Pregnancy Wellness & Maternal Health
Pregnancy medical centers and resource centers focus on maternal and fetal health by providing services that foster prenatal and postnatal care. According to a 2019 report from the Gender Equity Commission, maternal deaths from childbirth have been increasing in the US in recent years, and the gap has widened for people of color, particularly black mothers. Maternal death for black Pittsburghers was also higher than 97% of similar US cities—and black residents, in general, died younger than their white counterparts. Pregnancy centers intervened to address these racial and economic disparities, offering education and mentoring in rural urban and underserved neighborhoods.
Pregnancy medical clinics see women in the earliest days of their pregnancy. An ultrasound follows pregnancy testing, which is a free service and a vital step when making a decision about pregnancy.
The ultrasound…
- Provides early diagnosis of pregnancy
- Confirms placement inside the uterus, which rules out an ectopic pregnancy
- Confirms viability and measures gestational age (exact number of weeks/days of the fetus)
Pregnancy medical centers care about informed consent and believe that each woman deserves information about her pregnancy and her options before a pregnancy decision. Informed consent includes a helpful presentation of all the options, including parenting and adoption.
Pregnancy centers provide or connect women to needed community services that focus on their health and wellness. These may include prenatal healthcare, drug and alcohol services, immigration services and language assistance, practical material assistance, STD testing, etc.
Pregnancy resource centers serve women and men throughout pregnancy and beyond. Typical pregnancy centers offer prenatal education, parenting and birthing classes, mentoring for new fathers, and practical tools like nutrition during pregnancy, child-proofing homes, car seat safety, and much more.