Call Helpline: 913.962.0200

Month: August 2015

What Does A Visit to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Look Like?

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Walking through the front doors of Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center), you enter the inviting and peaceful lobby. A Client Advocate warmly greets you at the front window, asking if you have an appointment. You tell her yes, and give your name. She gives you some paperwork to fill out as well as a copy of our privacy practices. You go ahead and find a comfortable seat and begin the paperwork process, which take just a few short minutes. You return your completed paperwork to the reception window and the Client Advocate thanks you, telling you that they’ll be with you in just a few minutes.

The door opens, and your Client Advocate appears. She smiles, introduces herself, and explains that she will be the one meeting with you today. Walking down the hallway, you see several counseling rooms that are all bright and welcoming. You walk in to one of these rooms and have a seat on the couch. Your Client Advocate says that there are some questions to go over first before conducting a pregnancy test. She then goes through your completed paperwork, taking the time to get to know you. She also addresses any concerns or questions you may have at that time. Throughout this conversation, you begin to feel more safe and secure. You find that your Client Advocate cares for you as an individual, and that you have value and worth here. After going through your paperwork, the pregnancy test is performed by your Client Advocate. It’s a medical grade pregnancy test, and the results take just 3 minutes. You sit quietly, processing what the result may be and knowing very well that the result be life changing. The timer beeps, and the results are read. Two lines means the test is positive, one line means negative.

Your Client Advocates asks how you’re feeling about the results. You have an opportunity to discuss whatever is on your mind, and know you’ll be listened to without judgement. Your Client Advocate offers you resources and referrals that are applicable to you, and if the test is positive, explains the possibility of scheduling an ultrasound. You are also given information on the Journeys class we offer. You walk out with the information on parenting, adoption and abortion that you need to make an informed and educated decision about this choice in your life.

If you are interested in visiting one of our offices, we want you to know that a visit with us looks very much like what is described above. It is comforting, peaceful and in no way judgmental. This is a safe place for you to consider all aspects of your unplanned pregnancy.

For our office locations, click here.

For additional information about the various services at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid):
Our Programs Blog Articles

{Education} What You Need To Know NOW About HPV

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What is HPV & how is it spread?
HPV is short for human papillomavirus and is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). While there are many types of the HPV virus that can infect different parts of the body, there are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of both men and women. Some HPV types have even been known to lead to cancer, mainly cervical cancer in women.

Anyone, male or female, who is sexually active can contract and spread HPV. It is spread most commonly during any type of sex with someone who has the virus; however, it is possible to contract the virus without having intercourse. The main cause for concern is that the person who spreads the virus may not even know they have it! HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get infected at some point in their lives. The risk increases the more sexual partners a person has, although the infection can even occur with only one partner!

What are the symptoms of HPV?
Occasionally, the body is able to rid itself of the virus. The virus can appear as “warts” on the genitals. These warts usually occur in the genital areas, and emerge as a bump(s). They can be either small or large, raised or flat in appearance, often shaped like a cauliflower. However, in many cases the infection may appear to have no symptoms at all. Two specific varieties of genital HPV cause cancer in both males and females. In females, cervical cancer can occur. A pap test performed by a health care professional is the only way to detect infection in the cervix. Cervical cancer, in its early stages, has no symptoms.

What can be done?
This can all be pretty scary, right? The good news is that there are ways to prevent these outcomes. The first step of prevention is to get vaccinated for HPV. These vaccines are safe and effective, protecting both males and females. The vaccine is given in three shots over six months and it is very important to receive all three doses. All boys and girls ages 11 or 12 years should be vaccinated. Catch-up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21 and for females through age 26 if they did not receive the vaccination at a younger age. Many community health clinics provide the vaccine for free or reduced cost.

One of the best ways to prevent HPV is to refrain from sexual activities until marriage.

It is important to know that there is no contraceptive technique that will prevent spreading HPV. Using latex condoms may reduce the risk of infection from HPV, but not completely. Infection may occur in areas that are not covered.

Screening & treatment
Routine screening can prevent cervical cancer. The Pap test, which specifically screens for cervical cancer, is one of the most reliable and effective cancer screening tests available. If abnormal cells are detected before cells become cancerous, the treatment is very effective. Many organizations recommend women begin getting regular Pap tests at age 21. Depending on a woman’s sexual history, she may consider beginning earlier.

Genital warts may disappear without treatment or may require attention from a healthcare professional. Unfortunately, genital warts may recur after treatment. Recent research has demonstrated that an experimental antiviral drug can completely clear away the warts caused by HPV. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved an HPV DNA test (a blood test) that can be used to help determine the need for additional diagnostic testing for cervical cancer, as well as the risk for developing cervical cancer in the future.

Visit and talk with your healthcare professional to ensure that you are getting properly screened for HPV and cervical cancer. Early detection is truly crucial to fighting cervical cancer.

If you or someone you know suspects that you might have HPV – or come into sexual contact with someone who has HPV – you need to discuss your options immediately with someone who can help.

Feel free to contacts us at 913.962.0200 to speak with someone who can help you determine your next steps. Our staff is compassionate, knowledgeable and can offer the support and direction that you need.

 

References for the article:

Cancer.org

Heritage.org

Unexpected Pregnancy – Getting The Information You Need Most

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The following post was written by *Abby, an intern at Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center). She is sharing her experience and knowledge so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation.

The stories that are shared here come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had as they dealt with unplanned pregnancy.  *All names have been changed.

 

I began interning at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) in the summer of 2014. As a junior from Pittsburg State University pursuing degrees in exercise physiology and psychology, a crisis pregnancy center seemed like a perfect way to get my internship hours while still being able to learn about psych and physio both. I came back to the center for the summer of 2015 as a senior and completed my training to be a fully certified client advocate in addition to serving as the intern.

Coming from a college environment, I’d certainly heard a lot of everyone’s views on abortion, adoption, and unplanned pregnancy. However it was something that never really affected me, so I didn’t have a definite opinion one way or the other. I came into the internship simply ready to learn what I could about the pregnant woman from a health care perspective and about counseling.

Nothing could have prepared me for the experience I was about to have.

My training days were filled with information on fetal development, health care options, dealing with clients in a loving way, and the abortion procedure itself. My mind was blown by the sheer volume of information I was never exposed to about my own body, pregnancy, and various medical complications with pregnancy and abortions.

I wondered how many women were “flying blind” and scared because they, like I, had never learned what was involved in pregnancy and about health care in the different options moving forward.

As friends began to learn where I was interning, they naturally asked delicate questions about the political and religious affiliation of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). It did not take long for me to meet such questions with eager answers so I could share what I was learning. I found myself passionate about the topic of abortion and the rights of women to know what was truly happening to their bodies. The knowledge that my friends could be going into a procedure after being coerced by friends or family, deceived by the media, and blind to simple facts about the procedures and their body as well as the horrifying physical and mental complications was outrageous. The knowledge that women often were alone and scared in conditions that would never meet standard medical health and safety regulations broke my heart.

And after much reading, listening, and searching, I came to the conclusion that abortion is the most violating experience a woman can have.

Day after day I watched women in countless situations come through the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) doors and into the arms of a loving team of staff and volunteers. I saw lives transformed from the relentless love of these women at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), fueled by a mission and by fiercely loving hearts. I learned so much about caring for people and was even empowered in my own life. No matter which volunteer spoke with a client, I was at peace that that woman would be taken care of and that she was in a truly safe place.

Additional Stories by Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Staff:
Emily’s Story – Why I Help Others
Mark’s Story – Men Helping Men