An abortion center is a place in which a woman can have an abortion procedure done, but it is also a place where a woman can go to learn more about the procedure of terminating a pregnancy. Some abortion center staff may even be able to provide the woman with other options besides abortion, and counselors are often on hand to help a woman deal with the physical and mental trauma of the process. Professionals, such as doctors and nurses, are on staff at an abortion center to ensure the process is done correctly and safely.
When a woman goes to an abortion center, she can become educated on the process of abortion without necessarily committing to the process itself. Many women go to such centers to learn about their options, and staff on hand can walk a woman through the physical process, mental process, and complications that may arise as a result of the procedure. If a woman chooses to go through with the procedure, her identity is kept confidential. She can schedule a date to go through the procedure with the guidance and care of the professionals on staff.
Young women who are still under the legal guardianship of their parents can also go to an abortion center. Some clinics will require that a parent be present for the process, while others do not. In some places, a teen or young girl can go to an abortion center for the procedure and still maintain confidentiality, even from her parents. Each center will have its own rules, so a woman should be sure to check with the specific center before committing to the procedure.
Abortion centers exist to give women a safe place to go for this potentially dangerous procedure. Many women have had unsafe abortions that can lead to potentially life-threatening situations, and confidentiality was not always possible. Abortion centers allow women to undergo the procedure under the care of trained professionals who can monitor the woman's safety before, during, and after the procedure. All equipment is sterilized and safe to use for medical procedures, and the staff are trained to use that equipment properly.
Once an abortion is complete, the woman may experience physical or emotional trauma. Abortion center staff are trained to help the woman through this stage of recovery; physical pain is not uncommon after a surgery, and the professionals on staff can recommend recovery methods and address complications. Mental health staff can help women deal with the grieving process as well as the post-abortion recovery.