Frequently Asked Questions
At Luminous we believe that every woman is precious and deserving of really excellent and beautiful healthcare! Because of that, we have generous donors who help to make sure all women in our community can receive our services 100% free. While we do charge small fees for some of our family planning programs (to pay the instructors) scholarships are available so that these programs can be available to everyone at no cost. Ask us about our scholarships!
Birth control, also known as artificial contraception, comes with a variety of health risks – some of which can be health and life altering. Mainstream health practitioners prescribe birth control as a means of treating a wide variety of women’s reproductive health issues, but there are other, more natural and healthy treatments.
You are unique and so are your cycle and symptoms. Therefore, you deserve the best, most customized treatment possible. We offer education, resources and referrals to natural fertility specialists so you can be empowered to give your body the very best!
At Luminous we believe family is important. We welcome your partner, family or friend at your appointment if that’s the most comfortable thing for you to do.
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Tracking your cycle:You'll start by noting the first day of your period and the length of your cycle each month.
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Observing body cues:Pay attention to changes in cervical mucus, energy levels, mood, and other signs that indicate where you are in your cycle.
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Learning about phases:Understand the different phases of your cycle and the hormonal changes that occur during each stage.
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Charting your observations:Record your observations in a journal, on a calendar, or using a digital app.
- Understanding your cycle: Gain a deeper understanding of your body's unique rhythms and patterns.
- Identifying fertile days: Learn to recognize your fertile window, which is the time when you're most likely to conceive.
- Improving reproductive health: May help diagnose and treat reproductive health problems or understand hormone imbalances.
- Empowerment: Learn to trust your body and its natural processes.
Charting is the basic tool of body literacy. Each day, you make a note of your body’s fertility signs, so that you can see the patterns that occur throughout each monthly cycle. Charting will allow you to make accurate predictions about your approaching ovulation and let you know exactly when you’re past the fertile time in your cycle. It can also be used as an indicator of hormonal health as well as overall bodily health.
You can learn more about cycle charting here.
You missed your period and suspect you might be pregnant but aren’t sure what to do. You probably have lots of questions right now. Your first step to clarity is with a no-cost self-administered pregnancy test at Luminous. If you are pregnant, we offer no-cost ultrasound and pregnancy counseling so you can weight out your options.
An ultrasound is an important part of protecting your health as you navigate an unexpected pregnancy. Get an ultrasound to confirm three vital pregnancy details:
- Viability (whether your pregnancy has a heartbeat & the pregnancy is progressing)
- Pregnancy location (whether your pregnancy is located within the uterus or if you’re experiencing ectopic pregnancy)
- How far along you are (also known as gestational age)
Some women experience ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. An ultrasound can alert you to pregnancy complications such as these. We offer referrals for no-cost ultrasounds to women who receive a positive pregnancy test result with us.
There are two types of abortion procedures depending on how far along you are: chemical or surgical abortion.
Chemical Abortion: Known as the abortion pill, a medical abortion includes taking two drugs that work to terminate an existing pregnancy. The first drug in the abortion pill method is mifepristone, which blocks a hormone called progesterone. This hormone is essential for the pregnancy’s growth. Without it, the pregnancy ends. Secondly, misoprostol, is taken which causes bleeding and cramping as the body works to expel the pregnancy through the vagina.
Surgical Abortion: The two main types of surgical abortion include Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) and Dilation & Curettage (D&C). Both surgical abortion procedure dilates the cervix and uses vacuum aspiration and surgical tools to remove the pregnancy.
As each type of surgical abortion is similar, they share similar risks, including:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
If you’ve initiated a chemical abortion by taking the first abortion pill (mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex or RU-486), we may be able to save the life of your child. If we act quickly, there is a possibility we can save your baby through a safe, painless therapy known as Abortion Pill Reversal (APR).
Time is key, please call Luminous today: 203-487-2550
After hours, please call 877-558-0333 to be connected with a medical team who specializes in this.