Angela, Author at ACPC Women's Clinic

Fertility Education, Periods, Q & A, What are my Chances of Getting Pregnant?

Q & A – Understanding Ovulation

October 3, 2018

What Is Ovulation?

Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and is made available to be fertilized. Approximately every month an egg will mature within one of your ovaries. As it reaches maturity, the egg is released by the ovary where it enters the fallopian tube to make its way towards waiting for sperm and the uterus.

The lining of the uterus has thickened to prepare for the fertilized egg. If no conception occurs, the uterine lining, as well as blood, will be shed. The shedding of an unfertilized egg and the uterine wall is the time of menstruation. read more

For Family, Teen Pregnancy

Parents of Pregnant Teens #6 – If She Wants to Parent, What is My Role?

Angela

August 8, 2018

Your role is whatever your daughter needs from you and whatever you are comfortable with. These are things you and your daughter will want to talk over before the baby arrives. Ideally, she should initiate these conversations, but if she doesn’t, here are some questions you can ask:

What is your plan for childcare when you go back to work after the birth?
How do you plan to juggle school and childcare?
What is the baby’s father going to contribute to childcare?
How are you going to provide for the baby? Are there expenses you’re not sure if you can cover?
What do you expect from me/us (as your parents)?
What is your plan for childcare when you want to go hang out with friends/do something social?
Do you plan to move out and get your own place or stay at home? (If that is an option.)

Now, there are many more questions that are going to come up, but if you clear some of the things above up with her before the due date, you are less likely to come to misunderstandings after the birth. To not make it sound like an interrogation, try to space these questions out. read more

For Family

Parents of Pregnant Teens #5 – Resources I Can Guide My Daughter To

Angela

August 8, 2018

Below are other resources that she may need to support her pregnancy, her choices for her pregnancy, and parenting resources if she decides to parent.

Medical Insurance:

Medicaid for pregnancy – contact your state chapter by clicking here to see if your daughter qualifies.
Healthcare.gov – if she is not on your insurance, does not qualify for Medicaid, and is 18+ years, she can find subsidized insurance here – call 1-800-318-2596 or apply online here.
Locally, the best place to contact for questions regarding Medicaid eligibility is Pueblo Step Up. Pueblo Step Up will expedite the Medicaid application process and help your daughter get back-dated coverage if she qualifies.

Adoption resources:

National Council for Adoption – general information on adoption, more on infant adoption specifically, and an adoption agency search.
American Adoptions – information on choosing adoption for the baby or you can call 1-800-236-7846 for more information (open 24/7).
ACPC also has several staff who are trained as Certified Adoption Specialist, so we can provide referrals to our trusted adoption affiliates so that you know your daughter is working with a safe adoption organization. Learn more about how we can help connect your daughter with adoption resources here.

Food assistance:

Food Stamps – this is a federal program to help low-income families keep healthy food on the table. Find out more and see if your daughter qualifies here.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – this is a federal program for pregnant women and children up to age 5 to help provide access to healthier food choices to support good nutrition during pregnancy and in early childhood. Find out more and see if your daughter qualifies here.
Food Banks – search for your local food bank here.

Childcare assistance:

Office of Child Care (of the Administration for Children and Families) – information on help to pay for child care and state agencies that you can contact for assistance.
Child Care Aware – information on state child care assistance as well as other ways to help if you don’t qualify.

Housing assistance:

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) – housing counseling, help to find rent assistance or Section 8 housing, and more. Call 1-800-225-5342 or visit their website.
Maternity Homes – use a Google search for “maternity homes near me” or “[my city, state] maternity home” to find a local, caring place for your daughter to move through her pregnancy in case the home environment is not safe or for personal reasons. If you cannot find one or want help locating one, give our toll-free & confidential helpline a call at 1-800-672-2296.

Schools for pregnant teens:

Your daughter’s current school should have information about whether or not continuing school there is possible during pregnancy, or if there is a school nearby specifically for pregnant teens.
Many larger cities now have “pregnancy schools,” so do an online search to find one near you.

GED Programs:

Many community colleges or city programs offer free or low-cost GED programs. Call your local schools and organizations to find out locations.
There are many free online GED programs and review classes that your teen could take advantage of. Do a Google search or talk to your local high school to find a trusted and accredited program.

Parenting classes/material assistance/support groups:

What is a huge expense for parents? DIAPERS. Find diaper banks here. Local churches (and sometimes food banks) are able to provide some diapers for women in need.
Your daughter and the father of the baby can earn diapers on a weekly basis when they participate in ACPC Life Services. Call or text 719.544.9312 to sign up.

