the baby, impaired eye and brain development, and increased risk of preterm birth along with potential mood disorders in the mother.

You can get omega-3 fatty acids in your diet by eating fatty fish like salmon, sardines, trout, and mackerel but many women also need a supplemental prenatal vitamin.

Iodine

Iodine is important in pregnancy for a multitude of reasons: it supports the mother’s thyroid hormone production, is essential for fetal brain development, and supports the mother’s overall health and well-being, which is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Most prenatal vitamins contain iodine, but it is still a good idea to check with your healthcare provider to ensure you are getting as much iodine as recommended. Dietary sources of iodine like iodized salt, seafood, and dairy products, can also contribute to daily requirements. Please note, that too much iodine can have adverse effects.

Zinc

Zinc aids in maternal health, wound healing, enzyme function, and immune support. Perhaps most importantly, zinc is critical for the formation of DNA and RNA, cell division, and tissue repair which can prevent birth defects like cleft lip, cleft palate, and neural tube defects. You can find zinc in prenatal vitamins and lean meats, seafood, poultry, nuts, legumes, and dairy products.

Schedule an Appointment

To learn more about prenatal vitamins or work through the difficult decisions that follow an unexpected pregnancy – with compassionate and empathetic support, schedule an appointment at Willow Womens Center today. We offer STI screening, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, free parenting classes , free diapers , and more. We can also answer questions about your options following an unexpected pregnancy – adoption, abortion, and parenting – and point you toward other agencies and resources who can help.

Is it Safe to Buy Abortion Pills Online?

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 19:35:08 GMT

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 45% of all pregnancies are unplanned, leaving couples in a position to research their options and make the difficult decision between abortion , adoption, and parenting the child. In some cases, women or couples seek out ways to buy abortion pills online for a variety of reasons. Here, we will discuss that option in depth, including more detailed information about abortion pills, why some women buy abortion pills online, and the dangers of doing exactly that.

What is the Abortion Pill?

The term “abortion pill” is a catch-all phrase used to describe medications used to induce a medical (rather than surgical ) abortion. The most commonly known and widely used abortion pill is a combination of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone – commonly called RU-486 or the abortion pill – blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for maintaining a pregnancy. By blocking progesterone, mifepristone causes the lining of your uterus to thin and prevents the embryo from continuing to develop.

Commonly prescribed as a pair, misoprostol is another medication usually taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone. It causes the uterus to contract and helps to expel the contents of the uterus, including the embryo or fetus.

When used together, mifepristone and misoprostol terminate early pregnancy, typically up to 10 weeks gestation. However, it is important to note that abortion medications should only be used under medical supervision – guided by a healthcare professional experienced in medical abortion – and in accordance with local laws and regulations. The availability, legality, and specific protocols for medical abortion vary from state to state. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider or reproductive health clinic for accurate and up-to-date information on the safety of each option.

Why Do Women Buy Abortion Pills Online?

Despite the health and legal risks, women sometimes look to the internet for the abortion pill. While the reasons women take this route vary, some of the most common factors include:

In some states, access to safe and legal abortion services is limited or restricted due to legal, cultural, or logistical barriers. Women in these situations might turn to online sources as a way to obtain abortion pills discreetly or as a perceived alternative when in-person options are limited.

Sometimes women worry about the social stigma, potential privacy violations, or disclosure of their decision to terminate a pregnancy if they seek care in person. These women might prefer the anonymity and privacy that comes with purchasing products online.
Many women in the United States do not live within driving distance of an abortion clinic or have transportation to and from that clinic. In these cases, it can feel challenging to access those services. Online abortion pills might seem like a more accessible option.
The cost of abortion services can vary widely depending on the location and healthcare system. In some cases, women perceive online options as more affordable than in-person consultations or procedures.

Keeping this in mind, it is important to note that purchasing abortion pills online poses a significant risk to your health and safety. Visiting a pregnancy options clinic can help you address any concerns you have about access, privacy, or affordability.

What are the Dangers of Buying Abortion Pills Online?

Buying the abortion pill online with medical supervision and from unregulated sources can pose serious dangers to your health and well-being. Some of the most significant dangers include:

Safety and efficacy – Online sources might sell counterfeit, substandard, or expired medications that are ineffective or unsafe. The quality and dosage of the pills have not been tested or approved and can not be guaranteed. They might be missing active ingredients or contain harmful contaminants.
Inaccurate or inadequate information – Online sellers often do not provide accurate or adequate information about the usage, side effects, or risks associated with abortion pills. Without proper instructions or medical guidance, patients might not have the information they need to make informed decisions or respond to complications that arise.
Lack of medical supervision – Before an abortion can be performed safely, a medical professional should assess your health, gestational age, and suitability for medical abortion. The absence of medical supervision increases the risk of complications.
Missed ectopic pregnancy – An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus – typically in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy will result in a positive pregnancy test, but the pregnancy is not viable and requires immediate medical attention. An undetected ectopic pregnancy can lead to life-threatening complications.
Lack of follow-up care – Women need follow-up care after taking the abortion pill to ensure the abortion was successful, monitor for complications, and provide emotional support. Online suppliers rarely provide the follow-up care recommended after a medical abortion.
Legal implications – Buying and using abortion pills from unregulated sources is illegal in some jurisdictions. Engaging in illegal activities can have serious consequences and further complicate an already challenging situation.

Buying abortion meds online can be tempting, but it is critical to put your safety, health, and well-being first as you consider your options and make an informed and supported decision . The only way to limit risk is to seek medical advice and care from qualified healthcare professionals or reputable pregnancy options clinics.

Willow Womens Center is Here to Help

Facing unplanned pregnancy and looking for support? You are not alone. Willow Womens Center is here to provide the support and guidance you need. Our caring team offers confidential services to help you explore your options. While you might feel powerless in this situation, you have the power to make an informed decision about your future. The more you know about your options – both for the pregnancy and for ongoing assistance and support if you choose to parent – the more likely you are to make the decision that is right for you.

Reach out to Willow Womens Center today and let us walk with you during this challenging time. Take the first step: schedule an appointment .

What is an Incomplete Miscarriage?

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 19:57:36 GMT

Genetic variances, chromosomal problems, or maternal health conditions can lead to miscarriage, or pregnancy loss before twenty weeks . Suffering through a miscarriage can be both physically and emotionally challenging, but it is relatively common, affecting up to 20% of known pregnancies. Miscarriage often occurs before a woman is even aware she is pregnant and is often mistaken for a routine menstrual period. Most miscarriages occur in the first three months of pregnancy.

What is an Incomplete Miscarriage?

During a miscarriage, the cervix dilates and blood, fluid, and fetal tissue are passed from the body through the vagina until no pregnancy tissue remains in the womb. In most cases, the tissue will pass on its own over the course of a few hours to a few days.

Sometimes, the body has trouble passing the pregnancy tissue and it remains in the womb. This is called an incomplete miscarriage. It can be hard to detect an incomplete miscarriage as the signs and symptoms are typically the same as a complete miscarriage: back pain, cramping, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and loss of pregnancy symptoms like breast tenderness or morning sickness. Without treatment, an incomplete miscarriage can lead to prolonged bleeding, excessive bleeding, or even infection which can be a serious medical condition.

These same symptoms can also occur after an abortion if not all of the tissue is removed. Diagnosis and treatment will follow similar procedures whether the pregnancy was lost through spontaneous miscarriage or abortion.

It is important to note that in some rare cases, a miscarriage is not passed at all. This occurs when the pregnancy is no longer viable but the cervix does not dilate and bleeding does not begin on its own. Different from an incomplete miscarriage, this is called a missed miscarriage.

How Are Incomplete Miscarriages Treated?

The most important first step is getting a diagnosis from your trusted healthcare provider, if you suspect you had any form of miscarriage. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose an incomplete miscarriage. It is important to schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN as soon as possible if you believe you may not have passed all the tissue after a miscarriage.

There are two steps in diagnosing an incomplete miscarriage: first, your doctor will need to confirm that you are or have been miscarrying, and then, they will need to confirm if some pregnancy tissue remains in the womb. Incomplete miscarriage is diagnosed through a combination of tests such as a pelvic exam, fetal heart monitoring, a quantitative hCG blood test, and/or ultrasound. Some tests are conducted to confirm the miscarriage, while others help your provider see any tissue that has been left behind. Your provider will likely also ask questions about your signs and symptoms, including when you began bleeding.

Treatment varies depending on the unique circumstances for every patient, and may include:

waiting for your body passes the tissue on it is own, without intervention
dilation and curettage (D&C), a surgical procedure to remove any remaining tissue
administration of misoprostol, a medication to medically remove the tissue

While most patients do have the option to wait and see if the tissue passes on its own, some patients choose either medical or surgical treatment to avoid prolonging the miscarriage. Patients who experience an infection as a complication of an incomplete miscarriage may need additional treatment, such as oral or IV antibiotics or, in rare cases, even hospitalization and inpatient treatment. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which approach is best for your situation.

It is important to know that surgical treatment of a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy are legal in Wisconsin.

Coping with an Incomplete Miscarriage

Losing a pregnancy affects each woman differently. While some women experience incredible and debilitating grief, others do not experience those same feelings. There is no right way or wrong way to feel after an incomplete miscarriage; whether you are grieving or not, it is perfectly normal. It is also important to understand that women may grieve separate miscarriages in different ways.

The stages of grief that you might experience – not necessarily in this order – include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It can take weeks, months, or in some cases years to work through grief after loss. It is worth mentioning that grief is a highly individual and personal experience, and not everyone will go through these stages in the same way or in a linear fashion. Some people may also experience additional stages or different variations of these stages. It is essential to remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve or to deal with a miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Seeking support from loved ones or professionals can be beneficial during the process.

It is important to care for your physical and emotional health after any type of miscarriage. Some of the steps you can take as you work through the stages of grief include:

Honoring the life that was lost. Choosing a name, holding a small, private ceremony, or planting a tree in their memory are a few ways to honor the life that was lost.
Leaning on your partner. If you have a partner , remember that they too are likely experiencing complicated feelings following the miscarriage. Include your partner in decisions and lean on them for emotional support. Respect their individual way of grieving.
Seek counseling. Mental health support while you work through the stages of grief can help you manage and cope with your feelings.
Look for nonprofit support. There are a variety of nonprofit organizations that provide free resources and support after miscarriage.

While Willow Womens Center in Beloit, WI, does not treat for miscarriages, we do provide free pregnancy-related and educational services. Our dedicated team of professionals is here to support you through every stage of your journey. Whether you are seeking pregnancy testing, options counseling, or post-abortion care, we provide confidential and non-judgmental care. Take control of your health and well-being today. Contact Willow Womens Center at 608-312-2025 or visit our website to schedule an appointment . Your care and comfort are our top priorities. Reach out now and let us be your trusted partner.

Postpartum Depression Self-Care Tips for Healing

Tue, 30 May 2023 20:09:52 GMT

Feeling a wide range of emotions after childbirth, including joy, excitement, love, stress, anxiety, relief, irritability, mood swings, sadness, loneliness, and exhaustion is normal. But for some new moms, these feelings of exhaustion and loneliness are accompanied by worrisome symptoms and do not let up after a few weeks. In these cases, postpartum depression might be the culprit.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression or PPD is a form of depression that can come on after childbirth. It is a serious medical condition that can affect a new mom’s physical and mental health.

Coming home from the hospital can be challenging for new moms, especially if a pregnancy was unplanned, they had a difficult childbirth, or they do not have the support or resources they need to care for a new baby.

While you might feel alone experiencing depression after childbirth, it is more common than you might think. According to the American Psychological Association , up to 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression after having a baby. This means that even if they have not talked about it, there are likely other women in your family, friend group, or workplace who have gone through the same thing.

PPD can occur at any time during the first year after childbirth, but it is most common in the first few weeks or months.

Postpartum depression presents differently in everyone, but common signs and symptoms include:

feeling sad, empty, or hopeless
not feeling a bond or immediate connection with your baby
feeling anxious or worried
having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
having no interest in activities you used to enjoy
losing your appetite or eating too much
feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
having trouble concentrating or making decisions
having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Postpartum depression is treatable, and with the right treatment, you can feel better.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

The exact cause of postpartum depression is unknown, but researchers believe it is caused by a combination of factors, including:

Hormonal changes. After childbirth, there are significant hormonal changes that occur in your body. These changes — such as a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels — can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
Sleep deprivation. New moms often get little sleep, which can contribute to fatigue, irritability, and depression.
Lifestyle changes. Having a baby can be a major life change, so physical and emotional changes can follow.
Medical conditions. Some medical conditions such as thyroid problems can increase the risk of postpartum depression.
Personal or family history of depression. If you or someone in your immediate family has been diagnosed with depression in the past, it might put you at a higher risk of developing postpartum depression.

Certain risk factors such as financial problems, a lack of social support, or a history of trauma or abuse can increase your risk of PPD. If you believe you are at higher risk of developing PPD, there are steps you can take in advance to help reduce that likelihood. Talk to your doctor, get prenatal and postpartum care, build a strong support network, take care of yourself physically and emotionally, and get help if you start to feel overwhelmed.

It is important to start as early as possible. Pregnancy options clinics can help by connecting you with local resources that can offer financial assistance, social networking, medical care, parenting classes , and supplies.

How Can You Overcome Postpartum Depression?

Effective treatment for postpartum depression often involves a combination of approaches, including psychotherapy, medication, support groups, lifestyle changes, and safety plans. Psychotherapy can help you understand why you think, feel, and behave the way you do and develop coping mechanisms to deal with the stress and anxiety that comes with having a new baby.

There are many different providers, formats, and types of psychotherapy — including online and evening options — so you can find one that works well for you.

Medications can help balance your hormone levels, reduce your anxiety, and improve your mood and energy. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, so they can make sure any prescribed medications are safe for both you and the baby.

Support groups provide a safe place to talk to other women who are going through the same thing, which can be helpful as you adjust to these changes in your body and lifestyle.

Lifestyle changes — getting enough rest, eating foods that nourish your body, drinking plenty of water, taking vitamins, and exercising regularly — can improve your mood and energy levels. In many cases, new moms have to ask for help from friends and family members to take time to care for themselves, and that is okay.

Finally, safety plans ensure you know what steps to take if you are thinking about harming yourself or your baby. They typically include warning signs, coping mechanisms, people who can help, and resources that can help. Work with your doctor or psychiatrist to develop a plan in case you feel hopeless or overwhelmed. While everyone’s experience is unique, most women start to feel better a few weeks or months after beginning treatment for PPD.

If you think you may be facing an unplanned pregnancy , get the support and early intervention you deserve at Willow Womens Center. From free pregnancy testing to early ultrasound, STI screening, and free diapers for new moms, our team provides compassionate services, caring for you and reducing your risk of PPD. Schedule an appointmen t at Willow Womens Center in Beloit, WI, today to get the services you need to stay healthy. If you think you may suffer from any depression symptoms, it is important that you reach out to your primary care provider to discuss the next best step for your personal situation.

Blood vs Urine Pregnancy Test: What’s the Difference?

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:20:01 GMT

There are two common kinds of tests to detect pregnancy: blood tests and urine tests. Let’s explore the difference between the two.

Understanding How Pregnancy Tests Work

In order to understand how pregnancy tests work, it is important to understand what happens in your body when you become pregnant. About two weeks after the first day of your last period, a mature egg is released from your ovary. If you have unprotected sex within 24 hours of ovulation and a sperm reaches the egg, conception occurs. Six to 11 days later, the fertilized egg implants in the endometrium, or the lining of your uterus. About six days after that, or around the day you would expect your next period to begin, your body begins to produce the hormone hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, and releases it into both your blood and urine. This hormone is important as it stimulates the production of progesterone, which is necessary to sustain a pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of hCG in your blood or urine.

Differences Between Blood and Urine Pregnancy Test s

Blood and urine pregnancy tests have both similarities and differences. Below, we will discuss those similarities and differences.

Purpose

Both blood and urine pregnancy tests are used to detect pregnancy. However, because blood tests can measure the amount of hCG present in the bloodstream, they can also be used to determine gestational age, monitor for fetal loss, detect a possible ectopic pregnancy, and diagnose other medical conditions that cause hCG production.

Administration

Blood pregnancy tests require venipuncture – or inserting a needle into a vein to draw blood – which may be accompanied by slight pain or discomfort. Urine pregnancy tests are not uncomfortable; you will simply collect a small amount of urine in a cup or on a stick according to the instructions provided by your healthcare provider or the at-home test you have selected.

While blood tests must be ordered and administered by a medical provider and tested in a lab, urine tests can be ordered by a medical provider and tested in a lab or purchased over the counter and self-administered at home.

Cost

Tests administered at your provider’s office are more expensive than over-the-counter tests. The most affordable pregnancy test is one you can purchase over the counter and administered yourself. If you do elect to go to the doctor, urine pregnancy tests are more affordable than blood pregnancy tests. Pregnancy options clinics like Willow Womens Center usually offer free testing.

Results

It may take longer to get the results from a blood test than it does to receive results from an over-the-counter or urine pregnancy test. In most cases, you will have the results from a urine pregnancy test within a few minutes.

Accuracy of Blood vs Urine Pregnancy Tests

Although comfort, convenience, and affordability are all advantages of at-home urine tests, blood tests are sometimes used because they provide earlier results, improved accuracy when testing before your missed period, and more detailed quantitative information. This kind of information can be helpful for women who are facing high-risk pregnancies, who need treatment to sustain a pregnancy, or who suspect they may be experiencing a miscarriage. It can also be helpful for providers working to diagnose other medical conditions that involve hCG production.

In the vast majority of cases, a urine pregnancy test is recommended. Urine pregnancy tests are most accurate on or after the day you miss your period . Accuracy increases substantially with each day after a missed period due to the increase in hCG levels that occurs at that point in the pregnancy. Taking a urine pregnancy test right away in the morning when your urine is most concentrated can also help improve accuracy.

Blood tests can detect hCG almost as soon as you begin producing it; just 6-8 days after ovulation or around a week before your missed period.

When to Take a Blood or Urine Pregnancy Test

Women who are trying to conceive may choose to take a pregnancy test before they experience any signs or symptoms of pregnancy . In this case, a blood pregnancy test can be taken about a week after ovulation (or three weeks after the first day of your last period if you have a 28-day cycle) and a urine pregnancy test can be taken the day of or the day after your missed period.

In other cases, pregnancy is not planned and symptoms lead to suspicions and testing. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms after birth control failure or unprotected sex, consider taking a pregnancy test or scheduling a free test at Willow Womens Center:

Sensitive, sore breasts. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy often lead to breast soreness and discomfort in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
A missed period. If you normally have regular periods and you didn’t get it when you expected to, it’s an indication that you may be pregnant.
Exhaustion. While causes are unknown, early pregnancy often leads to fatigue and exhaustion, making it a common sign of pregnancy.
Nausea. While it’s often called ‘morning sickness,’ nausea that accompanies pregnancy can happen at any time of the day and doesn’t have to be accompanied by vomiting.
Frequent urination. More frequent urination is a sign that your kidneys are processing more fluid than usual – an indication that you might be pregnant.

Other less common signs and symptoms of pregnancy include cramping, mood swings, light spotting, food aversions, and bloating. Many of these symptoms can also accompany your menstrual period, so it is important to take a test to confirm a suspected pregnancy.

The sooner you know about an unexpected pregnancy, the more options you have available to you and the more time you have to learn about the options available to you and make an informed decision. For free pregnancy testing, early ultrasound, pregnancy options counseling, and more, schedule an appointment with the team at Willow Womens Center today.

Pregnant in College: Everything You Need to Know

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 21:30:36 GMT

While you might picture the traditional college student fresh out of high school with little responsibility, the truth is that college students come from diverse backgrounds, each with unique experiences and life stories. As a matter of fact, 22% of all students in undergraduate programs are parents, and there are 1.7 million single mothers enrolled in a program at any given time.

You can juggle pregnancy and parenting and finish your education with the right resources and support. You have options as a pregnant student, and there are rights for pregnant women in the education system, financial aid opportunities for those expecting or who have a child , and tips for pregnant college students.

Know Your Options

Knowing your options is the first step in making the most informed decision. When facing an unexpected pregnancy , you have three options: adoption, abortion, or parenting.

Adoption

Many women who are not ready to parent and who do not feel comfortable with abortion elect to have their child raised by another family. You can learn more about what to expect during the adoption process by meeting with an adoption agency. You might be surprised to learn how much autonomy and input you have, even as it relates to the child’s family and their relationship with you going forward.

Abortion

Some women consider abortion when facing an unplanned pregnancy while they are still in school. If you are considering to terminate your pregnancy, a pregnancy clinic such as Willow Womens Center will provide education on the different types of procedures and options available to empower you to make the most well-informed decision.

Parenting

You might decide to parent, and if you do, Willow Womens Centercan help connect you with the services you need to be successful, such as free diapers and wipes, parenting classes, referrals for medical care, support groups, and more.

Rights of Pregnant Women

Pregnant students are protected by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 , commonly referred to as Title IX. Under Title IX:

women cannot be discriminated against because of pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, childbirth, or the recovery associated with these
students have a right to take time away from school for pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, childbirth, and/or recovery for as long as is medically necessary according to their doctor
schools must provide pregnant students with at least the same accommodations or special services they provide to other students with temporary restrictions
schools must provide you with a formal complaint process that you can follow if you feel your Title IX rights have been violated.

This means is that if you must be excused from school for your doctor’s appointments, hospital stay, and any other time your doctor deems necessary, such as a medicallyrequired bed rest during a high-risk pregnancy. Additionally, if your university has offered distance learning options for students who have COVID-19 or who are recovering from a sports injury, then they must also offer distance learning options for pregnant women on physician-ordered bed rest.

Women who are employed have additional protections at work that vary by state. You can learn more about those protections in your state here .

Financial Aid Opportunities

Having a child changes the way your financial aid is calculated. While your parents’ income may have been taken into consideration before, having and claiming a child (who you will provide more than half the support for) will likely qualify you as an independent student. That means that your financial aid award will no longer take your parents’ income into consideration.

Additionally, you can typically include an unborn child when calculating your household size as long as he or she will be born within the academic year. Claiming a larger household size may give you access to more funding.

There are some exceptions; schedule an appointment with your financial aid advisor to learn more.

Additionally, there are other programs that may be beneficial to expectant students:

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program provides a monthly stipend for nutritional foods like fruits, vegetables, formula, eggs, and cheese, along with education and screening services.
Medicaid provides many people – especially pregnant women and children – with access to free or low-cost healthcare.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a monthly financial aid program bridging the gap for families who have no resources or source of income. The funds may be used to buy food, utilities, clothing, housing, or other necessities.
The Maternity Group Homes for Pregnant and Parenting Youth (MGH) Program, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can assist low-income families with housing or housing expenses.

Additionally, many organizations assist new parents by connecting them with the basic items they need such as free car seats and diapers. Willow Womens Center offers free diapers once a week to families who need them; you can learn more here .

Tips for Pregnant College Students

Facing pregnancy during your undergraduate program? These tips can help you continue on your path to success while caring for your own health and wellness:

Schedule an appointment with a pregnancy options clinic such as Willow Womens Center early. Early information , resources, and referral can provide you with more options and help you make the best decision.
Connect with your advisor at school early to discuss how your school supports pregnant students and parents and what programs are available to promote success.
If you are worried about the cost of pregnancy, childbirth, or raising a child, schedule an appointment with your local Medicaid office. They can explore the programs you might be eligible for and walk you through the application process.
Share the news with somebody you trust so you do not have to work through these feelings and make these decisions alone. Having a support person can help you stay objective as you explore options and consider your next steps.

To get started with Willow Womens Center, request an appointment online or by calling 608-312-2025 today. Our caring team offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasound, STD testing, education on pregnancy options, parenting classes, diapers, and more.

Free Diapers for Families in Need

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 21:40:26 GMT

Willow Womens Center is Supporting Local Families with Free Diapers

The cost of having a baby is one of the factors parents consider when facing an unplanned pregnancy. In fact, poverty is the most common reason that women and their partners choose not to continue with a pregnancy.

Disposable diapers alone cost an average of $80 per month . The 37.9 million Americans living in poverty often find themselves foregoing one need to fulfill another, for example waiting to pay a bill so that they can afford diapers. While there are programs to assist with formula, healthcare, and housing costs for those who qualify, finding assistance to cover the cost of necessities such as diapers can be more difficult.

Willow Womens Center believes the best way to support women facing an unplanned pregnancy is to provide them with the tools, resources, and practical support they need to be successful parents. By helping families bridge the financial gap that a newborn can create or widen, we hope that women and families feel supported and better able to meet the needs of their families.

Willow Womens Center has launched a Diaper Assistance Program serving the Beloit, Wisconsin area. Whether a family needs one-time help or ongoing weekly assistance, we are here to help.

How to Get Free Diapers from Willow Womens Center

Taking care of a new baby is a full-time job, and in many cases, programs that are designed to help involve processes that are so tedious they are not helpful at all. The easier it is to get what you need, the more time you can spend resting, bonding with your new baby, and recovering from childbirth.

Willow Womens Center wants to ensure that accessing the supplies you need is as easy as possible. Getting disposable diapers through the Diaper Assistance Program is simple. All you have to do is:

Call 608.312.2025 and share your first name and which size of diapers you need.
Pick up your diapers on Tuesday from 9 am to 4 PM if sizes are available.

It really is that easy! Your weekly diaper pickup is also a great time to connect with the team, learn more about services available, and schedule an appointment if needed or ask for assistance with their search for resources.

How You Can Get Involved and Help Spread the Word

The Diaper Assistance Program at Willow Womens Center relies on donated funds and supplies to operate. You can help us bridge this crucial gap for families in several ways:

hold a diaper drive with your friends, neighborhood or civic organization
donate diapers or wipes directly
share our needs and services with your network.

Hold a Diaper Drive

Hold a diaper drive to help us keep our shelves stocked! Schools, local businesses, churches, workplaces, and even family and friend groups have come together to collect diapers and drop off donations. These events can provide dozens of packages of diapers at once, reaching many families and infants in need in the community.

One way to encourage donations during your drive is to partner with a local business to offer one or more door prizes – a gift card, a basket of goodies, or an experience. Give away one raffle ticket for every package of diapers and draw a winner at the end of the drive!

