Strathmore Pregnancy Care network helps expectant moms

Andrea Roberts
Times Contributor

 

The Strathmore Pregnancy Care Network is a special centre that helps local women decide which path to take with their pregnancy, with options of adoption, abortion, and parenthood.
The local network, which opened its doors one year ago, is run by Jenn Page and her team of well-trained volunteers. By providing advice regarding pregnancy and motherhood, the team tries to help Strathmore residents in need of a little bit of help.
“We never refuse or turn anyone away so even if it is not a specific situation that we generally deal with then we will still try help them the best we can,” said Page.
According to research done by the University of Ottawa, and despite 80 per cent of Canadian women using some form of birth control, many pregnancies are unplanned.
Therefore, the centre offers a wide range of services and classes, while focusing mainly on unplanned or crisis pregnancies.
This is why the network is important for Strathmore, as this is the only place in the area that can deal with the anxiety that these women feel when it comes to the decision of how they want to proceed. Other than the one in Strathmore the closest centre like this is in the South West of Calgary, which for a few women is too far away.
“We give them all the information regarding the losses, risks as well as the pros and cons,” Page said
“We don’t push her towards one option or another, we just give her the information and let her choose what is best for her.”
Regardless of which option is pursued, Page and her volunteers help out however they can by providing information, offering classes, and support groups.
For those that choose parenting there are classes for expecting mothers, as well as classes for moms and tots. Maternity wear and clothes for children from newborn to two-years-old are offered to clients in the lower income bracket, which the clients can access every 30 days.
For the women who feel abortion is best, the centre provides the information to explain the process and provide answers to numerous questions. The women can also come back anytime if they have questions or emotions to work through.
For the adoption option, the centre has pre- and post-adoption support groups. The pre-adoption support group helps the birth mother to decide how she wants the process to go. They also help the birth mother to decide how she wants the process of the placement ceremony at the hospital to go. If the mother decides she wants some kind of connection with the child, the centre helps to get her in touch with the adoptive parents.
The post-adoption support groups help the birth mother to deal with the loss and the grieving process of giving up the child. Page refers to these meetings as a safe place for the women to talk.
Classes for the moms who choose to keep their children are offered too. These classes deal with helping the moms live a better life. The leap class is all about life skills, boundaries, and relationships, and the money and budgeting class helps the women manage their finances.
“So that is what we do here,” Page said. “If there is anything medical or if they have a medical question then we refer them to doctors or clinics who are taking new inpatients.”
The centre is now open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons and anyone is welcome, including walk-ins. For more information or to book an appointment contact 587-896-0902.