What is a Pregnancy Center?
Maybe you’ve found yourself in an unexpected situation where you now have important questions or concerns about pregnancy, contraception, or other related topics, but you’re not sure who to ask. Perhaps you’re reading this and you’re nervous that you might be pregnant and that you’d have no clue where you’d start with figuring out what your next steps are or what options are even available for you. Pregnancy and sex-related topics are very personal and vulnerable and it can be difficult to talk about even with your closest friends or family members.
No matter why or how you find yourself here, HELP Pregnancy Aid exists for you. We are here to provide you with a safe, confidential, and judgment-free space where you can show up as you are with whatever questions you have, and get the answers, support, and resources you need during what can certainly feel like the scariest moments.
What is a Pregnancy Center?
Pregnancy Centers can be found under a variety of names: Pregnancy Resource Centers, Women’s Care Centers, Pregnancy Clinics, and other similar names. While not all pregnancy centers are created equal, they all share a similar mission to provide support services for women in unexpected pregnancy situations. These services are most often provided for free or at a very low cost. Throughout the US, there are upwards of 3,000 pregnancy centers, some of which work independently and many of which are part of a larger organization or network of centers. You may find some pregnancy centers that offer more limited in their offerings, providing information and non-medical services. While others offer medical care and have nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers on staff. Like any organization, each pregnancy resource center may have a different way of operating, can vary in the exact services offered, and will provide you with different experiences and levels of service.
Who We Are at HELP Pregnancy Aid
While we can’t speak for other pregnancy centers, we can give you some insight into what you can expect from us at HELP Pregnancy Aid in Grand Rapids. We aim to assist women of all ages (and men, too!) who may have found themselves in either unplanned or unwanted pregnancy-related situations. Our services are absolutely free and include a range of offerings, including:
- Free pregnancy testing*
- Free pregnancy limited ultrasounds*
- Emergency reversal options for women who have recently taken the abortion pill*
- Options Consultations
- Emotional support through pregnancy counseling and support groups
- Educational resources and classes related to pregnancy, birth, parenting, and more
- Referrals to medical care and relevant community and public health resources
- Assistance with material items (maternity clothes, baby formula, diapers, and other essentials on a walk-in, emergency basis)
*Medical-related services are conducted by trained professionals using lab-quality tests and equipment in a comfortable environment that is compassionate and caring and comfortable.
Who We Are NOT
We are NOT an OB-GYN or medical clinic. Although we do have medical professionals on staff, we do not claim or intend to take the place of a medical provider. However, we are happy to assist you with finding the appropriate medical providers if you need it!
We are NOT an abortion clinic. We will gladly provide you with facts, information, and answers to any questions you may have about abortion, the abortion pill, and abortion alternatives, but we do not perform or refer women for elective abortions.
We are NOT here to make a decision for you or to pressure you into making a decision you aren’t comfortable with. The support we provide at HELP Pregnancy Aid is not provided with any hidden agenda or small print. We run on volunteers, donations, and team members who open our doors every day because we care about you and want to be here to support you through this unexpected time the best we can.
Abortion and Alternative Options
For a long time, abortion has consistently been a “hot topic”. Especially as our laws related to abortion tend to change and develop, many women find themselves in unexpected situations and wonder anxiously if there really are any options available to them. Extremely stressful and scary situations paired with a desperate search for a fast solution can often lead to hasty (sometimes dangerous) decisions being made based on limited information.
There are many reasons women choose abortion. Oftentimes, they believe they don’t have another choice or they fear not having the support they need from their partner, their families, or their friends. Abortion is not the only option. We are here to walk you through all of the options available to you so that you can feel confident and empowered to make the decision that is best for you.
HELP is Here for You!
Our goal at HELP Pregnancy Aid is to provide you with a safe, caring space to take a breath, process, and learn the facts about all options and resources available to you so that you can make an informed and safe decision for yourself and your future.
We believe that no woman should have to go through such a difficult situation alone and are committed to assisting in any way we can.
If you or someone you know is in a confirmed or potentially unwanted pregnancy situation and could use support, give us a call or follow our online scheduling option to book an appointment today.