If you would like to coordinate your diaper drive with a national holiday or national month, consider the following:

December is National Giving Month
March 8th is International Women’s Day
October 17th is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
May 2nd is Baby Day
November 20th is National Child’s Day
September 26th is National Family Day

Donate a Pack of Diapers or Wipes

You can also help us meet the needs of local families by donating a pack of diapers or wipes when you’re able. We have donors who drop off unopened packages of diapers that their infant has outgrown, others pick up an extra pack of diapers or wipes when they buy groceries and drop them off once a week or once a month.

While each donor gives in the way that makes the most sense for them, every donor and package of diapers helps make a big difference in our community.

Spread the Word

Whether you are able to donate or not, simply spreading the word can help!
You can do that by:

Letting others know that we are looking for donated diapers and wipes
Sharing information about our diaper assistance program with families in need

Many of the people who donate to Willow Womens Center learned about us from a friend or colleague, so you have the power to make a big difference just through word of mouth.

The Positive Impact of our Diaper Assistance Program for Families in Need

The economic climate has changed over the last few years, making money tighter for many families. A free pack of diapers per week can lessen the financial burden, making it easier to cover household expenses.

Additionally, sometimes staff and the person picking up diapers get to know each other and visit during the pick-up. Many clients love this opportunity to connect and share what is going on in their lives.

Additional Resources and Support Provided by Willow Womens Center

In addition to the diaper assistance program, Willow Womens Center offers a variety of services to support women and their partners, including:

Free medical services , including pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and STI testing
Love and Logic Parenting Classes for anyone in the community involved in the care of children, including new parents
BrightCourse Mentoring Classes for pregnant women

Whether you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, are in need of diapers, are looking to improve your confidence as a parent with free parenting classes , or are seeking confidential STI testing , Willow Womens Center can help. Schedule an appointment online today to meet with our team, who understands what you are going through.

First-Time Parents: Should You Take Parenting Classes?

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 21:47:48 GMT

Surprised to learn that you are expecting… unexpectedly ? Parenting can feel intimidating even when your pregnancy is planned for a lot of reasons, the same as getting to prenatal appointments or preparing for the cost of diapers and formula. But outside of those logistics, knowing how to raise a child can also feel overwhelming.

Children require different things from parents at different ages and stages throughout their childhood, and no two children are the same. Furthermore, our own experiences as infants, children, and adolescents can influence how we raise our own children – positively or negatively –

unless we understand what our children need from us and why we think and behave the way we do.

Whether you are facing unplanned pregnancy or just looking for guidance and support as a first-time parent, the free classes at Willow Womens Center check all of those boxes.

Should First-Time Parents Take Parenting Classes?

As you work through your ‘first-time parent checklist,’ parenting classes deserve a spot on that list.

A few of the reasons you might take a parenting class:

Just like childbirth classes put your worries about giving birth at ease, parenting classes can ease your anxieties about raising a child.
Nobody is born knowing how to raise children in today’s society; there is no handbook, but there are classes that help make the gray areas black and white.
Your own experiences may influence the way you parent – sometimes unintentionally in a way that can be harmful to your child’s development. Parenting classes help you better understand exactly what children need and how to overcome your own experiences to parent effectively.
How you parent will impact your child more significantly than whether you bottle or breastfeed, what brand of diapers you use, or what clothes or toys you buy.
Parenting classes at Willow Womens Center are free, so you can improve your skills without spending anything at all.

When you think about the reasons not to take a parenting class, the list is short. Perhaps the only disadvantage is that parenting classes require a small investment of your time when you are already trying to juggle a busy schedule.

What are the Benefits of Parenting Classes?

Parenting classes can help you raise children who are able to cope with their feelings, recognize and respond to the feelings of others, overcome adversity, and make good decisions. All of these skills help your children lead healthy, happy, and successful lives – and some day they will raise healthy, happy, successful children themselves!

Some of the benefits of taking parenting classes include:

better understanding of how your child is developing, thinking, feeling, and behaving, which improves your parenting style
an enhanced support network as you connect with other parents and hear their stories, struggles, feelings, and resources while they work through the same ages and stages
improved parental mental health and ability to cope with the feelings that can accompany caregiving, such as guilt, anger, anxiety, and depression
fewer negative behaviors and more positive, pro-social behaviors among your children when you participate in parenting classes and use what you have learned in practice
lower likelihood of child abuse or using corporal punishment when you have the skills you need to understand your children, drive positive behavior, and avoid power struggles
more confidence in yourself and your parenting skills as you learn and connect with others, practice those skills, and see the results

Parenting classes are helpful for everyone, but they can be especially helpful for those who are worried about their ability to parent. We don’t always get to choose our experiences in life, and the most difficult experiences can influence our skills and ability to cope. You might be worried if:

you struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues that make it challenging to cope with stress and negative behaviors or emotions
Child Protective Services has been involved in your children’s lives in the past
you were not planning to have a child right now or are not sure you want a child right now
you may be raising the child alone or with minimal support
your own parents were lacking parenting skills and you are not sure how to raise children because you never had a great example yourself
You are facing challenges meeting basic needs, such as food, water, and shelter
You are struggling with substance abuse or addiction

It is never too late to improve your confidence and competency as a parent, and parenting classes provide compassionate, empathetic, and loving support as you work to learn and grow.

How do you Choose the Correct Parenting Class?

Willow Womens Center offers three parenting classes, and choosing the right class for you is relatively easy.

Love and Logic: Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun® teaches skills for parents of children ages to birth to six years old. If you only have children who are six and under, this is the right class for you.

Parenting with Love and Logic® offers skills for parents of all ages. If you have older children or children in multiple age groups, this program will work well for you. Because the classes at Willow Womens Center are free, many parents take more than one class.

Love and Logic: Adults Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts® is geared toward the parents and guardians of children who have experienced trauma during their lives. These children need a different kind of support, and with training and education you can provide exactly what they need to overcome adversity and lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Free Parenting Classes at Willow Womens Center

To summarize, there is no textbook for raising children. It is hard for even the healthiest adults and even more challenging for those facing adversity. Parenting classes provide a compassionate, loving environment in which you can learn, network, and build confidence, preparing you and your child for long-term success together.

Are you ready to make the most important investment you will make as a current or expectant parent? You can get more information on the free parenting classes at Willow Womens Center. Willow Womens Center offers pregnancy counseling, pregnancy testing, early pregnancy ultrasound , STI testing, and parenting classes in Beloit, Wisconsin.

What do Parenting Classes Teach?

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 21:59:55 GMT

As you begin thinking about all the things related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, you may want to consider adding a local parenting class to the list. While diapers, wipes, and birth plans tend to take precedence during this busy time, parenting classes can be tremendously helpful as you prepare for a new infant, helping you build confidence and skills that will set you and your new baby up for long-term success together.

A common mistake we make as new parents is prioritizing the nursery, the baby’s clothes, or even the housekeeping, when what our children really need from us is intimate connection, help to manage their emotions, safe boundaries, and psychological safety. New infants need very little physically; they don’t need their own room, matching outfits, sensory toys, heated wipes, or any of the other gadgets that tempt new parents who are already overwhelmed. They need you, and the best gift you can give them at the start of life is the best version of you there is – one who is educated and who understands what children need from their parents and how parents can provide for those needs.

Parenting classes are arguably the most important investment you can make as you plan for your family. You’ll learn how your child thinks and what they need from you, how to best respond in difficult situations, and how to prepare your child up for a happy and fulfilling life.

Learning About Your Child

One of the goals of a parenting class is to help you better understand your child. Why is your infant crying when he’s not wet or hungry? Why does your toddler throw a tantrum when she doesn’t get her way? How can early childhood experiences help your toddler develop self-discipline and confidence?

At Willow Womens Center, we offer three different, free parenting classes to help you better understand your unique child:

Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun®, aimed for parents of children ages birth to 6 years
Parenting with Love and Logic®, aimed for parents who have children of all ages
Love and Logic: Adults Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts®, designed for parents and adults who support children of any age who have faced adversity in their youth

The Love and Logic courses offered at Willow Womens Center help you understand how your child learns, builds trust, and responds, so you can develop healthy relationships with your children that foster their self-control, decision-making, and responsibility. Parenting classes at Willow Womens Center are perhaps the only thing on your checklist that you can mark off without paying anything at all (and that will last well beyond your baby’s first year).

Learning About Yourself

Contrary to popular belief, parenting is a skill that can be learned, not a natural-born talent that some people have and others lack. Our own experiences throughout life will naturally impact the way we raise our children unless we’re taught otherwise – and we can be taught to do something different than how we personally experienced it.

Some common parenting mistakes that are often a reflection of our own unhealed pain from past experiences include:

becoming overly dependent on the love and approval of our children
setting high, impossible-to-reach standards for our children (and/or reacting harshly when they fail to meet those standards)
becoming overprotective, preventing our children from socializing with other children or engaging in positive experiences
overreacting to unhealed emotional triggers (and then blaming our children for our own reactions)
withholding love and affection from our children because we struggle to trust and develop authentic relationships

Additionally, unhealed trauma from their own childhood could lead a new parent to react to their children’s misbehavior in ways that are unhealthy.

Parenting classes can help us learn more about ourselves and how our own experiences might influence our thoughts and behaviors around parenting. Perhaps more importantly, parenting classes can help us overcome damaging belief systems and thought cycles that prevent our children from developing the skills and confidence they need to form genuine connections, make good decisions, and cope with adversity throughout their lives.

When it comes to parenting, knowledge is power. The free parenting classes at Willow Womens Center equip expecting and new parents with the knowledge they need to form positive relationships with their children and prepare them for success.

Choosing the Right Parenting Class

Any parenting class will help you empower your children to take responsibility for their actions, own their emotions, cope with challenges, and make good decisions, so enrolling in the right class doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Choosing the right class, though, is easy.

If you’re parenting only children who are six and under, you’ll want to enroll in the early childhood class here .

If you’re parenting children of all ages (even if some are under six and some are over), you’ll benefit from the class for parents of children of all ages .

Children who have experienced trauma need a different approach, and the more we understand about their needs and their behavior, the better we can support them. If you’re parenting or supporting a child who has experienced trauma, you’ll want the class for parents of youth with challenging pasts here . Not sure? Some examples of childhood trauma include abuse, violence, sudden loss of somebody they loved, living through a national disaster or war, neglect, deployment of a parent, or a serious illness or accident.

You can learn more about all the parenting classes offered at Willow Womens Center here .

Whether you are ready to sign up, have more questions, or think you may be pregnant and are looking for support, Willow Womens Center can help. You can learn more by making an appointment today; our compassionate team understands the stress that comes with an unexpected pregnancy. We are here to provide care and information without judgment.

Advice for New Parents

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 21:10:32 GMT

Becoming a parent for the first time can trigger a variety of emotions.

You might feel: excited, overjoyed, exhausted, and even not quite ready for the task at times. The interesting thing about parenting is that the journey is similar for all of us. Whether you are rich or struggling, young or older, alone or surrounded by family and friends, having your first child will lead you into this journey of mixed emotions, trial and error, and wonderful and challenging firsts. Knowing the basics, including what to expect, can make these first years just a little easier.

Know That the First Couple of Years are Challenging

The first few years of parenting will demand the most of your body, time, energy, and patience, and then those demands will ease up a little and life will settle into a rhythm that becomes easier to manage daily. Knowing that this too, shall pass, can make it easier to see the light at the end of the tunnel on challenging days.

During the first year, expect changes to your daily routines: what time you wake up, what time you go to bed, how long it takes to get ready before leaving the house, what kinds of things you do for fun, when you eat, who you spend time with, and more.

Lean on the people who love and support you (and local programs if you don’t have a strong support network) for the help you need to get through the first few years.

Carrying a Newborn

Your newborn baby isn’t strong enough to support his/her own head and neck. Be sure to support his or her head and neck every time you pick up or carry your new baby to prevent harm. This website provides step-by-step instructions – with pictures – for picking up, holding, and carrying your baby safely.

General tips include:

Always support the head and neck until the baby is strong enough to support his or her own head
Never cook or carry a hot beverage while you are holding the baby
When elderly people or children want to hold your baby, ask them to sit and show them how to hold their arms to provide adequate neck support — and then stay nearby

Bonding Time

Your child’s development is dependent upon bonding with you. In fact, touching, talking, cuddling, and singing cause your infant’s brain to release hormones that support brain growth and development. That means that while you may feel pressured to keep up with the housework and your appearance, the most important need you can address is your infant’s need for time with you.

Ways to support healthy bonding:

Incorporate touch into your regular routine. You can gently massage your newborn’s legs, arms, back, or scalp when dressing him or her, bathing him or her, or changing his or her diaper .
Offer skin-to-skin contact as much as possible or consider using a sling or carrier to hold your baby when you walk, shop, or do your household chores.
Respond when your newborn cries to let him or her know that you are there and you hear them or care for them, even if you are not sure why they might be crying.

Make eye contact with your newborn when you speak to them, sing to them, or engage with them. Make facial expressions that match what you are saying to help them learn to connect feelings and words.
Sing to your newborn, even if you don’t like your singing voice!

Feeding and Bathing

Newborns should only be fed breast milk or infant formula. Breastfed babies typically eat as often as every 2-3 hours while formula-fed babies eat every 2-4 hours. Your baby might tell you they’re hungry by sucking on their hands, grabbing for the breast or bottle, or smacking or sucking on their lips and tongue. If they don’t demonstrate these hunger cues or you miss them, they might become upset and cry.

Your baby will also tell you when they’re full by falling asleep during the feeding, pulling away from the breast or bottle, or discontinuing the sucking motion. Your pediatrician will tell you when to introduce foods into your baby’s diet.

When it comes to bathing, follow your baby’s cues. Newborns don’t need a bath more than a couple of times per week, but for some babies, bathing relaxes them and helps them sleep better. If your baby enjoys bathing, you can certainly bathe him or her daily. If your baby has dry skin, cradle cap, or other skin problems, you may need to bathe less often depending on your provider’s recommendations.

To bathe your baby, use warm water (tested with your wrist) and no soap in the first few weeks. Wash their arms, legs, fingers, toes, bottom, hair, and back. Pay special attention to the little folds in their neck. Sweat and milk like to hide here!

Then, gently pat your baby dry, drying in between any skin folds carefully to prevent soreness or yeast infections. Keep a towel draped over the baby while you dress him or her to prevent lost heat.

When Baby Sleeps, You Sleep

Finding time to rest with a newborn at home can feel challenging as they rarely sleep through the night, a schedule you may have been accustomed to before having a baby. Instead, your newborn will sleep frequently, for shorter periods of time, throughout the day.

Your body is recovering from growing, carrying, and delivering a baby along with the hormonal changes that follow it. At the same time, whether you breastfeed or formula feed, your body is adjusting breast milk production accordingly – a process that can be painful and draining.

To ensure you get plenty of rest after bringing the baby home, sleep when the baby sleeps. All the other things can wait.

For more support as you prepare for first-time parenting – for support if you’re already there – visit us at Willow Womens Center . Free parenting classes help you prepare for parenting at all ages and stages!

Could You Be Further Along in Pregnancy Than You Think?

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 21:15:24 GMT

Trying to determine when you are due and whether that due date is correct, can be challenging, especially if you feel “bigger” than you did with previous pregnancies or you are measuring ahead during your appointments. This blog post explores signs that your due date might be off, factors that can influence an inaccurate due date, and how to estimate your due date based on your menstrual cycle.

Signs Your Due Date Is Off

If you don’t know the first date of your last menstrual period, you don’t know your average cycle length, or you have mistaken bleeding during pregnancy for menstruation, your assumed due date can be inaccurate. Some of the most common signs that your due date might be off are:

your ultrasound-predicted due date is more than a week from your menstrual-cycle due date
your fundal height is off, especially if it is off by more than 3 cm
your due date was determined by fetal Doppler or an ultrasound in the second or third trimester; these are less accurate ways to estimate the due date.

It is important to rely on the expertise of your OBGYN or other physician to help you understand how your due date was calculated, what outliers like a fundal height that is measuring ahead might mean for you (fundal height is the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus measured in centimeters), and what you can expect when it comes to gestational length. Ultrasound-determined due dates are most accurate during the first trimester, and measuring ‘ahead’ doesn’t result in a changed due date in most cases.

In short, it is common to deliver a few weeks before to one week after your due date, and true due date changes are less common and should be made by a provider based on all of the information they have available to them.

Influencing Factors

A number of studies have evaluated average gestation length as it relates to different factors, like age, race, pregnancy history, and more. Here’s what those studies have revealed:

length of gestation increases with maternal age , so mothers who are under 25 are likely to have shorter pregnancies than women who are over 25, for example
length of gestation is longer for women with higher birth weights themselves, i.e. women who weighed more at birth will carry a pregnancy longer on average than women who weighed less at birth
women with longer implantation periods also have longer pregnancies
smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or both increase the risk of preterm birth and shorten gestation overall
black women have shorter pregnancies than white women by 5 days on average
pregnancies with male fetuses are longer on average than pregnancies with female fetuses
gestation decreases as the number of fetuses increases; i.e. singleton pregnancies are longer on average than twin pregnancies and length continues to decrease as the number of fetuses increases

While all of these factors can influence how long you can expect to be pregnant, your due date will remain the same. That means that even if you and your provider suspect that you will deliver early or late, your due date won’t be adjusted to account for that – it will remain at 40 weeks past the first day of your last menstrual period.

How to Estimate An Accurate Due Date

First, it is important to note that your due date is simply an estimate; it can help you plan and prepare and help you and your doctors make decisions in the case of early delivery or complications, but it cannot predict exactly when you will go into labor. Your due date is typically set for 40 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period, and most women deliver sometime after 37 weeks and before 41 weeks.

Tracking your periods can help you estimate an accurate due date. To estimate your own due date:

Identify the first date of your last normal menstrual period. Some women mistake bleeding during pregnancy for their menstrual period and don’t realize they are pregnant, so it is important to reflect on whether the period was as heavy, as long, and as uncomfortable as it has typically been in the past. If you can’t remember or don’t keep track of your menstrual cycle, sometimes it can be helpful to think about where you were at or what you were doing when it started and then cross-reference your calendar.
Add 40 weeks or 280 days. There are a variety of free pregnancy due date calculators online, like this one from the American Pregnancy Association, that will do the math for you so you don’t have to count it out yourself.

Then, you can calculate how many weeks or months pregnant you are at any given time, using these formulas:

Number of weeks pregnant: take the number of days that have passed since the first day of your last menstrual period divided by 7
Number of months pregnant: take the number of days that have passed since the first day of your last menstrual period divided by 30

Keep in mind that you will be two weeks further along in your pregnancy than you might think; for example, if you had sex and conceived two weeks ago, and you have a 28 day cycle, then you are actually four weeks pregnant.

Getting Help for an Unexpected Pregnancy

If you think you might be pregnant and are weighing your options, scheduling an early pregnancy test and ultrasound is one reliable way to estimate your due date when you don’t know the first day of your last menstrual period. Early knowledge of pregnancy is key to ensuring a healthy lifestyle, adequate nutrition, and time to explore options, especially in the case of an unexpected or surprise pregnancy. Willow Womens Center offers pregnancy testing , pregnancy options counseling, and ultrasound for women who test positive in our office. Ultrasounds are most productive if you are approximately 6 weeks from your last menstrual period. If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, schedule your confidential visit at Willow Womens Center today.

Being Pressured into Abortion? What Next?

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 14:45:04 GMT

At Willow Womens Center, we frequently meet women who share that they are facing pressure to have an abortion. This pressure can make an already complex decision much more confusing during such a difficult time. In this blog post, we will review different types of pressure, your rights as a woman who is expecting (regardless of age), and what you can do in this situation.

Different Types of Pressure

While some women know for sure that their partner or parents are applying pressure, other women feel confused about the behavior they are seeing and experiencing. That pressure comes in many forms.

Direct pressure occurs when your partner (or in some cases, your parent or parents) tells you to get an abortion. They may tell you that they do not want a child, will not stay with you if you have the child, will not claim the child, or they will not support the child. In some cases, a woman may even be subject to verbal or physical abuse if she resists this pressure to terminate her pregnancy.

Indirect pressure occurs when your partner plants seeds of doubt in your mind without directly demanding that you terminate the pregnancy. For example, he might say things like, “I just don’t know if your mental health can really handle this right now,” to a woman who has a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, or, “How are you going to afford this on your own?” to a woman who does not work outside the home. He might insinuate that your relationship will not survive, your body won’t bounce back, your finances won’t suffice, or other aspects of your life will suffer if you move forward with the pregnancy. After these comments, you might believe it was your own decision to have an abortion.

Situational pressure is more difficult to identify and occurs when a situation is not conducive to pregnancy or parenthood. Perhaps none of your friends have children and having a baby will leave you feeling ostracized or left out, or perhaps your parents are absent in your life so you do not believe you have the role models or support you need to provide a loving home for a child. Maybe you feel that having a child out of wedlock or born of an affair will lead to being shunned or judged by your peers at work or in school. These are all examples of situational pressure.

Legalities When Being Pressured into Abortion

There are several things you need to know about your legal rights if you are being pressured to have an abortion.

Nobody can force you to terminate a pregnancy. Even if you are under 18 years old, you cannot be forced to have an abortion against your will. Depending on the jurisdiction, the person attempting to force you to have an abortion can potentially be charged with coercion, a form of abuse. If you feel like you are not safe because you are refusing to have an abortion, contact the police and request a protection order.

You can always withdraw your consent even after you have already scheduled an appointment to have an abortion. Many women change their minds after scheduling an appointment they were pressured to schedule, but do not know that they can change their minds after signing consent. Until the abortion has been performed, you have a right to change your mind – even if you are already at the clinic or you have already taken one of the abortion pills. Abortion pill reversals may be available.

What to Do Next

First, schedule an appointment at Willow Womens Center to learn about all your options. We are located in Beloit, Wisconsin and offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STI testing, community resources, and more to help you make the most informed decision possible during this difficult and often confusing time.

It is also important to give whoever is pressuring you some time and space to work through their feelings. Remember that an unplanned pregnancy causes emotions for you and other people that are close to you, such as your partner or a parent. Invite them to come with you to your appointment at our clinic, where they can see the ultrasound images and can find out some of the important information together with you.

Share your pregnancy with others who will support you. If you are not getting the support you need from your partner, it is important to share your news with friends or family members who will support you and can help you with your decision. These days can be less stressful when you have the right people alongside you, and often you also need somebody to talk to as you experience the ups and downs of pregnancy.

Finally, take time to get to explore what you want. Ask yourself what your plans for your future and your values are and how these will be impacted by your decision. Explore your fears and worries about this unexpected pregnancy in depth and get support to work through them with a friend, mentor, or counselor. Ask yourself what is important to you, how this pregnancy fits into that, and what kind of decisions you need to make now to align with your plans and values and who you are as a person.

Getting Help From Willow Womens Center

Facing an unplanned pregnancy is complicated in any situation, but it becomes infinitely more challenging if you feel pressured to make a decision that you may not want. Take the first step toward making an informed decision that you can stand behind and schedule a consultation with Willow Women's Center in Beloit, Wisconsin today. During your appointment, we can provide pregnancy testing, perform an ultrasound examination, and share all the options available to you, including abortion, so you can make the most informed decision about your future.

Surgical Abortion vs Pill: What You Should Know

Wed, 25 May 2022 14:55:37 GMT

Deciding whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy is challenging, and then determining the safest and most effective way to determine adds an additional challenge during a sensitive time in your life. In this blog post, we’ll share everything you need to know about both medical and surgical abortion options so you can make the most informed decision if you choose to end a pregnancy.

What is a Surgical Abortion vs Pill?

When you begin exploring your options for terminating an unplanned pregnancy or a pregnancy that isn’t viable, you’ll learn that there are two general kinds of abortion: medical or surgical . In this blog post, we’ll describe each type of abortion including eligibility criteria, what to expect, recovery, and long-term outcomes to help you make the most informed decision about your future.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion is often referred to as ‘the abortion pill’ and refers to a combination of two medications that are designed to end pregnancy with surgery in its earliest stages.

When is the Abortion Pill Recommended?

Women who are up to 11 weeks pregnant may be candidates for the abortion pill, but the effectiveness of the medication wanes as the pregnancy progresses, which means it’s most effective for women who are up to 8 weeks pregnant. Specifically, effectiveness by gestation is:

94-98% effective for women who are 8 weeks pregnant or less
94-96% effective for women who are 8-9 weeks pregnant
91-93% effective for women who are 9-10 weeks pregnant
87% effective for women who are 10-11 weeks pregnant

In some cases, women who are 9-11 weeks pregnant can be given an extra dose of medication to increase the likelihood of a successful termination.

What Should I Expect During My Medical Abortion?

A medical abortion requires several clinic appointments in Wisconsin. First, you’ll visit a pregnancy clinic for a consultation appointment. During that appointment, we’ll confirm your pregnancy, viability, and gestation and discuss all of your options with you.

If you choose to terminate the pregnancy, you’ll be referred to a clinic that performs abortions for a counseling appointment. In Wisconsin, the counseling must be provided at least 24 hours before the abortion is administered, so you’ll come back 24 hours later to take the first medication, which is called mifepristone. Mifepristone blocks your body’s progesterone, which is needed to continue pregnancy. Then you’ll take a second pill called misoprostol, which causes your uterus to empty. You can expect to experience cramping and bleeding, which might be uncomfortable or even painful, after you take the second pill. When you take that pill will depend on your provider’s instructions.

What are My Options if the Abortion Pill Doesn’t Work?

If you don’t experience bleeding within a day of taking the misoprostol, you may be able to receive another dose or move forward with a surgical abortion. Contact your doctor or nurse to let them know that you didn’t bleed after your medical abortion.

What are the Benefits of Medical Abortion?

Many women choose medical abortion if they’re eligible because it allows them to avoid a surgical procedure and the recovery that comes with it. It can also be performed earlier in the pregnancy and for some women, offers greater privacy as they don’t have to arrange a support person for travel after their procedure.

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion, which is also called suction aspiration abortion, refers to the surgical procedure designed to terminate a pregnancy.

When is Surgical Abortion Recommended?

Surgical abortion can be performed to terminate pregnancy for women who are up to 19 weeks and 6 days pregnant in Wisconsin (and in cases when the mother’s life is in danger, up to 22 weeks pregnant). For this reason, surgical abortion is appropriate for many women who are not candidates for medical abortion due to length of gestation. Some medical providers delay surgical abortion until after 7 weeks gestation.

Surgical abortion is 98-99% effective, making it more effective overall than medical abortion.

What Should I Expect During My Surgical Abortion?

