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Life’s Choices is not an abortion provider, nor do we recommend or refer for abortion. However, if you are considering terminating your pregnancy, we have several services offered free-of-charge for your optimal health and safety prior to an abortion procedure. Life’s Choices can provide you with a reproductive health screening that includes testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and a pregnancy confirmation ultrasound. We recommend these preliminary steps before an abortion for the following reasons: 1. STI TESTING Many young women hope to one day be a parent, even though right now doesn’t seem like the right time. To protect your body for a future pregnancy, it’s important to know if you have an STI. At Life’s Choices we test for chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the most common STIs. The Center for Disease Control has estimated that one in four sexually active adolescent females has an STD such as chlamydia or HPV. (1) Many don’t know they are infected because STIs often have no symptoms. Untreated STIs can lead to infertility. In fact, the CDC estimates that 24,000 women become infertile each year due to undiagnosed STIs. (2) Additionally, an abortion procedure that is done while infected with an STI increases your risk of contracting Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). (3) One in eight women with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease have difficulty becoming pregnant in the future. (4) Whether you decide to have an abortion or not, being tested for STIs is important for your health and future. We provide confidential testing and treatment free of charge and can usually have your results within one or two days. 2. PREGNANCY CONFIRMATION ULTRASOUND Here are reasons why an ultrasound before an abortion is recommended: To determine a viable uterine pregnancy: A nonviable pregnancy is one that cannot possibly result in a live-born baby, for example if no heartbeat is detected or if the fertilized egg is not attached in the uterus (ectopic pregnancy). Early detection through ultrasound can hasten the appropriate medical response to either an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life threatening, or a natural miscarriage. Either one of these conditions would obviously make an abortion procedure unnecessary. To determine gestational age: Different abortion procedures are available at specific stages of pregnancy. For this reason, it’s important to know how far along you are in the pregnancy. The Reproductive Health Screening is valued at $350 but is provided completely free of charge at Life’s Choices due to generous donations from local individuals, businesses and churches. Life’s Choices does not benefit financially from any decision you make concerning your pregnancy . Our goal is to provide you with the resources and services you need in order to make a fully informed decision. CONTACT US We welcome you to set up a free appointment today, whether for STI/STD testing, an ultrasound or another one of our free services. You can find out more about the services we offer here , or contact us today: Contact Us (1) https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats17/adolescents.htm (2) https://lifeschoicessupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Youth-STI-Infographic.pdf (3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7121913/ (4) https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm #stdtesting #pennsylvania #STDtestingbeforeabortion #hamburg #freeultrasounds #berkscounty #freeresources #kutztown #ultrasounds #pregnancy

It’s Valentine’s Day — the holiday of red roses and heart-shaped chocolate! While we, too, love thoughtful gestures and sweet treats at Life’s Choices, we believe that it takes more than romantic wooing for a relationship to thrive. A healthy relationship takes time and effort to cultivate. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing resources for couples and families throughout Berks County that will help promote healthy relationships, whether romantic or familial. FREE RELATIONSHIP CLASSES Did you know we offer FREE relationship classes at both our Kutztown and Hamburg, Pennsylvania offices? We also offer a variety of other classes , too! All of our classes are one-on-one with your own personal coach, catered to your schedule and no cost to you! Schedule Your First Class Today One of our favorite class resources for relationships and families is BrightCourse . From healthy boundaries to cohabitation to anger management and much more, BrightCourse offers a variety of topics to choose from to help your relationships grow and thrive. But available subjects extend beyond just relationships. Clients can pick from a vast library of topics including pregnancy, birth, parenting, life skills and more! And through Life’s Choices, all classes are completely free . Clients who attend classes earn points for needed items including diapers, baby supplies or gift cards to local stores. To top it off, if both parties attend the classes, they get double the points! FREE RELATIONSHIP MENTORSHIP In addition to our relationship and family classes, Life’s Choices offers relationship mentorship. Some of the resources we love to share with clients who come in for mentoring are the books/booklets by Jason and Crystalina Evert of the Chastity Project. Some of the couple-based topics we discuss include healthy communication, conflict resolution and more. Clients who read the book/booklet and come in to discuss it with us earn a free gift card to a local coffee shop! SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS OR MEETING We would love to be a free resource for you as you seek to invest in your relationship! Schedule your relationship class today, or give us a call today (Kutztown: 610-683-8000 , Hamburg: 484-660-3526 ). Schedule Your Relationship Class Today #valentine #healthyrelationships #relationshiphelp #relationshipclasses #valentinesday #romance #parentingclasses #lifeskillsclasses #freerelationshipclasses

