Unplanned Pregnancy

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, it’s very important to give yourself time; time to process your feelings and values, time to identify support systems, and time to consider and evaluate all of your options. Family, religious, cultural and future life concerns are often very influential. There will be changes in your life--no matter what decision you make. There are physical, emotional, social and moral issues to consider with all of the options. Please remember that you are not alone. Many counseling and referral services are available on campus and locally. This handout will present some of those possible services to assist you in making this very difficult decision. Ultimately, this will be your decision to make, and you will choose one of three options:

• you can choose to have the baby and raise the child
• you can choose to have the baby and place the baby for adoption
• you can choose to terminate the pregnancy

While you are deciding what to do, take good care of yourself. Eat nutritious food, include a multi-vitamin with folic acid, stay active, get plenty of sleep, don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol and don’t take any drugs or medications without checking with your health-care provider.

If counseling services would be of value to you, there are many options. Professionals in Student Health Services (703-993-2831) and in the Counseling Center (703-993-2380) can assist you. Student Health Services has many referrals available for OB-GYN groups in the area. The local health departments also assist with prenatal care and often with child care. Fairfax County’s Office for Children (703-449-8484) offers financial assistance for child care to women who are going to school or working. Planned Parenthood provides counseling and a variety of services. They can be reached at 1-800-230-PLAN, or through their web site: Planned Parenthood.

The Washington metropolitan area has a wide variety of organizations with religious affiliations that are eager to assist women who would like to raise their babies as well as those who are considering putting their baby up for adoption. They often offer confidential support, community and medical referrals, and support for individualized physical, spiritual, emotional, and material needs. Some even look for “host” families for a woman to stay with during her pregnancy.

A few are mentioned in the following list and they can often find a facility for the individual that is closer to her home.

Catholic Campus Ministry
(703) 425-0022
www.gmu.edu/org/ccm/

Jewish Social Service Agency
3018 Javier Road
2nd Floor
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 204-9100

info@jssa.org

Adams Center (All Dulles Area Muslim Society)
Adams Counseling Service
www.adamscenter.org

A female Muslim counselor is available: Salma Abugideiri at (571) 203-8900-please mention that referral was from Adams Center. If comfortable with a male counselor, Muslim students may also speak with Imam Muhammad Magid of ADAMS center.

Another clinic which is sponsored by the Muslim community and open to anyone with minimal or no health insurance is:

AMF Health Services
3705 S. George Mason Dr, Suite C6
Falls Church, VA 22041
(703) 379-2400

A Woman’s Choice - This local pregnancy-help center offers confidential support and community referrals. Anyone is eligible and client, family, and partner are welcome. Free pregnancy testing, referrals for health-care and professional counseling are provided, if needed. Support includes cribs, clothing, and day care assistance. Walk-ins are welcome. 6201 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church or call 703-538-4305.

Gabriel Project of Arlington - One-on-one confidential assistance for pregnant women in need providing for individualized physical, spiritual, emotional, and material needs. A Catholic organization, but anyone is eligible. Will look for the closest facility to the client’s home or assist her in finding a host family. Call 1-866-444-3553.

Life Choices Resource Center - Local pregnancy help center on Braddock Road, Fairfax, that offers confidential support and community referrals. 703 323-8060 or contact lcrc@maranatha.net.

Project Rachel - Anyone is eligible-client, father, family-for post-abortion assistance with psychological, physical, and spiritual healing. Includes post-abortion medical follow-up if needed. Also will refer to professional counselors if needed. Call 1-888-456-HOPE(4673).

Bellarmine Chapel, Catholic Campus Ministry at GMU has crisis pregnancy centers listed on their website at www.gmu.edu/org/ccm/.

Local pregnancy help center on Braddock Road, Fairfax, that offers confidential support and community referrals. 703 323-8060 or contact lcrc@maranatha.net