In most cases, surgical abortion is a one-day, outpatient procedure. Per Wisconsin state law, you’ll be counseled on your options at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. If you choose to proceed with surgical abortion, your healthcare team will provide you with pre-op instructions so you know how to prepare for your appointment and recovery.

On the day of your procedure, you’ll be given medications to help manage your pain and relax your cervix. Much like you do during an annual exam, you’ll lie on an exam table and place your feet in the stirrups. A speculum is inserted in your vagina so your cervix can be dilated and pregnancy tissue can be removed using gentle suction.

You may experience some cramping and discomfort during and after the procedure. You’ll need a driver to take you home after the procedure, but you’ll be able to return to regular activity the next day.

Women who are more than fourteen weeks pregnant will likely need to stay in the hospital overnight and may have a different experience and recovery. Your doctor can help you understand what to expect.

What are My Options if the Abortion Doesn’t Work?

Surgical abortion is very rarely unsuccessful. In the rare case that a surgical abortion is unsuccessful, discuss your options with your healthcare provider. You may be eligible for a repeat procedure.

What are the Benefits of Surgical Abortion?

Some women choose surgical abortion because it can be performed later in pregnancy, it requires fewer office visits, it produces less bleeding afterward, and it’s more effective overall than medical abortion.

What Method is Right for Me?

Willow Womens Center can help you evaluate your options when facing an unexpected pregnancy. For women who choose to end an unplanned pregnancy, both medical and surgical termination are effective options. When it comes to surgical abortion vs pill, there is no best option for all patients; consulting with your healthcare provider is imperative for making the most informed decision.

Schedule an appointment with Willow Womens Center to explore your options for unplanned pregnancy today.

How to Take Care of Yourself After an Abortion

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 15:56:48 GMT

Having an abortion may have turned out to be more challenging than you expected it to be, and self-care is critically important afterward.

If you are recovering from a medical or surgical abortion, you are not alone. Research reveals that in the United States, 24% of women aged 15 to 44 years will have an abortion by age 45.

What can you do to improve your healing process after an abortion? Read on to learn more about how to care for yourself physically and emotionally while you are recovering from an abortion.

How to Take Care of Yourself After an Abortion

Whether you had a medical or surgical abortion , self-care is essential so you can recover and thrive. Self-care during this time includes resting, drinking plenty of fluids, eating healthy foods, and incorporating anything healthy and comforting to you.

If you were prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills until they are gone to prevent infection. And take antinausea and pain medication as directed.

Remember that you can get pregnant very quickly after an abortion , so take precautions to prevent another unexpected pregnancy.

You are valuable and deserve to care for yourself physically and emotionally.

1. How to Care for Yourself Physically After Abortion

After an abortion, you need to know which physical side effects are expected and which symptoms indicate a complication requiring immediate medical attention. First, we will discuss common side effects after abortion and how to take care of yourself if you experience them.

Bleeding

Some women have minimal bleeding after a surgical abortion because surgical instruments are used on the uterine lining. But on average, post-abortion bleeding lasts 14 days and can last as long as six weeks. Passing small blood clots is normal, and you may notice that bleeding increases if you are more active.

Try to physically get as much rest as you can for the first day or two after an abortion. Also, avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for about one week.

Use pads for the bleeding since most healthcare professionals recommend not putting anything into your vagina for two weeks, including tampons. This is to prevent infection while waiting for your cervix to close after having an abortion.

Cramping

Your uterus needs to return to its pre-pregnancy size, so uncomfortable cramping is normal after an abortion.

For cramping relief, you can take Ibuprofen or Tylenol as directed. Do not take aspirin because it can increase bleeding. A heating pad on your abdomen can also relieve cramping pain.

Uterine massage is another effective way to alleviate cramping. To do uterine massage, press the palm of your hand into your abdomen and rub in a circular motion.

Post-abortion cramping can come and go for about 7 to 10 days. As with post-abortion bleeding, cramps may increase with activity so listen to your body and pace yourself.

Nausea/Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting for the first 24 hours after abortion is common and may also be accompanied by diarrhea.

To help with these symptoms, you can eat small, bland, starchy meals such as dry toast or crackers. It may also help to have beverages on hand with extra electrolytes.

The following symptoms are NOT normal after an abortion . If you experience them, seek out medical care immediately.

Heavy bleeding: soaking two or more maxi pads an hour for two hours or passing clots larger than a golf ball for two hours or more
Severe abdominal or back pain: pain not relieved with pain medication
Fever over 100.4°: may indicate a serious infection that has spread to your bloodstream or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Odorous vaginal discharge: a sign of infection
Nausea and vomiting for more than 24 hours after the abortion:
You still have pregnancy symptoms two weeks after the abortion: could indicate a failed abortion if you are still experiencing signs of pregnancy two weeks after your abortion.

2. How to Care for Yourself Emotionally After Abortion

There is not a correct way to feel after an abortion. Feelings of relief, sadness, or a combination of many conflicting emotions are normal. You have not only just made one of the most difficult decisions you have ever faced, but your body is experiencing physical symptoms as your hormone levels shift suddenly, which can cause you to feel extra emotional.

Research indicates that abortion is associated with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders compared to women without a history of abortion. If you notice that you are having difficulty coping after an abortion, help is available for you. If a supportive family member or friend is not available, there are other resources to get the help you need.

Push yourself to reach out for help – even if you may not feel like seeking support at the moment. The sooner you can address post-abortion emotional difficulties, the quicker you can get on your path to recovery.

You can reach confidential hotlines for mental health support at SAMHSA’s National Helpline , 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or via text message: 435748 (HELP4U). It is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year information service in English and Spanish.

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, take it seriously and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. What you are feeling is temporary, and with compassionate support and over time things will improve!

Need Support After Abortion?

If you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant or need support after abortion, Willow Womens Center is here for you. From the moment you walk into our center, you will recognize an atmosphere of care that will never include judgment for any decision you make – or have already made. Instead, our role is to compassionately come alongside you and provide you with the answers you need so you can take informed next steps for yourself.

You will never be charged for any services we offer at Willow Womens Center. Pregnancy testing, education, ultrasounds, and STI testing are all at no cost to you and designed to empower you.

Get the caring support you deserve and make your confidential appointment today.

How Soon After Giving Birth Can You Get Pregnant?

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:02:10 GMT

If you have recently given birth, you may have heard that you do not need to be concerned about getting pregnant for a while, especially if you are breastfeeding. But is that accurate?

In this article, we will discuss what the truth is about how soon you can get pregnant after giving birth. We will also discuss if breastfeeding is an effective method of birth control and how to process your option if you discover that you are unexpectedly pregnant soon after giving birth.

How Soon Can You Get Pregnant After Giving Birth?

Several conditions are necessary for pregnancy to occur, and they include:

Ovulation and the egg entering one of the fallopian tubes
The presence of sperm
Fertilization of the egg by a sperm in the fallopian tube
The fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus and implants in the uterine lining, where it continues to develop.

So in order to become pregnant, you have to ovulate. Knowing this, you may wonder how soon you can ovulate after giving birth. The answer is that most women ovulate about six weeks after giving birth if they are not breastfeeding. But, it is possible to ovulate as soon as three weeks after giving birth, which means that it is vital to have a birth control plan in place to prevent another pregnancy.

Can You Use Breastfeeding as a Birth Control Method?

Many women ask if breastfeeding is a reliable method of contraception. The simple answer is – it depends. Some women do not ovulate while they are breastfeeding, and some women do. The problem is that you won’t know which applies to you, so it is best to use a dependable method of birth control any time you want to prevent a pregnancy from occurring.

It is less likely (but still possible) that you will ovulate while breastfeeding if all five of the following conditions are present:

Your baby is under six months old.
Your baby is exclusively breastfed – meaning your baby does not receive nourishment from any other source.
Intervals between breastfeeding are no longer than four hours during the day and six hours at night.
You do not use a breast pump.
You have not had a period since you gave birth.

Next, we will clear up four common myths about getting pregnant again after giving birth.

Myth #1: You can’t get pregnant after giving birth if you haven’t had a period yet.

You can get pregnant even if you have not had a period yet after giving birth. In a typical menstrual cycle, you ovulate about two weeks before your period starts, but many women do not ovulate before their first post-birth period.

However, many women do ovulate without warning before their first post-birth period. This means you can give birth, not have a period for three months, ovulate, and get pregnant again without ever having a period after giving birth.

Myth #2: You can’t get pregnant if you have sex when you are not currently ovulating.

Are you someone who knows when she is ovulating? Maybe you experience ovulation pain on one side or other symptoms that signal ovulation. Can’t you simply avoid having sex when you know you are ovulating to prevent pregnancy? No, and the reason for this is that you can ovulate after you have sex.

According to Mayo Clinic , sperm can live for up to five days in the female reproductive tract. This means that if you don’t feel like you are ovulating and have unprotected sex but then ovulate five days later, you could become unexpectedly pregnant.

Myth #3: You can’t get pregnant if you are breastfeeding.

For the reasons we previously discussed, you can definitely get pregnant if you are breastfeeding.

Myth #4: It’s fine to space your pregnancies close together.

The reality is that your body needs time to recover from a pregnancy. March of Dimes recommends to wait at least eighteen months after giving birth before becoming pregnant again.

When you give your body a chance to recover between pregnancies, you reduce the risk of:

Premature birth
Baby being small for gestational age (SGA)
Low birth weight
Congenital disorders
Maternal anemia
Long-term health problems

After you give birth, you are adjusting to a disrupted sleep schedule, caring for a newborn, and healing from childbirth all at the same time. You deserve to take care of yourself, so give yourself time to recover and adjust before becoming pregnant again.

If you do unexpectedly become pregnant, help is available.

What To Do if You Become Pregnant Soon After Giving Birth

Unexpected pregnancies happen every day, and it is not the end of the world if you discover you are pregnant soon after giving birth. You may even know someone who successfully had pregnancies close together.

If you have recently given birth and are pregnant again, your first step is to be gentle with yourself. You probably feel shocked, and you need time to process the news. Be sure to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible so they can provide you with guidance for a healthy pregnancy.

But what if you feel that you cannot possibly continue your pregnancy? In that case, take a deep breath and seek support from an unbiased pregnancy center where you will not be judged for considering abortion.

Considering Abortion?

Willow Womens Center is a safe place to process your thoughts and options about an unexpected pregnancy without judgment. We are a medical clinic with licensed professional healthcare providers who can walk with you as you process your doubts and questions.

You do not need anyone to tell you what to do about your unexpected pregnancy. At Willow Womens Center, you will feel empowered after getting the answers to all your important questions and you will be ready to make an informed decision.

You can be confident about your next steps when you are unexpectedly pregnant. Contact us today for your confidential appointment. Our services are always at no cost to you.

8 Early Signs of Pregnancy and What They Could Mean

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:09:59 GMT

Could I be pregnant? Until you know for sure, wondering if you are pregnant or not can cause quite a bit of anxiousness — especially when a pregnancy is unexpected .

The confusing part is that premenstrual signs mimic early pregnancy, so it can really leave you wondering what to attribute your symptoms to.

The only way to have a definitive answer to the “Am I pregnant?” question is by a positive pregnancy test followed up with an ultrasound to confirm a viable pregnancy. Since you may experience any, or all, of these eight early pregnancy signs before you have that confirmation, we will delve into them so you know what to watch for.

What Happens in Your Body During Pregnancy?

Specific things need to happen in your body for a pregnancy to occur . Steps to pregnancy include:

Ovulation: Ovulation is the point in your menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from your ovary and into the fallopian tube.
Presence of sperm: Sperm must be present to become pregnant. After unprotected sex, sperm, which is chemically designed to locate the egg, travels up to the fallopian tube.
Conception: Conception is when a single sperm penetrates the egg (fertilization). It is the moment that pregnancy begins. The fertilized egg continues to travel through the fallopian tube for five to six days to the uterus.
Implantation: Implantation is the process of the fertilized egg burrowing into the uterine lining and becoming an embryo. The instant implantation occurs, your body is triggered to produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a pregnancy hormone.

8 Early Signs of Pregnancy to Know

As soon as implantation occurs, you may begin to experience early pregnancy symptoms because your body starts producing the hCG pregnancy hormone right away.

Listed below are common pregnancy symptoms. You may experience all of them, some of them, or none of them. Every pregnancy is different, so keep in mind that what is normal for you may not be typical for another woman. And try not to become overwhelmed as you read the list. Most women tolerate early pregnancy symptoms quite well, and they usually only last through the first trimester of pregnancy.

Classic signs and symptoms of pregnancy may include:

Missed Period

The most common symptom of pregnancy is missing your period . This is often the first clue that you might be pregnant.

Spotting and Light Cramping

Light bleeding in early pregnancy may be alarming to you, but this is more common than you might expect. Implantation bleeding is spotting that happens in approximately 25-30% of pregnant women when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining.

You may feel like your period is about to start because you’re experiencing cramping. It can accompany implantation or be caused by your uterus growing. However, it’s important to seek medical care right away if you also have severe pain on one side to rule out an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus, most often in the fallopian tubes).

Digestive Changes and Frequent Urination

Pregnancy hormones can affect your digestive system in several ways. You may experience constipation, bloating, or even heartburn as your body adjusts. Heartburn can happen when these hormones relax the muscles in your digestive tract, leading to a burning feeling in your chest. It can help to eat fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water.

You may also find yourself needing to urinate more often. Early on, your body processes more fluid than usual, and as pregnancy progresses, added pressure on your bladder can increase bathroom trips.

Vaginal Discharge

Your vaginal walls thicken when you become pregnant, causing a white, thin discharge. It is normal unless it has an odor or changes color. In that case, contact your healthcare provider.

Breast Changes

Breast tenderness is another pregnancy symptom that might have you feeling like your period is about to start. You may also notice that your breasts feel swollen or tingly in early pregnancy. The areola may also become darker and larger.

Nausea and Food Aversion

The term morning sickness is very familiar. But the reality is that nausea and/or vomiting can strike any time during the day or night when you are pregnant. Many women find it helpful to stay hydrated, keep crackers on hand, and eat small, frequent meals so their stomach doesn’t get too empty, which can help prevent nausea from getting worse.

In addition to nausea, you may notice that you can’t tolerate certain odors or foods.

Fatigue

Your body is working hard to support a pregnancy, and it is very normal to feel fatigued in the early stages. It often improves as you move into the second trimester. Try to eat nourishing foods rich in iron and protein and rest when your body needs it.

Mood Changes

You might feel more sentimental and loving, or experience mood swings, including weepiness. Give yourself grace, and remember that pregnancy brings emotional adjustments in addition to physical changes.

Get a Free Pregnancy Test at Willow Womens Center

If you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant, you will need a listening ear and compassionate care more than ever before. You are looking for accurate answers to your questions.

Willow Womens Center is passionate about empowering you with unbiased facts from licensed healthcare professionals so you can make a confident decision about your unexpected pregnancy.

Our services are always at no cost to you. We offer medical-grade pregnancy testing , limited ultrasound if your pregnancy test is positive, and testing for sexually transmitted infection (STI) in addition to other services .

Contact Willow Womens Center today to schedule your confidential appointment and receive the support you deserve.

What Are the Different Types of Abortion?

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 16:16:59 GMT

Have you discovered you are pregnant, but you were not expecting it? Many women understand what you are going through because 45% – nearly half – of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Deciding what to do about an unexpected pregnancy may be one of the most difficult decisions you have ever faced. And educating yourself about each pregnancy option , including parenting, adoption, and abortion, is crucial. It helps you make a decision without regret, one that you can look back on years down the road and know that you made the best decision for yourself with the right information.

If you are considering abortion, it is good to have all the facts before moving forward, so we are glad you are here. Read on to learn about the different types of abortion, when they are typically offered, and potential risks .

What Are the Different Types of Abortion?

There are two types of abortion available: medical abortion and surgical abortion. A healthcare provider will consider factors such as your health and how far along you are in your pregnancy to know which abortion option is available to you for your specific situation.

We will discuss each type of abortion next to help you understand them better.

Medical Abortion

You may have heard a medical abortion referred to as a medication abortion, the abortion pill, or RU-486, but they are all terms used to describe an abortion using medication rather than a surgical procedure.

When can you have a medical abortion?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the abortion pill for medical abortions up to seventy days since the first day of your last period (LMP).

Are there reasons medical abortion is not an option?

Yes, there are situations when a healthcare professional may tell you that you cannot have a medical abortion.

Medical abortion is not an option if you:

Are being pressured or coerced into having an abortion.
Do not have access to medical care in case of complications.
Are too far along in your pregnancy.
Have a pregnancy outside of your uterus, such as an ectopic pregnancy.
Have an intrauterine device (IUD).
Have an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Are allergic to abortion medications.
Have certain medical conditions.
Take certain medications like blood thinners or steroids.

What happens during a medical abortion?

During a medical abortion, you will take two different medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.

You will first take mifepristone to block your body from producing the progesterone hormone. Blocking progesterone causes the embryo’s heart to stop beating and it will detach from the uterine lining.

The second medication, misoprostol, is taken approximately 24 hours later. Misoprostol causes your uterus to contract, so the embryo is expelled to end the pregnancy.

According to Mayo Clinic , symptoms during a medical abortion may include:

Heavy uterine cramps
Heavy vaginal bleeding, including blood clots
Nausea and/or vomiting
Low-grade fever (under 101°)
Headache
Chills
Diarrhea
Sore breasts
Drowsiness
Visualizing the gestational sac or embryo when it passes

Surgical Abortion

A surgical abortion is performed in a clinic or hospital. There are three different types of surgical abortions, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Surgical abortions include vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), and dilation and evacuation (D&E).

1. Vacuum aspiration abortion

A vacuum aspiration abortion is used during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first twelve weeks), and it is the most common surgical abortion procedure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 91% of women have abortions at thirteen weeks of pregnancy or less.

Some clinics use the vacuum aspiration procedure up to 14-16 weeks after the first day of your last period.

The procedure takes about ten to fifteen minutes to perform. Manual aspiration involves the use of a specially designed syringe to apply suction. When using a machine vacuum, a thin tube (cannula) is attached by tubing to a bottle and a pump, which provides a vacuum. The cannula is passed into the uterus, the pump is turned on, and the tissue is removed from the uterus.

Both approaches may also involve the use of a cervical dilator inserted into the cervix the day before the procedure to dilate (open) the cervix. Antibiotics may be given as well to prevent infection.

2. D&C abortion

A D&C abortion is usually performed between twelve and fifteen weeks of pregnancy. During a D&C abortion, curette instruments are used after vacuum aspiration to remove anything remaining in your uterus. A D&C abortion also takes about ten to fifteen minutes.

3. D&E abortion

Once you are beyond sixteen weeks of pregnancy, the clinic or hospital will typically perform a D&E abortion.

Your cervix needs to be prepared before the procedure, so the provider will insert dilating sticks called laminaria into your cervix the day before a D&E abortion.

On the day of the D&E abortion, numbing medication is used, and your cervix will be stretched open further with dilating rods. This is done since the fetus is larger and needs room to pass.

The provider then uses a combination of suction, curettes, and forceps to complete the abortion. The D&E abortion lasts about thirty minutes.

You may go home with pain medication and antibiotics after any type of surgical abortion.

What Are the Risks Associated With Having an Abortion?

Abortion risks increase the further along you are in your pregnancy. Before moving forward with any medication or procedure, it is important to do your research. For a medical or surgical abortion, possible risks include:

Life-threatening infection
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Hemorrhage (excessive bleeding)
Incomplete abortion, requiring another procedure
Future infertility – inability to get pregnant when ready or to carry a pregnancy to term successfully
Mental health challenges

When To Seek Medical Attention After an Abortion

Trust your gut. If you are concerned about anything at all, speak with a healthcare professional.

Seek immediate medical attention after an abortion if you:

Have pain worse than a period or when the pain is not alleviated by over-the-counter pain relievers.
Have a fever over 100.4° or flu-like symptoms.
Are passing clots larger than a golf ball.
Are soaking two maxi pads every hour for two consecutive hours.
Vomit for more than four hours.
Have increased vaginal discharge or odorous discharge.
Still feel pregnant a week or two after the abortion.

Get the Support You Deserve

Coping with an unexpected pregnancy can be scary and hard. At Willow Womens Center , we offer compassionate medical care and support during this challenging time.

Our licensed healthcare professionals are here to provide pregnancy medical services that will give you the answers you need to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.

Is it Safe to Buy Abortion Pills Online?

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 15:31:48 GMT

Scared. It is a feeling women facing an unexpected pregnancy share. Know that you are not alone if you have discovered you are pregnant and are fearful and confused about what to do next.

Since you are reading this, it means you are educating yourself, and we applaud you for that. You have pregnancy options that you may not have considered, and you are here seeking answers.

During your internet research, you may have come across the possibility of purchasing the abortion pill online. And perhaps you thought to yourself, “This sounds easy!”

American women have been purchasing abortion pills online from other countries for several years because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed it illegal to obtain them over the internet. But, in April 2021, the FDA stated that they would use discretion to enforce their safeguards during the pandemic by allowing telehealth visits and mail-order abortion pills.

The FDA’s ruling opened doors for women in many states to receive the abortion pill online without seeing a healthcare provider in person.

But is it safe? Accurate information is power, so read on to learn more.

What Is the Abortion Pill?

Medical abortion (or medication abortion) and surgical abortion are two ways to end an unwanted pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the abortion pill for medical abortions up to seventy days since the first day of your last period (LMP).

The term “abortion pill” sounds like you are only taking one pill. But in reality, a medical abortion requires taking multiple pills of two different abortion medications; mifepristone and misoprostol.

The first abortion medication, mifepristone, is taken to block progesterone. When progesterone is blocked, the uterine lining breaks down, and the embryo’s heart stops beating.

The second medication, misoprostol, is taken approximately 24 hours later. Misoprostol causes the embryo to detach from the uterus and be expelled by producing heavy uterine cramping.

Risks of Medical Abortion

Online purchase of abortion pills is marketed to women in crisis as an easy solution. Some providers attempt to lure you in by claiming that a medical abortion is nice to have in the comfort of your own home or that it is safer than taking Tylenol. But these claims can be misleading. You deserve a complete picture to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.

At first glance, just taking some medication seems so much easier than a surgical procedure, but there are known side effects and risks to consider.

When you take abortion pills, your medical abortion happens at home, which can feel scary if you are not prepared for the possible side effects , including:

Visualizing the gestational sac/pregnancy pass
Painful uterine and abdominal cramps
Back pain
Heavy bleeding and passing blood clots
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Low-grade fever (under 100.4°)
Chills
Headache
Sore breasts
Fatigue

In addition to unpleasant side effects, there are also serious risks needing medical attention to consider, and they could include:

Incomplete abortion requiring a follow-up surgical abortion
Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop
High fever
Infection
Blood clots
An undetected ectopic pregnancy (a medical emergency)
Future infertility
Death

Now that you understand the risks of taking abortion pills , we will discuss the added risks of purchasing abortion pills online.

Risks of Purchasing Abortion Pills Online

Purchasing abortion pills online means you do not have an opportunity to be examined by a licensed healthcare provider. As a result, you are put at greater risk for complications by prescribing abortion medications without having all the necessary information obtained by ultrasound .

Here are four risks of purchasing abortion pills online.

You could be further along in your pregnancy than you think.

The FDA has approved abortion pills for up to ten weeks of pregnancy because the need for medical care from complications increases the further along you are. However, the only accurate way to know how many weeks pregnant you are is by ultrasound .

Whether you speak to a healthcare provider through telehealth or not at all, you are left relying on the dates of your menstrual period to determine how far along you are. This information can be inaccurate for several reasons:

You may have counted implantation bleeding as a period, causing you to be several weeks further into your pregnancy than you realized.
You ovulated earlier in your cycle than expected. If your periods are irregular, it is more difficult to predict when you conceived, and your pregnancy could be further along.

2. You could have a non-viable pregnancy.

A viable pregnancy has a reasonable chance of ending in a live birth. A non-viable pregnancy has zero chance of survival, and it is more common than you might think. Up to 20% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage, so do not risk putting yourself through a medical abortion if it is not necessary.

Only an ultrasound can tell you if your pregnancy is viable or not.

3 . You will not know if you have an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy happens outside of the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed by ultrasound, but if it isn’t detected, the fallopian tube can burst, and this is a life-threatening emergency.

Taking abortion pills can mask the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy because you are told to expect pain during a medical abortion. This may cause you not to realize that you need immediate medical care because you think the pain is abortion-related rather than a medical emergency.

4. You cannot know what you are purchasing.

You have no way of knowing for sure where abortion pills are coming from when you purchase them online. Therefore, it is impossible to know if they are safe, effective, or made from quality ingredients.

You Are Valuable

You are too valuable to be put at risk. At Willow Womens Center , we offer the no-cost pregnancy services you deserve, so you can be confident that you have made your decision with accurate information regardless of what you decide.

Contact us today for your confidential appointment. Willow Womens Center is judgment-free, and you can trust that you will be treated with dignity and compassion.

What To Expect When You Miss a Period

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 15:35:27 GMT

Missing a period can trigger a lot of anxiety, especially if you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant.

The best thing you can do is to take good care of yourself. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing can be very helpful while you wait for an answer as to why your period did not start as expected.

This article will discuss how your menstrual cycle works, why you might miss a period, and what to expect when you do miss a period.

How Your Menstrual Cycle Works

Each month your body goes through a hormonal process to prepare for a possible pregnancy; this is referred to as your menstrual cycle , or simply your “cycle.”

The average length of a woman’s cycle is 28 days and is measured from the first day of your period to the day before your next period. A normal cycle can vary from 21 days to 35 days, and there are four distinct hormonal phases.

1. Menstrual Phase

The menstrual phase of your cycle is the three to seven days while you have your period. During this phase, your progesterone levels drop, causing you to get your period. The menstrual phase overlaps with the next phase, the follicular phase.

2. Follicular Phase

Estrogen levels rise during the follicular phase of your cycle. This phase starts on the first day of your period and ends when an egg is released from an ovary (ovulation).

3. Ovulatory Phase

The ovulatory phase occurs approximately fourteen days before your next period begins and is the time in your cycle when you can become pregnant.

Did you know that your sex drive is the highest when you are the most likely to become pregnant? This is caused by hormone shifts that occur during the ovulatory phase.

4. Luteal Phase

The luteal phase is the second half of your cycle. It starts after ovulation as the egg begins to travel through the fallopian tube on its way to the uterus, and it ends when your next period starts.