Romance and thoughtful gifts are a sweet aspect of Valentine’s Day. Who doesn’t love fragrant flowers and chocolate treats? But romance alone won’t sustain a healthy relationship. For a relationship to thrive, both members must be willing to selflessly invest of themselves — to put the other person’s needs before their own. So, what are some practical ways to accomplish this? Here are four ways you can invest in your relationship this Valentine’s Day and every day: 1. SCHEDULE QUALITY TIME It’s easy to get consumed with the routines of life. We’re all busy, and while it’s important to prioritize your work and productivity, your relationship should be at the top of your priorities list. Each of us is constantly changing and transitioning into who we’re becoming — even in adulthood. As you and your significant other continue to develop and grow, instead of growing apart from each other, work to grow together. Quality time is essential in continuing to get to know your significant other through all of life’s developments. Prioritize setting aside focused time with your significant other, however that looks for you both! 2. LISTEN WELL As you deepen in your relationship, it’s easy to assume you know everything there is to know about your partner. But taking their thoughts and perspectives for granted can be a dangerous relationship killer. Whether in disagreements, discussions or just basic communication, listening to understand your partner is key! When we take time to truly hear what our significant other is trying to communicate rather than planning our next response as they speak, they will feel heard and, as a result, loved. 3. SERVE THEM BASED ON THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS We often mean well, don’t we? But sometimes our gestures feel underappreciated or unnoticed. We buy our significant other an expensive necklace, but they don’t seem impressed. We throw them a lavish surprise party, but they’re uncomfortable through the entire event. So, where have we gone wrong? Here’s a question to consider: are we truly serving them based on their specific needs, or are we considering instead what *we* would want? This is where the listening skill is an important one! As you listen more clearly to your significant other, you will begin to learn and understand what makes them tick. Do they feel more loved when you speak or act in a certain way toward them? What’s most important to them? What do they value and appreciate? Maybe that fancy jewelry turned them off because they’re stressed by your current financial situation. Or maybe instead of a big party, they would have benefited from a quiet movie night at home with you and a few close friends. Continue to find out who they are and what they need, and serve them based on those individual needs. 4. MAKE PRAYER A PRIORITY While this may seem like a basic tip, praying for your significant other is a crucial aspect of a healthy relationship. When we pray for one another, we not only include God in our relationships, but we invest in a spiritual bond with our loved ones. It’s been said that it’s difficult to stay angry at someone if you pray for them — and we believe that’s true. Taking a step back and bringing your significant other before God centers the relationship, both in times of turmoil and of peace. When we take the focus off of ourselves and remember that our significant other is valued and loved by God, we begin to see him or her as God does. Prayer produces a healthy attitude toward one another, and it’s an essential part of a thriving relationship. FREE RELATIONSHIP CLASSES We hope these tips inspired you this month to begin healthy patterns in your relationships if you haven’t already. Investing in your relationship will take time, but it’s worth every minute. Did you know we offer FREE relationship classes at both our Kutztown and Hamburg, Pennsylvania offices? We also offer a variety of other classes , too! All of our classes are one-on-one with your own personal coach, catered to your schedule and at no cost to you. We would love to be a free resource for you as you seek to invest in your relationship! Schedule your relationship class today, or give us a call today (Kutztown: 610-683-8000 , Hamburg: 484-660-3526 ). Schedule Your Relationship Class Today #relationshiptips #prayer #qualitytime #valentine #healthyrelationships #relationshiphelp #relationshipclasses #valentinesday #romance #lifeskillsclasses #freerelationshipclasses

Grief is universal, and we have all felt its effects in some way or another. Overwhelming sadness, anger, and regret are just a few emotions we may have when experiencing a loss. Grief affects our physical bodies, our emotions and inner spiritual life in profound ways. The loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, the onset of a sudden illness, a miscarriage and the loss of safety after a trauma are just a few examples of situations that may bring on the pain of grief. Grief is a natural response to loss . It can take on a life of its own, and it’s important to find healthy ways to work through the different stages of grief so we aren’t locked into unhealthy emotional patterns. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, because it’s an individual experience. What we do know is that the grieving process takes time, and healing is gradual. Ignoring your pain won’t make it go away faster. Being “strong” won’t lessen the emotional impact on your health. In fact, it may make your health worse if you can’t acknowledge the pain you are feeling. There are typically 5 stages to the grief process according to psychiatrists: Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.” Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?” Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will _____” Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.” Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what happened.” However, not everyone goes through every stage, and that’s OK. You don’t have to go through every stage to heal. These are responses many people have, but our grieving is as individual as our lives. It’s important to take care of yourself as you grieve. Facing what you are feeling, expressing those feelings, maintaining your hobbies and interests and looking after your physical health are key components to healing from grief. It’s also important to distinguish between grief and depression . Please contact your family doctor for more information on the differences between them and seek the right treatment plan for your overall well-being. CONTACT US If you are experiencing grief for any reason, be kind to yourself and seek out a trusted friend who you can lean on for support, a local grief group to share your sorrow, or a counselor to help you sort through the big emotions you may be feeling. At Life’s Choices, we want to support you in any way we can. Contact us if you need someone to listen, and we’ll provide you with resources to help you on your journey. Contact Us Today Kutztown: 610-683-8000 | Hamburg: 484-660-3526 #fearandanxiety #health #mentalhealth #reduceanxiety #griefcounseling #grievingprocess #coronavirus #grief #anxiety #mentalhealthofchildren #ultrasound #fear #pandemicmentalhealth #covid19

