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5 Reasons to Start Here if Traveling to Illinois for an Abortion

Writer's picture: First Step Women's CenterFirst Step Women's Center

Updated: Jul 27, 2023

Your period is late, and your drugstore pregnancy test is positive. You are considering an abortion, but live in a state where it is restricted or illegal. Fear and confusion have washed over you, and now you have crossed state lines seeking abortion services. You may feel overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure where to turn for support.

We are an excellent resource for women who may have traveled across state lines looking for help. Our clinic offers a range of no-cost professional services to assist you during your decision-making process. We can also save you money by providing the early pregnancy medical services you need before an abortion.

We believe women seeking an abortion deserve to make decisions in a place that does not profit from their choice. Below are 5 ways we can assist out-of-state travelers.

#1 Quality Medical Services We believe women shouldn’t have to pay for basic healthcare services like pregnancy testing and consultations. Our clinic offers these services that are essential for women here in our county or those traveling across state lines.


We understand that travelers are often under a strict time frame and we will prioritize your appointment.

#2 Cost-Free Ultrasound Confirmation While a positive over the counter pregnancy test is a good indication of pregnancy, only an ultrasound can determine viability (if the pregnancy is progressing) and how far along you are. A limited ultrasound can be performed as early as 5.5 weeks from a woman’s last menstrual period. If the pregnancy is not viable, you would be spared the cost of an abortion.

During an ultrasound scan, a medical professional will ensure the pregnancy is occurring inside the uterus, look for and measure the heart rate, and measure the fetus to establish an estimated due date. This scan is quick and provides valuable information to aid in your decision-making process.

If you are more than 11 weeks pregnant, have certain health conditions, or are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy you are not eligible for the abortion pill. The above factors, along with the type of pregnancy you are experiencing will determine the cost of an abortion.

In some cases, the ultrasound will show a nonviable (not able to continue to develop) or ectopic (not occurring in the uterus) pregnancy.

Note: If you are experiencing a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, you should not take abortion pills or schedule an abortion clinic procedure.

Our team is well-trained to support and refer you for further medical care. Choosing an abortion without all the facts, or without taking a glimpse into what is happening inside your body could negatively impact your health.

#3 Safe Place to Process Pregnancy Decision We understand that you may have fears and concerns about the abortion procedure or continuing your pregnancy. Like any drug or surgical procedure, it’s important to learn about the potential side effects, how it works, what to expect, and what recovery will look like before the abortion.

We provide health and safety information, including the rare side effects or how abortion can impact people with certain health conditions. Our staff is committed to empowering you to make an informed decision that is right for you.

#4 Find Support After an Abortion If you decide to have an abortion, you may experience mental health symptoms associated with pregnancy loss. Every woman experiences this loss differently, and there is no right way or timeline to process emotions and feelings of grief and loss. We can provide referrals and connect you with support services back in your home state after an abortion. These services can help you process your emotions and feelings, provide practical tools to assist in the grieving process, and connect with others who have had similar experiences.

You are not alone; seeking help and support during this time is the care you deserve.

#5 STI (Sexual Transmitted Infections) Testing and Treatment An STI could lead to complications during and after the abortion procedure. It is important to note that STIs may cause cervical infections or inflammation. If left untreated, these infections can cause further complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, which could affect your long-term reproductive health. Getting tested beforehand can help prevent potential complications and ensure you receive proper treatment.

Without STI testing, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) could develop, potentially leading to infertility. Our clinic offers STI testing to help ensure your health and well-being.

What’s Next? You don't have to face this alone. We are a pro-woman, holistic non-profit organization that understands the unique challenges inherent with pregnancy. We can also help you navigate resources back home regardless of your decision.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.


References

Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Ultrasound in pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - CDC Fact Sheet. https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm


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Monday: 9am-4:30pm

Tuesday: By phone only

Wednesday: 11am-4:30pm

Thursday: 9am-4:30pm

Friday: Closed

First Step Women's Center in Springfield, Illinois is committed to providing you with everything you need to make an informed pregnancy decision. We believe women and men have a right to get evidence-based information from a resource that will not profit from the choices and pregnancy decisions they make. All our services are free and confidential. 

Please note that we can only provide telehealth services to individuals located in Illinois and can provide a state ID. If you do not have a license or identification that shows you are an Illinois resident, we can still provide in-person care at no cost to you.

 

First Step Women's Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the state of Illinois. The information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical or legal advice. We are committed to protecting your health information. Please be aware that communicating via unencrypted text messaging or messaging services has some level of risk of being read by a 3rd party. While we do not provide or refer for abortion services, we can answer your questions about side effects, what to expect, and more. Contact us to learn more. We proudly serve in Springfield, Farmingdale, Sherman, Riverton, Buffalo, Cantrall, IL and the surrounding areas.

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