Questions

About the center...

What is Maranatha Pregnancy Center?

Maranatha Pregnancy Center (MPC) is a non-profit crisis pregnancy center.  The center has been developed for the purpose of providing Christ-centered personal and practical assistance to women faced with pregnancies that demand difficult and crucial decisions.  It is staffed by trained volunteer counselors.  The center strives to make information, counseling, and assistance available in an atmosphere of Christian love.

What happens when I come in?

When you call for an appointment, a counselor will ask for basic information and schedule you for the next available appointment.  (If you call when no one is in the office, or when a counselor is working with a client, you may leave a message and let us know when to return your call.)

Upon arrival at the center, you will be given an opportunity to explain your circumstances in order that the counselor will know how to help you.  You might need a pregnancy test, referral to a physician, counseling, or other assistance.  Some girls need emergency housing because of parental reaction to an unplanned pregnancy.  Some need to have alternative educational arrangements.  In these cases, we make all necessary arrangements.

Who pays for these services?

The center is supported solely through contributions from community members.  Donations are accepted from those who understand the need for a Christian crisis pregnancy center whose motivation for love is women, children and families in crisis.

About my situation...

How soon can I find out if I'm pregnant?

Before calling for an appointment, you should be at least 4-5 days late for your normal menstrual period.  The tests used at the center have a very high accuracy rate.  There are occasions when a false reading will occur, usually when a women is taking one of several medications.  You will be asked about this when you call for an appointment.  If necessary, we can refer you for a blood test for pregnancy.

What happens if I am pregnant?

The counselor will take time to help you understand what your body and baby are doing, and will help outline some options for you to consider.  You might decide to make another appointment with your partner or family to discuss the situation.  You might want to have an advocate, a friendly counselor, stay in contact with you during your pregnancy to help answer questions and be available to answer questions when you need a friend to talk with.

No one at the center will tell you what to do.  Instead, you will be given important information, and your questions will be answered honestly, thus enabling you to make informed decisions for yourself and your unborn child.

What if my test is negative?

If you feel you might be pregnant even though your early test is negative, you will be rescheduled for another test in about two weeks.  The counselor will take time to discuss your situation regardless of your test results.

If the results are negative, many women choose to discuss their concerns with the counselor and look at life-style options.  No one likes the idea of having to worry about an unplanned pregnancy on a monthly basis.  It is important to know that you can discuss anything with your counselor: from natural family planning methods for married couples, to ways to improve a troubled relationship through encouragement, growth, and and honest communication.

Questions about relationships...

Won't a pregnancy change my relationship with my boyfriend?

Definitely.  An unplanned pregnancy changes many things.  But those changes can be for the better.  A pregnancy will motivate you and your partner to communicate in important areas.

Decisions must be made with the long term welfare of all persons in mind: mother, father, and baby.  Each pregnancy effects scores of people...how that pregnancy is dealt with decides whether that effect is positive or negative.

What if I'm considering an abortion?

Abortion is big business in America.  It is deceptively sold as a "quick fix" in  a crisis; as a cure for social and moral mistakes.  Our counselors see many women who have already been sold abortions... and who consequently spend months or years in counseling, in an attempt to deal with the negative effects the experience has had on their lives.  The aftermath of abortion even has a recognized medical name: post-abortion-syndrome.

The center desires to help you find a positive solution to your crisis pregnancy.  By providing emotional support, objective counseling, and practical assistance, Maranatha Pregnancy Center can help you find a more clear perspective and make informed decisions.  We have many real ways to help you make real and positive "choices".