If the egg is not fertilized, your progesterone and estrogen hormones drop during this phase, producing premenstrual symptoms and a period.

But what can cause you to miss a period?

Reasons You Can Miss a Period

There are several reasons you can miss a period. Here we will discuss seven of them.

Pregnancy

A missed period can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. This is not to say however, if you missed your period, you are in fact pregnant.

So what is happening to your body if you are pregnant? If a released egg is fertilized and implants into the uterine lining, the hCG hormone is produced and this causes you to miss a period.

Some women experience implantation bleeding and mistake it for a period. However, implantation bleeding is typically lighter than a normal period.

Stress

Emotional stress can also cause you to miss a period. If you are experiencing stress and have ruled out pregnancy, talk to a healthcare provider about ways you can reduce your stress levels.

Weight changes

Rapid weight loss can also cause you to miss a period. Eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia can cause your weight to fall more than 10% below a normal range. These conditions can also prevent ovulation and periods.

Being overweight can also lead to hormone changes that impact your menstrual cycle.

It is essential to seek the advice of a medical professional if you think your weight may be contributing to missed periods.

Health conditions

Several health conditions impact hormone levels and can cause you to miss a period. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid imbalance are two common reasons.

If your blood sugar fluctuates abnormally with diabetes or hypoglycemia, it can also affect your hormones and periods.

Increased exercise

Are you training for a marathon? Or perhaps you have increased your exercise level to get in shape. Either way, a significant increase in exercise can cause you to miss your period.

Breastfeeding

It is common for women to have irregular periods or altogether skip periods while breastfeeding.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause refers to the years before menopause when a woman’s body produces less estrogen. It usually starts during a woman’s 40s, but it can also start in her 30s or earlier. A symptom of perimenopause is missed periods.

What can you expect if you have missed your period?

What You Can Do If You Missed Your Period

If you have missed your period and think you might be pregnant, you can start by taking a home pregnancy test .

Once an egg is fertilized (conception), it takes about five to six days for it to travel through the fallopian tube into the uterus. Once the fertilized egg reaches the uterus, it implants into the uterine lining.

If implantation occurs, your body begins producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It is the hCG hormone that a pregnancy test detects to tell you if you are pregnant or not. Your body produces hCG about seven to ten days after conception.

Home pregnancy tests advertise the ability to detect a pregnancy as early as five days before you miss your period. But keep in mind that testing so early can cause a false negative pregnancy test result even if you are pregnant. There just not yet enough hCG in your system for the test to recognize.

A false negative pregnancy test can increase your anxiety, and retesting can get expensive. For that reason, we recommend you wait to take a pregnancy test until after the day you expected your period.

What happens if you have already missed your period, but your pregnancy test is negative? In that case, wait several days, and take another test. If it is still negative but your period has not started, see a licensed healthcare provider so they can determine the cause and decide if you need treatment.

No Cost Pregnancy Testing Is Available

At Willow Womens Center , we understand how important it is for you to know why you have missed your period. We also know that pregnancy tests can be expensive, so we offer pregnancy testing to you at no cost .

If you have missed your period and want to know if you are pregnant, we are here for you. Reach out today for your confidential appointment and set your mind at ease with the answers you deserve.

STD Testing in Janesville

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 20:37:37 GMT

When you hear the word “epidemic,” you may automatically think of COVID-19. But did you know there is another epidemic in our midst?

One in every five people in the United States has a sexually transmitted disease (STD). That is the equivalent of 68 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). STDs are the silent epidemic.

Unfortunately, common STDs among women, chlamydia and gonorrhea , can also be silent. This means you can have an STD for years without knowing it, allowing time for damage to occur to your reproductive system.

STD testing is critical whether you have symptoms or not. Read on to learn more.

What Are the Risks of Untreated STDs?

Women might assume they don’t have an STD because they do not have symptoms, but an undiagnosed and untreated STD can lead to severe risks. Some of those risks include:

Spreading it to other people
Infertility
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Long-term pelvic pain
Certain cancers, such as HPV-associated cervical and rectal cancers
Eye infections such as conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Complications duringfuture pregnancies
Lower life expectancy

The best way to avoid these risks if you are sexually active is to get regular STD testing.

Who Needs STD Testing?

Anyone who is sexually active needs routine STD testing . Sexual activity includes all forms, not just vaginal sex. Even if you are in a relationship with one partner, you cannot know your partner’s status for sure. The CDC has established guidelines for STD testing, which include:

All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. People under age 25 account for half of all new reported STDs each year.
Women 25 years and older with risk factors should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Risk factors include having multiple sex partners, a new partner, or a partner who tested positive for an STD.
All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B starting early in pregnancy.
At-risk pregnant women should also be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea starting early in pregnancy.

If any of these descriptions fit you, you need STD testing. Don’t let the fear of STD stigma stop you. The professionals who perform STD testing have heard it all, and they do the work they do to help women like you, not to judge you.

What Happens During STD Testing?

STD Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea is quick and easy.

You will provide a urine sample.
Your urine sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.
You receive your results within just a few days.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are treatable. If your STD results are positive, you will be provided with a prescription for medication to treat chlamydia. For a positive result for gonorrhea, you will receive a referral for treatment. It is very important to take all of the medicine exactly as instructed.

Looking for free STD Testing in Janesville?

If you live in or near Janesville, Wisconsin , Willow Womens Center in Beloit is just a short drive away. We offer no-cost, judgment-free STD testing provided by compassionate, licensed healthcare professionals. If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, we also offer pregnancy resources that empower you to make a confident and informed decision. Contact us by calling 608-312-2025 today. You can also schedule your confidential appointment online at willowwomenscenter.org.

How to Tell if Your Girlfriend is Pregnant

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 20:45:42 GMT

You think your girlfriend might be pregnant, but you are not sure. The thought of facing an unplanned pregnancy is scary, but it is best to know the answer sooner rather than later.

To find out if your girlfriend is pregnant, you can ask her, look for obvious signs, and encourage her to take a pregnancy test.

Ask Your Girlfriend If She Thinks She Is Pregnant

Although you usually would not ask a woman if she is pregnant, it is ok to ask your girlfriend. Remember that she is just as fearful as you are. Assure her that she has your support whether she is pregnant or not, and you will work through this together .

Signs Your Girlfriend Is Pregnant

You may not get the definite answer you need, but you can also look for early signs of a possible pregnancy. When women become pregnant, their bodies go through tremendous changes and produce pregnancy hormones that trigger common symptoms of pregnancy , which include:

Missed period

A missed period is the most common sign your girlfriend is pregnant. Understanding how her cycle works can help you know how likely she is to be pregnant.

Nausea with or without vomiting

It is called “morning sickness,” but nausea with or without vomiting can occur any time of the day or night. In addition, foods and odors can trigger nausea in early pregnancy.

Tender or swollen breasts

Tender and swollen breasts can start one to two weeks into pregnancy. It can also be a sign that your girlfriend’s period is about to begin. But if they are combined with other symptoms, it could indicate that she is pregnant.

Fatigue

Thanks to high progesterone hormone levels in early pregnancy, your girlfriend may feel exhausted if she is pregnant.

Bloating

Bloating is another early pregnancy symptom that mimics signs your girlfriend’s period is about to start. Sometimes, bloating occurs before she misses her period as progesterone hormone levels rise and cause the digestive system to slow down and gas to be trapped.

If you see any of these signs of pregnancy in your girlfriend, encourage her to take a pregnancy test so you can determine your next steps and take them together.

Encourage a Pregnancy Test

The best way to know if your girlfriend is pregnant is by a urine pregnancy test – no-cost pregnancy clinics can offer free testing with highly accurate pregnancy test results.

Medical pregnancy clinics are skilled at determining if a pregnancy is viable and will answer all your questions about each of your options for an unexpected pregnancy.

Willow Womens Center Has Answers

At Willow Womens Center , we understand that taking a pregnancy test is scary for anyone thinking they might be unexpectedly pregnant because it means acknowledging reality and facing tough decisions.

Our licensed healthcare professionals offer no-cost limited medical services and compassionately empower you with the information you need to make the best decision about an unplanned pregnancy. Contact us online today or call 1-608-312-2025 to schedule your confidential appointment and get the answers you deserve.

How I Can Help My Partner After an Abortion

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 20:46:33 GMT

After much research and soul-searching, your partner decided that this was not the time to continue her pregnancy, and she had an abortion. Even if she was confident about her abortion choice, you see that her recovery is not easy and she is t rying to take care of herself . You are going through your own process of coping with the abortion, and you still compassionately wonder how you can help your partner.

The first step is to understand what she is going through, so keep reading to learn more about her experience and practical ways to help.

How Your Partner Might Feel After an Abortion

Immediately following a surgical abortion or medical abortion , your partner may feel a sense of relief together with uncomfortable physical symptoms. As time goes on, emotional difficulties may set in. Here is what you can expect your partner to feel soon after a medical or surgical abortion:

Pain: Cramping after abortion is normal because it helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size. Cramping can last for one to two weeks.
Nausea: Nausea and diarrhea are common after an abortion.
Bleeding: It’s normal for your partner to pass small clots and bleed for one to two weeks after the abortion. She may experience spotting for longer.
Tiredness: Your partner has been through much physically and emotionally after an abortion, contributing to fatigue that can last a few days.
Emotional highs and lows: Your partner may feel a complicated combination of relief and sadness. This can be partly due to the sharp hormonal drop that occurs after an abortion. If she had a medical abortion at home and could visualize the pregnancy, that can also contribute.

Some partners may also suffer from long-term effects if they had abortion complications. Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) is a common syndrome that affects both women and men who have been affected by an abortion, and help is available.

Now that we have discussed how your partner might be feeling after an abortion, you might be wondering how you can help.

Ways You Can Help Your Partner After an Abortion

If there is a time when your partner needs to feel safely cared for, it is now — after her abortion. Here are examples of how you can help :

1. Offer practical support

Ask what kind of help is most supportive for her.
Ask if she wants to be alone or prefers your company.
Offer pain medication, a heating pad, and extra pillows to increase her comfort.
Bring her food and water.
If there are other children, arrange care for them so you can be available for her.
Run errands as needed.
Bring her to follow-up appointments.
Watch for signs of complications needing medical attention.

2. Offer emotional support

Be emotionally present.
Do something special for her or with her (give a gift or do something she loves).
Ask her how she is feeling.
Listen actively.
Be sensitive to her experience and patient with the healing process.
Watch for signs that she needs professional mental health support.
Willow Women’s Center Can Help

Willow Womens Center offers no-cost medical services if you and your partner are facing an unexpected pregnancy or considering abortion .

Reach out online or call 608-312-2025 today for your confidential appointment and get the answers you deserve.

Understanding The 4 Phases of Your Menstrual Cycle and Pregnancy Likelihood

Tue, 11 May 2021 21:15:49 GMT

Nothing can produce anxiousness quite like wondering if you are pregnant. If it is too early for a pregnancy test , you have probably scanned your calendar or checked your cycle tracking App and compared it with your menstrual cycle thinking back over the past couple of weeks and tried to determine the odds of an unplanned pregnancy.

Knowledge is power, and learning about your cycle empowers you to make reproductive choices that are best for your life. Read on to learn more about understanding how your menstrual cycle works and how likely you are to be pregnant.

The 4 Phases of Your Menstrual Cycle

Your “cycle” is a hormonal process your body goes through each month to prepare for a possible pregnancy. The length of your cycle is measured from the first day of your period to the day before your next period.

The average length of a woman’s cycle is 28 days, but it can vary from 21 days to 35 days. There are four phases to your menstrual cycle , and they include:

1. Menstrual Phase

The menstrual phase of your cycle is when you have your period. Your progesterone levels drop, and your uterus sheds the lining that was prepared for a pregnancy that did not occur. The menstrual phase typically lasts between three and seven days.

2. Follicular Phase

The follicular phase is about the first half of your cycle: it usually lasts from ten to seventeen days. It starts on the first day of your period and ends when you ovulate. Ovulation marks the time when one of your ovaries releases an egg and is part of the next phase of your cycle.

3. Ovulatory Phase

The ovulatory phase is the only time when you can become pregnant. This is the time in your cycle that the follicular phase has been preparing for – ovulation. Ovulation occurs about fourteen days before your next period begins. Once an egg is released, it has up to 24 hours to be fertilized in the fallopian tube.

An important thing to know about the ovulatory phase is that your sex drive will be at its highest. This noticeable change is due to several hormones that are released as nature’s way to increase the chance of pregnancy if sperm were present in the fallopian tube at the same time as an egg.

4. Luteal Phase

The luteal phase is the second half of your cycle. It starts after ovulation as the egg begins to travel through the fallopian tube on its way to the uterus, and it ends when your next period starts.

Which Phase Affects Pregnancy Likelihood?

Considering all this information about your cycle, how likely are you to be pregnant?

After an egg is released, it is viable for up to 24 hours.
Sperm can live in your body for up to five days!

This means you are most likely to become pregnant if sperm is present a few days before ovulation or within 24 hours of when you ovulate. When you put it all together, there can be as much as a six-day window of time each month around ovulation that you are at risk of becoming pregnant.

Keep in mind that you can become pregnant when you are breastfeeding, bleeding, or using any kind of birth control.

See if You're Pregnant with a Free Pregnancy Test

If you think you might be pregnant, Willow Womens Center is here to help you with no-cost services provided by compassionate, licensed healthcare professionals. Reach out today for your confidential appointment or call us at 608.312.2025.

How To Tell Your Partner About an Unexpected Pregnancy

Wed, 05 May 2021 21:19:41 GMT

The chances of needing to tell a partner about an unexpected pregnancy at some point are pretty high when you consider that nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended . Even if you have a healthy relationship, it is common to feel a little nervous about telling your spouse/partner that you are pregnant when that wasn’t part of your plans right now.

So, how exactly do you tell them about an unexpected pregnancy ? This article will discuss what you can do to make that conversation flow a little easier.

Timing Matters

When you tell your spouse/partner about an unexpected pregnancy, timing matters. Choose to share the news when you have plenty of time to talk or simply can spend time together afterward to process your thoughts and feelings. In other words, telling them that you are unexpectedly pregnant just before you both leave for work would not be ideal.

If either of you is significantly preoccupied or stressed, it may be best to wait. Talking about an unexpected pregnancy just after an argument or before an important job interview could start this journey off on the wrong foot.

Another aspect of timing is to tell your spouse/partner soon after you discover that you are pregnant. This way, you haven’t already spent a great deal of time moving through the phases of coping with an unexpected pregnancy while he is just getting started in the first phase of shock.

Where to Break the News to Your Partner

In-person and in the comfort of your own space is the ideal place to tell your spouse/partner about an unexpected pregnancy. This will give them a chance to respond honestly, and you can talk freely in a private setting compared to out in public. Showing your partner the positive pregnancy test helps to alleviate his shock, and you probably wouldn’t want to pull that test strip out at your local coffee shop.

Unless your spouse/partner is away for an extended period of time, such as military deployment, definitely do not tell him about an unexpected pregnancy by phone or text message. Next, we’ll discuss what to say because words matter.

Choose Your Words

Before you talk with your spouse/partner, it is critical to remind yourself that you did not get pregnant by yourself. An unexpected pregnancy is not something you need to walk on eggshells about or carry guilt or shame over. Once your mindset is ready, you can think about the words to use when you tell them that you are pregnant.

You are not responsible for your partner’s response to an unexpected pregnancy, but you can choose words that may help set the tone for your conversation about it. For example, consider the difference between hearing, “I have terrible news,” and “My period is late, so I took a pregnancy test today and found out we are pregnant.”

Approach talking with your partner about an unplanned pregnancy with the confidence that this is an issue you can tackle together. Use words that are natural to you but think ahead of time about how you want to phrase them directly and positively. For example, say, “We are pregnant” rather than “I’m pregnant,” because this did not happen all by yourself.

Give Your Partner Time to Process

If you are not looking at the pregnancy test results for the first time together, your partner will be in the difficult position of having to react to the news in front of you, and that’s not easy. He may feel compelled to filter his reaction so he does not hurt your feelings, or he may react with unfiltered honesty – and that can be painful if he is initially unhappy about the pregnancy. However, this is not a free pass to treat you disrespectfully, which is never okay.

The moment just after telling your spouse/partner about an unplanned pregnancy is the time to “hold space” for him. Holding space means he has a chance to experience his thoughts without pressure to discuss them right away. He may need to process the news on his own for a bit before coming together to discuss it with you. Don’t take his first reaction personally if it is negative – he is most likely responding to his fears rather than you.

Like you, your spouse/partner will move through many different responses as he comes to grip with the news of a pregnancy neither of you saw coming. Common responses men have to an unexpected pregnancy include:

Happiness
Shock
Fear
Denial
Anger

Take It One Step at a Time

There is no denying that difficult conversations come with the territory of an unexpected pregnancy. Take one step at a time, and do not make any permanent decisions while your emotions are high or conflicted.

Once you have moved beyond the initial shock, you can move on to discuss your feelings about topics ranging from your hopes, dreams, and goals to your fears and next practical steps to making a pregnancy decision. It is essential to take one step at a time as you share honestly about how you feel about your pregnancy options, including parenting, adoption, and abortion.

Step 1 – Confirm your pregnancy

Your first step is to confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy and verify that your pregnancy is viable. A viable pregnancy is one that is likely to carry to term successfully rather than end in miscarriage. You can get these answers only by a pregnancy ultrasound performed by your healthcare provider or at an unbiased pregnancy center such as Willow Womens Center.

Step 2 – Weigh your options and make your decision

After you know you have a viable pregnancy and how far along you are, talk with an experienced pregnancy advocate who can review your options with you and your partner . The licensed healthcare professionals at Willow Womens Center can provide the information you need about parenting, adoption, and abortion so that you can make a confident decision about your unexpected pregnancy. You will never feel rushed or pressured to make a pregnancy decision; instead, you will be empowered to make the best decision for you and your family.

Willow Womens Center Is Here for You

At Willow Womens Center , we understand how confusing an unplanned pregnancy can be. We compassionately provide confidential, no-cost services to help you make an informed decision about your unexpected pregnancy. Make an appointment at Willow Womens Center today.

Your Reproductive Health Checklist

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 19:38:01 GMT

It is no surprise that women have unique health needs, and they change throughout their lives as their bodies adapt to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

As a woman, how can you stay healthy and protect your reproductive health? And why is it important? Read on to find out and discover your reproductive health checklist.

What Is Reproductive Health?

Your reproductive system consists of internal and external structures, including ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix, and the vagina.

Good reproductive health means that your reproductive system is not only more than free from disease but functioning well. Let’s examine why that is important.

Why Is Your Reproductive Health Important?

Taking care of your reproductive health is important for two main reasons: protecting your overall well-being and protecting your ability to choose if you want to have children in the future.

1. Caring for your reproductive health protects your overall well-being.

Taking care of your reproductive health protects your overall well-being by preventing problems down the road, such as cancer and chronic illnesses that reduce your quality of life.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), many health issues only affect women. Additionally, there are other conditions that both men and women get, but they impact women more severely.

Women-only health issues include:

Cancers such as uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancers
Gynecological problems such as vaginitis, urinary incontinence, and irregular periods
Pregnancy-related problems such as miscarriage, premature labor, and ectopic pregnancy
Infertility issues such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, scarring from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Other women’s issues such as bone health and osteoporosis, menopause, and violence against women

2. Caring for your reproductive health protects your ability to choose if you want to have children in the future.

In addition to protecting your overall well-being, caring for your reproductive health also can preserve your fertility and give you the freedom to choose whether you want to have children in the future or not.

For example, it is common for women to dismiss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing because women typically don’t experience symptoms with the most common STIs . But an undiagnosed and untreated STI is a common cause of infertility, so testing is crucial – whether you have symptoms or not.

Your Reproductive Health Checklist

What can you do to take care of your reproductive health and protect your overall well-being and future fertility? Below is your reproductive health checklist to help you detect reproductive problems early, in addition to keeping you healthy to prevent reproductive health issues.

1. Regular Visits With Your Gynecologist

Since the average teen gets her first period around age 12, it is ideal for young women to start visits with a gynecologist at about age 13, whether or not they are sexually active.

Women typically have yearly gynecology visits, but you and your doctor can determine the best schedule for you by considering your history and healthcare needs. You can use those visits to discuss all of the remaining checklist tips with your gynecologist and personalize them to you.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet

“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food” is a quote attributed to the famous physician, Hippocrates. It is catchy, but it is also true. The foods you put into your body can keep your body healthy, heal your body, or make your body sick.

Leading causes of death in the United States are diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease that are all linked to an unhealthy diet, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

To protect your overall health and well-being, feed yourself a balanced diet rich in foods that nourish your body and your brain , including lots of fresh vegetables and fruit with those important prenatal vitamins .

3. Exercise

Exercise can provide your sense of wellness by reducing stress and giving you energy. Incorporate exercise into your life as soon as you can. Just getting a few minutes of daily exercise can provide tremendous health benefits for women, including:

Improved bone health
Improved mental health
Improved weight control
Improved sleep

4. Pap Testing

A Pap test screens for cervical cancer and precancerous changes on the cervix that can become cancer.

The CDC recommends that you have your first Pap test at age 21. During your 20s, they recommend a Pap test every three years.

From ages 20-65, the CDC recommends Pap tests every three years unless there are cervical changes that require more frequent testing. After age 65, your doctor may tell you that you no longer need Pap tests.

5. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing

HPV is a virus that can cause cervical changes, which lead to cervical cancer. HPV testing detects the virus putting you at risk. Your doctor usually starts HPV testing in your 30s.

6. STI Testing

As we discussed above, STI testing is crucial because you probably will not have symptoms. If you are younger than age 25 and sexually active, you need to be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.

If you are age 25 or older, you should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia yearly if you have risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STD.

7. Practice Safer Sex

According to Johns Hopkins, safer sex is having sex in a committed relationship with only one partner who only has sex with you when neither of you has an STI.

There are STIs that cannot be cured, which cause lifelong consequences leading to infertility, chronic pain, and death.

8. Screenings After Age 40

Once you turn 40, other screenings are added to your reproductive health checklist, including mammograms, colon cancer screenings, and bone density scans.

Think You Might Be Pregnant?

An unexpected pregnancy is also part of reproductive health. If you think you might be pregnant, Willow Womens Center provides no-cost services by compassionate licensed healthcare professionals. Contact us today by calling 608-312-2025 or reach out online for your confidential appointment.

Looking for STI Screening Near Me? We Can Help!

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 19:42:17 GMT

Would it surprise you to hear that you can have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and not realize it? Many STIs don’t have symptoms, so most people who have an STI do not have a clue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This news can be frightening to hear, but knowledge is power, and it allows you an opportunity to protect yourself and get proper treatment if needed. All STIs are treatable, and most are curable with antibiotic medication.

Read on to learn how you can take control of your health with an STI screening .

What Is an STI Screening?

We understand that the thought of a STI screening can feel a little scary or embarrassing, but there is no reason to be worried. Infections passed through sexual contact are very common and easily contracted, and the only way to know for sure if you have been infected is to be tested — also known as STI screening.

STI screening is confidentially conducted at a physician’s office or clinic. The most common STIs screened for are gonorrhea and chlamydia because the number of cases keeps rising, and there are 2.3 million newly diagnosed cases each year in the United States.

Most STI testing can be done with a quick and simple urine sample. Sometimes a swab or blood test is needed. Home STI testing kits are also available, but drawbacks include cost and reliability in reading results.

Do You Need an STI Screening?

If you have never had sexual contact of any kind, you do not need an STI screening. If you have ever had sex, you do need an STI screening, even if:

You have only had sex one time.
You have never had vaginal sex, but you have had anal or oral sex.
You have only been with one partner.
You believe you are in a mutually monogamous relationship.
You used a barrier-type of protection.

Undiagnosed and untreated STIs can lead to severe consequences for your reproductive health. It can cause you to suffer from future chronic pain, infertility, increased cancer risk, and more. The CDC provides STI screening guidelines for women to help protect you. The recommendations include:

All sexually active women under age 25 should be tested yearly for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Women aged 25 and older should also be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia yearly if they have changed sexual partners, have multiple partners, or a partner diagnosed with an STI.
All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B starting early in pregnancy to prevent complications.

Take Control of Your Health With an STI Screening Today

At Willow Womens Center , we can help you get answers to protect your health with a no-cost, confidential STI screening. Our licensed healthcare professionals offer STI testing services for chlamydia and gonorrhea. We will review your test results with you, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. If your test is positive for chlamydia, you will be given a prescription. We can also provide you with referrals for the treatment of gonorrhea and/or for additional testing if needed. Contact us today for a confidential appointment.

Whose Choice Is It for an Abortion?

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 20:43:48 GMT

When you discover you are unexpectedly pregnant, it may seem like a no-brainer that you are the one who gets to choose whether you opt for an abortion or not. However, once you start telling your partner, parents, or friends that you are pregnant, you could discover that everyone has an opinion about what you should do. It can cause your decision process to become very confusing.

The pressure of people trying to impose what they think is best onto you can feel overwhelming. Quite frequently, the pressure women experience when facing an unplanned pregnancy is to have an abortion. But what if you are not sure yet? Whose choice is it for an abortion anyway?

You can get through this . Keep reading to learn about the pressure pregnant women face and why the choice you make about your pregnancy is yours.

Whose Choice Is It for an Abortion?

When someone pressures you , manipulates you, or threatens you because they want you to make a particular decision about your pregnancy, it is called coercion. It may sound harsh or hard to imagine, but anytime you are coerced regarding your pregnancy, it is abusive.

Research by the Elliott Institute reveals that 64% of women felt pressured by others to choose abortion. Most women felt rushed and uncertain about their abortion decision, with 67% receiving absolutely no counseling beforehand. They say it did not feel like a choice at all because, in reality, it was coercion.

Women who had abortions they felt pressured into were more likely to suffer from clinical depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and suicidal behavior after their abortions. For your overall health, it is critical that you receive information about all of your pregnancy options , have an opportunity to weigh them in an unbiased environment, and make a choice that you can feel confident about.

How do you manage when people in your life think they know what is best for you? Set strong boundaries. For example, you can say, “I have already made my decision, and I will not discuss this anymore.” Taking a stand like this can feel uncomfortable, but it is healthy for you and others when your personal boundaries teach them where they end, and where you begin.

