What is pregnancy options counseling?
Pregnancy Options Counseling is designed to support individuals and families regarding pregnancy options: abortion, adoption, and parenting. It is very normal to experience a range of thoughts and feelings about pregnancy. Ambivalence is common, and there may be a lot to consider.
Pregnant people turn to Pregnancy Options Counseling for a variety of reasons. One person may be struggling with the news of an unintended pregnancy and is unsure of her choices. Another person may have planned to parent and then changed their mind. All are welcome.
Historically, midwifery care embraced a full reproductive scope of practice that included a version of what is today called Pregnancy Options Counseling. Midwives supported families through birth, miscarriage, abortion, and death long before there were hospital-based practitioners, Planned Parenthood centers, and adoption agencies. Today, many parts of the U.S. (especially rural areas) lack providers & clinics that provide high-quality, full-spectrum care and counseling. Lucy hopes to address this gap by providing a trained, compassionate listening ear, and by helping people navigate their choices during a vulnerable time.
APPROACH
Lucy aims to:
Provide unbiased, accurate, up-to-date information
Respect bodily autonomy
Not make assumptions about a person’s pregnancy plans
Remember that decisions about pregnancy are deeply personal
Provide non-judgmental support through the decision making process
Trust that pregnant people hold the power to make decisions that are best for themselves
Where does it take place?
Lucy offers support over the phone, on video chat, via email, or in-person (either at a client’s home or another safe location). Secure communication networks may be utilized if desired by either party.
How much does it cost?
Sliding scale/pay-what-you-can, $0 - $50/hour. No one turned away for lack of funds.