Being pregnant can be a beautiful thing, but what if your pregnancy was unplanned?
The Lethbridge Pregnancy Care Centre has been operating for over a year providing women, men and families with emotional and practical support when dealing with an unexpected pregnancy and pregnancy issues. The care centre is a safe and confidential environment with specially-trained counsellors on staff who offer support and helpful advice for those in need of someone to talk to about unplanned pregnancy. “We want people to feel safe and let them know what their options are when it comes to their pregnancy,” says Executive Director Monica Moedt.
Some of the services the center provides are information on health during pregnancy, peer counselling and advocacy, practical support services, adoption referrals (open and closed),adoption support (pre & post), information on abortion procedures and risks, post abortion grief support and sexual health education. The centre does not provide abortion referrals.
The care centre is not a clinic nor do they do anything that a regular doctor’s office does. The centre does however provide free and confidential pregnancy testing for anyone who thinks they may be pregnant. One of the centre’s clients who wished to be anonymous said, “I couldn’t bring myself to get a pregnancy test from the drugstore, I just couldn’t do it alone.”
The Lethbridge Pregnancy Care Centre is donation-funded. Everything from infant and maternity wear to formula and diapers are all donated. These items are given to those who many not be able to afford them. “We don’t receive funds for our centre. It’s all donated or fundraised,” says Kathy Oord a volunteer at LPCC.
On Nov. 8 the LPCC will be holding a fundraiser at Southminster United Church. Juno and Canadian Country Music Award winner George Canyon will be doing an acoustic performance from his new album “Decades of Hits” at the fundraiser. Tickets are $20 dollars and you can get them at the Lethbridge Pregnancy Care Centre or at the door the night of the show.
If you would like more information on the pregnancy centre phone 403-942-1819 or visit www.lethbridgepregcentre.com.