Fortunately, you are here and learning that you are the one who has the authority to choose about your unexpected pregnancy. Whether you choose abortion or not is your decision to make. Next, we will talk about if this is still true if you are a minor.

Can My Parents Make Me Have an Abortion?

What if you are under the age of eighteen and your parents have strong opinions about your pregnancy choice? Can your parents make you have an abortion if you do not want one just because you are a minor? The answer is, “NO. Your parents cannot force you to have an abortion even if you are under the age of eighteen.”

The only time there could be an exception is if your parents convince a judge that it would threaten your life medically to continue your pregnancy.

Coercion by your parents to have an abortion is so serious that they can be charged with child abuse – that is how much your choice is protected.

Why would a parent pressure you to have an abortion you do not want to have? Sometimes this happens because they are dysfunctional people and do not want anyone to find out about your pregnancy because they are embarrassed or are afraid they will become responsible. In this case, they are putting their needs before yours.

Other parents are well-meaning and genuinely have your best interest at heart. They might be worried about your future or want to see you fulfill your educational and career goals before having a child. Whatever the reason to pressure you, it is not ok.

Teens have experienced parental threats to remove financial support, disown them, or kick them out of the home if they do not have an abortion. If this kind of coercion happens to you, help is available .

Can My Partner Make Me Have an Abortion?

In addition to parents, your partner may also pressure you into having an abortion. He might be afraid of the responsibility of being a parent, or he does not want the financial obligation. Or perhaps he does not want anyone to find out he is sexually active.

No matter the reason for a partner pressuring you to have an abortion, it is wrong. Nobody has the right to pressure you towards any decision about your pregnancy choice. Ways a partner might try to coerce you into an abortion may include:

Begging, crying, or pleading
Offering to pay for the abortion
Threatening to break up with you if you do not have an abortion
Threats to harm you
Threatening to kick you out if you live with him
Telling you that he will not help you financially
Telling you he will not help you during your pregnancy or afterward
Emotional manipulation by saying things that do not sound like direct threats but plant doubt into your mind

Trust your gut. If you feel like your partner is coercing you into an abortion either blatantly or covertly, get somewhere safe to get the support you deserve.

It is illegal in all 50 states to force a woman to have an abortion. There are resources available to you, including the Justice Foundation , if you feel you are being pressured into abortion. Willow Womens Center is also here to support you.

Do You Need Help With Your Choice?

When you visit Willow Womens Center , you will receive all of the facts you need to make an informed decision about your pregnancy. You will be empowered with accurate information, but you will never be coerced into any particular decision. Our licensed professional healthcare team and skilled advocates offer compassion. We believe you are capable of making the pregnancy decision that is best for you.

If you think you might be pregnant or need help processing your thoughts about your unexpected pregnancy, contact us today for a no-cost and confidential appointment . We are here to help you each step of the way. You are not alone.

When Should You Take the Morning After Pill?

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 20:48:04 GMT

You have heard about the morning-after pill, but you feel that you need more information before you consider taking it. How does the morning-after pill work? Is it different from the abortion pill? What are the possible side effects? How do I know when to take the morning-after pill and when not to? These are common questions women ask, and you deserve accurate answers, which you will find here.

How Does the Morning-After Pill Work?

The morning-after pill is a high dose of the progestin hormone (levonorgestrel) that a woman can take to try to prevent pregnancy. A common brand name is Plan B One-Step. A woman might take it right after having had unprotected sex, missing multiple doses of birth control pills, or experiencing failed birth control such as a condom breaking.

The morning-after pill is different from the abortion pill. The abortion pill is used after a confirmed pregnancy has already occurred, but the morning-after pill prevents pregnancy from happening. The morning-after pill won’t cause an abortion once a fertilized egg has already implanted into the uterus.

According to Mayo Clinic , the morning-after pill works in one of three ways:

1. It can prevent ovulation.

Ovulation occurs each month around the middle of your menstrual cycle. It is when your ovary releases a mature egg. The main way the morning-after pill works is by preventing ovulation, an egg from releasing from the ovary.

2. It can prevent an egg from becoming fertilized.

Another way the morning-after pill works is by changing the movement of the released egg or sperm, which can prevent fertilization.

3. It can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.

If fertilization has already occurred, it is possible that the morning-after pill can prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine lining. This is the least common way the morning-after pill works.

When to Take the Morning After Pill

The morning-after pill is available at drug stores without age restriction, identification, or a prescription. Since guidance from a healthcare provider is not required either, it is common for women to have unanswered questions about when to take the morning-after pill and when not to take it. We will offer only general guidelines here. Please ask your pharmacist or doctor about specific questions you may have.

First, we will look at when you might consider taking the morning-after pill. As we discussed above, women take it when they have had unprotected sex or when birth control fails for any reason.

It is designed to be taken as soon as possible after sex – within 12 hours provides the highest chance of preventing pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the morning-after pill for up to 72 hours; however, research reveals it can prevent pregnancy, although less effectively, up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.

How effective is the morning-after pill? If it is taken within 24 hours, there is a 95% chance that it will prevent pregnancy. If it is taken within 72 hours, the effectiveness drops to about 75-89%. It is only 25% effective if five days have passed. The closer it is taken to the time of unprotected sex or failed contraception, the higher the chances that it will prevent pregnancy. Timing is important.

If you take the morning-after pill and discover you are pregnant, studies show that the medication does not harm the pregnancy if you choose to continue it. Research also indicates that if you take the morning-after pill while you are breastfeeding , it may decrease milk production. The pill’s hormones are passed through to breastmilk but don’t appear to cause harm to the development or health of the breastfeeding infant.

When Not to Take the Morning After Pill

We have talked about when to take the morning-after pill. Are there situations where it would be less effective, or when should you not take the morning-after pill? Yes, do not take the morning-after pill if:

It has been more than 120 hours (5 days) since you had unprotected sex.
You know you are pregnant, or you think you might be pregnant.
You are experiencing unexplained spotting or pain, which could indicate an ectopic pregnancy (a medical emergency of a pregnancy outside of the uterus).
You have a hypersensitivity or allergy to its ingredients.
You are using it as a regular form of birth control.
You already took one dose. Doubling up the dose does not work better or lessen the chance of pregnancy.

The morning-after pill is less effective if:

You wait to take it. The chance of an unintended pregnancy increases as time passes after unprotected sex.
You take certain drugs or medications, such as barbiturates or St. John’s wort, that metabolize the progestin hormone.
You are overweight. There has been conflicting information about the morning-after pill being less effective if a woman has a BMI over 35.

Possible Side Effects of the Morning-After Pill

Side effects of the morning-after pill typically don’t last more than a few days and can include:

Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
Breast tenderness
Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
Lower abdominal pain or cramps

If you vomit within two hours of taking the morning-after pill, notify your healthcare provider for further instructions.

Missed Periods after Taking the Morning-After Pill

If you took the morning-after pill and your period hasn’t started within three weeks, make an appointment for an evaluation to determine if the morning-after pill worked or not. Willow Womens Center offers confidential, medical-grade pregnancy testing at no cost to you.

If your pregnancy test is negative and your period still doesn’t start, we are here to repeat the pregnancy test for you – also at no cost.

If your pregnancy test is positive, our compassionate healthcare professionals will provide the information you need to make a decision about your pregnancy. We will offer you a no-cost ultrasound to determine if your pregnancy is viable . We know that knowledge is empowering. You will also be given information about each of your pregnancy options so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.

If you think you might be pregnant, make an appointment at Willow Womens Center today, and receive the caring support you deserve.

Can Chlamydia and Other STIs Make You Miss Your Period?

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 19:55:34 GMT

Most women miss their periods due to pregnancy; however, other underlying health conditions can also cause menstrual irregularities. If you have missed your period, but you know you are not pregnant, you might wonder if a sexually transmitted infection (STI) could be the cause.

The most common STIs do not typically cause noticeable symptoms. Because of STIs’ prevalence and their symptomless nature, they are often called the “silent epidemic,” and millions of people are unknowingly infected with them.

So how would you know if you have contracted an STI? Can chlamydia and other STIs make you miss your period? STIs usually do not cause missed periods until they have progressed to a severe infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which we will discuss in this article.

We will also examine the most common STIs, symptoms, and how they can impact your period.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Are Common

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the incidence of STIs is at an all-time high . There are 20 million new STI cases in the United States each year. Half of those new cases are in sexually active people between the ages of 15-24, even though that age group only makes up one-quarter of the population.

You have probably heard about chlamydia and gonorrhea, but did you know that there are other STIs that are much more common? In fact, human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI, with over 79 million infected Americans, most of them in their teens or early twenties.

The second most common STI is genital herpes, followed by trichomoniasis. Among the STIs required to be reported to the CDC , chlamydia is the most commonly reported, and gonorrhea is the second most reported. The CDC does not require that HPV, genital herpes, or trichomoniases cases be reported, but some states might still require reporting.

It is essential to understand that any sexually active person can contract an STI. It is impossible to really know another person’s sexual history, so even if you have been committed to one partner, STI screening is crucial for your health . It can help you detect an STI before it leads to PID or other life-threatening health problems.

What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

PID is a serious infection of a woman’s reproductive system that can be caused by an untreated STI. It happens when sexually transmitted bacteria travel up your reproductive tract from your vagina on to your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Long-term complications from PID can include:

Scarring in fallopian tubes
Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in a fallopian tube)
Infertility (inability to conceive a child)
Chronic pelvic pain

PID is treatable with antibiotics, but the damage it caused can remain. If the PID infection is not treated and spreads to the bloodstream, it becomes life-threatening, so it is critical to accurately diagnose PID and STIs before they progress further.

STI Screening and Symptoms

The insidious thing about STIs is that they usually do not cause noticeable symptoms, so STI screening is critical . The CDC recommends that all sexually active women under age 25 be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. Women aged 25 and older should also get tested yearly if they have risk factors such as new or multiple partners.

Chlamydia: According to Mayo Clinic, the only way to prevent chlamydia is to abstain from sexual activities since it is spread from person to person through sexual contact.

Chlamydia is called the “silent disease” because most people do not experience symptoms. Less than 25 percent of women notice an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when they urinate. Chlamydia typically does not make you miss your period.

Unfortunately, when chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause serious and permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. Untreated chlamydia can travel up the reproductive tract and progress to PID, which sometimes makes women miss their periods.

The good news is you can test for chlamydia simply with a quick urine sample. If the infection is caught early, a course of antibiotics will cure it . Having chlamydia does not make you immune; you can catch it again.

Gonorrhea: Like chlamydia, gonorrhea can be cured with prescription medication. It is also easy to test for with a urine sample. Gonorrhea is also spread through sexual contact, and the only way to prevent it is not to have sexual contact with another person.

Most women do not have symptoms with gonorrhea. If they do, they are mild and often mistaken for a bladder or mild yeast infection and do not usually cause missed periods, unless the STI progresses to PID.

If you have gonorrhea, it is dangerous to leave it untreated because it can spread to your blood or joints. It can also cause permanent pain and damage to your reproductive system and increase your risk of contracting HIV. It can also lead to heart valve damage.

HPV: HPV is so common that over 80% of women will get at least one of the more than 100 types of HPV viruses. There are 14 million new cases of HPV each year.

HPV typically does not cause any symptoms and goes away on its own. It does not make you miss your period, but it can cause spotting between periods. It can cause cervical cancer, genital warts, and other health problems if it does not go away. Pap tests can detect HPV because they identify cellular changes on the cervix.

The way to prevent HPV is not to have sexual contact with another person or consider getting the HPV vaccine.

Can Chlamydia and Other STIs Make You Miss Your Period?

Hopefully, the information we presented here has helped you understand STIs, symptoms, and how they can impact your period. To summarize, STIs usually won’t make you miss your period, but it is more likely if an untreated STI has progressed to PID. In addition to missed periods, PID can also cause spotting between periods.

Reach Out to Willow Womens Center

If you have missed your period, Willow Womens Center can help. We care about your health and are committed to providing quality medical services at no cost. We understand that the thought of pregnancy or STI testing can be scary, but you can rest assured that we will compassionately guide you each step of the way. Get the answers you deserve by making a confidential appointment today.

The Importance of STI Screening: 4 Reasons Why You Should Get Tested

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 20:05:16 GMT

You may have heard the terms STI and STD and wondered what the difference is between them . Simply stated, an STD (sexually transmitted disease) is a later stage of an STI (sexually transmitted infection). A person has symptoms with an STD, but STIs are often symptomless. Here, we’ll cover the importance of STI testing, and 4 important reasons you should get regularly screened.

4 Reasons Why STI Screening Is Important

1. STIs are common.

If you are sexually active, it is possible to contract an STI, even if you have only had one partner and use a condom. The CDC reports 20 million new STIs each year .

2. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are usually symptomless.

You can’t count on symptoms to alert you that you might have an STI because the most common STIs are often symptomless . Chlamydia is known as the “silent infection.” Most women do not have symptoms with gonorrhea either, and if they do, they often mistake them for a bladder or vaginal infection.

3. STI screening is easy, accessible, and quick.

STI screening only requires a urine sample. At Willow Womens Center, we offer the only free STI screening for women and men in Rock County.

What happens at an STI screening appointment at Willow Womens Center?

We provide STI services because we care for you and your health. When you come to Willow Womens Center for STI screening , you will be treated with respect and never judged for your sexual history. Your appointment is confidential.

Arrive at your appointment, and do not urinate (pee) for about an hour beforehand.
After a brief intake, you will be asked to provide a urine sample.
A licensed, registered nurse will provide you education about gonorrhea and chlamydia, the two STIs that are screened.
We will offer you an appointment in about one week for your test results.
If your test result is positive for chlamydia, we will give you a prescription to fill. Be sure to take the medication as directed until it is gone — even if your symptoms go away.
If your test result is positive for gonorrhea, we will give you a referral for treatment.
The state requires the testing company to report all positive test results to the public health department.
If your test result is positive, we recommend you get retested in three months to ensure that your treatment was effective.
The entire appointment is quick, lasting less than thirty minutes.

4. Early STI detection and treatment can preserve future fertility.

Untreated STIs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), scarring, and cause infertility (inability to get pregnant) for men and women.

Who Needs STI Screening?

If you are considering abortion for an unexpected pregnancy, STI screening is crucial . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following testing guidelines for chlamydia and gonorrhea:

All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested every year.
Women 25 years and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STD should also be tested every year.
At-risk pregnant women should be tested starting early in pregnancy.
All sexually active gay and bisexual men should be tested at least once a year.

Free STI Testing for Women and Men

Willow Womens Center is here for you. Take charge of your health and make your confidential STI screening appointment today by calling 608-312-2025 or use our online scheduler .

Pregnancy Resources in South Beloit

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 20:22:23 GMT

Do you live in or near South Beloit, IL, and think you might be unexpectedly pregnant? Willow Womens Center is nearby to provide the compassionate support you need during this uncertain time.

No-cost Pregnancy Services

Willow Womens Center is an authentic medical clinic staffed by licensed medical professionals. We offer pregnancy services to you at no cost, including:

High-quality pregnancy testing

Even if you had a positive pregnancy test result at home, we will run another medical-grade pregnancy test for you so you can get the written verification needed for support services.

Pregnancy ultrasounds

It is vital to have an ultrasound even if you are considering abortion . An ultrasound provides critical information such as how far along you are and if your pregnancy is viable or not .

Unbiased and accurate information

We understand that only YOU can make the best decision for you personal circumstances, which is why we are passionate about equipping you with unbiased and accurate information about your pregnancy and your options. We want to empower you to make an informed decision.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing

If your pregnancy test is positive, we provide testing for two common STIs : gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Community referrals

We want you to be connected to the community resources you need to be healthy and provided for. We will offer referral information for further testing or support services available in the community.

Our compassionate staff members will never judge you for being unexpectedly pregnant, for the choice you make about your pregnancy, or anything else. We care about you and strive to empower you to make a confident decision about your pregnancy.

Willow Womens Center is located in Beloit, WI, near Beloit Memorial Hospital and across the street from McDonalds at 2680 Prairie Avenue. Contact us today for your confidential appointment.

About South Beloit

Nestled along the scenic Turtle Creek and Rock River, the city of South Beloit, Illinois is located in Winnebago County and bordered to the north by Beloit, Wisconsin along the Illinois-Wisconsin state line.

Although South Beloit is only six square miles, it provides many riveting highlights to visitors ranging from outdoor recreation to shopping. Places of interest in South Beloit include:

Angela’s Attic

Angela’s Attic is a 35,000 square foot, family-owned and operated antique shop. They have over 100 dealers who sell unique antiques, collectibles, and memorabilia.

Blackhawk Farms Raceway

Blackhawk Farms Raceway is a fun place for racing enthusiasts. Amateur and professional drivers alike will be challenged along the nearly two-mile asphalt course, which incorporates seven turns. Spectators can be wowed by motorcycle, bicycle, go-cart, and sports car races on the weekends.

DC Estate Winery

DC Estate Winery is a beautiful vineyard, winery, and event venue, which is also a family-owned and operated business. Visitors feel like they are stepping into the hills of Tuscany with its magnificent views and warm, family hospitality.

Nature at The Confluence

Surrounded by the stunning Rock River, Turtle Creek, and Kelly Creek, Nature at The Confluence is an urban environmental center that opened in 2017 to connect people with nature.

Pearl Lake

Pearl Lake is a privately owned RV resort and lake that provides pristine aqua-colored water in which to scuba dive and swim.

Understanding the Proper Times for a Pregnancy Test

Tue, 26 May 2020 20:24:48 GMT

When you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant, it can feel like torment waiting to know for sure. You might have sore breasts, mild cramping, and other signs of early pregnancy that could also be premenstrual symptoms, and it causes you to waver back and forth, thinking you are pregnant and then thinking you are not. That can leave you feeling more confused and wondering how soon you can get the answers you need. You have seen ads for pregnancy tests that claim to detect pregnancy five days before your expected period. So, should you test that early? How soon is too early to test for pregnancy? Could you be further along in pregnancy than you think?

When Is It Too Early to Test for Pregnancy?

If you take a pregnancy test before you have missed your period, you increase your chances of getting a false negative result. This means the test will read negative when you actually are pregnant, so experts recommend waiting until you have already missed your period to prevent false-negative test results.

Why Wait?

As hard as it is, it is best to wait so that if you are pregnant, your body has enough time to produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone that a pregnancy test will detect in your urine. Your peace of mind in knowing your result is accurate is worth it!

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

After sex, an egg is fertilized with sperm (fertilization). The fertilized egg travels to the uterus and attaches into the uterine lining (implantation). Implantation occurs about 7-14 days after you have had sex, and it triggers your body to start producing the pregnancy hormone, hCG. Your hCG levels will double every 48-72 hours after implantation, and it is important to give those levels time to climb.

What About Early Pregnancy Tests?

Early pregnancy test manufacturers market to your desire to get answers as early as possible. It is not hard to see the advertising on the box and read the claims of 99% accuracy along with the ability to detect pregnancy six days before your missed period.

But let us take a closer look, so you do not test too early for pregnancy. The first thing to consider is that the percentage provided on the front of the package is only accurate when you take the test on the day of your expected period — and in a laboratory setting by professionals. The same goes for the the instructions printed inside the pregnancy test kit; the claims of accuracy are elevated because they do not reflect real-life testing in real-life situations. The results from a University of New Mexico study reveal the chances you can anticipate getting the right answer from an early home pregnancy test:

One day past your expected period: 100% of pregnancies detected
On the day of your expected period: 96% of pregnancies detected
On the day before your expected period: 93% of pregnancies detected
Two days before your expected period: 81% of pregnancies detected
Three days before your expected period: 68% of pregnancies detected
Four days before your expected period: 42% of pregnancies detected
Five days before your expected period: 33% of pregnancies detected
Six days before your expected period: 25% of pregnancies detected

How Soon After You Ovulate Can You Test for Pregnancy?

Although your body begins to produce hCG 7 to 10 days after fertilization, waiting provides the most accurate results. In order to give your body enough time for hCG to build up to a detectable level in your urine by a pregnancy test, it is best to take a pregnancy test about 14 days after fertilization. For a woman who has a 28-day cycle and ovulates 14 days after her last period, this would mean testing on the day you expect your next period if you suspect you are pregnant. For the most accurate results, take a pregnancy test a couple of days after your missed period.

If your test is negative and your period does not start, you still might be pregnant, but your hCG levels are just not high enough to register on the test. Most testing kit instructions recommend you wait one week to take another test; however, many women test a few days later. Contact a healthcare professional if you still have a negative pregnancy test or have further questions.

When Is the Best Time of Day to Take a Pregnancy Test?

The best time of day to take a pregnancy test is first thing in the morning because at that time your urine contains the highest concentration of hCG. This is particularly important the earlier you are taking your pregnancy test. You can test later in the day, but you will have a higher chance of seeing a false-negative test result because your urine will be diluted. Tips for testing include:

Use first-morning urine (or after you haven’t urinated in at least four hours).
Don’t drink a lot of fluid that could dilute your hCG levels before your test.
Check to make sure the pregnancy test is not expired, which can provide inaccurate results. Checking the expiration date is particularly important if you keep pregnancy tests at home “just in case.”
It is understandable that once you have the pregnancy test in your hands, you want to get to the answers quickly. Plus, it seems like a no-brainer because they are designed to be easy to use. Take time to read all of the instructions and follow them precisely. Even if you have taken pregnancy tests before, little variances between them can be the difference between a result you can count on and a wrong one.
We all know how easy it is to lose track of time, so do not try to estimate when to read your results. Set a timer so you can read your test results exactly at the time directed in the instructions. Do not read the test window after that set time because a faint “evaporation line” can appear, which makes your test appear to be positive when it is really negative.

Hopefully, this information is helpful to understand the value of not testing too early for pregnancy, so you can have peace of mind knowing your results are accurate.

If you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant, Willow Womens Center is here for you. We offer medical-grade pregnancy testing at no cost to you. Our licensed healthcare professionals provide other no-cost services that empower you to make informed decisions that you are comfortable with. Make your appointment today by calling 608-312-2025 or use our online scheduler.

Understanding Pregnancy Ultrasounds

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 15:13:12 GMT

A pregnancy ultrasound is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images your healthcare providers can view on a computer monitor to give them information about your pregnancy. You might be wondering why a pregnancy ultrasound is necessary if you have not yet made a decision about your unexpected pregnancy. Ultrasound is beneficial because the images provide your medical team with important data, and this knowledge can give you the facts you need to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.

Types of Pregnancy Ultrasounds

Pregnancy ultrasounds include transabdominal, transvaginal, Level 2, 3D, doppler, and fetal echocardiography ultrasounds.

After a positive pregnancy test, you will likely receive:

Transabdominal ultrasound

Gel is placed on your abdomen, and a roller-like device (transducer) is moved over the gel on your abdomen. The transducer picks up soundwaves that produce images onto a computer screen.

Transvaginal ultrasound

A special, smaller transducer probe is lubricated with gel and gently placed into your vagina to obtain images. Transvaginal ultrasound is used primarily in early pregnancy.

Ways a Pregnancy Ultrasound Is Useful

To Determine Pregnancy Viability

Even if you have already decided upon abortion, you will need to know if your pregnancy is viable. A positive pregnancy test result tells you that the hCG pregnancy hormone was detected in your urine. However, it does not mean you have a viable pregnancy .

According to the March of Dimes, as many as half of all pregnancies end in miscarriage: 80% of those occur in the first trimester — or the first twelve weeks. So, after a positive pregnancy test result, you will need to confirm your pregnancy is viable by ultrasound. A viable pregnancy is one that is expected to continue and result in childbirth (if no other steps are taken).

If no fetal heartbeat is detected, you would not need an abortion but would be referred for medical treatment instead.

The location of your pregnancy also impacts viability. If your healthcare provider detects a heartbeat by ultrasound, but the pregnancy is located outside of your uterus (i.e., in the fallopian tube), your pregnancy is also not viable. An ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy implanted in the fallopian tube, is a medical emergency and requires immediate intervention.

The fetal heart rate also impacts the viability of your pregnancy. Research reveals that if an ultrasound detects a very low heart rate, called embryonic bradycardia, the rate of miscarriage is significantly higher. If embryonic bradycardia is identified during your ultrasound appointment, you will likely be asked to return in about a week to repeat the test.

To Determine How Far Along You Are in Your Pregnancy

An ultrasound can accurately measure how many weeks pregnant you are. You can’t count on using only menstrual dates for accuracy because many women experience period-like bleeding while they are pregnant.

If your pregnancy is unexpected, and you are still gathering information about how you will proceed, you will need to know how far along you are because your options will partly depend on that.

To Determine If You Have a Single Pregnancy or Multiple Pregnancy

An ultrasound can also give you a valuable indication that you might be carrying a single or multiple pregnancy.

Get the Answers You Deserve

If you have had a positive home pregnancy test or think you might be pregnant, contact our compassionate team at Willow Womens Center. We provide licensed professional medical care, including pregnancy testing and ultrasounds at no cost to you. Reach out today by calling 608-312-2025 or by using our online scheduler .

A Guide to the Different Types of Pregnancy Tests

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 15:17:23 GMT

You are wondering if you could be pregnant, so you go to the drugstore to pick up an at-home pregnancy test. But when you get there, it is overwhelming. There are so many to choose from! You do not want to waste money and buy one that is not accurate and then have to purchase another one. How can you tell which ones are best? In this article, we will discuss features of various at-home pregnancy tests and their accuracy so you can choose the best one for you.

Pregnancy Test Features

At-home pregnancy tests are designed to detect whether or not there is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine.

Most women want tests that can give them test results early, quickly, and accurately. Some features to consider when choosing a home pregnancy test are listed below:

Pregnancy Test Strips

Some pregnancy tests are so basic they are sold in packages of 10-50 at a time. They are merely testing strips without any plastic covering. To test, you would urinate into a cup, dip the test strip into the urine, and then lay the strip on a flat surface until it is ready to be read. The results display will reveal a small “control pad” and a “result pad.” A line will appear on the result pad if your test is positive. Pregnancy test strips are the least expensive option, particularly if you need to test often.

Non-Digital Pregnancy Test Sticks

Pregnancy test sticks are similar to strips except that the tests are housed in plastic so you can hold the stick directly under a urine stream. Like pregnancy strip tests, the result window will display a line if you are pregnant. The common complaint about non-digital test sticks is that the results can be difficult to read, especially if the levels of hCG are low.

You can usually purchase them in packages of one to five tests so you can retest if you need to.

