Why AWC?
People choose Allentown Women’s Center’s because our trained and experienced staff provide extremely safe medical care in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
We recommend that you choose a provider carefully and be cautious about price-shopping. At Allentown Women’s Center, we are committed to maintaining the highest quality care as well as keeping our fees as low as possible.
Good Questions to Ask When Choosing a Provider
The following questions will help you get safe, supportive care, the kind of care we provide for you here and want you to have wherever you might go.
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the primary professional standard-setting and training organization for abortion providers in the United States. The 300 NAF members across the country follow NAF’s Clinical Policy Guidelines, which are updated annually to ensure state-of-the-art care and medical safety. We have been NAF members since 1978, when we opened our doors for the first time.
The Abortion Care Network (ACN) is a network of independent abortion providers and allies. ACN works to de-stigmatize and normalize the abortion experience and offers support and training to the abortion care community. We have been members since their inception in 2008, and you can find us in the ACN Member Directory.
Be very careful. The lowest fee does not mean you will get the best care. Often, fees are hidden or added on later. Ask if the fees include all the services, including medications, lab work, ultrasound, and follow-up exams. We try our best to accommodate patients with financial problems with our reduced fee scale and financial assistance.
Check to see that the clinic uses the abortion pill mifespristone, which is the best and safest method. Since its FDA approval in 2000, it has become the only approved medication abortion method in the US.
AVOID any provider that uses the injection methotrexate, a cancer and arthritis medication. It takes longer, fails more often, and has additional health risks.
The National Abortion Federation guidelines advise using mifespristone, as do FDA guidelines. We have been providing state-of-the-art approved mifespristone medical abortions since 2002.
Unlike some Pennsylvania clinics, we only require one visit for an abortion. We have three abortion days every week, including some Saturdays, and can usually schedule you for an appointment quickly and at a time that suits you.
Some ‘crisis pregnancy center’ or ‘abortion alternatives’ sites are really anti-abortion sites. And the quality of care varies greatly among providers who advertise. Check with people you know and trust, along with NAF and ACN, to identify a quality provider, instead of relying on advertising listings alone.
