One of the crucial aspects of women's healthcare in any country is to provide safe and quality abortion services to its people. According to estimates, approximately 25 percent of all pregnancies around the globe end in abortion. An abortion clinic should take care of both your emotional and medical health. Choosing to end your pregnancy is a very difficult decision to make but once you have decided that, the next major step is to choose an abortion clinic that provides sensitive and expert care. The following are the top 5 qualities that you should look for while choosing a clinic for undergoing abortion:
The staff that attend you should be polite and kind
The way the clinic staff treats you is one of the qualities that you should pay attention to while choosing a clinic to terminate your pregnancy. If the person at the clinic you speak to is cold, robotic, and indifferent then this may indicate how that abortion clinic views and treats its patients. A proper and quality clinic will make sure to treat its patients with kindness, sensitivity, and understanding from the very first phone call or visit of the patient to their last visit. You should also feel comfortable with and reassured by the individual you speak to at the clinic. In the event you feel un-cared for, judged or uncomfortable for any reason, it’s better to switch clinics.
The clinic should offer you a safe and effective procedure
Another important quality that you should look for in an abortion clinic is the way the doctor attends you, their competence, and the safety and efficacy of the procedure they provide. You should know that abortion is successful when it has no associated complications, maintains your fertility for future pregnancies, and should not be life-threatening to you.
The clinic should provide you with clear and accurate information
While looking for an abortion clinic, choose one that provides you with clear and accurate information about the procedure. This includes what happens during the procedure, when to call for help (for instance, what to do if you have heavy bleeding), and post and pre-abortion care. A good quality clinic will make sure that you are well informed about the procedure so that it makes it easier for you to make the right decision about getting an abortion. If the clinic provides thorough information and instructions about the procedure, then it is a good indication that you will receive quality services there. Providing information requires effort and time; hence, if the person you have talked to is well informed about the procedure, then they will likely put the same effort and time into each facility and service they provide.
The clinic should maintain your privacy and confidentiality
Similar to any other medical clinic, abortion clinics should also maintain your privacy and confidentiality. Furthermore, since abortion still carries a stigma in many communities, it may add to the stress of undergoing an already stressful experience. In many abortion clinics, there is only one room by way of which everyone has to enter and exit. This may make you leave through a waiting room (after getting the procedure) full of people waiting for their turn. This can be a cause of shame and stress in those who want to keep the procedure private. Ideally, an abortion clinic that solely offers that service should have such a set up in which the patient, after getting an abortion, leaves by way of a separate waiting room. This reduces the number of individuals with whom they come into contact.
The clinic should provide effective follow-up care and services
A final important quality that you should look for in an abortion clinic is whether the clinic provides you with effective follow-up care and services. Providing follow-up checks is an important and vital aspect of quality healthcare. If a clinic is following up after the abortion procedure, it indicates that the healthcare provider cares about your health even after the procedure. At your follow-up appointment, you can get the detailed information regarding after-care and also discuss if you have any concerns or questions.
Tips on how you can choose a quality abortion clinic:
Never trust the ads on the internet or in your area’s phone book.
If possible, get a referral for a clinic from someone whom you can trust.
Call the abortion clinic and ask for information such as whether they do abortion or not. Avoid clinics that don’t give straightforward answers.
Ask regarding their services. For instance, you can ask what services and procedures do they offer? Can you take your parent or friend with you? What are the types of anesthesia that are offered and who will administer the anesthesia? What is their call of action in case of emergencies?
Ask regarding their fees. Ask what is covered in those fees. Do they take Medi-Cal or insurance?
When you visit the clinic, notice the clinic and its staff. Is the clinic dirty or clean? How experienced is the doctor who will do the procedure? Are they happy to give you all the details you want?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections, which are spread from one person to another by coming into sexual contact with an infected person. A person who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can pass the infection to other people by way of contact with their skin, mouth, genitals, body fluids or rectum. Anyone having sexual contact-oral, vaginal or anal sex- with an infected person can get the STI. It is not necessary to exhibit symptoms of an STD. Even if no symptoms are present, your health may be affected. Although treatment and cures exist for some STDs, not all of them can be treated. Since STDs are highly preventable, prevention is always the best option.
What are the causes of STDs?
The causes of STDs are viral or bacterial infections. STDs that are caused due to bacterial infections are treated using antibiotics. There is no cure for STDs that are caused by viral infections, but you can take measures to treat their symptoms.