Digital Pregnancy Tests

Digital pregnancy tests display a clearly written “pregnant” or “not pregnant” answer in the result window. This takes away the uncertainty that can accompany a non-digital test as you try to discern if you see a faint positive line.

Digital pregnancy tests are most accurate because they reduce human error. They usually cost a little more than non-digital tests.

Early Pregnancy Tests

Some at-home pregnancy tests are “early pregnancy tests” because they can detect hCG in your urine up to six days before you miss your period.

To get the most accurate result, test with first-morning urine or concentrated urine, so the hCG levels are easier to detect if you are pregnant.

There are drawbacks to testing that early, though.

One – they can detect chemical pregnancies . A chemical pregnancy is a pregnancy that miscarries just after implantation. Many women never know they were pregnant when they experience them. However, now that at-home pregnancy tests can detect the pregnancy hormone so early, they can cause unnecessary anxiety and grief for women.

Two – early pregnancy tests have a higher rate of false-negative results because it is too early to detect the hCG hormone. You can usually purchase early pregnancy tests in multiples because of the higher chance you will need to retest after a false negative result.

There are many different brands of pregnancy tests to choose from and it could be overwhelming. Willow Womens Center can give you a definitive answer with our free pregnancy-related services. Since all tests are most accurate after you have missed your period, we suggest waiting until a few days after your missed period to schedule your appointment by calling 608-312-2025 or by using our online scheduler .

Get the Answers You Need

If your at-home pregnancy test was positive, or you just think you might be pregnant, contact Willow Womens Center by calling 608-312-2025 for a confidential appointment . Our caring support team will help you consider all your options, so you can make the informed decision that is right for you.

Pregnancy Tips & Advice for First Time Moms

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:22:12 GMT

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” – Cayla Mills

You have plans for your life, and an unexpected pregnancy is not one of them. Yet, it is interesting how life has a way of surprising us with unforeseen detours that ultimately teach us more about our strength and resilience than if everything fell into place according to our plans. We can even experience great joy from life’s unexpected plans.

After the shock of learning you are pregnant wears off, you begin to think about what to do next. Like most women, you may ask yourself, “Can I get through this?” The short answer is, yes. Yes, you can get through this!

Here is some unexpected pregnancy advice to empower you and encourage you that you are going to be okay.

Keep Positive People Close

You already have fears going through your mind, so the last thing you need is people around you who are adding to your worries. It is not mean to set boundaries to protect your emotional health right now. In fact, it is good for you.

Do not listen to anyone who has an agenda for you. This includes anyone who wants you to make one decision over another about your pregnancy. You are the one who will live with the outcome of whatever your choice is for the rest of your life, so your decision needs to be the choice that is best for you, not someone else. Be very strong about this. You can do it.

Choose Positive Thoughts

Neuroscience research repeatedly reveals that our thoughts create new neural pathways in our brains. In other words, our positive thoughts rewire our brains to think positively and stimulate positive feelings. In the same way, our negative thoughts rewire our brains to think negatively and stimulate negative feelings.

Choosing positive thoughts will help you cope with an unexpected pregnancy. So instead of asking yourself, “How could I let this happen?” or telling yourself that all your plans are ruined, ask yourself what you can do to stay healthy, and focus on the one next step.

Take One Step at a Time

Before you start thinking about next year or five years down the road, try to only think about your one next step. Our advice for this next step is to get unbiased and experienced pregnancy support. The trained staff at Willow Womens Center can help you understand your pregnancy options . We will provide you with all the facts you need to make a well-informed decision. After your visit – take a deep breath and allow yourself some time to process each possible option.

Pregnancy Support Is Available

If you choose to parent, Willow Womens Center offers a Parenting with Love and Logic® Program to equip you with the skills you need. Stay tuned to find out more about the new Mentoring Program we will be launching in the Spring 2020 – this will be geared toward women who are experiencing their first pregnancy. For those who choose abortion, Willow Womens Center offers a post-abortion recovery program if you are struggling with your emotions afterwards. If adoption is your best choice, we can help you connect with different adoption agencies!

4 Tips for Navigating an Unexpected Pregnancy With Your Partner

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:25:46 GMT

There is no doubt about it; an unexpected pregnancy is challenging. Navigating a relationship through it can add another layer of difficulty. But you are not alone. Nearly 50% of all pregnancies are unintended , so many other couples have also navigated an unexpected pregnancy together.

Here are four tips to navigate an unexpected pregnancy with your partner.

Keep your perspective.

An unexpected pregnancy is not the end of the world – although at first it may seem that way! You may discover that you are stronger and more resourceful than you ever imagined. It may strengthen your relationship, or it may reveal the weaknesses. Either way, it is a good thing.

Also, you did not become pregnant by yourself, so do not allow anyone to assign sole responsibility to you or heap shame onto you. An unexpected pregnancy takes two people.

Tell your partner you are pregnant.

Telling your partner you are pregnant makes it all feel real – and scary. Some women tell their partner when they suspect they might be unexpectedly pregnant, and some wait until after their pregnancy is confirmed. This is your personal decision and also depends on your relationship.

It is never a good idea to communicate life-changing news by phone or text. Talk with your partner face-to-face during a calm time when you have a chance to process the news together. Instead of saying, “I’m pregnant,” say, “We’re pregnant.” This verbiage is a reminder to your partner that he had an active role in your pregnancy.

Your safety is a top priority, so if you believe your partner will react angrily, tell him about the pregnancy in a public place or with a trusted friend.

Give one another space to process the news.

Your partner will probably express a combination of surprise and shock just as you may have felt when you discovered you were pregnant. Try not to take his initial reaction personally if it is not as supportive as you hoped. Give him space to think about what you have said. Then begin to discuss your options.

Research all your options with an experienced options counselor.

You may have an initial thought about how you want to proceed with your unexpected pregnancy. Still, it is crucial to thoroughly research your pregnancy options with an experienced options counselor before you make a decision.

Parenting: Parenting is the choice to continue your pregnancy and raise your child. It is a decision that is separate from your relationship decision. There are many resources available to single parents.
Adoption: If you are not ready to be a parent, but you are also not comfortable with abortion, adoption can be the right choice for you. As the birth parent, you choose if your adoption is open, closed, or a combination. You can also select the adoptive family to raise your child in a manner with which you are most comfortable.
Abortion: Abortion ends the pregnancy. Medical and surgical abortions are options depending on your health and stage of pregnancy.

Ultimately, you are the one who will live with the outcome of the choice you make. Make your decision carefully, trust your gut, and resist anyone’s attempts to coerce you into one option over another.

Support is Available

Willow Womens Center provides confidential and compassionate pregnancy support. We have licensed medical professionals and experienced advocates to help you consider your options and assist you with some of the necessary resources you may need. Make an appointment today by calling 608-312-2025.

Tips to Improve Communication in Your Relationship

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 14:30:02 GMT

You asked your partner for a straightforward request: be on time, so you do not miss the beginning of the movie. But he is late, and you are going to miss the film’s plot layout. How do you respond? Do you yell? Do you keep your frustration to yourself and fume inside throughout the movie? Or do you assume there must be a good reason he is late and forget about it?

Relationships are rewarding, but good relationships don’t just happen. They need intentional nurturing to grow strong. Most of us know about the importance of communication in a relationship. But how does that practically look? Here are three tips for improving communication in your relationship:

1. Seek to Understand

When you seek to understand, you are actively listening. Active listening means you are trying to understand your partner’s point of view.

We all want to be understood. Have you heard the phrase, “There’s another side to every story?” It is an excellent reminder to enter every conversation to understand the other person’s perspective before getting our viewpoint across.

Using the movie scenario as an example, you would be justified in being disappointed. At that moment, you have two options. You can begin by trying to make your partner understand your disappointment, or you can start by seeking to understand your partner’s perspective.

If you jump right into trying to make him understand your disappointment, you are most likely assuming your partner was irresponsible or disrespectful by running late. If you begin by asking the right questions and seeking to understand, you might discover there was a legitimate reason for his delay. In that case, you have just built a bridge between the two of you.

Another way to improve communication is to cultivate mutual respect for one another.

2. Cultivate Mutual Respect

When there is mutual respect in a relationship, it means one person does not have power or control over another. Both partners can express themselves freely. Each partner can have their own opinion, and it is respected by the other even if they do not agree. Other signs of respect in a relationship also include:

Speaking about and to each other considerately
Supporting one another’s interests, education, hobbies, etc.
Interdependence vs. independence or codependence
Always honoring each other’s boundaries

Cultivating mutual respect in your relationship is a great way to strengthen your connection with your partner.

3. Pursue Connection

At the core of every relationship is connection. Connection is an emotional bond that holds you and your partner together. When there is a sense of healthy connection in a relationship, improved communication follows. You can look at connection as the glue that strengthens your relationship. There are simple ways to enhance connection with your partner:

Show appreciation every day.
Give your partner your full attention when you are talking.
Be the first one to apologize (without defending yourself) for your part in a disagreement.
Make physical connections daily by holding hands, hugging, etc.
Show compassion for your partner’s experiences.
Create fun time to laugh and play together.

It is not unusual for relationships to become more challenging when you are facing an unexpected pregnancy. Keep reminding yourself of who you are and what you really expect out of your relationship and what each of you can do to make it work.

We Are Here for You

If you think you may be pregnant and would like to visit us for a pregnancy test and ultrasound at no cost to you, please make an appointment at Willow Womens Center by calling 608-312-2025. You can also schedule your appointment directly on our website.

What Happens If I Test Positive for an STD?

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 14:34:29 GMT

If you have made the decision to be tested for a STD or STI, the wait between testing and receiving your results can feel long. You might be wondering what happens next if the test results are positive.

Willow Womens Center will walk you through your next steps if your STD test results are positive. We will discuss some of them here.

You Will Receive Treatment

We test you for chlamydia and gonorrhea at no charge in a confidential, judgment-free environment. You might be very surprised if your test results are positive, particularly if you don’t have symptoms. However, treatment of an active infection is still very important. The good news is that both of these infections are treatable.

If you test positive for chlamydia, Willow Womens Center will provide you with a prescription for an antibiotic. If you test positive for gonorrhea, our medical staff will advise you to seek immediate medical attention with a licensed physician.

By law, both of these infections will be reported to the local Public Health Department by the testing lab.

Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause serious health risks in women particularly. These risks can include infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, pain, and more, so be sure to protect yourself with prompt treatment.

Contact Partners

If one of your past or current partners tested positive for an STD, would you want to know? How would you feel in the future if you were experiencing side effects of an undiagnosed and untreated STD? How would you feel if you knew that if someone had not withheld information from you about their positive STD results, you would not be facing these problems?

As uncomfortable as the thought sounds, a crucial next step is to contact past and current sexual partners, so they can be tested and treated if necessary. This protects their health and prevents the infection from spreading further. It also prevents the STD from spreading back to you from an infected current partner.

Sometimes, testing positive for an STD stirs up strong reactions and causes relationship conflicts. It is easy for either partner to assume infidelity and mistrust in the other. However, before making assumptions, it is important to remember that STDs can linger for long period of time without symptoms, so someone can have an infection for many years without knowing it. Our licensed medical professionals are available to answer questions and help guide you through these conversations. Here are helpful tips to talk to partners about STDs.

We understand how awkward this step can be, but according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are 20 million new STD cases each year in the United States, so many people are having these conversations. You can do it too!

Make an Appointment Today

We are committed to providing you compassionate, confidential services at no cost. You will be empowered with accurate facts so you can make informed decisions about your health and pregnancy. You can make an appointment at Willow Womens Center by calling 608-312-2025.

When Is an Ultrasound Most Beneficial?

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 14:38:56 GMT

You have just learned you are pregnant. You did not expect it, and you never thought you would be wrestling with such a big decision. Now what? Where do you start looking for resources and accurate, unbiased answers to your questions?

You do not have to navigate this journey alone. Willow Womens Center will help you find the answers to your questions. We will walk with you, one step at a time, amidst the tremendous stress of an unexpected pregnancy. One of those steps will be an ultrasound, provided by our licensed medical professionals at no cost.

What is an Ultrasound?

A pregnancy ultrasound is a safe medical test that creates images on a screen using sound waves. These images supply important facts to help you make informed decisions about an unexpected pregnancy .

Pregnancy ultrasounds can be transabdominal or transvaginal.

Transabdominal ultrasound

A transabdominal ultrasound is external. First, the ultrasound technician uses a warm gel that is placed on your abdomen. Then, they move a small handheld ultrasound transducer across the gel on your belly. The transducer painlessly transmits sound waves that create an image on a nearby screen.

Transvaginal ultrasound

A transvaginal ultrasound is internal and used most often earlier in pregnancy because it provides more accurate images when the fetus is smallest. When you have a transvaginal ultrasound, the ultrasound technician gently inserts a small tampon-like transducer inserted into your vagina.

The technician can glean the information needed in the same way as a transabdominal ultrasound by viewing images transmitted onto a computer screen.

Your ultrasound images are studied by a physician who will provide a final report. The information you receive from your ultrasound provides invaluable answers to questions that will help guide you as you decide about your unexpected pregnancy.

Why an Ultrasound?

You now know the details of having a pregnancy ultrasound, but why would you need one, especially if you are considering an abortion? We will answer that question next.

An ultrasound determines pregnancy viability, your conception date, gestational age, and if you have a multiple pregnancy.

Pregnancy viability

Most likely, you discovered you were pregnant by taking a home pregnancy test. A pregnancy test lets you know that the hCG pregnancy hormone was detected in your urine, but it does not tell you if your pregnancy is viable — or healthy. You can have a positive pregnancy test along with a nonviable pregnancy.

A nonviable pregnancy has no likelihood of surviving. This can happen if the pregnancy has implanted outside of the uterus (i.e., an ectopic pregnancy) or if no fetal heartbeat is detected. Why would you want to know this? Because up to 25% of known pregnancies are nonviable and end in miscarriage , and if your pregnancy is nonviable, it changes the options available to you when your pregnancy is unintended.

To summarize, an ultrasound is an essential follow-up step after you have a positive pregnancy test because a pregnancy test alone does not confirm a viable pregnancy — only an ultrasound will tell you if your pregnancy is viable or not. And this is crucial information to have before making a decision about an unexpected pregnancy.

Conception date and gestational age

An ultrasound also determines an accurate date of conception. That means when you became pregnant and informs you about how far along you are in your pregnancy.

If your pregnancy is unexpected, and you are considering abortion, this information is particularly important to have since different options are available to you depending on gestational age (how many weeks pregnant you are). So knowing what stage of pregnancy you are in is critical for you to make an educated decision.

Multiple pregnancy

About 1 in every 250 natural pregnancies are with twins; that is information you probably want to have. After a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound can tell if you have a multiple pregnancy.

Ultrasound Timing

Now that we have looked at what an ultrasound is and why it is essential to follow up your pregnancy test with an ultrasound, we can discuss timing. When is an ultrasound most beneficial?

A pregnancy ultrasound should be performed after it has been six weeks since the first day of your last period. This ensures that your pregnancy is far enough along to provide accurate and valuable information.

If you have an ultrasound less than six weeks after the first day of your last period, it can lead to confusion. Sometimes, even if you have a viable pregnancy, the ultrasound does not detect it before six weeks. When this happens, it can increase your anxiety as it leaves you wondering.

If you are early in your pregnancy and the ultrasound is inconclusive, meaning your healthcare provider cannot determine if the pregnancy is viable or not, you can make an appointment in another week or two for a follow-up ultrasound.

There are several reasons why a viable pregnancy would not be detected on ultrasound:

The pregnancy is too early to detect
Conception occurred later in your menstrual cycle
Mistaken last missed period date
Larger abdomen
Tipped uterus

The last thing you need right now is to add to your stress by having to face more uncertainty and waiting after an inconclusive ultrasound. So, be sure to schedule your pregnancy ultrasound appointment at least six weeks or longer after the first day of your last period when the ultrasound is most beneficial.

Rest assured that waiting six weeks will not limit your options for an unintended pregnancy in any way. You will still have the same choices available to you, but you will have more accurate information to make your choices with.

Get Reliable Support

Call (608) 312-2025, or make a confidential appointment online with Willow Womens Center today. We understand that you can feel bombarded with information, facts, and conflicting advice when you are facing an unexpected pregnancy.

Our compassionate advocates and licensed medical professionals are available to answer your questions in a judgment-free environment. We are committed to empowering you, so you can feel good about making an informed decision.

Can You Have an STI Without Symptoms? What to Know

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 19:21:06 GMT

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are something most of us don’t like to think about. But did you know that you could have an STI without feeling any symptoms? Knowledge is empowering. At Willow Womens Center , our licensed medical professionals provide unbiased information to help you make informed decisions about your health.

Stay Informed

Reported cases of STIs have increased each year since 2001. There are approximately 20 million new STI cases reported each year in the United States alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even though 15-24-year-olds only make up 25% of the population that are sexually active, they account for approximately 66% of new infections each year. Many of these infections have symptoms that are hardly noticeable or even symptomless. Because of this, it is important to be tested even if you are not aware of any symptoms.

Why STI Screening?

Here are some reasons why the CDC recommends yearly STI screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea for any woman under 25 who is sexually active.

1. If you are sexually active, nothing is 100% effective against STIs.

You might be thinking, “But I am in a monogamous relationship.” You might be, but is your partner? The tough reality is that many people contract STIs thinking they were in mutually monogamous relationships.
Or, maybe you are thinking, “We use condoms every time.” It’s true that the correct use of condoms reduces the chances of getting an STI, but this is not failsafe.

2. The majority of STIs don’t have any noticeable symptoms.

It is hard to imagine that you can have an infection without symptoms, but that is exactly how hidden most STIs can be!

Chlamydia: Chlamydia is nicknamed the “silent” infection since most people don’t notice any symptoms. Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, scar tissue in fallopian tubes, infertility, and future ectopic pregnancies (a pregnancy in a blocked fallopian tube). The good news is that chlamydia is completely curable when it is diagnosed and treated with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea: Like chlamydia, most people infected with gonorrhea will not experience any symptoms. Untreated, it can put a person at higher risk of getting HIV and other life-threatening infections in addition to the same risks as untreated chlamydia. Gonorrhea is also curable with antibiotics.

3. There can be serious health risks if STIs are left untreated.

If an STI is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to more people becoming infected, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), chronic pain, and cancer.

It is very important for a woman’s health to be tested for STIs before an abortion. If a woman has an abortion with an untreated STI, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pain. For this reason, we screen for chlamydia and gonorrhea when a woman is considering abortion.

No-Cost Services Available

You can make an appointment at Willow Womens Center for our no-cost services by giving us a call at 608-312-2025. We understand the important decisions you are facing. We walk with you every step of the way, so you feel empowered to make a confident decision for your health and your future.

How to Heal Emotionally From a Miscarriage

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:25:20 GMT

Miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends unexpectedly before 20 weeks. If you have suffered a miscarriage, you understand the challenges of coping with the rollercoaster of emotions and physical recovery. Miscarriage is emotionally and physically painful. The most important part of navigating life after miscarriage is giving yourself permission to care for yourself so you can heal.

In the aftermath of a miscarriage, you may encounter emotions you have never felt before and are not sure how to handle. Be gentle with yourself. There can be a long healing process ahead of you, and it is your right to take all the time you need to go through every step and comprehend it all.

Well-meaning people may try to explain scientifically what went wrong or what you should do next, but we most want you to understand that what you are experiencing after a miscarriage is all normal.

Understanding the Realities of Miscarriage

During the healing process, it may be helpful to learn more about miscarriage and how it affects you and your body.

You are not alone; miscarriage is common .

Miscarriage might be common, but that reality does not make it easy. You are not alone! Research reveals that up to 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, and 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage .

Miscarriage is NOT your fault.

After a miscarriage, women ask, “Why did this happen?” Women often assign blame to themselves for a pregnancy loss, but you are not to blame. Most miscarriages are caused by a genetic problem in the fetus, which is not your fault. Stress and your past did not cause it either.

Make sure your doctor is aware if you have repeated miscarriages. This could be a sign of a medical problem that your doctor can treat. Even if that were the case in your situation, you are still not to blame.

Miscarriage affects you physically and emotionally.

Miscarriage impacts you as a whole, physically and emotionally. Physically, your hormone levels shift suddenly as pregnancy hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels. You may experience bleeding and cramping as your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size. Some women also have milk leakage and breast tenderness after a miscarriage.

The emotional effects of miscarriage are a response to hormonal shifts and grief combined. It can feel much like postpartum depression and include crying, anger, and hopelessness. Keep safe, caring and supportive people close who can resist offering trite platitudes that don’t acknowledge your legitimate feelings.

Grief After Miscarriage

It doesn’t matter how early a miscarriage occurs; it is a loss. In addition to losing a child, you may feel like you have lost hopes and dreams about how you thought your future would look. Grief is a natural response to loss .

There is no “right” way to grieve or a “right” length of time to grieve, so allow yourself to experience whatever emotions you feel.

You may feel any combination of the seven recognized stages of grief, which can occur in any order. So do not be surprised if you feel that you have worked through one grief phase just to have it unexpectedly pop up again later.

Seven stages of grief after miscarriage include:

Shock and denial: It is hard to believe the miscarriage happened.
Pain and guilt: You may blame yourself and feel shame even though miscarriage is not your fault.
Anger and bargaining: You may feel angry and try to find someone to blame for the miscarriage. Bargaining can include hoping the healthcare provider was wrong about the miscarriage.
Depression: You may be isolated and lonely as you process the loss you have experienced.
The upward turn: Your pain, anger, and depression begin to lift. You begin to feel calmer.
Reconstruction and working through: You can process the miscarriage and begin to look forward.
Acceptance and hope: You have accepted the reality of the miscarriage and begin to feel hope for the future.

Take Time To Heal After Miscarriage

Loss of pregnancy takes a significant toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. It would be best if you took all the time you need to recover. Give yourself the freedom to work through the natural stages of grief and give your body the appropriate time it needs to heal.

Remember, healing from a miscarriage is a process that does not happen quickly and it can be different for each person.

Receive Support From Loved Ones After Miscarriage

It is easy to isolate yourself when you encounter the trauma and grief of a miscarriage, but right now is when you need to rely on the people who love you the most. Separating yourself from friends and family during this time can inhibit your ability to heal and readjust.

The people in your life love you and want to be there for you. They just may not know how to do that well, or what to say. Every woman who has endured a miscarriage can relate to hearing insensitive remarks about what happened. Speak up, and keep your most encouraging family member and trusted friends close by to lean on for support.

Receive Support From Experts After Miscarriage

Sometimes it may be painful or uncomfortable talking to friends and family about a miscarriage, or perhaps you don’t have anyone close enough to confide in. However, you still do not have to carry this burden alone.

Seek guidance from a professional who has extensive experience, so you are not going through this process without a guiding hand. You can also reach out to support groups for women dealing with pregnancy loss, so you can walk through the grief process with someone who is coping with a similar experience.

Your body and your mind go through so much after a miscarriage. It can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to recover all on your own. If you have any pregnancy-related questions or need a referral for counseling services in our area, please reach out to Willow Womens Center at (608) 312-2025. You can also schedule an appointment online. We are here to offer the compassionate support you need to thrive again.

Are There Risks to Taking the RU486 Pill?

Wed, 29 May 2019 19:29:26 GMT

Finding out you are unexpectedly pregnant is scary, and a flurry of questions flood your thoughts. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, it is common to feel as though your world is crashing down around you.

You have tough decisions to make, ranging from where to turn for the help you need and whether or not you will continue your pregnancy . It is critical to thoroughly explore all pregnancy options available to you , which usually include parenting, adoption, and abortion, depending on how far along you are. As you gather facts about abortion, it is important to understand each procedure as well as its risks.

If it has been ten weeks or less since your last period, medical abortion might be an option for you. In this article, we will answer the question, “Are there risks to taking the RU-486 pill?” In short, all procedures and medications come with side effects and risks, including the RU-486 pill. Read on to learn more about medical abortion, RU-486, and potential risks.

What You Should Know About Medical Abortion

The RU-486 pill, also called mifepristone , is used for medical abortions, and it is one of the two medications used together that end pregnancies at home without surgery or anesthesia. The two drugs used in medical abortions are mifepristone (RU-486) and misoprostol. They can be used up to ten weeks of pregnancy.

During a medical abortion, you typically take the first medication, RU-486 (mifepristone), in a healthcare setting. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, which is required for the embryo to stay attached to the uterine lining.

Approximately 24–48 hours after taking the first set of pills, you will take the second medication, misoprostol, at home. That produces contractions (heavy cramps) to expel the pregnancy from your uterus.

Contractions and bleeding usually begin 2–4 hours after taking the second medication. It can take several hours for your body to expel the pregnancy. During that time, you can anticipate to:

See large clots – the size of a lemon
Feel nauseated or experience vomiting
Have diarrhea
Have a low-grade fever and chills
See the expelled fetus if you are more than eight weeks pregnant

The abortion itself can take as long as several days to occur and is usually followed by up to three weeks of bleeding or spotting. If you were given antibiotics, it is critical that you take them all as directed and return to your doctor or clinic for a follow-up visit two weeks later. At this appointment, the doctor can verify that the pregnancy was ended and make sure there are no other medical complications such as an incomplete abortion or infection.

After a medical abortion, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

Heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads per hour or more than 12 hours in a row)
Passing blood clots larger than the size of a lemon for more than two hours
Severe abdominal or back pain
A fever of 100.4 or higher
Vomiting for more than 6 hours
Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
Vaginal discharge that smells bad

Risks Associated With RU-486

As we discussed above, all medications have risks, and there are possible risks to taking the RU 486 pill as well, including:

Incomplete abortion – An incomplete abortion means the pregnancy is still in place and did not respond to the drugs. Heavy bleeding, hemorrhage, a drop in blood pressure, and anemia could happen as a result. If this happens, a surgical abortion is required because of the failure to complete the abortion medically. If you do not follow-up with a surgical abortion, the pregnancy could continue.
Damage to the uterus – Rupturing or tearing of the uterus has been reported when the RU-486 pill has been used after the eighth week of pregnancy. This damage can cause severe bleeding, death, or require a hysterectomy.
Infection and septic shock – The risks of infection and septic shock are potentially life-threatening after a medical abortion. Sepsis is a medical emergency that occurs when an infection enters your bloodstream. The most common causes of septic shock after medical abortion are pregnancy tissue remaining in the uterus and uterine infection.
Severe pain – The misoprostol medication used in combination with RU-486 causes uterine cramping to expel the pregnancy, which can cause severe pain. The majority of women experience this pain.

