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Month: September 2016

Unexpectedly Pregnant – The Journey to Find Hope

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*Molly is  willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

*Her name has been changed but her story is true.

I’ll never forget the day that I heard these words, “Molly, my dear, you’re pregnant.”

The Student Health Center Nurse kept talking, and I just couldn’t process anything else. “Do you know what you’ll do?” she asked. I kept shaking my head no. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I did not want to be pregnant. I was only 20 years old. I had plans for my life. . . getting married, finishing college, having a career. This was not in my plans. I was angry and resentful, and all I could think about was how could I get myself out of this situation. I had always considered myself to be pro-life before this moment, but now it was happening to me. Things were completely different now… I felt like I had no other choice but to have an abortion.

My boyfriend and I had been together for a few years, but yet at the moment I told him I was pregnant, I had never felt more hurt and betrayed in our relationship. How could he do this to me? My life was ruined. I asked him what we should do, and he said the choice was up to me and that he would support me in whatever I decided. I told him I wanted an abortion. I felt so alone. Even though he supported me, the weight of the decision was too much to bear by myself. I felt angry and ashamed.

I had no one to talk to about what I was going through.

I opened up and told my friend, who then suggested a local pregnancy resource center in town that she had been to previously when she had a pregnancy scare. In my heart I knew it was a better choice than calling clinics for abortion prices, but I couldn’t go to the center she suggested.

I was just too ashamed.

I couldn’t go through with it. In the meantime I was still considering abortion and trying to justify it in my mind. I made myself search online about abortion and what it involves. It was very hard emotionally, as I thought I would be better off distancing myself from the reality. I had to make it real, otherwise I knew that I wouldn’t be able to make an educated decision. It took me a long time to process everything before I could make a decision.

How could I face my parents? I felt like they would never forgive me, or that they wouldn’t love me anymore. What would people at my church think? The potential shame was too much to bear. What would my friends think? Would I be a failure for dropping out of college? Would my relationship with my boyfriend last through having a baby together?

All of those questions were very hard to process and to live out, as I ultimately chose to carry my pregnancy. I wish that I would have listened to my friend and gone to a pregnancy resource center like Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). In my darkest hours, I needed someone to talk to, that would be supportive and listen to me without judgment. It was too much for me to handle going through it alone. I shouldn’t have ignored that feeling in my heart that I would have been cared for and listened to there.

My pride and shame got in my way.

Since those dark days, I have connected with Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid).

It has proven over and over to be a safe, caring place where I can share with women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and offer them hope – the same hope that I was too afraid to receive when I was in the same situation.

For additional unplanned pregnancy stories check out:
Sarah’s Story
Rebecca’s Story

If you have had an abortion – or are thinking about it – there may be emotions, pain and struggle that are hard to deal with on your own. That’s why we are here!

Every day, we talk to women in that very position. And they are finally given options, help . . . and the hope they need.

You can talk to us at any time. We are waiting for you.

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What You Really Need to Know About Gonorrhea

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Gonorrhea, also commonly known as “the clap,” may affect any man or woman that is sexually active. The infection may occur in the genitals, rectum or throat.  It is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI), especially in sexually active men and women between the ages of 15 to 24.  This infection may be spread through any type of sex with an affected person.  Pregnant women with gonorrhea can pass the infection to the baby. The baby may contract the infection during the delivery, and this can cause serious health issues for the infant.

Men with gonorrhea may experience a burning sensation with urination; a white, yellow or green discharge; and/or painful or swollen testicles. Women may not experience any symptoms if infected with gonorrhea. However, women may also experience mild symptoms that could be easily mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. They may experience painful or burning sensation with urination, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Rectal infections from gonorrhea may not have any symptoms, or the person affected may have discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Anyone experiencing the above symptoms should be examined by a health care provider, including their sexual partner(s), so everyone may be treated to prevent further infection or complications.

Testing for gonorrhea may be performed using a urine test, or a swab may be used. Once a diagnosis has been determined, and treatment is needed for the infection, gonorrhea may be cured with the right medication. It is very important to take all medications as prescribed and do not share any medications with others. The right medication will cure the infection but not undo any permanent damage caused by the infection. Some gonorrhea strains are more drug resistant than others. If symptoms persist after the first few days of treatment, you should return to your health care provider for further examination.

Sexual partners also need to be treated in order to prevent a reoccurrence of the gonorrhea infection. It is very important to wait at least seven days after finishing treatment for the infection prior to engaging in sex again with your partner.  This will prevent reoccurrence of the STI with your current partner or giving gonorrhea to a new partner. Gonorrhea may be contracted again despite past treatment for the infection if engaged in sex with an infected partner.

Women without any symptoms at all are still at risk for serious complications. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may occur if gonorrhea is not diagnosed or is left untreated. Women may experience the formation of scar tissue that could block the fallopian tubes, increase the likelihood of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb), infertility, or long-term pelvic or abdominal pain. Men may experience a painful condition that causes swelling of the testicles, causing the inability to become a father. In rare instances, untreated gonorrhea can spread to an infected person’s blood or joints, or may increase the chances of getting HIV or giving HIV to a partner.

The only way to totally prevent gonorrhea is to not have any type of sex. Also, when in a long-term monogamous sexual relationship with your partner, your risks will be greatly reduced. The use of latex condoms used in the correct manner every time engaged in sex will also greatly reduce the likelihood of contracting a STI.

If you are sexually active, it is important to be open and honest with your health care provider about whether you should be tested for a STI. Men who are gay or bisexual, and have engaged in sex with another man, should be tested every year. Women who are sexually active under the age of 25, or women who have new or multiple sex partners, should also be tested yearly.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov or www.mayoclinic.org.

If you (or someone you know) suspects that you might have contracted and STD, you should contact your doctor immediately for an appointment.

However, if you are not ready to talk to a doctor, it could be helpful to discuss your symptoms, concerns and options in a confidential and helpful setting with someone who has answers. 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.

At Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), we encourage everyone to practice abstinence outside of marriage, and fidelity inside of marriage.  Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) does not provide or prescribe birth control.

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Additional education articles on sexually transmitted diseases:
The Unfortunate Case Of Bacterial Vaginosis
What You Need To Know Now About HPV