“If you are sexually active, getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.” – Center for Disease Control (CDC) At Life’s Choices, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health , we provide free STD testing, education and treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Although they are not the only two STDs that exist, they are two of the most commonly diagnosed in the United States. The CDC reported in 2017 there were 1.7 millions cases of chlamydia in the United States, which was a 22 percent increase from 2013. That same year, they also reported 555,608 cases of gonorrhea, which was a 67 percent increase from 2013. ARE YOU AT RISK? Here are some helpful reasons to assess if you are at risk of an STD: Symptoms- There are a lot of STDs that do not show symptoms. Chlamydia is known as the “silent disease” because of its lack of symptoms, and gonorrhea often lacks symptoms as well. However, if you are having symptoms, please do not take it lightly! Some symptoms may include bumps, irregular discharge, bleeding, odor, burning, pain, itchiness and a sore throat. New or multiple partners- Some important questions to ask yourself are: Have I had a new partner or multiple new partners? Do I know their sexual history? Do they have other partners besides me? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, you should be getting tested. Having multiple partners or being with a partner that has multiple partners highly increases your risk of getting an STD. You have never been tested before- There are many people that come into our office who have had multiple partners but have never been tested before. Remember, just because you aren’t having symptoms, it doesn’t mean that nothing is going on with your body. The Center for Disease Control recommends if you are sexually active, at the bare minimum you should be getting tested at least once a year OR after every new partner. A partner or previous partner told you to get tested- If you have a partner or a previous partner who is telling you to get tested, please listen to them! This is something that should be taken care of immediately, and you should inform all of your current and previous partners as well. There were no condoms used during sexual intercourse- No, condoms do not 100 percent protect you from STDs. You can even get some STDs from skin to skin contact, such as the “human papillomavirus” commonly known HPV. But condoms do help reduce risk . It is important to know that you can get STDs through all modes of sex (vaginal, oral and anal). You can also transfer the disease from genitals to throat and throat to genitals. At Life’s Choices, we are also able to provide a free throat swab in addition to your vaginal or urine testing. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Knowing your STD status is very important and critical in preventing the spread of disease. If you think you may be infected or at risk, DO NOT have sexual intercourse until you are tested and treated. The CDC states, “the most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (vaginal, oral and anal). For more information on STDs, you can visit the Center for Disease Control’s website . To schedule your testing appointment, call or text our Kutztown office at 610-683-8000 or our Hamburg office at 484-660-3526 . We offer testing during our office hours: Kutztown: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Hamburg: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. We also offer testing in Reading on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Grace Bible Fellowship Church ( 1128 Hampden Blvd., Reading, PA 19604 ). Schedule Your Test #freeSTDtesting #stdtesting #centerfordiseasecontrol #STD #sexuallytransmitteddisease

In the gray days of winter, when the ground is frozen and the sun likes to hide, we stay hopeful because we know that spring is on its way. The anticipation of feeling sunlight on our skin and hearing the sound of birds in the trees gives us the motivation we need to make it through winter’s last weeks. As we anticipate the coming of springtime and sunshine, Life’s Choices is also looking forward to some exciting things this year! Here is what is in store for us in 2023! 1. Group Classes Life’s Choices offers a large number of classes for individuals and couples, but this year we will be organizing different classes for bigger groups of people. While taking a class individually is incredibly helpful, we have found that group classes help to create a sense of community and belonging for our participants. In 2022, we offered a class for young/new fathers to help train them in child safety. The “Dr. Dad” sessions were held at the Journey Cafe community center in Hamburg and were taught by experienced fathers from local churches. We had a great turn-out and we received wonderful feedback from those who took the course. This got our wheels turning and we are currently working on similar courses to offer in the summer of 2023! Keep an eye out for updates and information about these exciting group classes! 2. New Hamburg Location(!) While we absolutely love our Hamburg office, we are quickly outgrowing the space! With our recent new hirings and an influx of client appointments, we have come to the conclusion that we will need a new space very soon! Life’s Choices management is currently on the hunt for potential buildings that could become our new and larger Hamburg center. This process is a reminder of the bittersweetness of growth; we are ecstatic for how Life’s Choices is expanding, but moving our office will definitely not be easy. Please cover this process in prayers as there are many decisions to make and variables to consider. 3. Welcoming and Equipping our New Employees Within the last few months, the Life’s Choices team has gained some new members! We are so excited to work with them this year. Each of our new hires are bringing new skill-sets and new vision to this ministry. We are SO looking forward to how they will help make Life’s Choices even stronger. Our new Nurse Manager, Sonya, tells us what she is looking forward to this year as she settles into her position: “Since I am new to Life’s Choices, I am looking forward to getting more acquainted and established in my role as nurse manager. And I am also looking forward to completing my STD training as well as beginning an ultrasound training. This training will enable me to be a back-up for our current ultrasound tech after I complete my 50-75 hours of supervised ultrasounds. This was something I had considered doing for another center a couple years ago, but the timing wasn’t right. Now it seems to be, and I am excited and looking forward to completing this training in 2023!” Her enthusiasm and her desire for preparedness is something that we have seen in all of our new employees, which is both refreshing and motivating! 