Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Expands Pregnancy-Related Services in Louisiana  

This week, patients can access dating ultrasounds, evaluation for early pregnancy complications and miscarriage management, and pre- and post-abortion care at PPGC’s New Orleans health center 

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Starting this Thursday, September 7, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (PPGC) will offer expanded pregnancy-related services in our New Orleans health center, including affordable ultrasounds for pregnancy dating, evaluation for early pregnancy complications and miscarriage management, and pre- and post-abortion care.  

The expansion of these services is part of PPGC’s work to combat the worsening public health crisis caused by devastating abortion bans and high maternal mortality rates in Louisiana, Texas, and the surrounding region. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, Louisianans have been left desperate, confused, and fearful for their reproductive health, questioning what care is legal and available in the state. 

Louisiana’s maternal mortality rate continues to rise, a third of parishes lack a single OB-GYN, and many pregnant patients are afraid to seek the care they need – even in emergency situations – or are denied care altogether due to fear and uncertainty among medical providers.  

Abortion bans harm people from all walks of life, but they disproportionately impact marginalized communities that already face the worst health disparities and the most barriers to care — particularly Black women and people with low incomes. PPGC plays an outsized role in serving Louisianans in these communities, as more than half of Planned Parenthood patients in New Orleans and more than 70 percent in Baton Rouge rely on Medicaid for their health coverage. 

While PPGC is unable to provide abortion care due to state law, we continue to provide medically accurate information and resources to help connect patients to safe and legal care in other states. PPGC also provides pregnancy testing and counseling, birth control, emergency contraception (over-the-counter and prescription methods), and other affordable, high-quality family planning services in Louisiana. Now, with this service expansion, we can also provide: 

• Ultrasounds for either pregnancy dating to help inform a patient’s options, including prenatal care referrals for a healthy pregnancy, or to confirm they are no longer pregnant after an out-of-state abortion 

• Evaluation for early pregnancy complications and miscarriage management, including referrals to trusted community partners for any care PPGC cannot provide directly in our health center 

Statement from Tamika Thomas-Magee, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Director of Clinical Services, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast:  

“Now more than ever in this drastically changed landscape for reproductive health, Louisianans need a safe, caring, and non-judgmental place to turn to for their questions, concerns, and health care needs around pregnancy — one that will provide medically accurate information and resources to help them be healthy, regardless of their economic status or whether they choose to continue or end a pregnancy. Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is proud to be that place for our community. As a provider of this care, I know just how important these services are. 

Expanding pregnancy-related services is critical in a state with some of the worst health outcomes in the nation and where people are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. By expanding access to this care, we hope to reach those patients who may be afraid to seek help when they need it as abortion bans continue to put pregnant peoples’ health and lives at risk. And if we can’t provide the care a patient needs directly in our health center — whether that be abortion care, miscarriage management, or prenatal care to ensure a healthy pregnancy — we can help connect them to trusted community partners who can. Today and every day, PPGC will do everything in our power to ensure all Louisianans can get the expert health care and information they need, when they need it, no matter what — just as we have for the last 40 years.” 

PPGC operates two health centers in Louisiana — one in New Orleans and one in Baton Rouge — and six in the greater Houston area along with virtual health centers in both states. Pregnancy-related services are currently available by appointment at PPGC’s Center for Advocacy and Reproductive Empowerment (C.A.R.E.) in Houston and will be offered Monday-Friday starting September 7 in the New Orleans health center at 4636 S. Claiborne Ave. The Louisiana service expansion will continue in Baton Rouge later this year. 

For more information, visit ppgulfcoast.org/pregnancycare. Patients can call 1-800-230-PLAN to make an appointment in New Orleans or Houston, or schedule online at ppgulfcoast.org/book. Patients who need help accessing out-of-state abortion care should visit ppgulfcoast.org/abortionhelp.