Can I Take RU-486?

Your healthcare provider is the only one who can tell you if you can take RU-486 after examining you. Yet, Mayo Clinic discusses several situations where you cannot take RU-486 for a medical abortion, including if:

Your pregnancy is too far along. If your last period was more than ten weeks ago, you cannot take RU-486.
You have an intrauterine device (IUD) still in place.
You have a pregnancy outside of your uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
You have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
You take a blood thinner or steroid medications.
You do not have access to follow-up care or emergency care.
You have an allergy to the medications used.

If you are not a candidate for taking RU-486, your healthcare provider may recommend a surgical abortion instead.

Visit Us for a No-Cost Pregnancy Test

At Willow Womens Center , we understand how difficult it is to face an unplanned pregnancy. Our compassionate advocates and licensed medical professionals are here to help you through this time in your life.

At our clinic, we can offer you a no-cost, medical-grade pregnancy test to confirm your at-home results and a no-cost ultrasound , so you will know how far along you are and if your pregnancy is viable. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screening may also be offered at no cost. This is an important part of the appointment, especially if you are considering an abortion.

We believe in supporting you, empowering you, giving you the critical information you need, and answering your questions. We want to make sure you have everything you need to make the best decision for you and your future.

Let us be your first step. We invite you to make an appointment today to see us. Your health and well-being come first.

Where Can I Get an Abortion Pill?

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 19:35:27 GMT

An unplanned pregnancy starts you on an unexpected journey that you hoped you would never have to take. There is nothing easy about the process of deciding to have an abortion.

Your mind is flooded with questions.

You doubt one minute and feel confident the next.

You gather information, weigh your options, and come to the best choice for you.

The decision to have an abortion is never made lightly, but sometimes women are not given all the information they need, leading to regret down the road. Empower yourself with all the facts you deserve by getting the answers to as many questions as you need to ask to feel that you are equipped to make a confident decision.

Confusion between the morning-after pill and the abortion pill is widespread, so we will break it down for clarity. We will also answer a common question we are asked, which is, “Where can I get the abortion pill?” Read on to learn more.

The Morning-After Pill

The morning-after pill is also called Levonorgestrel or Plan-B. It can cause an abortion by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting into the uterine wall, but it is not the abortion pill.

The name can be misleading – you don’t have to wait until the morning after unprotected sex; you can take it right afterward. The morning-after pill is most effective the sooner you take it, but it should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. It should not be used as a routine birth control method because it contains high doses of hormones and comes with risks.

The morning-after pill works differently depending on when it is taken during your cycle. It works in one of three ways:

It may delay or prevent ovulation.
It may alter the lining of the uterus, which prevents implantation of a fertilized egg.
Or it may prevent the fertilization process.

It is important to understand that the morning-after pill does not work if the fertilized egg has already implanted in the uterus. It does not stop the development of a fetus. That is, if you are already pregnant, this medication won’t work. The morning-after pill is most easily accessible because it is readily available at most pharmacies.

Abortion Pill

Also known as RU-486, the abortion pill is taken when pregnancy has already occurred. It induces a medical abortion up to ten weeks after the first day of your last period. The name, abortion pill, is misleading as it is actually a combination of two different medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, which are taken about a day apart. Mifepristone, the first medication, is taken at a clinic. It blocks progesterone to end the pregnancy. The second medication, misoprostol, is taken up to 48 hours later at home and causes intense contractions to expel the pregnancy from your uterus.

You can expect to experience heavy cramping, bleeding, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms during the abortion. Risks can include damage to the uterus, pregnancy tissue left behind (incomplete abortion), infection and sepsis, severe pain, and in rare cases, death.

It is critical to make an appointment for a medical exam, which includes a detailed medical history, lab work, and an ultrasound exam to confirm you have a viable pregnancy. Lastly, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) test is crucial to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and long-term complications.

Where Can I Get the Abortion Pill?

Until recently, you could only access a medical abortion through a medical doctor. But now new and risky options have become available. These unsafe options include obtaining the abortion pill medications over the internet or through telehealth visits online.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is illegal to order mifepristone over the internet. It is not available in retail pharmacies. You can only legally obtain it in healthcare settings, specifically clinics, medical offices, and hospitals, by or under the supervision of a certified prescriber.

You might be wondering what is so bad about the two alternate options to obtaining the abortion pill when they seem so convenient. The perceived convenience is not worth risking your life by ordering the abortion pill online or getting them through an online medical visit. There are many reasons why it is so dangerous to your health and potentially life-threatening.

If you experience an incomplete abortion without follow-up care, it will lead to serious, even life-threatening complications.
If you have an ectopic pregnancy, it is a medical emergency, but there is no way of knowing with an online physician visit. The abortion pill won’t help an ectopic pregnancy.
If you take the abortion pill while you have an undiagnosed and untreated sexually transmitted infection, it could lead to pelvic inflammatory disease or death.
Medications ordered online are not regulated by the FDA.

What Is Your Next Step?

If you are considering a medical abortion, start by making an appointment at Willow Womens Center. Our caring team will try to answer all your questions to equip you with the information you need to make good decisions on how to proceed.

We will determine if you have a viable pregnancy and explain everything you need to know about abortion procedures and risks. We will also tell you how far along you are and which options are available to you. Since most STIs are symptomless for women, we also offer testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia with a simple urine test. An undiagnosed STI can lead to PID and other medical and reproductive problems. If your test is positive, we can also refer you for treatment with medication.

You are not alone. Our licensed healthcare professionals at Willow Womens Center are passionate about empowering women like you who face unexpected pregnancies. We can walk you through the entire process, one step at a time. We know this is not an easy decision, and we are available to compassionately walk with you through each step so you can make a confident decision that is right for you. For your confidential, no-cost appointment , give us a call today at 608-312-2025.

Real Answers to Your Questions About Abortion

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:40:46 GMT

When you find out you’re unexpectedly pregnant, it’s a really chaotic, confusing, and emotional time. You might not know who to talk to, where to turn, or what to do. Once the haze clears a bit and you start processing what is happening, it’s not unusual to seek real answers to your questions about abortion.

There are far more questions than we can possibly answer here, and the questions each person asks will vary depending on their situation, age, future plans, dreams, and more. Below are the most common questions women ask. If you have any that are not addressed here, we are always available to provide answers at Willow Womens Center .

Questions About Abortion

Q: What is abortion?

A: Abortion is the termination of pregnancy using either pills or surgery.

Q: Is abortion safe?

A: According to the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services , “An abortion is a medical procedure that always involves risk to the woman. At or prior to eight weeks after the first day of the last normal menstrual period is considered the safest time for a woman to have an abortion. The complication rate doubles with each two-week period after that time.”

Q: Who are the women that have abortions?

A: They come from all backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religion.

Q: Are there alternatives to abortion?

A: Yes, adoption and parenting are your other choices. Both involve taking the pregnancy to full term. Adoption means you will not do the parenting yourself, while parenting means you will take on that responsibility.

Q: Where are abortions performed?

A: They can be performed in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and non-specialized clinics, but the majority are done in clinics that exist for only that purpose.

Q: Where can I get an abortion?

A: Abortion is legal in all 50 states, but the nearest clinic to you could be quite a distance away. Some states only have one provider.

Q: What is medication abortion?

A: Medication abortion is also known as the abortion pill, a combination of two pills taken separately. This procedure is done for women up to 10 weeks pregnant. The first pill blocks progesterone in your body. Two days later you will take the second pill. You will make a final visit a couple of weeks later to the clinic to make sure the abortion was completed.

Q: What is medical abortion?

A: Two primary procedures are done, depending on gestational age. Aspiration can be done within seven weeks and uses dilators and a suction tube. Suction Curettage is most commonly done, between six and 14 weeks. Again, this uses dilators and a suction machine.

Let Us Answer Your Other Questions

At Willow Womens Center , we are here for you. Make an appointment to come in and let us give you a no-cost pregnancy test to confirm your at home results because sometimes those tests are wrong. After that, we will sit down with you, answer your questions, and give you the information you need to make a confident decision for your future.

How Do I Tell My Family That I’m Pregnant

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:49:36 GMT

Discovering an unplanned or unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming. It can be even more difficult and stressful when it comes time to tell your family. Before it’s time to tell them, there are a few things you should know to prepare for the task and the potential questions that may arise.

Be Informed

An at-home pregnancy test isn’t always accurate. There are a few reasons the test may be wrong such as it being expired, read after too long, or misread evaporation lines. If you’ve taken a pregnancy test and aren’t sure if the results are positive, it’s time for a second opinion. An ultrasound is the only way to accurately confirm a viable pregnancy. Viability in pregnancy means the fetus likely has the ability to survive outside the uterus. There are several different types of non-viable pregnancies that would require intervention of some sort (e.g. an ectopic pregnancy). Another reason an ultrasound is vital is the dating it provides. An ultrasound provides a gestational age of the pregnancy, which allows you to accurately determine all your abortion and pregnancy options.

It’s also recommended you have one more test performed before you have an abortive procedure. A limited STI screening is very important because if you have an abortion with an unidentified and untreated STI it may lead to further complications. During an abortive procedure, the uterus is opened up, which allows infected cells to travel. This can cause the development of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which leads to a lifelong struggle with reproductive health and possible infertility.

Be You

One of the most important things to remember when telling your family about an unplanned pregnancy is to remain true to yourself. Don’t try to make the decision someone else wants you to make or one that someone is suggesting you make. Continuing or terminating a pregnancy is your choice and only you can make the decision. We will never try to alter your choice because we truly believe your decision will impact you and it should be one you are confident to make. We don’t take our role lightly and will take as much time as you need to explain all the choices you have to ensure you understand and feel comfortable with your decision.

Be Empowered

All this information can be gathered at your no-cost appointment at Willow Womens Center . We provide a safe, comforting, and empowering environment for women from all walks of life facing this situation. Willow Womens Center is conveniently located in Beloit, Wisconsin and offers medical-grade services including a pregnancy test, ultrasound, and STI tests for the two most common STIs, gonorrhea, chlamydia and also free parenting classes . We want to ensure you are thoroughly informed to make the best decision for you and empowered to tell your family about your unplanned pregnancy and your plan of action.

Telling family about an unplanned pregnancy can be daunting, and we want to make sure you don’t walk this road alone. Make your no-cost appointment today to learn more about the care and services you’ll receive from us.

Why an Abortion is Not a Yes or No Decision

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 20:54:12 GMT

There are a lot of things in this world that are black and white, but abortion is not one of them. Your decision about your pregnancy is one that no one can make for you, although we know there are plenty of women who are pressured towards either outcome by those around them. We don’t want to be part of a world that says there is only one way to handle pregnancy because we know there are hundreds of emotions involved in this delicate situation. You have options, you have choices – make the one that is right for YOU.

What If I’m Not Sure?

We see this a lot because pregnancy tests are confusing, and they aren’t always conclusive. There are several reasons for a false reading of a pregnancy test including medical conditions, the test was taken too soon, or the test was expired. All these reasons can lead to a false reading which may mislead you into thinking that you are pregnant or that you are not. Sometimes women wait so long to take a test because they don’t want to know, they don’t want it to be true. Others don’t take a test because they don’t feel any symptoms and don’t think about it. There are dozens of scenarios that may lead you to suspect or assume you could pregnant but how can you be certain?

How to Be Sure

A pregnancy test does not confirm a viable pregnancy . We say ‘viable pregnancy’ because up to 30% of pregnancies naturally terminate on their own. There are many reasons a pregnancy might not be viable. A viable pregnancy is defined as one that has a reasonable chance of a baby making it to full term. Pregnancy is extremely complicated and at every stage, there are plenty of chances for something to go wrong, which is why only an ultrasound can confirm a viable pregnancy.

Assessing Your Pregnancy

During your no-cost appointment at Willow Womens Center, after you have a positive pregnancy test, you will be offered an ultrasound. A licensed medical professional will verify if you are indeed pregnant and if that pregnancy is viable. This test also allows the staff member to the age of your pregnancy which will help you as you explore all legal abortion and pregnancy options available to you. Without this information, you may make a choice that isn’t made in confidence. In fact, some abortion clinics don’t confirm pregnancy before performing an abortion which means they do something physically and emotionally that might be entirely unnecessary. Arming yourself with information is extremely important when you have a vital decision to make.

Find Support Today

At Willow Womens Center , you’ll be welcomed with open arms into a facility that offers you a medical-grade pregnancy test, an ultrasound, and a limited STI test to provide you with all the vital information you need to make the best decision for you. We want to help ensure you feel knowledgeable about what options you have and empower you to make the decision in a safe space. To schedule your no-cost appointment today, give us a call or visit our appointment page today. No matter what you face, you won’t be alone at Willow Womens Center.

How to Deal with an Unexpected Pregnancy

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 21:06:32 GMT

When wondering how to deal with an unexpected pregnancy , you may feel that you are all alone. It is a chaotic time with your emotions kicked into high gear and it can be hard to think clearly. And when you use your phone to look for help, you get information overload. You are probably asking yourself – who can I turn to for help and who can I trust?

At Willow Womens Center , YOU are our priority. If you are unsure of your first step and don’t know where to go, make an appointment at our clinic. We offer a kind, compassionate atmosphere with advocates and licensed medical professionals who will guide you along this new path, give you the information you need, answer your questions, and keep your visit completely confidential.

We care about you holistically: physically, emotionally, spiritually and want to support you in all of those areas.

First Steps

During your appointment, we will offer you a free pregnancy test to confirm your at-home results. At-home tests can occasionally give false results for a variety of reasons, so a second medical-grade test can be important.

If your test results are positive, we will offer you a free ultrasound to confirm the viability of your pregnancy, and to determine how far along your pregnancy is. This is a critical step. An ultrasound that shows the pregnancy is not viable will end in miscarriage.

Up to 20 percent of all pregnancies result in miscarriage and up to 80 percent of those will happen in the first three months of pregnancy. We don’t want you to decide upon, pay for and have an abortion that would not be necessary.

Testing for STIs

We will also help you determine the need for STI testing. This is an important step, especially if you are considering an abortion. Left untreated prior to an abortion, STIs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) when bacteria from an active enters the uterus during the abortion procedure.

This condition affects nearly one million women each year. Some have few or no symptoms even though serious damage is being done to reproductive organs. Other women will endure chronic abdominal pain, fever, vaginal discharge, and painful sex. For many it can cause permanent damage including scar tissue that causes infertility.

Your Options

During your visit we will also help you evaluate your options—abortion, parenting and adoption—in a non-judgmental and caring manner. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions and exploring your options in a way that best fits you.

Make an Appointment

Call and make an appointment at our clinic. We are here to support you, to empower you to make the decision that is best for you. We will not try to talk you out of, or into, one choice or another—only you can make that decision.

How Conclusive is an At-Home Positive Pregnancy Test?

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 21:12:45 GMT

Maybe you just have a “feeling,” or perhaps you have had an upset stomach the last couple of mornings. You think you might be pregnant. Before you reach for that at-home pregnancy test, STOP. How conclusive is a positive pregnancy test? Does it matter when you take it?

Actually, yes. If you take a pregnancy test too early, you risk getting an incorrect reading, causing you to think you are pregnant when you really are not or think you are not pregnant when you really are.

How Soon Will a Pregnancy Test Read Positive or Negative?

The first thing you need to do is calculate the day your period is expected. To do this, take the first day of your last period and count forward 28 days. That will be the estimated start of your next menstrual cycle.

Hold on, though! Even though many companies claim their pregnancy tests will accurately read positive or negative on the day your period is due, or even four days before that, you will benefit from waiting until the second day after your period is due.

Why wait to take your pregnancy test? Mayo Clinic says, “Shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining, the placenta forms and produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone enters your bloodstream and urine… The earlier you take the home pregnancy test, the harder it might be for the test to detect hCG… If your periods are irregular, you might have a hard time figuring out when your period is due.”

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

Home pregnancy tests use urine to detect hCG. Tests have varying designs for use — some say to place the test stick directly into your urine stream. Others use a collection cup that you can dip the test stick into, while other tests have droppers to transfer the urine drops to a test cartridge.

After waiting for the prescribed amount of time, usually just a couple of minutes, the results will show in a window on that stick. The results can display in a few different ways — as a plus or minus sign, with the words pregnant or not pregnant, or one or two lines. The Directions for Use included with each test will explain what exactly you should look for when it is time to read the results.

Can You Take a Pregnancy Test While on Your Period?

Yes. If you take a pregnancy test while you are bleeding, it will not affect the test results. It is not uncommon for women to experience bleeding while they are pregnant, although bleeding while pregnant is technically not a period. Sometimes, a woman will get light bleeding around the time her period is due. This is called implantation bleeding and happens when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining.

How Can You Get a False-Positive Result?

There are several ways to get a false-positive result. The best way to avoid this is by reading the directions thoroughly before taking the test and making sure you follow them precisely. Instructions can vary from test to test, so don’t assume you know how the one you are using right now works.

Evaporation lines:

An evaporation line is a faint line that appears after the prescribed amount of time has passed. To avoid reading an evaporation line as a false-positive result, make sure you look at the result window exactly when the directions say and not after.

If you wait too long, and you have a non-digital test, you may see a line that you think means you are pregnant. In reality it could be the evaporation line from the urine.

Previous miscarriage, abortion, or birth:

When you are pregnant, the hormone hCG is secreted. After a miscarriage, abortion, or birth, the levels will slowly drop to non-pregnant levels somewhere between nine and 35 days after the pregnancy ended. If you take a test within this time frame, it could pick up on hCG from the previous pregnancy resulting in a false-positive.

Sometimes, women have chemical pregnancies which are pregnancies that miscarry shortly after a fertilized egg implants into the lining of the uterus. Many times, women are not aware that they had a miscarriage, but if they take an early pregnancy test, it will detect the hormones produced before the miscarriage and cause a false-positive.

Molar pregnancy:

Molar pregnancy is a condition that causes a uterine tumor to grow. It is caused by a genetic abnormality at conception, resulting in an abnormal pregnancy where only the male chromosomes are present. When this occurs, a dilation and curettage are required to remove the abnormal tissue.

Medications:

There are certain medications that can lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. Generally, these medications contain hCG and are used to treat infertility.

Medical conditions:

Some medical conditions can result in false-positives because they cause hCG to rise when a woman is not pregnant. Some of those conditions include disorders affecting the pituitary gland, certain cancers, phantom hCG, ovarian cysts, and urinary disease or urinary tract infections.

Can Being on Your Period Cause a False-Positive Pregnancy Test?

No, being on your period will not cause a false-positive test result.

Accuracy

If you follow the instructions carefully, and patiently wait an extra day after a missed period, home pregnancy tests can be 99 percent accurate, according to the United States’ Office on Women’s Health.

What to Do After a Positive Pregnancy Test

Positive pregnancy tests are not conclusive. If you get a positive reading on a home pregnancy test, schedule a visit at Willow Womens Center for a medical-grade pregnancy test to confirm your results. We can help you determine how far along you are and check the viability of your pregnancy. Both of this is done by ultrasound.

Our licensed medical professionals offer no-cost pregnancy testing and ultrasound exams. Our team can answer your questions without judgment or bias, so you feel equipped to make a confident decision about your pregnancy.

Make an appointment today at Willow Womens Center. We care about you, holistically: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and our desire is for you to feel supported in all of those areas.

Why Your Period is Late, Even After Protected Sex

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 21:23:29 GMT

Before you freak out and assume you’re pregnant, there may be a reason your period is late. Whether your period is a day late or a few days, we know the toll that can take on your emotions, and the day-to-day decisions you make. Although this isn’t an exact science, a late period or missed period can be caused by several different factors.

Stress

Your body is sensitive to your emotions, especially stress. When your stress levels rise, it can disrupt your menstrual cycle causing your period to come later or be missed. This, in turn, can be a stress factor which can spiral into something more. If your cycle has become more irregular and you’ve missed your period multiple months, you may have secondary amenorrhea. Your doctor will be able to confirm this and can help you find a remedy to help regulate your cycle.

Weight

Although exercise is great for your body, extreme exercise, such as training for a marathon, can send your hormones off track. It can even stop your period temporarily. And women on both ends of the weight spectrum can experience hormonal changes which can cause your period to be late or missed. Being 10 percent below the normal weight range for your height strongly effects how your body operates. Your doctor will work with you on how to eat properly and either gain or lose weight in order to bring your cycle back to normal.

Health Issues

There are a few specific conditions that may cause your body to have an irregular cycle. Ovarian cysts, diabetes, celiac disease, and thyroid issues are a few of the main health culprits to ask your doctor about. Of course, they can help pinpoint the exact issue and will likely be able to help treat the issue quickly and that will bring your regular cycle back. It’s never a good idea to try to diagnose and treat yourself based on information from friends or the internet, always consult your primary doctor or OB-GYN.

Pregnancy

If none of these are the reason your period is late, you may be pregnant. While at-home pregnancy tests are quick, they aren’t always accurate. At Willow Womens Center, we can confirm your at-home result with a medical-grade pregnancy test. However, it’s important to know that a pregnancy test does not confirm a viable pregnancy, only an ultrasound can. An ultrasound can not only confirm viability, but it also dates the pregnancy, which allows you to explore all your options.

If you think you might be facing an unexpected pregnancy, Willow Womens Center is your best choice for answers. We know what you’re feeling and can help you work through all the emotions and provide you with non-judgmental, unbiased, and accurate information about a possible pregnancy. Don’t walk this journey alone.

Should I Get Tested for an STD? What You Need to Know

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 21:27:02 GMT

No one likes to go to the doctor for tests, especially for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). That definitely crosses over into the “none-of-your-business” and “this is super intimidating” territory.

You can always choose to do an STD test in the privacy of your own home, but at-home STD testing kits can be expensive. So is STD testing really necessary?

In a word, yes. Yes, yes, yes!

Women are less likely to get tested for STDs than men are, even though women are at greater risk for STDs because of their anatomy. And, in case you wondered, STDs don’t discriminate. They don’t care who you are, where you live, how old you are, what color your skin is, or if you’re not currently having sex. Even if you have never had vaginal sex, you can still get an STD.

Before you say, “That person didn’t look sick,” you should know that is normal. People with STDs look just like you, like your neighbor, your mom, dad, sister, best friend, and anyone else you can think of.

The near-invisibility of STDs contributes to its spread and less overall concern than if it caused a big rash across your face or stomach. It’s much easier to deny something you can’t see.

Keep reading to learn about why women put off STD testing and why STD testing really is necessary.

Why People Avoid STD Testing

If you have put off STD testing , you are not alone. Let’s look at six common reasons we hear from women about why they choose not to get it done. Can you relate to any of these?

1. Denial

Thinking there is no way possible you could have an STD is only an option if you’ve never, ever had sex. If you have, then snap out of it. Denial is not your friend and can only lead to chronic pain and infertility problems down the road.

2. Asymptomatic

Saying you have no symptoms is great on the one hand because who wants any? But, on the other hand, it’s like the perfect way for STDs to lie to you — give you a disease but don’t tell you about it.

The thing is, it is possible (even probable) to have no symptoms and still have an STD. You can look and feel fine while nasty bacteria are doing untold damage. It’s better to know for sure and get treatment if you need it!

3. Embarrassment

If you feel too embarrassed to get tested, we understand. But here is the truth: healthcare providers choose their profession to help you, not judge you. And so what if anyone judged you? Wise people get STD testing because staying healthy is more important than worrying about what anyone else might think.

4. They Feel It's Not Important

STDs have become so common that their seriousness has gotten lost. An untreated STD can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause lifelong problems like chronic abdominal pain, increased cancer risk, and infertility — the CDC says at least 24,000 women with untreated STDs become infertile each year .

5. Confusion

We know things can become confusing. To make it easy for you, follow the CDC’s recommendation and get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea. They are the most common, and we can offer you STD testing for these at Willow Womens Center.

6. It's Too Expensive

Did you know that no-cost STD testing is available? You do not have to worry about not having health insurance or extra money on hand because STD testing is available to you at no charge.

Now that we’ve talked about common reasons people resist STD testing, we will discuss six reasons you need to have STD testing.

Why STD Testing is Necessary

1. Your Partner Could Have One

One of the most common STDs, chlamydia, is known as “the silent infection.” According to the CDC, only 10% of men with chlamydia have any symptoms . You cannot tell if your partner has an STD by looking at them.

As awkward as it is to talk about, some partners cheat. And that puts you at risk. Many women have contracted an STD while they thought they were in a monogamous relationship.

2. It Helps Preserve your Reproductive Health

As we have discussed, an untreated STD can lead to severe problems with your reproductive health. Getting STDs diagnosed and treated early gives you a chance to protect your reproductive health.

3. You Can Protect Others

1 in 5 people has an STD, and there are more than 26 million cases documented each year. This does not include those who are not diagnosed.

If you have an STI with no symptoms and have sexual contact with someone else, their health is at risk. Remember that you can have an STD if you have had sexual contact with someone, even if you have never had vaginal sex. Do your part to protect yourself and others.

4. It Reduces Stress

Why wonder if you have an STD? Testing is quick and easy with a painless urine sample. You deserve the peace of mind of knowing for sure.

5. IT Can Be Treatable

Did you know that most STDs are treatable with a straightforward course of antibiotics? It can be that easy to prevent lifelong consequences from an untreated STD.

6. You are Worth It

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, you are worth it. You are worth protecting! So get your STD test as soon as you can!

When to Get STD Testing

Determining when to get tested for STDs is crucial for your sexual health, and Willow Women’s Center is here to support you. The incubation periods for common STDs vary.

For chlamydia and gonorrhea, symptoms may appear within 1 to 14 days.
Syphilis has an incubation period of 10 to 90 days.
Genital herpes symptoms can manifest between 2 and 12 days.

It’s important to note that some STDs can be asymptomatic, underscoring the significance of regular testing. If you think you may be at risk or are unsure about your sexual health, taking proactive steps, such as regular testing, is key. Willow Women’s Center provides confidential and compassionate STD testing services, ensuring that you have the information and support you need for your well-being. Early detection allows for prompt treatment and helps prevent the spread of STDs.

Schedule Free STD Testing Today

Make an appointment to come into Willow Womens Center today, and one of our licensed healthcare professionals will determine the need for an STD test. You are safe here and will never be judged.

Yes, STD testing really is necessary, but we’ve got you covered and provide the testing for you confidentially and at no cost. We are committed to making sure women facing an unexpected pregnancy have access to all of the information and resources they need.