What factors increase your risk of contracting an STD?
The below-mentioned factors can increase your risk of contracting an STD:
Having sex with greater than one partner
Having a sexual partner who themselves have sex with greater with one partner either currently or in the past
Having sex with a person who has an STD or STI
Having a personal history of STDs/STIs
Using intravenous drugs or if your partner uses intravenous drugs
What are the most commonly occurring STDs?
Some of the commonly occurring STDs are:
Chlamydia
Genital herpes
Gonorrhea
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection
Syphilis
HPV (human papillomavirus) infection
Hepatitis B
Trichomoniasis
How can you prevent STDs?
The following are the top five methods to prevent STDs:
Abstinence
Abstaining from having all types of sexual contact; i.e., vaginal, oral or anal is the most efficient and reliable method to avoid contracting an STD. However, most individuals don’t find abstinence a practical method of dealing with the situation.
Vaccination
Getting a vaccine is a safe and effective method that is recommended to prevent HPV and hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine for both females and males may protect against certain common forms of HPV. It is recommended that you get all the three shots (doses) before engaging in sexual activity. However, an HPV vaccine is recommended for all the teen girls and females after the age of 26 years and all the teen boys and males after the age of 21 years who were not given the three shots or doses of HPV vaccine before (at a younger age). You must also get a hepatitis B vaccine in case you had not received the vaccine before (at a younger age).
Reduce the number of your sex partners
Reducing the number of sex partners can also decrease the risk of contracting an STD. It is also important to know about the sexual history of your partner. The greater number of partners you have, the greater your risk of getting an STD. The same is also true for your sexual partners, i.e., if they have more partners, then it still increases your risk. You and your sexual partner should get tested for STDs. Moreover, both of you should share the results of your tests with each other.
Mutual monogamy
The meaning of mutual monogamy is that you have agreed to have sex with only one individual who has also agreed to have sex with only you. Having a long-term relationship that is mutually monogamous is among the most effective and reliable methods to prevent STDs. You should also have an honest and open conversation regarding sex with your partner.
Use condoms
Using male condoms made of latex correctly and consistently is greatly effective in reducing the transmission of STDs. You must use a latex condom each time you are involved in vaginal, oral or anal sex. You can also use a female condom while having vaginal intercourse. You should use dental dams or condoms while having oral sex and gloves during manual penetration. In case of using a lubricant, be sure to use a water-based lubricant. It is important to use condoms during the entire sexual act. Though condoms aren’t 100% effective in preventing STDs, they are still extremely effective when used correctly. Hence, learn the method to correctly use condoms. You don’t get extra protection by using condoms that have a spermicide as a lubricant. On the contrary, frequently using some spermicides may increase your risk of contracting HIV. Rinsing or washing after having sex may help in removing the infectious material present on the skin. Women should pass urine after sex as it reduces the risk of getting UTIs (urinary tract infections).
Some more tips to prevent STDs:
Avoid having sex with any person who has genital sores, discharge, rash, or any other symptoms.
Avoid sharing underclothes or towels.
Wash before and after having sexual intercourse.
Both you and your partner should get tested for STDs, especially HIV before getting involved in sexual activity.
Avoid having sex when you are drunk or have taken drugs. In case you suffer from alcohol or drug abuse, seek help. Individuals who are on drugs or drunk while having sex often don’t follow safe sex practices.
Avoid getting involved in risky sexual practices. Sex acts that break or tear the skin increase your risk of contracting an STD. Germs can pass by way of even tiny cuts, which don’t bleed. The risk is increased with anal sex as rectal tissues may tear easily. STDs can also be transmitted by body fluids. Your risk is highly increased if you have unprotected sex with a person infected with an STD.
The following are the top 5 qualities that you should look for while choosing a clinic for undergoing abortion:
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections, which are spread from one person to another by coming into sexual contact with an infected person. A person who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can pass the infection to other people by way of contact with their skin, mouth, genitals, body fluids or rectum. Anyone having sexual contact-oral, vaginal or anal sex- with an infected person can get the STI. It is not necessary to exhibit symptoms of an STD. Even if no symptoms are present, your health may be affected. Although treatment and cures exist for some STDs, not all of them can be treated. Since STDs are highly preventable, prevention is always the best option.