Need to talk? We can help mediate a conversation or just answer any questions you have.

Call or text us at 719.544.9312

We have also put together some helpful information and resources right here on our blog that may be of some help to you during this process:

How to Talk to the Baby’s Father – For Parents with a Pregnant Teen

Helping Her Make a Decision for the Pregnancy – For Parents with a Pregnant Teen

Challenges of Being a Parent of a Teen Mom – For Parents with a Pregnant Teen read more

For Family

Parents of Pregnant Teens #4 -Challenges Of Being The Parent Of A Teen Mom

Angela

August 8, 2018

What you’re about to go through for the next 9 months plus is not going to be easy, but with good communication, you and your daughter will find a way to make things work. Listed below are some of the most common tension points that typically come between a parent and a pregnant teenager, as well as ideas on how to minimize the tension.

Finances

This seems to be one of the most common arguments among pregnant teenagers and their parents – who is paying for what? That is exactly why we suggest sorting it all out at the beginning of the pregnancy. Think about each aspect, write it out and come to an agreement, and sign it. That way, if a disagreement ever does come up, you can refer back to the “contract” and settle it then and there. Here are some topics you might want to cover in a discussion: read more

For Family, Teen Pregnancy

Parents of Pregnant Teens #3 – Helping Your Teenager Make a Decision for her Pregnancy

Angela

August 8, 2018

If you just found out that your teen daughter is pregnant, ultimately, the decision of what do with the pregnancy is in your daughter’s hands. This may be hard to swallow.

After 14+ years of raising her, you probably know her pretty well (though she might deny it). This means that you will be able to help her sort through her options while knowing a little better than a counselor about her hopes, dreams, morals, and desires.

How does she feel about being a teen mom? Adoption? Abortion? Hear her out, and of course, you can insert your opinion too and explain your reasoning. You might help her realize things she hadn’t even considered. But make sure you really hear her out before you give her any input. read more

For Family

Parents of Pregnant Teens #2 – How to Talk to the Baby’s Father

Angela

August 8, 2018

If you just found out that your teen daughter is pregnant, you might be tempted to think it is mostly the boyfriend’s fault, and in some cases, you’d be correct. But in many cases, the sex that led to the pregnancy is consensual. The most important thing to do before making any suggestions or comments about how you feel about the situation is to take time to really listen to what both he and your daughter says about the situation, making sure to get her thoughts on what happened before you talk to him. read more

For Family

My Teenage Daughter is Pregnant – Parents of Pregnant Teens #1

Angela

August 8, 2018

Whether you have a suspicion that your teenage daughter could be pregnant or she just broke the news to you, your head is probably spinning with a million different thoughts and emotions. How could this happen? What do we do now? Who is the father? What will other people think?

This is to be expected, precisely because you were NOT expecting this. You might be angry, disappointed, and/or scared. Scratch that – you are definitely angry! If you’re her father, you are probably one second away from speeding down the street to have a “chat” with your daughter’s boyfriend. If you’re her mother, you may be thinking, how in the world is my daughter going to handle a pregnancy?! Or, you are wishing you had just one more of those “birds and the bees” chats. read more

ACPC Mobile Clinic

Visit ACPC Mobile Clinic at the Colorado State Fair

Angela

July 11, 2018

We are looking forward to hanging out at The Colorado State Fair August 24th – September 3rd! ACPC Mobile Clinic will be providing services at limited times for anyone in need of a pregnancy test and/or pregnancy options counseling, referrals and more.

Find us on your way to the carnival rides from the Prairie entrance, by the Sheep, Swine and Goats building (just past the Livestock Pavilion). Here’s a map if you are having trouble finding us.

As always, all services are confidential and free of charge. If you have questions or need to talk to someone, give us a call or text us at 719.544.9312. read more

For Guys

Life with a Pregnant Girlfriend

Angela

June 27, 2018

Whether you choose adoption or parenting, these 9 months are going to bring a lot of changes. Your relationship may be tested, but remember that it is a complex and beautiful process going on inside your girlfriend’s belly!

This might mean passing on a blessing to another family or bringing home a little bundle of joy. Hang on to that end goal, and don’t forget that your girlfriend is giving a lot of her body to make this happen.

