BRIDGEHAVEN PREGNANCY SUPPORT CENTER

Client Advocacy/Medical: Bridgehaven provides free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to clients. Clients meet with trained advocates to discuss all options and then administer a pregnancy test under the supervision of our trained staff and volunteers. If they bring support people with them, they are welcome to be part of the testing. The basis of this consultation is to provide medically accurate information to our clients about all their options, including referrals to adoption agencies within our community. We also provide limited STI testing as an option for all our pregnancy consultation appointments. Bridgehaven provides free ultrasounds for clients who come to the center with confirmed pregnancies that are estimated to be at least seven weeks. Our medical department is overseen by our two medical directors, doctors who both review scans and provide medical advisement and direction as needed. We have a full-time nurse manager and two volunteers who also complete ultrasound exams. That appointment begins with medical history discussion and then support people are invited in for the actual scan. Sometimes, our clients do not have primary care providers so this appointment is often "gap care". We provide a limited ultrasound exam and check for three things: placement in the uterus, heartbeat to ensure the pregnancy is viable and size to determine a due date. Once those things are confirmed, we can offer clients medically accurate information and answer their questions, as well as recommend clinics for prenatal care. Clients leave with a list of resources in the community, and we provide prenatal vitamins if that is a need. We provide information on smoking cessation and other materials about healthy pregnancy. Our Take Heart program offers support and connections to resources for those facing miscarriage, life-limiting prenatal diagnoses, and infant loss. Our Take Courage program offers abortion recovery support for anyone who has been impacted by an abortion decision in their past. The program is either a weekend retreat in a group setting, or one-on-one support facilitated by a trained advocate who has also experienced an abortion in their past.

Client Support/Earn While You Learn Program: Clients who are pregnant or have children (up to 18 years of age) in the home can sign up for classes at Bridgehaven. Clients meet with the Manager of Client Support to review class options, discuss family support, and identify community resources that would be helpful in their family's health. Classes are eight weeks in duration and cover four areas of life: parenting, relationships, life skills and spiritual growth. Each week the client is invited to attend class and shop for supportive resources, including food and baby items (diapers, wipes, and formula) at Bridgehaven. Yearly benefits based on attendance and participation include: school supplies, Easter and Christmas meat vouchers, winter coat distribution, and Christmas Room gifts. Clients who complete all eight weeks of the prenatal class qualify for a new crib or car seat.