4. Life’s Choices Fundraising Events! It is no surprise that we are looking forward to our big events in 2023. Each year, our Spring Chicken 5k, our Baby Bottle Fundraiser, and our Life’s Choices Banquet become even more fun and impactful than the last year. Our team is already in full preparation-mode for these events, thinking up new ways to improve and revitalize them! Since Life’s Choices is 100% non-profit, we are completely funded by the donations of generous individuals and organizations. These larger events help collect the lion’s share of our donations, as well as give us the opportunity to recognize and thank those who give to our ministry. If you are also excited for these events, make sure you stay connected with our social media so that you can get all of the updates and information you need! 5. Continued Training for our Staff Katie Bailey, our Director of Client Services at our Kutztown office, is looking forward to a group trip coming up in 2023. She and some of our other staff will be taking a trip to Nebraska for training that is specifically designed for those who run/operate pregnancy centers. This course will help our staff to become more prepared to professionally and compassionately interact with clients who are facing a crisis pregnancy. Our staff takes pride in staying up-to-date with the latest facts and resources available, so that we can serve our clients in the best way possible. Our education staff will also be working hard to strengthen their knowledge and delivery of the helpful classes we teach. As statistics change and new research is released, we are constantly making sure that our information is trustworthy, and our lessons are relevant. These are just a few of the many things that God has in store for this ministry in 2023! We are faithful that He will direct our steps and provide for us as we go forward this year. There is no doubt that 2023 will have struggles as well as blessings, but we hold this verse in our hearts as we gaze into the future of Life’s Choices: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

According to the CDC , by the age of 25, one in every two Americans will have contracted a STI/STD. The most recent data shows 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis alone in 2021. With cases so high in number, you may be wondering if you may be at risk for contracting an STI/STD. The answer is simple: if you are sexually active, yes, you are at risk. So, what exactly are STI/STDs, how can you reduce your chance of contracting one, and where can you get tested? What steps will you need to take should you happen to test positive for an STI/STD? First, let’s clarify the terminology. You may have noticed that there are two different abbreviations being used: STI (“sexually transmitted infection”) and STD (“sexually transmitted disease”). These two abbreviations are often used interchangeably. WHAT IS AN STI? An STI is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that is spread through sexual contact including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. These viruses can also be spread from a mother to her unborn child, especially during childbirth. This is called congenital transmission. There are many different forms of STIs, however, only four are curable; they are: gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and syphilis. If you do test positive for one of these infections, it is very important to follow the treatment plan completely to prevent reinfection. The treatment will include an anti-infectant that should be taken as directed by your medical provider. Both you and you partner must be treated. You will both need to abstain from all sexual contact until cleared by a medical provider. Please understand how important this step is. It is common for a patient to be reinfected because he/she resumed sexual relations before both partners had been cured. There are also other STIs that have lifelong consequences. Although the symptoms of some of these types of STIs can be controlled with antivirals, there is no cure. The top four uncurable viruses are hepatitis B, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV, and human Papilloma virus (HPV). The curable and incurable STIs mentioned here have the highest infection rates. However, please note that they are not the only STIs. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT AN STI? The only way to be 100% risk-free is to refrain from having sex, or to be in a committed, monogamous relationship where both partners are free of infection. Condom use is a way to minimize contracting an STI, but it is not 100% effective. Condom use is not effective against minimizing the spread of HSV and HPV. The virus that causes these two STIs lives on and is transmitted through skin contact. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN STI? It is possible to have an STI without experiencing any symptoms (or at least not right away). Viral infections can lay dormant for years and not everyone will show external signs of infection from gonorrhea and chlamydia. This is a large reason why these infections are so frequently unknowingly spread and one of the most important reasons to be tested for STIs. However, here are a few of the symptoms to look for: The curable STIs can potentially cause malodorous and/or discolored discharge from the vagina or male urethra. This discharge can also be seen in the urine and can be accompanied by painful urination. