Have you heard the expression, “It takes a village to raise a child”? This saying comes from an old African proverb, and it communicates that it takes many people creating a supportive community for parents and children to flourish. The truth in this adage is that no one should have to face parenting (or unplanned pregnancy) alone.
The “village” looks different for everyone, and Clearway exists as a part of your village in Western and Central Massachusetts. We are a pregnancy medical clinic with locations in Worcester and Springfield, MA, offering pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STI testing, among other services. All our services are free and confidential. This assures you can access our services regardless of financial or insurance status! Our early pregnancy services and referrals for additional resources are here to get you started on your journey. If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, we’re here to serve you.
At Your Appointment: Information & Resources
At your appointment, our registered nurses will help you understand all the options available to you. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and unsure if you want to continue, that decision is yours alone. Our clinic exists to offer you resources, information, and medical services to empower your decision making.
Our team offers up-to-date information on adoption, abortion, and parenting. While your pregnancy decision is yours to make, you shouldn’t have to navigate this pregnancy unsupported. Our nurses will walk you through the three options available to you, including the processes, procedures, benefits, and risks. Our advocates will help you identify key resources in the community that can serve you. These include resources such as housing, insurance, or support groups.
Clearway Clinic is a first step for those facing unintended pregnancy. If you are feeling fearful, let us help empower your confidence. You have a village ready to support you! And chances are, you’re braver than you think.
(Please Note: We do not provide, prescribe, or refer for surgical or medical abortions. We are also not an adoption agency, OB/GYN clinic, or birthing clinic. Our medical services include pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and STI testing. We can help you identify options for further OB care during your appointment.)
Pregnancy Testing & Ultrasound
Our medical services include free pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds. If you think you might be pregnant and feel unsure about what to do, these services are available to provide you with the information you need about your pregnancy.
A urine pregnancy test is a reliable method for detecting a pregnancy. The test looks for a hormone called hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). The hCG hormone is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It helps thicken the uterine lining and support a growing embryo. The presence of this hormone typically indicates pregnancy and can be detected in the urine as early as 10-11 days after conception. Levels rise rapidly for the first 8-10 weeks of pregnancy.
Ultrasound imaging can be used to detect and confirm a viable pregnancy. Clearway offers limited obstetrical ultrasound scans after a positive pregnancy test. Our doctors will read and confirm the results of these scans. These scans will:
- Determine the location of an embryo or fetus
- Determine the gestational age of the pregnancy
- Determine the viability of a pregnancy
Not sure what all that means? No problem! Let’s break it down.
- The location of the pregnancy matters because a pregnancy can only survive and develop inside the uterus. A pregnancy that implants anywhere else is called an ectopic pregnancy. Not only can an ectopic pregnancy not survive, it can cause life-threatening bleeding if left untreated. If you experience any symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, seek immediate emergency medical attention. (Please Note: At Clearway Clinic, we do not diagnose ectopic pregnancies.)
- Gestational age is calculated in weeks based on the first day of your last menstrual period and is used to calculate the due date of delivery. (This information matters for anyone considering abortion, since it is a factor in which types of abortion are available to you.)
- Viability is determined by the detection of a pregnancy inside the uterus, a fetus that can be measured, and the detection of a fetal heartbeat.
Once our doctors read your scans, we will provide medical proof of pregnancy for your continuum of care.
STI Testing & Treatment
At Clearway Clinic, we offer free STI testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea, the two most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Both of these STIs are often asymptomatic and can cause long-term damage to the reproductive system if left untreated.
If you are considering abortion, you should get tested for STIs. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, an infection of the female reproductive organs, is caused by various types of bacteria, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. Bacteria can also enter your reproductive tract anytime the normal barrier created by the cervix is disturbed, including during menstruation, after childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion, and/or during any medical procedure that involves inserting instruments into the uterus (for example, getting an IUD put in) (1).
If you are pregnant, you should also get tested for STIs. Why? Because certain infections, such as chlamydia, can pass to your baby during delivery, causing issues such as eye infections or pneumonia for your newborn (2).
All this to say–if you are sexually active and/or pregnant, STI testing is essential for your reproductive health and wellness (even if you’re showing no symptoms). Getting tested is a simple process, and avoiding testing can lead to long-term health consequences for your health. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both treatable with antibiotics. We offer asymptomatic STI testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea and can prescribe treatment if you test positive.
Prenatal Health Education
Knowledge is power! The more you know about topics like pregnancy, labor, and newborn care, the better prepared you are to thrive in this new season of life. During your first visit to Clearway Clinic, our registered nurses will begin educating you on the various aspects of a healthy pregnancy. This includes what vitamins to take, what substances to avoid, what to expect in each trimester, what signs to watch for and how to take care of yourself during pregnancy. The pregnancy may have been a surprise, but what happens next doesn’t have to be. Our team can also help you get insurance and a doctor if you need one.
After your initial consultation, our registered nurses can also provide prenatal health education classes to help you to prepare for having a child. These classes are offered individually or in a small group setting. This gives you the opportunity to ask all kinds of questions and learn from others. We strongly encourage all fathers to attend too! This is your journey to walk together.
Currently, we offer classes in labor and delivery and newborn care. These classes are designed to help you prepare for the birthing process and what to expect after delivery.
So that’s it! In summary, Clearway is here to support you in your unplanned pregnancy by providing:
- Pregnancy Options Information
- Resource Referrals
- Pregnancy Testing
- Ultrasounds
- STI Testing
- Prenatal Health Education Classes
All these services are completely free! We know accessing medical care can be stressful and sometimes expensive, so we make sure that you never have to worry about that when you come to Clearway. Schedule your appointment today.
Reviewed by Deana G., BSN RN