Unplanned Pregnancy While Single: What You Should Know

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 21:34:29 GMT

Navigating unplanned pregnancy while single might seem impossible, but the truth is that while it isn’t going to be the easiest thing you’ve done, and it will challenge you at times, it doesn’t have to be a scary experience.

First, know that you are not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of women who have taken the same path you are on and everyone seems to have advice on the best way to handle it. There are certain things, though, that just about everyone agrees on.

Get Support

Support takes on different roles at different times during your pregnancy. Right now, you may not know who to turn to, or where to go for this. At Willow Womens Center, you will find a safe, caring, non-judgmental environment where your health and well-being come first.

Come in to see us and let our patient care team help you, answer your questions, and give you the support and resources you need for a successful journey through unplanned pregnancy while single.

As time goes on you will need support in different ways. Emotional support can come from those who love you—your family, friends, and maybe even a classmate or neighbor. This is not the time to go it alone. Maybe you need to move in with family or a friend in order to make it financially. Perhaps you could use a friend to go along to doctor’s appointments.

Plus, friends are great for getting you to laugh, at helping you to look on the positive side, and helping you with the practicalities of pregnancy.

Financial Support

Financial support may be your biggest concern as you ask yourself, “How can I afford this?” There are a few things to keep in mind.

Your partner will have a financial responsibility to help you.

There are some practical arrangements you could consider. One of them might be sharing housing with others in the same position you are, where housekeeping, cooking and even babysitting duties are shared, and you might be able to share rides to and from work and daycare.

At Willow Womens Center, we can point you toward community resources that will help you as well.

If your partner does not help, you may need to budget your own income.

Believe in Yourself

Doubting yourself can sabotage your future. Instead, know that believing in yourself together with hard work will take you anywhere you want to go.

Will there be times you need help and no one offers? Yes. Will you be lonely at times and feel a bit sorry for yourself? Sure. But don’t dwell on it. Don’t make it your focus. You have so many good things to be grateful for and when you focus on the positives, the rest slides into the background.

At Willow Womens Center , we see this every day. Women who find their feet, look at the positives, who work hard, and reap the rewards. We believe in you and know you can do the same.

Come to See Us

Make an appointment at Willow Womens Center and let us give you the support you need, the answers to the questions you are asking, and provide you with resources to help you navigate your pregnancy while single.

3 Frequently Asked Questions About Abortion in Wisconsin

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 21:45:44 GMT

Facing the unknown is scary. Facing the unknown with no one by your side, with a lot of unanswered questions is worse. Below are 3 FAQs about abortion in Wisconsin as you seek information in order to decide what is best for you.

At Willow Womens Center , we are pro-YOU. Our patient care team is committed to being here for you, to give you the information you need to make an informed decision, and we will support you holistically—physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Below are three questions you probably need answers for.

Will Willow Womens Center Tell Anyone I Came in for a Pregnancy Test or Information on Abortion?

Absolutely not. When you decide to come here, you can walk in the door with confidence, knowing we will guard your privacy. No one will know you have visited us, and we will not share your information with anyone, whether family or friends.

The only way your information is released is if you direct us to do so—in writing.

I Already Bought a Pregnancy Test. Why Do I Need to Have a Pregnancy Test When I Come to Your Clinic?

Once in a while, a home pregnancy test gives false results, especially if it was taken too early. Agreeing to a no-cost pregnancy test allows us to confirm your at-home results. Our tests are lab-grade, sensitive tests administered by our licensed medical professionals who will go over the results with you afterward.

If the results are positive, we will offer you an ultrasound—also at no cost to you—to verify the pregnancy is viable. This means checking for a heartbeat, determining how far along your pregnancy is (gestational age), and verifying proper placement in the uterus.

About 20 percent of all pregnancies end in natural miscarriage, most of these miscarriages occur in the first trimester. If you are considering abortion, we don’t want you to have a procedure you may not need.

How Can I Tell If I’ve Been Exposed to an STD? What Difference Does It Make If I’m Having an Abortion?

Being sexually active in any way—orally, anally or vaginally—automatically puts you at risk for an STD. Rates for STDs, particularly chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, are at an all-time high , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you have an untreated STD, which often has no symptoms to tell you of an infection, you are at risk of developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with an abortion. PID affects nearly 1,000,000 women each year,” says AmericanPregnancy.org.

Willow Womens Center tests for the two most common and treatable STI’s — at no charge to you. Many abortion providers do not offer this service prior to your abortion.

Make an Appointment Today

Make an appointment today to come in and see us. We are here just for you and can help you sort through your feelings, answer your questions, and give you unbiased information so you can make the best possible decision.

Willow Womens Center is heading to Walworth County!

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 14:44:28 GMT

We recognize that there are no free medical services for women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy in Walworth County, so we are bringing our services there. Each Tuesday, Willow Womens Center will bring our mobile ultrasound unit to Walworth County. By doing this, we can help women answer these questions before making an educated decision about their pregnancy:

Am I really pregnant?

A pregnancy test is not always conclusive. The test works by responding to a hormone your body releases when you are pregnant called HCG. Approximately 20% of all pregnancies end in natural miscarriage. Although your HCG levels may still be high enough to give a positive pregnancy test result, you might not have a viable pregnancy. Ultrasound is the earliest means of detecting a viable pregnancy and determining your gestational age. Willow Womens Center provides ultrasound services at no cost to you.

How far along am I?

The gestational age of your pregnancy will determine the type and cost of the abortion procedure you would be eligible to receive. During your visit, you will receive an ultrasound to determine this information so you can move forward with all the applicable information needed to make an informed decision.

Do I have an STI?

Because abortion is invasive, it is important to consider your future reproductive health. If you have an STI, it may travel through your cervix during an abortion which may cause PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). PID is not only painful but could cause future infertility issues. We test for the two most common and treatable STI’s — at no charge to you. Many abortion providers do not offer this service prior to your abortion.

Now what?

Our team cares about you and is committed to providing information in a non-judgmental environment.

Let’s talk about your 3 options:

Abortion ends the pregnancy. There are several abortion methods, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. We will give you clear, accurate information on the different procedures.

Parenting means letting your pregnancy go full-term. We strive to answer your questions on what this means for you and will offer information about resources available to you. We have referrals to community resources to help you with material support, as well as education to prepare you for parenting.

Adoption is a way of giving your child a loving home by placing the responsibility in the hands of others. You may decide that abortion isn’t right for you, but you are also not ready to be a parent, either. Adoption may be the right option for you.

At Willow Womens Center , your health and well-being come first. Make an appointment for a consultation and the free pregnancy test/ultrasound and let us help you consider all your options. YOU ARE OUR TOP PRIORITY.

What to Know About the Abortion Pill in Wisconsin

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 14:48:41 GMT

If you are unexpectedly pregnant, you may have questions about the abortion pill. How does it work? Where can I get an abortion pill in Wisconsin?

Before you make a decision about whether the abortion pill is right for your situation, you need to be aware that there are a lot of rules and regulations surrounding abortion procedures, and they vary from state to state. Depending which state you live in, there may be age restrictions or a waiting period before you can get the abortion pill.

For instance, if you live in Wisconsin, one of your parents, a foster parent, a grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling who is 25 or older must give permission for an abortion.

About the Abortion Pill

The abortion pill is actually two pills, one given to you and taken at the clinic, the other taken at home the next day, according to doctor’s instructions. One of the pills is mifepristone – which blocks the hormones needed to create a healthy pregnancy. The other pill is misoprostol – which causes cramping, bleeding and empties your uterus. You will need to return to the clinic for a follow-up two weeks later to confirm if the abortion was successful and that there is no infection.

The abortion pill can only be taken up until 10 weeks or 70 days after the first day of your last period. If it has been 71 days, you will have to have an in-clinic abortion procedure instead.

We are Here to Support You

At Willow Womens Center , YOU are our priority. Our licensed staff members are here to answer all your questions in a non-judgmental environment.

We offer pregnancy tests at no cost to you, in order to confirm your pregnancy through a medical-grade test. Pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken between 28 to 31 days after the first day of your last period. A pregnancy test detects the hormone known as hCG, which is found in the urine of women who are pregnant.

If the results are positive, the next step is to have an ultrasound. This will confirm the pregnancy is viable, that it is not ectopic (a dangerous situation requiring medical treatment), and it will tell you the gestational age.

An ultrasound may also help determine the risk that you might miscarry. According to AmericanPregnancy.com , “Studies reveal that anywhere from 10 to 25 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage.” Up to 80 percent of those miscarriages occur in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

We also offer STI testing services for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea if you have a positive pregnancy test. We can provide you with referrals for any other testing you may need. This is important because having an abortion procedure with an undiagnosed STI/STD could result in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, a condition that can result in a lot of pain and fertility problems.

Pregnant and Deciding What to Do?

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 14:51:59 GMT

You just took a pregnancy test and it is positive. A lot of thoughts will be running through your mind. There may be shock. There may be panic. You might secretly hope that the test result was not right, that the test was not working properly. These thoughts and feelings come in waves and are making it hard to know what to do now and who to talk to.

At Willow Womens Center we understand what that is like. We are here to help you sort through your thoughts and feelings. We will provide you with unbiased information to help you through the process of making some hard, but very important, decisions about your current situation and your future. But first of all, give yourself a break and just breathe.

Your first step should be to make an appointment with us so we can confirm the results of your home test with one of our medical-grade urine-based pregnancy tests. This will be the starting point for you to determine what to do next and which option to choose – abortion, parenting or adoption. Just as no two women are the same, no two people approach the process in the exact same way. This is because each of us holds different beliefs, values, and has different goals for their future.

Pregnancy Screening

At your appointment we will use our lab-grade pregnancy test to confirm whether you are pregnant or not. This test is done at no cost to you. Sometimes a home pregnancy test isn’t as accurate, especially if it was taken too early. If our urine pregnancy test is positive and if there are no obvious medical issues, we suggest you allow us to conduct an ultrasound, also at no cost to you.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images – this is the earliest way to detect if your pregnancy is viable. About 20 percent of all pregnancies end in natural miscarriage, most of these miscarriages occur in the first trimester. We do not perform a diagnostic ultrasound. We simply confirm that there is a heartbeat, we determine the gestational age (how far along you are) by measurements and we confirm the proper placement in the uterus. If there seems to be any medical concern, we will recommend you consult a physician or ER/Urgent Care facility as soon as possible.

If you are considering abortion as one of your options, it is important to know the gestational age since this is used to determine what type of abortion procedure is available to you. STI testing is a requirement if you consider an abortion. An untreated STI can lead to many medical complications, incl. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which is painful and could result in future fertility problems. We provide limited STI testing, also free of charge to you.

Your Choices

After the positive pregnancy test and the ultrasound it is time to talk about your choices. At Willow Womens Center, we care about you holistically: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and we want to support you in all of those three areas. One of our staff members will talk with you about your options – abortion, adoption and parenting. We will try to answer your questions and will strive to provide you with the information you may need to make the best decision for you and your personal circumstances.

Our team cares about you and is committed to providing information in a non-judgmental environment.

Let’s talk about your 3 options:

Abortion ends the pregnancy. There are several abortion methods, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. We will give you clear, accurate information on the different procedures.

Parenting means letting your pregnancy go full-term. We strive to answer your questions on what this means for you and will offer information about resources available to you. We also offer a program called SAFE START that provides support and education for all aspects of your pregnancy, delivery and the post-natal time.

Adoption is a way of choosing life by placing the responsibility in the hands of others. You may decide that abortion isn’t right for you, but you are also not ready to be a parent, either. Adoption may be the right option for you.

At Willow Womens Center, your health and well-being comes first. Make an appointment for a consultation and the free pregnancy test/ultrasound and let us help you consider all your options. YOU ARE OUR TOP PRIORITY.

Understanding Pregnancy Test Results: Positive or Negative?

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 14:55:14 GMT

Pregnancy tests have come a long way from ancient times, when women used wheat and barley seeds. If the wheat seeds sprouted, she was having a girl, and if the barley seeds did, then she was having a boy. No sprouting meant she wasn’t pregnant. Thankfully, today’s tests are a lot easier, and you don’t have to wait for days.

Types of Pregnancy Tests

There are three different types of pregnancy tests, and while you will likely get an accurate result one day after a missed period, it’s generally recommended that you wait a week. Waiting allows the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to build up in your system, and it is this hormone that two types of tests rely on—home pregnancy tests and clinical urine tests.

The placenta produces the hormone hCG after the embryo attaches to the uterine lining and it starts building up in your system quickly. It is a very good way to test as there is no other reason for that hormone to be present other than pregnancy. It’s this rapid increase in hormones that are responsible for majority of your pregnancy symptoms.

The third type of pregnancy test is a blood test. Those are done at your doctor’s office and are not available for home use.

How Do They Work?

Urine tests can be done both at home or at a clinic or doctor’s office. They can also be performed two different ways. One is to catch urine in a cup and then dip the “stick” into it or put urine into a special container with an eyedropper. The other way is to hold the end of the stick in the urine stream.

The testing kit is a slender plastic piece roughly seven inches long with a window or two halfway down and a couple of inches of exposed, usually white, stiff material. It is this exposed material that is dipped into a cup or catches urine midstream.

Once the stick has been soaked with the urine, a provided cap can be snapped on for cleanliness, and it can take up to 10 minutes for the result, depending on the brand of test used.

Reading the Results

When reading the results, it’s generally made quite obvious for you. Some tests will display a “pregnant” or “not pregnant”, while others will show a plus sign for pregnant and a minus sign for not pregnant or two lines versus one line or even a change in color. Read the packaging your test comes in so you know what type of result you are to look for with that particular test.

Most manufacturers recommend taking home pregnancy tests twice, and it makes sense to wait a few days before taking the second test, just in case you took the first one too early.

Home tests are said to be quite accurate. However, if your period doesn’t come a few days after a second negative test result, check with your doctor.

Make an Appointment

If you aren’t sure your results were accurate, you cannot afford to buy a home test, or you would like confirmation of a positive test result, make an appointment with us at Willow Womens Center .

Our patient care team will welcome you and give you the unbiased answers you want so you can move forward with confidence and make the best decision for you.

The Importance of Pre-Abortion Screenings

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:58:32 GMT

If you just found out you are unexpectedly pregnant , a lot of things will be going through your mind, right along with fear, panic and a feeling that nothing will be the same again. That is understandable and knowing you have some decisions to make may only add to the anxiety.

If you decided to get an abortion , or are thinking about it, you need to know about STI screenings and why they are important. Before you brush it off, thinking you can’t possibly have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should know that there are a lot of women out there who have said the same thing and still ended up with positive test results.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions, “Many STIs are ‘silent,’ or have no symptoms, so you may not know if you are infected.”

Consider the Statistics

According to USAFacts , millions of Americans are affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) each year, and rates continue to rise. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded more than 1.6 million cases of chlamydia, making it the most commonly reported STI in the United States. Cases of gonorrhea and syphilis have also steadily increased over the past decade.

Young adults experience the highest rates of infection. Nearly half of all new STI cases occur among people ages 15 to 24, highlighting the importance of regular testing and early treatment.

Anyone who is sexually active can contract an STI, but data shows clear patterns. Women between 15 and 34 are more likely to be diagnosed with chlamydia, while men have higher rates of gonorrhea and syphilis.

Although many STIs can be treated, untreated infections can lead to serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and complications during pregnancy. Routine testing and early care are key to protecting your health and your futu re.

Pre-Abortion Screening

Women seeking abortions are not routinely tested for STIs. At Willow Womens Center , we offer this testing to help women avoid serious health problems in the future.

The process is simple and straightforward. Make an appointment to come in for testing. During your visit one of our licensed medical staff members will administer a no-cost pregnancy test. Some home tests are not reliable and this will confirm if you are pregnant.

If the test is positive, an ultrasound is done at no cost to you. This test uses sound waves to form an image and will tell you if the pregnancy is viable, if it’s ectopic, and will determine how far along your pregnancy is. This is an important step because 20 percent of pregnancies result in miscarriage and 80 percent of miscarriages happen in the first 13 weeks.

Once the ultrasound is completed, we will test for two STIs, chlamydia and gonorrhea, at no charge to you. If test results are positive, we do provide a prescription for the treatment of chlamydia and we give referrals for treatment of gonorrhea.

Get the Support You Need Before You Decide

Our patient care team consists of licensed medical professionals and advocates specializing in serving women who face unplanned pregnancies and understand the personal nature of pregnancy and abortion decisions. We will carefully listen to your needs and help you walk through all of your options, so you can be confident in your decision. Contact us today.

Understanding Your Pregnancy Options

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 15:01:59 GMT

When you find out that you are unexpectedly pregnant, there are a lot of things to think about, and that’s hard to do when you are scared and overwhelmed. Take a few minutes for yourself, sit down, and just breathe.

When you feel a bit more centered, it’s time to get down to business. Let’s take a look at your options – abortion, adoption, and parenting – and consider which might be YOUR best choice.

Abortion

Abortion ends the pregnancy. There are several types of abortion, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. One of the deciding factors is time, so if you are considering this as an option, you should know there is a point at which this is no longer an option.

The timeframe allowing for abortion varies from state to state. For instance, Wisconsin allows them to take place up until the max of 20 weeks gestational age, while other states, such as New York, Massachusetts, Florida and Nevada allow abortions up to 24 weeks.

The different options for abortion range from “The Abortion Pill,” which is actually two pills, taken a couple days apart, to surgical procedures that increase in scope and risk the farther along you are in your pregnancy.

Parenting

About half of the women facing an unplanned pregnancy choose parenting. That doesn’t mean it is an easy decision to make and it comes with its own set of questions. Such as: Am I ready to be a parent? How will I provide? What if my relationship isn’t stable?

Experts suggest writing down your feelings – all of them – and then write down how your values and beliefs affect how you look at each of your options. What are your goals, plans and dreams? Where does pregnancy fit within them?

Adoption

In the past, the term adoption implied a stigma of failure. Today it is said that choosing adoption means you have done careful planning, and put a lot of emotional effort forth, together with some sacrifices. This decision is made with love, bravery, and selflessness.

Adoption offers many options – some organizations will let you create your personal adoption plan, including choosing the perfect adoptive family, deciding how you want your hospital experience to go, and determining the type of relationship you want to have after adoption.

There is often an adoption specialist assigned to you that helps you navigate your way through open or semi-open adoptions and choosing how to keep in touch, whether through pictures and letters, emails, texts, phone calls or in-person visits.

Make an Appointment for Help

If you need help sorting through these options, make an appointment to come see us at Willow Womens Center. Our caring advocates can help you sort through all the noise and give you information to enable you to decide what the best choice is for you and your personal circumstances.

What to Expect During Your First Appointment

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 15:04:46 GMT

Now that you’ve taken the first step by calling and scheduling a time to come in to Willow Womens Center , you might be wondering what to expect during your first appointment.

Don’t panic. Our advocates are there to help you. One of the women who came to us said, “They handled my situation in the most caring way. Very empathetic to the situation. Gave great advice and did not try to alter any decisions.”

A Caring Environment

First, plan to be here for about an hour. Our trained patient care team is a group of non-judgmental, caring, licensed medical professionals and advocates. They specialize in serving women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy. They understand the decisions you have to make regarding parenting, adoption or abortion.

You can trust our team to make you their priority. They will listen carefully to you, and they will help you, with your unique set of circumstances, to evaluate all of your options so that you will be confident in the decision you make.

Paperwork

Once you have become acquainted with our team member, they will help you complete the required paperwork. Your appointment is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else.

We understand how hard this is for you as you work your way past the shock and fear to a place that is more centered and calm, where you can focus on what is best for you.

Pregnancy Test

After completing the paperwork, you will be given a lab-grade pregnancy test free of charge. Sometimes home pregnancy tests can be wrong, expired, or taken too early. While this may seem like a duplication, there are times when our test shows the first one to be wrong.

If pregnancy is confirmed, your advocate will go over all options with you and answer all the questions you have regarding any and all options open to you.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound is the second, but vital, step that not only determines the gestational age of the fetus, it also determines whether or not the pregnancy is viable. Sometimes it is not and a miscarriage will likely happen. Other times they may detect an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

STI Screening

The third step is to talk with you about the reasons to test for two of the most common sexually transmitted infections – chlamydia and gonorrhea. Abortion can be an invasive procedure and, if chosen and performed when there is an untreated STI, can result in pelvic inflammatory disease.

If this occurs, you take a big risk. According to the CDC , pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to chronic lower abdominal pain, infertility, abscesses, and more. The infertility rate for those with PID is pretty high. One in eight women with a history of PID will have problems getting pregnant.

If the test comes back positive for an STI, Willow Womens Center can provide a prescription for Chlamydia and refer treatment for Gonorrhea.

We will continue to be here for you no matter your decision. Our goal is to empower you, to make sure you have all the facts you need to make the best decision for you, and to provide it in a caring and non-judgmental way.

Unplanned Pregnancy in Beloit

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 15:07:39 GMT

An unplanned pregnancy in Beloit, or wherever you happen to live, can throw you into a tailspin. Suddenly all the plans you’ve made for your future seem unattainable. Everywhere you turn there seems to be another pregnant woman and most of them look happy.

Realistically, you know your emotions are high and you are wound up tight. Just as you also know that all it will take is for someone to say the wrong thing and you are going to either reply with something nasty, or cry. Neither option is appealing.

As you seek information related to unplanned pregnancy Beloit, there are some steps to take that will gain you a measure of peace and give you the confidence to make the right decisions.

Have Some Tests Done

Sure, you took a pregnancy test at home, and that’s why you’re here. At Willow Womens Center, we offer a free, lab-grade pregnancy test just to double check. False positive tests can happen .

The second step is having an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy is viable. This means the technician is looking to make sure everything appears normal, and the pregnancy is progressing. They also check the gestational age of the fetus and the viability by measuring the heartbeat.

Once those are completed, testing for STD/STIs is important. This ensures treatment in case of a positive result. If an abortion is chosen, an untreated STD can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and may also result in long-term reproductive health problems, including infertility.

Find Out All the Facts

The next step is to make an appointment at Willow Womens Center . Our caring, supportive team will go over all the test results with you, answer your questions, and make sure you have all the facts and data you need to make an informed decision for your future.

We know that clear, unbiased information given at no charge, and with no agenda, is vital to women making the best possible choice for them. It helps to bring a measure of peace and much-needed confidence that no matter which direction you choose, you will be able to handle it. Visit our center today or make an appointment !

When Can You Detect Pregnancy?

Wed, 23 May 2018 15:09:56 GMT

If you’re worried that you could be pregnant, you might be tempted to go buy a pregnancy test and use it right away. Unfortunately, unless you’ve waited until you’ve missed the anticipated date of your period, you may very well get a false negative test.

The reason for this is that both pregnancy tests, the blood test and urine sample, rely on detecting the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone. This hormone increases rapidly after the embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus and is responsible for most pregnancy symptoms.

Most manufacturers claim a 99 percent accuracy for their tests when performed as recommended. HCG levels only become detectable seven to 12 days after implantation and is the reason women are cautioned not to take the test early.

Wait Before Taking a Test

The Cleveland Clinic advises women to wait five to 10 days after a missed period before administering a test so you don’t experience a false negative positive result . They advise using first-morning urine because HCG is most concentrated then, don’t drink a lot of fluid before the test to increase the volume because it thins the hormone concentration, and be sure to follow each step in the test precisely.

Early pregnancy symptoms that could signal a need for taking a pregnancy test include a missed period, feeling exhausted, urinating often, sensitive or swollen breasts, nausea or vomiting. Having these symptoms can help rule out a false positive on a test; false positives can result due to a chemical pregnancy, where the pregnancy ends shortly after the egg attaches to the uterine lining, menopause, ectopic pregnancy, and ovarian conditions such as cysts.

Confirming a Viable Pregnancy

After a pregnancy test, it is important to receive an ultrasound to confirm if the pregnancy is viable. A non-viable pregnancy, if undetected, could lead to some women making decisions that are not in their best interest.

This is why Willow Womens Center not only offers free, medical-grade pregnancy tests, we also offer free ultrasounds to confirm viability, and free STD/STI testing if warranted. Contact us for an appointment.

An ultrasound has many benefits, from determining viability to telling you how far along you are, finding the heartbeat, and determining the location where the embryo is implanted. This is important in case of an ectopic pregnancy where implantation occurs in the fallopian tube and can be life threatening.

Also, 20 percent of all pregnancies do not carry to term and 80 percent of all miscarriages take place during the first trimester, or 12 weeks. An ultrasound can help detect if you are at risk for a miscarriage or if there is an issue, such as an ectopic pregnancy, where you need immediate medical attention.

Willow Womens Center is holistic and focused solely on you and your well-being. We will support you and help you consider all your options, but only YOU can make the decision that is best for you. Call us today for an appointment.

Why Choose Us?

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 16:13:24 GMT

Your period hasn’t come and you feel unsure what to do next. If you think you might be pregnant, Willow Womens Center is here for you. You are our priority! All of our services are free of charge, which means we are only interested in helping you get all the information needed to make an informed decision.

Willow Womens Center can verify your pregnancy at no cost to you.

During your confidential appointment, you will receive a high-quality pregnancy test at no cost. If you are pregnant , our friendly, trained staff will provide information on each of your options and will provide an ultrasound (at no cost) to determine how far along you are and if your pregnancy is viable.

Before deciding about your pregnancy, it’s critical to know exactly how far along your pregnancy is.

No matter what you choose to do with your body, the only timely way to confirm a pregnancy and find out how far along you are is through an ultrasound. An Ultrasound can also spot whether you might miscarry or if your pregnancy is ectopic, which could be life-threatening.

If you are indeed pregnant, Willow provides testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Since abortion can be an invasive procedure, untreated STI’s can be pushed into the uterus where they can radically impact your reproductive health, as well as your life. If you test positive either STI, we will either provide or refer for treatment.

How Do I Know if I’m Pregnant?

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:15:42 GMT

Just as each woman is different, pregnancy symptoms are different for every woman as well. Some women may experience many symptoms, while others experience few or no symptoms.

Some symptoms of pregnancy include:

Missed Period
Cramping
Spotting
Tender/Swollen Breasts
Fatigue
Nausea/Vomiting
Aversion to Certain Foods
Mood Swings

If you have any of these symptoms, you could be pregnant . The only way to know for sure is to take a high-quality pregnancy test. Call Willow Womens Center today to make an appointment for your free pregnancy test.