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Pregnancy Center Now Provides More Services

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By CARL ORTH, The Suncoast News

Published: November 26, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Now with a larger location, the West Pasco Pregnancy Center is expanding into a medical center by adding ultrasound procedures and other services.

Women who are pregnant seven to 20 weeks can get a free picture of their unborn baby Tuesday through Dec. 8, according to Marion Bauer, executive director of the nonprofit agency.

"Our nurses are in the process of finishing their ultrasound training," Bauer said. "We are in need of pregnant ladies that would like to volunteer for a free ultrasound. This training will be under the supervision of a licensed ultrasonographer and a medical professional."

Morning and afternoon appointments are available at the center at 5330 George St. near Community Hospital. Call (727) 846-9999 for an appointment.

Melvyn Drew is medical director for the center. Mahnee Dinsmore and Thomas Umstead assist Drew.

More than 500 women received free help last year at the 21-year-old agency, Bauer said. She expects that number could increase once ultrasound services are added.

Pasco Imaging donated the ultrasound device, Bauer said.

"It turned out to be a blessing for us," Bauer has said about relocation of the center.

Expansion plans at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital displaced the pregnancy center early this year. Its home was on Ohio Avenue, Bauer said.

North Bay executives helped relocate the center in office space on George Street near Community Hospital of New Port Richey, in January.

With about double the space, the center will be able to offer more.

About 280 people attended the recent Champions of Life banquet, which raised $19,000 for the pregnancy center, Bauer said.

Nevertheless, "We are still in need of continuous financial support to cover all the expenses for our medical conversion and all the programs that we are offering," Bauer said.

For instance, pregnancy center officials are considering starting a program to help fathers cope with parental responsibility.

"A lot of people are falling through the cracks and they just need a little help," Bauer said.

While most women who come to the center are ages 18 to 23, the center has helped some girls as young as 14 and some women in their late 40s, Bauer pointed out.

"A crisis pregnancy can affect anybody," Bauer said. "An unplanned pregnancy can throw anybody's life around. We found out with some of our programs they can break cycles of abuse or neglect.

"We are committed to helping women and families as they deal with any pregnancy-related issue, no matter what their situation or background is. Facing an unplanned pregnancy is hard. Before the woman decides, she deserves to know all the facts. They always receive an honest and open answer."

The center offers pregnancy testing, confidential counseling, education on abortion when requested, post-abortion counseling, adoption support, abstinence education, special classes for prenatal and newborn care combined with material assistance, childbirth classes, parenting program and life-skill classes. All services are free.

"The majority of our clients choose parenting. Each year we have some clients that are placing their child for adoption and we work together with a network of adoption agencies and lawyers to guide them through the process. We also offer a special post-abortion program for those that need our help in this area."

Go to www.wppc.info /index.htm for more information about the center.

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