Have fun with each other – take her on dates, make sure that bump on her belly hasn’t changed how you feel about her (unless it has for the better!). A lot of your world right now might revolve around the pregnancy and preparation, but don’t forget that your girlfriend is still there and needs love and support, too. read more

For Guys

Talking to Her Parents (and yours) After a Positive Pregnancy Test

Angela

June 27, 2018

We’re not going to lie to you, breaking the news that your girlfriend is pregnant is not going to be easy, especially if you’re still living with your parents and/or are financially dependent on them. Come up with some type of plan before you tell them.

Have you both reached a decision on the pregnancy? There are more questions to ask yourself and plans to set in place after you choose which way you will go.

Parenting

Here are some of the many questions to consider:

Where will you live? Will you live together?
What will your relationship look like: do you plan to get married? end the romantic relationship but both parent?
How will you pay bills?
What insurance will she be on for the pregnancy?
Will you both have jobs/how will you provide?
What would childcare look like?
Would you both finish/continue your education?

Adoption

Here are some questions to ask yourselves: read more

For Guys

My Girlfriend is Pregnant

Angela

June 27, 2018

Finding out that your girlfriend is pregnant when it was not planned can be shocking, to say the least. She’s young, you’re young, and neither of you planned on having a baby this early in life. Perhaps you haven’t even been dating for that long. But now, there’s a lot more to consider.

As the news sinks in, there are three main things you will want to consider: what decision you and she will make for the pregnancy & developing baby (parenting, adoption, abortion), your relationship with your girlfriend and your future. read more

Abortion Reversal

FAQ – Abortion Pill Reversal

Angela

April 18, 2018

Here are some common questions we get asked about Abortion Pill Reversal:

Is it too late to reverse the abortion pill?

Our goal is to start the reversal treatment within the first 24 hours of taking the abortion pill, mifepristone, also known as RU-486. However, we have had many successful reversals when treatment was started within 72 hours of taking the abortion pill.

Even if 72 hours have passed, call or text us at 719.544.9312 or after hours call (800)719.HELP. We are here to help. It may not be too late.

The abortion clinic said I have to complete the abortion; is that true? read more

Workshops

The Diamond Standard Workshop

Angela

April 11, 2018

Guess what? We still have a few spots available for our next Diamond Standard workshop rotation!

The Diamond Standard is a 10-week fun, interactive, success building workshop that is sure to be a life-changing experience! You will discover the keys to whole person health and a promising future. You will:

-Gain powerful information, skills and resources to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses

-Learn how to work with your strengths and weaknesses to showcase your best qualities at home, at work and in all areas of your life

-Earn up to $100 in WalMart gift cards ($5 per class, $50 for completion and additional for bringing friends, being a star performer, etc.)! read more

Abortion Information, Common Questions, Morning After Pill

The Abortion Pill

Angela

February 7, 2018

RU-486 (The “Abortion Pill”)

The so-called “abortion pill” is actually a combination therapy consisting of two medications.

The first medication, called mifepristone, is a pill you take at the abortion clinic. This medication blocks the essential reproductive hormone, progesterone, initiating endometrial erosion. This means the growing placenta and fetus are broken away from the lining of your uterus depriving your baby of the oxygen and nutrients he or she needs to survive.

The second medication, called misoprostol, is taken 1 to 2 days after mifepristone and causes the dilation of your cervix and induces contractions, cramping and heavy bleeding as your baby is expelled from your uterus. Most women abort within 4 to 5 hours of taking misoprostol, but severe bleeding and cramping can continue for several weeks. You may see large blood clots and fetal tissue/parts discharged from your vagina as the abortion takes place.

As with many new drugs, once they are marketed and used in thousands or even millions of individuals it is more likely that rare adverse effects or major complications can occur. Some of these adverse effects range in severity from minor to life threatening. In 2016, the FDA reported that there had been reports of a women who suffered from infection, heart attacks, and death.

As with all approved drugs, when the FDA receives new information regarding adverse events, the agency reviews the new information and, as appropriate, provides updates to doctors and their patients so that they have information on how to use the drug safely. read more

For Guys, Relationships, Safe Sex

7 Myths About Condom Effectiveness

Angela

January 12, 2018

With Valentine’s Day approaching and many organizations, businesses, and commercials talking about Love, we wanted to clear a up a few myths. We feel it is important to get all the information possible before making a decision about becoming sexually active or engaging sexually with a new or untested partner. So how do you protect yourself and what information should you consider?

There are lots of options out there for contraception with the most readily available being condoms. You may have been given information about condoms or even been provided with condoms for free at school or at your doctor’s office. read more

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