Every day a scared pregnant woman walks into one of Ohio’s 130 pregnancy help centers. She may not have told a soul she is pregnant, or she may have already been scolded that she is too young, too poor, or too incompetent to parent. She may bring the baby’s father, who is also fearful that he can’t be an effective dad.

This is where Pregnancy Center Plus and other pregnancy help centers step in to lower her fear and raise her hope. We empower her not just to have the baby, but to flourish as a parent or choose adoption.

Mandy* came to PCPlus tearful, believing that abortion was her only option. Like 80% of women seeking termination, she did not truly want an abortion, but felt alone and panicked at the daunting prospect of providing for a child. With love and compassion, our Client Advocate gave her so much more than abortion alternatives. Mandy met her eight-week-old unborn baby for the first time and heard his strong heartbeat as she watched him move across the ultrasound screen. She had her first prenatal visit, with a midwife who allayed her medical concerns through our on-site telehealth program. She also learned about the loving choice of adoption from our on- site adoption agency. She left armed with vital community resources and a new-found assurance that, “I can do this!”

Next, Mandy and her boyfriend enrolled in our parenting classes and accessed a complete network of pediatricians, parenting and nutrition coaches, and other expectant parents. Throughout her pregnancy, her Client Advocate continued checking in with her. Mandy later returned for maternity clothes and baby supplies and received a free crib and car seat.

Last week, she and her now-fiancée returned to the Center cradling little Roland*. These proud parents beamed as they explained, “We’re sleep deprived, but so grateful to have this little guy. Thank you for helping us to realize that our greatest blessing was just on the other side of our greatest fear.”

Teenage clients often need help in revealing the pregnancy to their parents. They come to us thinking, “My parents will kill me.” We provide a safe space to pause, become fully informed, and find the best ways to approach their parents. We reassure them that they are not alone and we are happy to sit with their parents and help them process the situation. We let them know that, despite their age, no one can coerce them into having an abortion.

Sometimes parents accompany their daughter to the appointment. Shantel* had just been told of her daughter’s pregnancy that morning and was reeling with shock. She was angry, blamed herself and was grieving the “loss of her dream” for her daughter’s future. We specialize in calming these emotions and helping the family to arrive at a life-affirming decision everyone can live with. Shantel and her daughter left the Center, arm-in-arm, with confidence that, although the circumstances were difficult, together they would welcome this baby into their hearts and home.

As these stories illustrate, Ohioans can count on Pregnancy Center Plus and the other centers throughout the state to provide free services and exceptional support to couples facing an untimely pregnancy. We are there to assist them from the crisis to the cradle and into a thriving future.

*pseudonyms

LAURA CURRAN has served as the Executive Director of Pregnancy Center Plus since 2010. Recipient of the Angels in Adoption: U.S. Congressional Award, she has over 30 years of adoption advocacy experience and was previously the Ohio Regional Director for All God’s Children International. Laura is the mother of five children by birth, domestic adoption, and international adoption.

This article appeared in the October 2023 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.