Preterm Services
Preterm provides procedural and medication abortion care, as well as a wide range of sexual health services
Abortion Services
Abortion Procedure
Preterm provides procedural abortion care up to 21 weeks and six days of gestation. We offer a full spectrum of pain management options, and every appointment includes routine lab work and antibiotics, an ultrasound, a birth control prescription or sample, and a conversation with a Patient Advocate to answer questions, share information, and explore your options.
Medication Abortion
Preterm provides medication abortion (sometimes called the “abortion pill”) up to 10 weeks and six days gestation. We use a combination of 2 drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone causes changes in the lining of the uterus. Misoprostol then causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
Miscarriage Management
Miscarriage management is the same process as an elective abortion, and you can choose between a procedural or medication abortion. It is important to receive these services because you are at risk for infection if any pregnancy tissue remains inside your body.
Additional Services
Sexual Health Services
Our sexual health services include testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gynecologic wellness visits, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, Pap tests, pelvic exams, and breast/chest exams. Each appointment will include a consultation with one of our caring providers.
Options Counseling
Every abortion appointment at Preterm includes a private counseling session with an experienced patient advocate. During this session, you can explore all your pregnancy options—abortion, adoption, and parenting—and discuss your decision in a supportive, confidential environment.
Abortion Care For Minors
In Ohio, minors (people who are 17 years old or younger) need to have an extra consent form to get an abortion. This consent must be completed before the minor can have an abortion. There are two options to get that consent form: parent/legal guardian consent or a judicial bypass.
Parent/Legal Guardian Consent
Parents or legal guardians can give their consent for a minor to have an abortion. Preterm will provide a consent form that a parent or guardian can complete at Preterm with a notary, or we can email it. You can complete and notarize it elsewhere and bring it to the appointment. If you complete the form at Preterm, the parent/legal guardian must bring proof of parenthood or legal guardianship. This would include a government ID for the parent/guardian and a birth certificate or papers stating guardianship.
Judicial Bypass
If a minor cannot or does not want to get consent from their parent or guardian, they can apply for a judicial bypass. A judicial bypass requires going before a judge in the county where the minor lives. Minors can get help with this process from the Abortion Fund of Ohio: Youth Abortion Access.
Debunking Abortion Myths
The most common feeling reported after having an abortion is relief
Abortion is very common.
1 in 4 individuals will have an abortion by the age of 45
Will I be able to have children in the future?
One of the myths surrounding abortion is that abortion causes infertility. Another myth is that the more abortions someone has, the more infertile they become. There is no scientific evidence whatsoever that abortion is in any way linked to infertility.
Will having an abortion give me breast cancer?
No. Anti-abortion groups frequently claim that there is a link between abortion and breast cancer. Some early studies suggested this might be true, but follow-up investigations have shown the link is false. There is no scientific evidence whatsoever that abortion is in any way linked to breast cancer.
Will I have mental health issues if I have an abortion?
This is another myth about abortion. There is absolutely no evidence that someone who has an abortion will have more mental health problems than someone who hasn’t had an abortion. The latest scientific survey showed that 95% of women don’t regret their abortions.
Hours:
Monday 8-5
Tuesday 8-5
Wednesday 9-6
Thursday 9-5
Friday 8-5
Saturday 8-4
Sunday - Closed