Why Prenatal Care?
7500 abortions are performed in Allegheny County annually. That’s 20 abortions every single day. 20 little lives lost. 20 women who felt they had no choice. 20 women who needed support and hope.
Since 1985, Network of Life Pregnancy Care Centers have worked to reach those women. Each year, we provide life-affirming services to over 1,000 mothers and young emerging families from across the region at medical clinics located in Oakland, Monroeville, and the North Side.
Our mission is to empower those most vulnerable to abortion to choose life and abundant life in Christ. Empowerment goes beyond her initial decision to carry to term. It must extend to support a healthy full-term pregnancy and delivery, then must see the young family through a joyful postpartum and successful first years of parenting.
The Decision for Life Is Not Made Only Once
The decision to carry to term does not happen in one moment. It is renegotiated over many moments. The decision is fragile. It is not instantaneous, and it is not durable. For some clients, this period of ambivalence may stretch over many months. The women we serve are largely uninsured or underinsured. Many will not seek prenatal care until long after the recommended 10-to-12-week range. And because of their insurance status, may experience longer delays up to 15 to 18 weeks.
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During this delay, abortion seems easy, accessible, and affordable. Circumstances, close friends afamily. The need for a continuum of care inspired the creation of our Wellness Journey. These classes are offered in small groups and invite moms and dads to walk through pregnancy while preparing for childbirth and infant care. These vital small group experiences allow time to make a life decision while surrounded by support. Once enrolled, client families can participate in childbirth and parenting classes, build mentoring relationships, and earn essential items like clothing, formula, and baby gear for up to two years.
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Our goal is to close that gap.
Expanding the Wellness Journey
PRE-NATAL CARE IS COMING
Network of Life already walks alongside families well beyond their initial pregnancy decision through our Wellness Journey. In small groups, moms and dads prepare for childbirth and parenting, build mentoring relationships, connect with other families, and receive practical resources and ongoing support. Our prenatal expansion will add medical prenatal visits directly into that existing continuum of care.
We are not simply creating another medical appointment.
We are creating a place where prenatal care, education, relationships, practical support, and spiritual care can work together throughout a woman’s pregnancy.
What Will Prenatal Care Look Like?
The program will begin as a pilot at one Network of Life location. Growth will be gradual as we develop the program, add staff, evaluate outcomes, and prepare for future expansion to all three centers.
High-Quality
Medical Care
Care in Community
Education and Resources
Whole-Person Support
Clients will receive prenatal visits from qualified medical professionals within a familiar, compassionate environment.
Our program will build upon a small-group model that allows women to walk through pregnancy alongside other mothers rather than in isolation.
Prenatal care will be integrated with childbirth preparation, parenting education, mentoring, and practical resources.
Our Christ-centered approach allows us to care for medical, practical, relational, emotional, and spiritual needs while honoring the dignity of both mother and child.
Medical Leadership
Anita Showalter, DO, FACOOG is serving Duquesne University Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine as Chair of Specialty Medicine and Division Chief of OBGYN. Dr. Showalter has been volunteering with our team and will be leading the prenatal care program and providing direct patient care as part of our Prenatal Wellness Journey.
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“As medical care becomes more transactional, and the life of the unborn is not always valued, it is important that we LOVE THEM BOTH by providing life-affirming prenatal care.”
— Dr. Anita Showalter
What Our Clients and Doctors
Are Saying
THIS IS A NATURAL NEXT STEP
The desire for prenatal care did not begin in a planning meeting.
It came, in part, from listening to the families already walking through our doors.