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can be accompanied by pain directly under right rib cage; sometimes, a yellowing of the skin and sclera (the white part of the eye) known as jaundice can be seen. With HSV, open painful sores can sometimes be present. HPV can cause warts and, in some cases, can be known for causing cervical, mouth, or throat cancer . Again, remember that STIs can remain dormant for years, so just because you haven’t seen any symptoms yet doesn’t mean you have not contracted an STI. IF YOU AREN’T SURE, GET TESTED Before starting a sexual relationship with any partner, both you and the potential partner should be tested for STIs. Protecting your health and wellbeing are very important. If you have any concerns or questions about STIs, please contact Life’s Choices. We provide free tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia along with treatment if you should test positive. In addition, we offer free sexual health education and information. All of our services are provided in a safe and respectful environment. All of our services, including STD/STI testing and treatment, are free and confidential at Life’s Choices. Life Choice’s is here to empower you to make healthy relationship choices through free resources, education, and mentorship. You are worth it. You are important. Most of all, you are loved! Contact Life’s Choices today. Contact Us #symptomsofanstd #STItesting #stdtesting #whatisansti #preventanstd #sexualhealth #symptomsofansti #preventansti #hamburgpennsylvania #whatisanstd #kutztownpennsylvania #sexualriskavoidance #berkscounty #healthyrelationships #kutztown

It might seem counter-intuitive to schedule an ultrasound before an abortion. However, there are several reasons why this is advised. Here are five reasons we recommend scheduling an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill (also known as a medical abortion). 1. CONFIRMS IF YOU ARE, IN FACT, PREGNANT A home pregnancy test is accurate but not perfect. It is possible to have false positive or false negative results. An ultrasound will confirm the pregnancy which is then sent to a physician for diagnosis and review. 2. DETERMINES GESTATIONAL AGE During an ultrasound a technician will measure the growth of the embryo to determine how many weeks pregnant you are. In most states, the abortion pill is legal to use only until 10 or 11 weeks after the first day of your last period. 3. VERIFIES A VIABLE PREGNANCY A viable pregnancy is one that will be able to grow and result in a live birth. An ultrasound will confirm a viable, uterine pregnancy by detecting a heartbeat and ensuring that the embryo has implanted in the uterus. 4. ENSURES THAT THE PREGNANCY IS NOT ECTOPIC An ectopic pregnancy is one where the embryo is implanted somewhere other than the uterus. This could be a dangerous situation because the abortion pill will not cause an ectopic pregnancy to abort. The ectopic pregnancy could rupture, causing serious bleeding and infection and can be a life-threatening situation. 5. IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL FOR NATURAL MISCARRIAGE If a miscarriage occurs naturally there is no need to take the risks involved with a medical abortion. An ultrasound can determine that miscarriage is likely to happen if there is no heartbeat or if the pregnancy has not progressed as expected. SCHEDULE A FREE ULTRASOUND Life’s Choices offers a limited OB ultrasound free of charge. Ultrasounds are performed by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) and are read by a physician with expertise in obstetrics and gynecology. If you are considering a medical abortion (abortion pill), we will be happy to provide you with a pre-termination screening including a free pregnancy test, ultrasound and screening for sexually transmitted infection. Additionally, our trained staff are here to listen to your concerns and provide you with accurate information about all your options. Abortion is a decision that should not be made without considering all the implications. An ultrasound is an important step to ensure you do not take unnecessary risks with your health and to allow you to make an informed pregnancy decision. Take a look at our previous blogs for more information: What is the Abortion Pill: What You Need to Know Reproductive Health Screening Prior to Abortion To learn more, please contact Life’s Choices today – no pressure, no judgment and full confidentiality. All our services are free. Contact Us Disclaimer: Life’s Choices is not an abortion clinic. Life’s Choices does not benefit financially from your pregnancy decision. Life’s Choices does not provide prenatal medical care, birth control, emergency contraception or abortions. We do not refer for emergency contraception or abortions. #ectopicpregnancy #abortioninformation #abortionpill #pennsylvania #hamburg #freeultrasounds #confirmationultrasound #medicalabortion #freeultrasound #womenshealth #berkscounty #abortion #abortionpills #freeresources #kutztown #ultrasounds #pregnancy

Life’s Choices is all about women’s health! Sadly, many other health resources that profit from abortion services neglect to do their duty to women and withhold valuable information about the abortion pill. In order to respect your right to know what the abortion pill is and what it can do, here are 8 facts about the abortion pill that every woman should know. We love to see strong and capable females making the best choices for their lives. A big part of choosing the best for yourself is having all of the information you need to make a healthy decision. This is especially true if a woman is considering an abortion. One of the most common abortion procedures is something known as a medical abortion. This is also known as the abortion pill.  Abortion Pill? Abortion Pills is More Accurate A medication abortion is a two-step process that involves two different drugs. The first step requires the oral ingestion of Mifeprex, which blocks progesterone, interrupting pregnancy development prompting detachment of implanted embryo. 24-48 hours after taking Mifeprex, the second drug, Misoprostol, is taken. Misoprostol induces contractions to empty the uterus. If these drugs are taken, a follow-up appointment at a healthcare center should be done to ensure the abortion is complete. 2. 10-Week Time Limit This method of abortion is only for women who are within 10 weeks pregnant, about 70 days since their last menstrual period. Women with later-term pregnancies are seriously warned against the abortion pill, as it can cause complications. The abortion pill will not work as intended and could lead to dangerous health situations if taken too late. It is important to know how far along you are before committing to a medication abortion. An ultrasound will be able to give you a reliable age of the pregnancy (something we offer to women at no-cost!). Contact us today by calling/texting this number: 610-683.8000 3. Online Rx: Fast, But Not Always Reliable Abortion medication like Mifeprex can be purchased over the internet, but it may not be the same that is offered at a medical office. Do not buy Mifeprex over the internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health. Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Drugs purchased from foreign internet sources are not the FDA approved version and are not subject to FDA manufacturing controls or quality inspections. 4. The Pill’s Track Record is Far From Perfect There is an 8-10% failure of abortion pills, requiring a surgical abortion to complete the termination. This means that as many as 1 in 10 medication abortions becoming a multi-step health process, costing the patient more money and putting her at serious health risk. This failure of the abortion pill can be especially scary for someone who has bought the medication from a web source. They do not have a medical professional set up specifically to help with this sort of care, so a completely new appointment will have to be made. In addition, there will be no way for medical professionals to ascertain what exactly was in the pills taken. 5. It is FDA-Approved…Kind Of The FDA has approved Mifeprex for use only up to 70 days from LMP (last menstrual period). Deviations from the approved regimen increase the risk of harmful complications. Mifeprex is not proven to be as effective after 10 weeks since your LMP. Women with abnormal cycles are especially warned to be careful about Mifeprex. *This FDA-approval is not ensured if you order abortion pills over the internet; it is incredibly difficult to know if mail-order drugs from foreign websites are safe. 6. Fetus Development at 10 Weeks May Be More Than You Think Not much is happening in those first 10 weeks right? Maybe think again. That fetus is definitely growing. Many women aren’t aware that these changes are happening very early on in the pregnancy: Heart begins to beat Brain, spinal cord, and nerves develop Face takes shape with eyes, nose, ears, and upper lip All limbs form with bones along with fingers and toes Internal reproductive organs are forming Brain connections are forming Movement begins 7. Mifeprex and Misoprostol ≠ Tylenol The abortion pill is sometimes advertised to be as simple and safe as Tylenol, or some other over-the-counter drug. Unfortunately, many women can attest that this is not the case. Hemorrhaging (failure to stop bleeding), cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, infection are a few side effects associated with a medication abortion. The abortion pill is not advised for women with anemia, bleeding disorders, liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder, acute inflammatory bowel disease, who have an IUD, or are unable to return to a healthcare facility for a follow-up visit. 8. Side Effects of the Abortion Pill: Not Just Physical An abortion is a physical procedure which can have some physical side effects, but many women have reported mental and emotional side effects after having an abortion. Here at Life’s Choices, we have no desire to put unnecessary pressure or negativity into your situation. But as a woman, you deserve to know all of the possibilities of an abortion. Women who undergo the experience of an abortion, no matter which method, tend to experience some of these general side effects: Feelings of Sadness or Loss: 55.8% Fears concerning future pregnancies: 36.9% Nightmares: 30% Withdrawal from family and friends: 30% Increase in alcohol or drug use: 26.7% Difficulty controlling anger: 24% Relationship ended with partner: 19.8% We encourage women to continue their research and dig deeper into what the abortion pill really entails. In our experience (and we have a lot of it), abortion is never as easy or simple as providers claim it to be. These 8 facts about the abortion pill are trustworthy and research-based. Women, you deserve so much more than glossed-over information or hidden facts. You deserve honesty, and you deserve optimal health. We are a reliable source of information and do not profit from your decision. To learn more or to talk to someone who cares, call or text Life’s Choices! We’d be happy to offer you reliable resources, pregnancy information, and no-cost health services! Kutztown Office Phone Number: 610.683.8000 (call or text anytime) These 8 facts about the abortion pill are all backed by research from reliable scientific sources: Glover V Fisk, NM “Fetal pain: Implication for Research and Practice” Rue, Coleman, Rue, and Reardon “Induced Abortion and Traumatic Stress” https://medscimonit.com/download/index/idArt/11784 Babbel “Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) – Does It Exist?” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/ blog/somatic-psychology/201010/post-abortion-stress-syndromed-pass-does-it-exist Anderson “Abortion and the Risk of Breast Cancer: Information for the Adolescent Woman and Her Parents” https://acpeds.org/position-statements/reproductive-choices-of-young-women-affecting-future-breast-cancer-risk https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmaket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-baby/fetal-development-week-by-week_10406730 #abortioninformation #womenshealth #berkscounty #abortion #kutztown

We get it, relationships are a lot. They’re a lot to handle, a lot to think about, and they take a lot of work! Among other issues, Life’s Choices is extremely committed to helping people create and strengthen healthy relationships with the people around them.  Building and cultivating healthy relationships will not only affect individual lives, but can also bring positive effects to entire communities! Humans are designed to be in relationship with each other, romantically, as friends, as families etc. Despite this fact, relationship health is one of the greatest needs in our world today. We are here to help you navigate the world of relationships and to be a resource for building health into your life. Here are 3 ways that Life’s Choices is here to help you have healthy relationships (for free)! #1 Relationship Mentoring One of the lesser-known services that Life’s Choices offers is our relationship mentoring. We would absolutely love to sit down and talk with you about the relationships in your life. Sometimes, you may just need someone to listen to your story and offer some insight. Our staff will encourage you, pray for you, and point you in the direction of some awesome resources!  Life’s Choices sponsors a healthy-relationship education program for students throughout the school year. We have all sorts of lessons and materials from that program which can inspire some great conversations. No matter what your situation is, you are welcome in our office for a talk. We can be your advocate, promoting health, truth, and safety for your relationships! Text us today with questions, or to set up a time to chat with us! Text 484.660.3526 for a Hamburg representative and 610.683.8000 for a Kutztown representative!