Counseling

Dr. Novoa, with over 20 years of experience as a licensed medical doctor in the medical specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology, will provide counseling services regarding women's reproductive and sexual health as the medical director of the ministry. These include contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy, low and high risk pregnancy, labor, delivery and the subject of abortion. As medical director, the ministry provides a unique service as compared to other programs by providing professional medical counseling regarding pregnancy vs abortion.

The ministry also assists in referring clients for the medical management of pregnancy and psychological counseling associated with unexpected pregnancy.

The ministry also assists in referring clients to programs specializing in adoption services.

The ministry does not offer or provide services associated with termination of pregnancies or abortion.

Reproductive Counseling

  1. Abstinence counseling
  2. Pre-conception counseling
    1. Natural Family Planning (NFP)
    2. Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)
  3. Temporary Contraception (Over the Counter, OTC)
    Condoms
    • Latex condoms are available free of charge to both men and women
    Morning After Pill
    • Progesterone based pill are available without prescription over the counter. Although not available through the ministry, education concerning proper use is offered.

Temporary Contraception (Prescription Required)

  • All prescription based temporary contraception require a consult with a licensed provider such as a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
  • Clients requesting information concerning prescription based contraceptives will be referred to a licensed medical provider. Currently, clients referred to Novoa Medical Services, PA will be seen as a professional courtesy (without charge). Information and client education regarding the following forms of contraception are available:
    • Oral Contraceptives
    • Dermal Patches (Ortho Evra)
    • Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)
    • Depo Provera
    • Subdermal Implant (Nexplanon)
    • Intrauterine Devices (IUD)
      • Mirena
      • Skyla
      • Paragard

Permanent sterilization

  • Information concerning permanent sterilization require a consult with a licensed provider such as a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
  • Clients requesting information concerning permanent sterilization will be referred to a licensed medical provider. Currently, clients referred to Novoa Medical Services, PA will be seen as a professional courtesy (without charge). Information and client education regarding the following forms of permanent sterilization are available:
    • all forms of tubal ligation
    • vasectomy
  • Management of complications of sterilization and reversal to include ESSURE permanent sterilization.

Abortion Alternatives

  • The MAMRG understands that abortion is a difficult choice. However, we would like to provide spiritual and medical information for alternatives to abortion, such as our LIFE CHOICE program and adoption alternatives.
  • Our abortion alternative services include:
    • free pregnancy testing
    • pregnancy ultrasound
    • referral to Novoa Medical Services, PA for initial professional courtesy prenatal examination
    • assistance with state and federal prenatal medical services such as Medicaid
    • The MAMRG LIFE CHOICE program
    • referral to local adoption programs
    • referral to local counseling programs

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) counseling

  • Sexually active individuals have up to an 80% probability of getting a sexually transmitted infection.
  • These infections can be present without any symptoms or can cause problems such as abnormal vaginal discharge, pelvic pain or infertility.
  • Infections, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can be life threatening.
  • Counseling include the following infections:
    • Chlamydia
    • Gonorrhea
    • Herpes Simplex I and II
    • HIV
    • HPV
    • Mycoplasma
    • Syphilis
    • Trichomoniasis
    • Ureaplasma