Quick answers from midwives and doctors
General Questions
Is the pregnancy test I bought accurate?
Yes, store-bought or over-the-counter pregnancy test kits are considered accurate by medical professionals. You do not need to go to a center or clinic for confirmation. If you have a missed period and the test is positive, you can assume that you are pregnant.
A pregnancy test can not tell you how far along your pregnancy is. When considering options for next steps, knowing how many weeks pregnant you are can be important. You can use this pregnancy calculator to date your pregnancy. If you do not know the day (or approximate day) of your last period, you can go to your local healthcare practitioner for an ultrasound, as well as for any other testing and referral needs. You are welcome to call the confidential call line to talk about pregnancy feelings, options, and next steps.
Who answers the call | text line?
Trained and experienced all-options pregnancy counselors answer the call line. They can support you with safe and accurate information and help connect you to regional, state, and local resources.
The POWERS call line and website have no affiliation with commercial, political, or religious groups.
What happens when I call or text?
An all-options counselor will answer the line with their first name and the words: “How can I support you?” You do not have to give your real name, and your phone number and any message you leave will be deleted on the day of the call, unless you request further contact. POWERS practices strict confidentiality.
If the call line is busy when you call, we invite you to try again a few minutes later or leave a message with call-back instructions that include anything we should know to protect your privacy (best time of day to call, if it is ok to leave a message, etc.).
If you text, an all-options counselor will reply when they are able. We respond to urgencies 24/7.
Can anyone else find out that I am calling you / called you? How can I delete this website from my browsing history?
When you call, you do not have to give your name. We delete your phone number and any voice messages on the day of the call, unless you request further contact. Remember, our phone number will be stored in your cell phone, so it must be deleted from your call history. For an iPhone, follow these instructions; for an Android, follow these instructions. To delete this website from your web browser history, follow these instructions. If you share a call plan with your family or another person, our number may be visible in an account history.
I just found out my partner is pregnant. Can partners of pregnant people call too?
Yes. Partners, family, and support people are welcome to call the line. Please know we have a strict policy of not sharing any information regarding your, or another person’s, call. We work to protect the autonomy and decision-making of the pregnant person.
Pregnancy Continuation
What are my options for adoption?
Planning an adoption does not erase your experience of pregnancy, labor, and birth. You have a right to informed-choice, person-centering healthcare and an opportunity for empowered pregnancy and birth. You can access the midwife, physician, and birth setting options available in Wisconsin on our Pregnancy Continuation page and a variety of pregnancy and birth resources on our WI Resources page.
Our Adoption Resources lists a variety of nonprofit adoption organizations that center the pregnant person and birth parent. Many offer counseling for all options, as well as opportunities for ongoing education, support, and networking. You have a right to a positive experience throughout the adoption process and beyond.
I am not a U.S. Citizen. Can I see a regular healthcare practitioner for my pregnancy?
Citizenship or immigration status should not affect your ability to access healthcare. If you are undocumented, you do not need to disclose this to staff. If you need an interpreter, let the clinic or your practitioner know, and they should provide translation services at no cost. Healthcare is private, and practitioners and staff cannot tell anyone (including immigration enforcement) that you are in their care. See Planned Parenthood’s Know Your Rights Guide for more information. See the Pregnancy Continuation page to learn about types of pregnancy practitioners in Wisconsin.
How can I have a water birth?
If you choose to work with a midwife in Wisconsin, you may be able to plan a water birth. Some hospitals and most independent birth center and home settings support the use of aqua-therapy during labor and birth. See the Pregnancy Continuation page to learn how to find midwives in your area. Ask them about their water birth guidelines.
Abortion
How do I get an abortion where I live?
As of June 24, 2022, there are no healthcare clinics able to offer abortion services in Wisconsin. Many Wisconsinites are traveling to Minnesota or Illinois for abortion healthcare needs. Some people obtain pills on their own through online or other sources.
Any Planned Parenthood health center in Wisconsin can support you with safe follow-up care after an abortion, as well as with any contraception needs.
There are many resources in Wisconsin committed to assist you in accessing abortion health care, including abortion funds and abortion doulas. For detailed information, go to our Pregnancy Release and Abortion Resources pages, or call us for more information.
Is emergency contraception (morning-after pills) the same thing as abortion pills?
No, they are not the same. Emergency contraceptive pills work to prevent a pregnancy, while abortion pills end a pregnancy. Over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pills are effective up to 72 hours after after sex that could lead to pregnancy. It is not safe or effective to use emergency contraception pills to end a pregnancy.
If you are seeking emergency contraception within 72 hours, know that it is legal to obtain emergency contraception/morning-after pills through Wisconsin pharmacies.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I get an abortion?
Citizenship or immigration status should not affect your ability to access abortion. If you are undocumented, you do not need to disclose this to staff. All people entering the clinic need to provide a photo ID. A passport or identification card from your country of origin will work. If you need an interpreter, let the clinic know and they will provide one at no cost. Abortion care, like all healthcare, is private, and clinic staff do not tell anyone, not even immigration enforcement, if you are at the clinic or were treated there. See Planned Parenthood’s Know Your Rights Guide for more information.
How can I pay for my abortion?
If you cannot afford the full cost of an abortion, let the clinic staff know when you call to make your appointment. They are committed to working with you to find additional funding resources.
Additional funding, including for logistical costs, may be accessible through funds in NW Wisconsin, Illinois or Minnesota. See the pregnancy release page for further information.
Some private insurance companies cover all or part of the cost for an abortion. Check with your insurance company before your first appointment. The clinic can help determine your insurance coverage.
Does the father of the baby / my boyfriend / my partner / the person I am married to have to know about an abortion?
Unless you are under 18, you do not have to tell anyone about your abortion — not the person you are pregnant with or the person you are married to. Clinic practitioners will not share your information with anyone, unless you give them written permission to do so. Be advised that if you are able to bill your insurance for abortion care, and you share an insurance policy with another person (for example, your parent or spouse), a bill or explanation of benefits may be sent to the insurance policy-holder or to your home.
I am under 18. Do I need permission from anyone to have an abortion?
Every state has specific laws for people under the age of 18 (minors) who are seeking an abortion. Please consult the clinic where you have your appointment for guidance and support. As of 2022, Illinois and Minnesota do not require parental notification or permission for teens seeking an abortion.
I took abortion pills and would like to talk with someone about what’s happening.
If you were given pills at an abortion health care clinic, please follow up with them directly at the 24-hour number they gave you. If you took abortion pills that you obtained on your own, you can safely contact any Planned Parenthood clinic. You can also consult one of the self-managed abortion resources on our Abortion Resources page or call our confidential call line.
Miscarriage
I think I might be having a miscarriage. Will someone think I caused it?
Many people do not know that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Serious early problems in the development of an embryo or fetus are the most common reasons. If you have a miscarriage, it was not caused by something you did, did not do, or thought. Sometimes, our bodies wisely release pregnancies that are not healthy.
We understand that extreme abortion laws make some pregnant people who are having a miscarriage worry about accusation and being reported to police. During any part of a miscarriage or suspected miscarriage, you are welcome to call our call line with questions or for doula support. If you are concerned for your legal safety, visit the National Women’s Law Center for support.
Information about the miscarriage process and healthcare options can be found on our Pregnancy Release page. Our WI Resources page may also be of interest.