\ #2 STI Testing, Treatment, and Information When it comes to romantic relationships, we understand the need for sexual health and safety. Both of our offices offer free testing and treatment for our nation’s 2 most common STIs. We also can give you information regarding further testing and treatment at other healthcare facilities.  Not every romantic relationship has to deal with this concern, but if you and your partner are sexually active, it is strongly recommended that you both are tested regularly. All of our services are free and confidential. We have trained medical professionals who will help you and offer education about how you can make healthy sexual decisions. You can be assured that when a client comes to our office for a test/result, they are always treated with absolute respect, care, and professionalism. It is our goal to inform, protect, and care for everyone who receives services from Life’s Choices! If you do not need a test, but you are interested in learning about STI prevention and how to stay sexually healthy, our office is open to you! Come for a visit and get some free materials and information that could be very helpful in maintaining your health! STI Testing Information #3 Parenting and Family Classes Parents, we see you! Working on relationships does not stop when kids enter the mix! Having a child (or children) can be one of the most rewarding experiences as a couple. But we know that not every step of the way will be easy. Kids can bring parents closer together, but sometimes the stress that comes with parenting can put some extra strain on a mother-father relationship. Our parenting classes are designed to relieve some of the stress and negative emotions that can spring up with parenting or a new pregnancy. We have so many class options that can be taken together or individually as parents. Our classes include tips for bonding with your children, how to parent as a team, ways to keep calm in your life, and so many other great topics! Spending some time learning how to parent well can not only affect your relationship with your child/children, it can also strengthen the respect and bond between you and your spouse/co-parent. Prioritize the relationships in your home and consider taking a parenting/family health class with us! We know relationships are a lot to handle, but that is why we’re here! Healthy relationships are our thing! Not everything is easy, but oftentimes the things that you work hard for can offer the best rewards. Let Life’s Choices be your first step when it comes to relationship help! “The giving of love is an education in itself.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Here you are, staring at the pregnancy test in your hand, and two pink lines are staring back at you. Anxiety, fear, and panic wash over you, and the world halts to a standstill. The thought of being pregnant and unprepared overwhelms you. You are left thinking, What should you do next? So you grab your phone and start researching the internet for solutions. You remember seeing a post on TikTok regarding the abortion pill regimen and begin pondering the possibility of ordering them online. You may think, “No one needs to know; honestly, it is none of their business. It feels like the easy fix to make this disappear without anyone else’s involvement.” Rushing a major medical decision or taking abortion pills without medical guidance could be dangerous and put your health at risk. Contact LC Medical in Kutztown, PA, to make a cost-free consultation . We’ll give you the answers you need and provide medical resources and services focused on your health and well-being.  The Abortion Pill Isn’t for Everyone Most often, when we think about the abortion pill , we think of it as an innovative, revolutionary solution. You start to think about the abortion pill, and you imagine it’s a one-size-fits-all option. But then you find out that it’s not.  The abortion pill is only FDA-approved if you are early in your pregnancy. If you track your cycle or have checked a due date calculator, this can estimate how far along you are; however, it cannot verify your pregnancy. An ultrasound is the only accurate way to date a pregnancy because dates can be off. Sometimes, women ovulate early in the month, or women think they had their period, but what they experienced was implantation bleeding during pregnancy instead.  If you have confirmed you are past 10 weeks, taking abortion pills can cause serious complications.  After doing a quick online search, you will find out that certain medical conditions could deem you ineligible for the abortion pill altogether. For instance, if you have an IUD in place, you need to get it removed before you take the medication. And if your pregnancy is outside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy , this medication won’t work at all. An ectopic pregnancy could leave you vulnerable and in a life-threatening situation that requires immediate care. The FDA’s own label admits that 1 in 25 women will visit the ER after the use of abortion pills, but the EPPC ’s latest and largest study reveals that the adverse event rate is 22 times higher than the FDA-approved drug label reports. Blood clotting disorders, adrenal issues, or even certain medications you take regularly could also complicate things. It is essential to realize how many factors there are to keep in mind when considering taking the abortion pill regimen.  8 Possible Side Effects You Should Know LC Medical believes in informed decisions. If you meet the qualifications for the abortion pill, there are still a few things all women should pause and consider. Most people are aware of the common side effects, but women can also experience: Contractions   – Your body can undergo contractions to expel the fetus. Menorrhagia   – Heavy or severe bleeding during the abortion process . Vomiting  – Some individuals may experience vomiting after taking the drug. However, if you experience ongoing vomiting or nausea, contact your doctor.  Menometrorrhagia   – Ongoing abnormal uterine bleeding and/or periods that last longer than normal. Some women report ongoing bleeding for months after taking abortion pills. Long-term Headaches, Fever, or Migraines   – Headaches have been reported by some individuals undergoing medical abortion.  