What does a pregnant woman encounter when she walks in the door at Care Net for the first time? Mainstream media outlets and pro-abortion organizations may share misconceptions and accusations about what happens at Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) like your local Care Net.
Walk through an intake appointment with our Medical Sonographer Kerry Johnson, RDMS, and discover what happens behind the scenes as we care for families in Indian River County.
What Steps Go Into a Woman's First Care Net Appointment?
Usually, women hear about us by word of mouth or from a friend or family member. The second most common way is through a Google search. She makes her appointment by calling or texting the center.
When she walks into Care Net for her appointment, she is greeted by a receptionist and fills out her intake paperwork. Then, a licensed medical professional administers her pregnancy test. We explain all of our services, and if the pregnant woman is considering her options, we explain the ins and outs of abortion procedures* and their risks, adoption and parenting.
(Care Net IRC does not perform nor refer for abortions.)
Every woman is provided information on human reproduction, fetal development, healthy pregnancy, and OB/GYNs in the area. Each woman leaves with a referral to an OB, prenatal vitamins, and literature on the topics relevant to her.
How Long Does the Appointment Take?
Each pregnancy test appointment can take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, depending on what the patient needs. A woman who’s unexpectedly pregnant is often overwhelmed, scared, and just in a really tough spot, and some stories are very involved. During an appointment, we cover everything from emotional support and ministry, to social work and education.
Is There a Limit on the Types of Clients We Serve?
When a woman calls us asking about a pregnancy test or ultrasound, the first question is whether or not she is under the care of an OB/GYN. If not, then we schedule her for a pregnancy test appointment. If she has started prenatal care with a doctor or midwife, we direct her to our “Earn While You Learn” program for 2+ years of free parenting support.
Are Women Seen by Licensed Medical Professionals at Care Net?
Yes!
- Lynn Ullestad, RN, MHA, is our Medical Services Manager, coordinating the department’s staff and growth.
- Kerry Johnson, RDMS, is our staff’s Lead Medical Sonographer.
- Jen Barnes, BSN, RN, is our part-time nurse.
- We also have RNs who volunteer. All volunteers who administer pregnancy test appointments must be licensed medical professionals.
Dr. James Presley, MD FACOG, is an OB/GYN who oversees our Center’s medical procedures as Medical Director.
What Personal Information Are Women Asked to Disclose?
Questions on the intake form help us understand her current living status and how to best provide services for her. We even ask her permission to call, text or leave voicemails.
Everything that she shares with us is confidential, and, as an independent non-profit, we aren’t required to share the information with anyone unless subpoenaed by a judge. She signs a form acknowledging that her information is confidential, a disclaimer stating that we don’t refer for or perform abortions, and takes home copies of our privacy policy and patient rights / responsibilities guidelines.
What Are Women Told About Abortion at the Appointment?
They are told about current FL abortion laws (abortion is legal up through 15 weeks gestation as of July 25, 2023), and the different abortion methods and their risks. If she is 10 weeks gestation or less, the FDA permits the use of abortion pills, versus needing a surgical procedure after 10 weeks. We make it clear that we do not refer for or perform abortions, yet we can help her by providing pregnancy options counseling and a free ultrasound to determine how far along she is.
What is Unique About Ultrasounds at Care Net IRC?
Many pregnancy resource centers like Care Net only offer transabdominal ultrasound exams, meaning scanning through the belly. To see a baby transabdominally, a woman would need to be almost 8 weeks along. Since Care Net IRC performs transvaginal ultrasounds, we can detect a beating heart as early as 5 weeks 5 days after the first day of her last menstrual period.
Current Florida laws require that a woman seeking an abortion must first have an ultrasound to determine how far along she is. Abortion clinics charge for ultrasounds but Care Net provides ultrasounds for free. We position ourselves as a walk-in clinic, because we want to serve these women in their time of crisis.
If the mother prefers, we will schedule an ultrasound exam when the father of the baby can be there. Statistics show when he sees the beating heart, the woman is 94% likely to choose life. If it’s just the woman alone, she is 87% likely to choose life for her baby.
What Do Clients Say?
“I feel so much better seeing the baby and the heartbeat and my time with Patty & Kerry gave me that confidence [that] the baby is healthy now, prior to seeing my OB… I can’t say enough positive things about Patty & Kerry and the support they provided for me – emotional and spiritual.” – Female Patient
“[The ultrasound] made [me] tear up. Very excited [and] can’t wait to meet the Baby.” – Male Client
Your Support Matters
Churches, Businesses, and individuals that contribute to Care Net make it possible for these free services to be available for women and families in our community.
Thank you for continuing to give generously. You truly are saving lives!
About the Blogs:
Care Net is one ministry with a unified goal – to create a culture of abundant life. But many different roles must be carried out to accomplish this goal, from greeting each client with a smile, to meeting each mother and baby’s material needs, to supporting post-abortive women.
In this blog series, we introduce you to the invaluable services that Care Net provides to clients on a daily basis. Click here for more.