Are you in the process of choosing and OB/GYN? Check out these 8 questions that will help you get it...
Read MoreSame Day Appointments Available
Same Day Appointments Available
Same Day Appointments Available
Same Day Appointments Available
We’re strong, independent women. We pride ourselves, maybe too much, on being able to take care of business and get the job done. But do you ever wonder if the story we tell ourselves isn’t the truth? Like when you’re looking at a positive pregnancy test and thinking, “I’m pregnant and need help, but I should be able to handle this on my own.” Wouldn’t it be ok to need more than we can provide for ourselves alone?
I would say that maybe the strongest thing you can do when you’re pregnant is admit you need some extra support. We’ve seen women come to our clinic, facing an unplanned pregnancy and making one of the biggest decisions of their lives, alone. They feel like they are in a corner by themselves because they don’t want to talk with their “people” about a pregnancy that has the very real possibility of not making it to birth. So, they hide what they know, stuck inside their own heads.
It’s hard to get help if you can’t admit you’re pregnant and need help. Add in the anxiety of having to make a pregnancy decision, and that’s a pretty overwhelming combination.
Some women come into our clinic and admit they’ve told their “people” they are pregnant and need help. They’ve asked for input and support, only to be hear, “It’s your pregnancy and your decision.” While that answer sounds supportive, women tell us it feels lonely. Wise counsel is hard to find when you don’t have anyone who will come into the space with you, ask hard questions, hear you, and help you process your pregnancy and all your options.
It’s one of the great benefits of an options consultation at Alcove Health. We are compassionate advocates who won’t be sitting around your dinner table next week. We don’t know the mistakes you made last year or the things you wish you could forget. We care about you fully and can give you the space to understand your options and wisely figure out your next steps for this particular pregnancy.
Our medical services are provided by a remarkable team of registered nurses. Some of the most compassionate and intelligent I’ve ever met. They will hear you and your story. They will provide you with the medical services (like an ultrasound and STI testing) and the information you need to plan your next step, safely and wisely.
I went to a doctor’s appointment recently, and the nurse doing my intake didn’t even look at me. She sat behind two computer screens as she asked me questions about my health and my life. And she couldn’t even see my face. It felt terrible. Even if I needed it, I wouldn’t feel comfortable admitting to her I was pregnant and needed help. Why not? Because she made it clear she didn’t care about me. Not really. She didn’t even care to see me.
The experience made me think about our clinic team here at Alcove Health and the genuineness with which they provide care to each individual woman. I wish every clinic treated me the way the Alcove Health staff treat their clients.
But it’s not just about the pregnancy decision, either. It’s also about all the next steps. If you’re pregnant and need help, it’s ok – no, it’s reasonable – to need some extra help throughout the pregnancy and for your “after.” Right now, if you’re pregnant and need help, you may not be thinking about the support you may need after. But we are.
That’s why we are committed to providing ongoing pregnancy support – with resource support within our clinic and through connections throughout the community. Our area is rich in resources that support women; we love connecting women to these resources!
We’ve also found that every after needs support. After birth, miscarriage, abortion, or adoption. It doesn’t mean we’re weak for needing help; it means we are paying attention to our needs. That’s healthy. And wise. And the support from Alcove Health starts from the minute you find out you’re pregnant.
So, I want to challenge you. There is no gold medal for going it alone in your pregnancy. Conversely, there’s no shame in getting help. Pregnancy is a different time. Throughout your whole life, there is no season exactly like the season of pregnancy. That’s not a bad thing. After all, you’re growing another human inside your body. You’re making decisions for both of you.
All things considered; a little help isn’t too much to ask for, is it?
Here at Alcove Health, we don’t think it is, either. Most of us are moms ourselves. There’s not a story you won’t find among us: pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, adoption. Every pregnancy had a story; but we all agree, each pregnancy was significant. Each pregnancy left its mark on our lives.
If you’re pregnant and need help and you’d like your own appointment with our caring clinic team, it’s easy. Just call or click here to schedule your appointment. All of our services are free and confidential. You’re not alone. We’re here to help and we have a whole community behind us; they’re behind you, too! Reach out today.
Are you in the process of choosing and OB/GYN? Check out these 8 questions that will help you get it...
Read More
What should you avoid during pregnancy? Check out these 5 important things to skip for a healthier pregnancy and baby.
Read More
Have you changed your mind after taking the first abortion pill? Learn if abortion pill reversal is an option and...
Read More
"Who should I tell first after a positive pregnancy test?" Learn how to choose a trusted support person and what...
Read More