Pelvic Infection   or Uterine Damage – Some women experience long-term pelvic pain or are diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility, pain during intercourse, and a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy in the future.  Having a sexually transmitted infection at the time of an abortion can increase this risk.  Sepsis   – This is a severe infection that can occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream. In the context of medication abortion, sepsis can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.  Blood Clots  –   Passing blood clots is a standard part of the abortion process. Large clots may form in the uterus, leading to complications. If you pass clots more significant than a lemon for more than two hours or experience heavy bleeding that soaks through more than two maxi pads per hour for two consecutive hours, contact your healthcare provider immediately, as this could be a life-threatening condition. You can find the complete list of drug reactions here . Without the correct medical supervision, these complications can get serious.  It is also crucial to your overall health and well-being to have a follow-up with a medical professional two weeks after taking the pill, as well as the need to be monitored to make sure everything goes as planned, because if the situation arises, you can seek the immediate care you deserve. What Should You Do Now? It’s easy to see that making this decision alone and without medical guidance is dangerous. Take your time, step back, breathe, and seek the help you deserve. You can schedule an appointment  online with our medical team to confirm how far along you are through ultrasound , discuss your options , ask questions, and better understand potential risks more thoroughly.  You want to be sure that your choices are right for your health and future. We Are Your Next Best Step In moments of uncertainty, knowledge is power. You don't have to face this alone. LC Medical in Kutztown, PA,  offers the services, support, and resources to make informed decisions about your pregnancy and health. Whether you need to confirm your pregnancy, explore your options, or find support and local resources, we are your best first step.  Book an appointment today! Citations: U.S. Food and Drug Administration .  (n.d.). Questions and answers on mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation.  Retrieved [2025], from   https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation https://www.drugs.com/comments/misoprostol/sfx-vomiting.html   Medication abortion up to 70 days of gestation. (2020b). Obstetrics and Gynecology, 136(4), e31–e47.  Flanders, N. (2022). Five abortion pill dangers every woman should know. Live Action News. https://www.liveaction.org/news/abortion-pill-dangers-women/   Mifepristone (Mifeprex): MedlinePlus drug information. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html

A positive pregnancy test indicates the strong possibility that you are pregnant, but that’s about where its helpfulness ends. Once those two red lines appear on the test, your next step will be to schedule an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy.  Why is this so important? Because no matter what pregnancy option you are considering,  an ultrasound will provide necessary information that can protect your health. Here are a few pregnancy questions that an ultrasound can answer for you! Am I Actually Pregnant? At-home pregnancy tests are usually quite accurate and can be trusted for accurate results. But through user-error or some other malfunction, there are rare occurrences of inaccurate results showing up on your pregnancy test¹.  We recommend a confirmation ultrasound after you’ve tested positive for a pregnancy. This will alleviate any uncertainty so that you can confidently take your next steps. How Far Along Am I? While a pregnancy test can usually tell you if you’re pregnant, it gives absolutely no information about the gestational age of your pregnancy. You might be able to make an educated guess, based on the date of your LMP (last menstrual period), but the only way to be certain of this is through an ultrasound. A confirmation ultrasound can let you know exactly how far along the pregnancy is, which is exceptionally helpful in determining your pregnancy options. If you are considering an abortion, knowing how far along you are will let you know what options are available. Some abortion methods are only applicable to pregnancies within a certain timeframe, such as the abortion pill , which is only effective up to 10 weeks. It is extremely dangerous to undergo any type of abortion procedure before knowing how far along you are in your pregnancy.  Is This Pregnancy Viable? A viable pregnancy will be implanted in your uterus and developing normally. Unfortunately, a pregnancy test will not let you know if this is the case. Screening for a potential ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage are two very helpful functions of a confirmation ultrasound.  An ectopic pregnancy is yet another rare occurrence; however, it is important to be aware of, as it is an extremely dangerous condition for a woman. Ectopic pregnancies are non-viable, meaning they will not develop properly and will end in miscarriage. They occur when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, such as the fallopian tube. This can cause dangerous health complications for a woman and must be treated as soon as possible². Early miscarriage is also detectable through a confirmation ultrasound. Miscarriage quite a common occurrence with varying causes. Most pregnancies that end in miscarriage end in the first trimester, meaning within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy³. After a positive pregnancy test, an ultrasound will be able to determine the health and progress of your pregnancy. Protect your health and get your questions answered through a confirmation ultrasound.  Have a Positive Pregnancy Test? If you have recently had a positive pregnancy test, your next step is a confirmation ultrasound. You can schedule one at no-cost at our community health clinic. LC Medical has been providing quality resources and services to women for over 38 years. Contact us today for more information! Resources: False-Positive Pregnancy Test: 7 Possible Causes https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/false-positive-pregnancy-test#chemical Ectopic pregnancy - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic Miscarriage Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment