Before the 1960’s and the women’s equality movement, the public overlooked or misunderstood women’s healthcare. Doctors used to treat men and women the same despite their massive differences in genetic makeup. Today if someone mentions “women’s healthcare,” one might immediately think of abortion and maternal healthcare. This is due to the growing debate over what proper healthcare is for women. While abortion and women’s clinics provide an array of services for women, women’s clinics provide more comprehensive services. Still, there are many ways that women’s healthcare can improve overall to better serve their unique needs.
Services Provided by Abortion Clinics
Abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood offer many healthcare services, including birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, pregnancy testing and counseling, and abortion services. Planned Parenthood clinics also provide education and information about reproductive health, sex education, and contraception. Abortion clinics provide services, including breast exams, Pap tests, and cervical cancer screenings. Although abortion clinics claim to offer comprehensive healthcare for women, abortions made up 96.6% of Planned Parenthood’s pregnancy resolution services in 2019-2020. The organization’s healthcare services are designed to be accessible and affordable, though Planned Parenthood reported $1.7 billion in income in 2020-2021.
Abortion clinics do NOT offer post-abortion care such as post-abortion specified counseling like women’s clinics do. While many women’s clinics provide prenatal care, abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood admit that only a few of their locations provide the full range of prenatal care that women need. This further exposes the abortion clinics as being a place for abortion and not a place for women’s health.
Services Provided by Women’s Clinics/Pregnancy Clinics
Women’s clinics in the United States are vital in providing healthcare services to women facing unplanned pregnancies. These centers offer support, education, and resources to help women make informed decisions about their pregnancy. Women’s clinics provide women with access to medical care, such as ultrasounds and prenatal care, free pregnancy tests, and post-decision support. They also offer material assistance to support them throughout their pregnancy and beyond. These centers also provide post-abortion counseling to women who have experienced the emotional and physical impact of abortion. Women’s clinics will also provide consultation with a licensed medical professional and refer you to a local OB/GYN they trust.
Prenatal Care
Many people discount the importance of receiving proper education regarding pregnancy. For example, the importance of prenatal care in a pregnant woman can affect their entire pregnancy leading up to birth. In fact, according to Maternal Health Task Force, women who receive no prenatal care are five times more likely to have a pregnancy-related death than those who do. Prenatal care is essential for the health of both mother and child, and women should have access to quality care throughout their pregnancy. This includes regular check-ups, ultrasounds, and access to medical professionals who can address any complications that may arise.
Women’s healthcare can improve overall by providing comprehensive and accessible healthcare services that cater to women’s diverse needs. Access to healthcare services can significantly impact women’s overall well-being and contribute to improved maternal and child health outcomes. By offering a range of services that cater to women’s reproductive health, mental health, and general wellness, women can receive the care they need to live healthy lives. It’s essential for women to be heard, seen, and understood when they walk into a clinic. Only at a women’s clinic will women be heard, given the facts, and have the support they need to make their decision.
According to the World Economic Forum, more women have been impacted in their ability to access prenatal care. Especially those who do not have proper transportation and the support they need to access these regular checkups necessary in every woman’s pregnancy. These hurdles are easily jumped with women’s clinic’s connections to non-profit organizations like Embrace Grace and the mobile medical units provided by Save the Storks.
How Can Women’s Healthcare Improve?
Women’s healthcare is a critical issue in the United States, and much work must be done to improve access, affordability, and quality of care. As a pro-woman nonprofit, Save the Storks believes that women’s healthcare should prioritize the health and well-being of both mother and child. Women’s clinics are undeniably leaps ahead of abortion clinics in providing comprehensive care to women. But there are some ways we believe women’s healthcare can improve in the United States overall.
Affordable healthcare options:
The cost of healthcare in the United States can be prohibitive, particularly for women with limited financial resources. Women’s healthcare should be affordable and accessible to all, regardless of income level. Also, many women need more options when choosing OB/GYN due to their health insurance. When choosing doctors for an event as important as birth, women should not have to settle for someone because they are within their plan.
Holistic care:
Women’s healthcare should be comprehensive, addressing not only physical health but also emotional and mental well-being. This includes access to counseling, mental health services, and education and support for healthy lifestyle choices.
How can you help?
At Save the Storks, we believe every woman deserves access to quality healthcare. Especially healthcare that prioritizes her physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We advocate for improved access to care, affordable options, and a holistic approach to women’s health. By doing so we can create a healthcare system that supports women in every stage of life. Women’s clinics can improve by providing more medical services so that women can access FREE prenatal care in a SAFE environment that won’t pressure them to abort. Our National Partner Program helps more women’s clinics provide medical services, improving healthcare for women overall. If you want to support our National Partner Program, donate here.
