Get Your FREE Reproductive Healthcare Kit!
Montana folks, meet your new “just in case” drawer upgrade. We all have a junk drawer- the one with the random birthday candles, a takeout soy sauce packet, and a few old grocery lists. Why don’t we level it up??
Our friends at the Montana Abortion Access Program (MAAP) are now mailing free Reproductive Care Kits to ANYONE in Montana (one per household per month).
We’re obsessed!! These kits help us feel prepared instead of panicked. They’re mailed once a week, which means this is your cue to think ahead.
Here’s what goes in your package! (:
Let’s go over these contents
Emergency Contraception (EC)
Each kit includes one box of over-the-counter emergency contraception.
EC helps prevent pregnancy before it happens. It works best the sooner you take it and should be used within 72 hours of unprotected sex or birth control mishaps (missed pills, broken condom, anything… we’re human).
A few important things to know:
It does not cause abortion. If you’re already pregnant, it won’t work, and it won’t harm the pregnancy.
There’s no age requirement to get or use it.
Plan B is less effective for those with a BMI of 26 or above.
Your next period might be early, late, heavier, lighter (bodies like to keep things interesting).
Hot tip: If you need EC immediately, head to your local pharmacy. No ID required. No age restrictions. If you live in Bozeman, we have free Plan B at our clinic- no questions asked!
Condoms (Yes, we sure do love talking about condoms)
You’ll get not one but TWO latex condoms. See here for places you can get plenty of condoms for free in the Gallatin Valley!
Condoms are the only birth control method that also help protect against STIs. With perfect use, they’re 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. In real life? About 87% effective, which is pretty solid, especially when paired with another method.
Even if you’re on birth control, condoms add a layer of protection.
Think of it as wearing a helmet and checking your brakes!
Lube (truly the ultimate underdog)
Two packets of water-based lubricant are included in your kit.
Water-based (or silicone-based) lube is safe with latex condoms.
Oil-based products? Not friends with latex. They can cause breakage, which defeats the whole purpose.
Lube reduces friction, increases comfort, and helps condoms do their job.
Think of lube as a supportive teammate! Haha!
Pregnancy Tests + Collection Cup
So, you’ll also get:
Two pregnancy test strips
One collection cup
Use first-morning urine (highest hormone concentration), dip the strip for five seconds (don’t pass the “max” line), lay flat, and read at five minutes.
Two lines (even faint) = pregnant.
One line = not pregnant.
For support and options:
If you don’t want to continue a pregnancy, MAAP can help you navigate next steps.
If you do want to continue, schedule care with a provider. Federally Qualified Health Centers can offer low-cost or free care if needed.
The Zine
Last but not least, there is also an educational zine in every kit, and you should definitely give these a read!
What to expect
Discreet mailer labeled “MTA RK.”
Requests in by Monday at midnight ship that week.
Arrival within 1 or 2 weeks.
These are temperature-sensitive items, so check your mailbox often!
And if you’re looking for more consistent birth control, Montana Family Planning has a clinic list across the state (you might see a familiar name...).
We talk a lot about access at Bridgercare. Access to care. Access to information. Access to options.
This is access you get to keep in your junk drawer! Or, anywhere that makes more sense to ya!
So, tell everyone!! Drop this in the group chat!!