Patreece* was very frightened when she came to Women’s Center-East. She had just taken a pregnancy test at home and it was positive. She wasn’t completely healed from the birth of her daughter several months earlier. It had been a difficult birth and the doctor had told her to wait 3 years before getting pregnant again. Patreece confided, “My scar is still swollen on the inside and my husband is afraid I could die. Our two young daughters need a mother.”

Patreece thought abortion was her only option even though she felt in her heart it was wrong. The consultant explained the different types of abortion with her as well as the risks. The nurse at Women’s Center-East did an ultrasound but it was too early to determine age or viability. She was very concerned about Patreece’s situation and advised her to seek some medical information from an OBGYN before having an abortion. Patreece was given a list of several local doctors. Because she had no insurance the nurse called one of the doctors to see how much a visit would cost. Her two daughters were on Care Source so the nurse suggested Patreece sign up as well.

Then Patreece left Ohio to visit with her family, wondering what she should do. When she came back to Dayton she called Women’s Center East and scheduled another ultrasound. She sounded excited and said she and her husband had decided to have the baby. After her second ultrasound, Patreece still had many concerns about this pregnancy but she knows that the staff at Women’s Center East really cares about her and will do all they can to help her get through this difficult pregnancy.

Women’s Center-East is located at 4787 Burkhardt Avenue, Suite 201, Dayton, Ohio 45403. Women are served in a confidential and comfortable setting. There are no income requirements, however all services are offered free of charge. For more information, call 937-610-7777 or schedule an initial appointment online by going to www.womenscenterohio.com/daytonEast.aspx.

*Not real name.

For most women, their new diet begins after they have found out they are pregnant. They begin focusing on what they are eating or drinking. They may cut out caffeine or have to quit smoking abruptly.

However, for some women, they may begin to plan for a pregnancy before it actually occurs. If you have made the decision to get pregnant, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your doctor. He will be able to discuss any changes that you need to make before conceiving. You may need to gain or lose a few pounds. Your doctor will be able to put you on a diet and exercise plan.

This diet will consist of healthy foods that have high nutrient densities. You want to incorporate foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, proteins, fiber, and folic acid. You should strive to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. You can also add protein in the form of peanut butter, nuts, hard boiled eggs, and cheeses.

Consuming 6-8 glasses of water is important for any healthy person. Pregnant women and nursing mothers will have an increased thirst because of their hormones. Start to cut out coffee or highly caffeinated beverages. They will not be healthy for your child once you become pregnant. Rather, choose to drink fruit and vegetable juices.

There are also certain foods that you should try to avoid. Foods that are high in fat and sugar offer little nutritional value. They can also cause sugar crashes, making you more fatigued. Eating raw eggs or raw, undercooked meats or fish can often be dangerous. Be sure to check the mercury content of certain seafood such as king mackerel, swordfish, or shark. Cheeses such as camembert and brie contain unpasteurized milk which is dangerous for a fetus.

Consuming alcohol early in a pregnancy can cause birth defects. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, avoid alcoholic beverages. Research has also found that drinking alcohol can lower your chances of getting pregnant. Like alcohol, cigarettes can also cause serious birth defects and even miscarriage. Gradually quitting smoking before pregnancy will be easier than quitting abruptly.

Your doctor may also recommend you begin prenatal vitamins or a multivitamin that contains at least 400 mg of folic acid. These vitamins will be full of the nutrients and vitamins that are essential to your baby’s growth. They will contain vitamins B,C, and D, along with folic acid, iron, and calcium.

Getting pregnant is a very important decision for a woman. If she has the opportunity, preparing her body, checking her health, and changing her diet and habits can often greatly increase her chance of a healthier pregnancy.

Concerned you may be pregnant? Not sure what you plan to do? The Women’s Center – Dayton can help assist you with your unplanned pregnancy. We can provide you with a medical quality pregnancy test, and limited ultrasound scan. All of our services are offered without charging you anything. If you are unsure what you plans are for the pregnancy or are considering abortion, we can provide you with information about your options. We are committed to providing women with accurate information they need to make the best choice for their individual situation. Our RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) and Nurses are here to provide every positive pregnancy test client with a free non-diagnostic ultrasound scan.  The limited ultrasound scan will help to determine gestational age and viability. Viability refers to whether or not the embryo or fetus has a detectable heartbeat. It is important for women to determine the viability and gestational age of the pregnancy when making a decision about the pregnancy.

No matter what your plans are for this pregnancy, we are here to provide you with the services to support you during this time. We can provide you with community resources and referrals that will help support your specific needs during the pregnancy. For those women who have decided to carry to term, the Women’s Center offers a material assistance program. Through the material assistance program women can earn items for their child, such as furniture, clothing, diapers, formula, etc. This program is available for women both during the pregnancy and after the child is born.

During your visit, you will find our staff members provide a caring, non-judgmental atmosphere to discuss your situational needs and concerns. The consultants take the time necessary for you to understand your options and services available to you. All information shared during the consultations is confidential in order to protect the privacy of our clients.

The Women’s Center – Dayton is located at 359 Forest Avenue, Suite 105, Dayton, Ohio. Our office is located near the Grandview Hospital’s Emergency Room entrance at the corner of Forest and Neal Avenues. Appointments are preferred and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be scheduled by phone or online. To schedule an appointment by phone or to learn more about the services we provide, please call (937) 228-2222. If interested in setting up an initial appointment online, please visit www.womenscenterohio.com, click on the Dayton location in the lower left hand side, and then click on the “Book Now” button.  We can also be reached by email at info@womenscenterohio.com.

Women’s Center – Dayton serves the following Miami Valley communities: Trotwood, Englewood, Huber Heights, Vandalia, and Dayton Ohio.

Everyone wants to touch the baby, especially during the pregnancy, but doesn’t it seem like nobody asks before touching? If you haven’t noticed yet, the minute you start to show a pregnant tummy, everyone else will gladly reach out their hands to show you how big your belly is. The tummy becomes this magical, super powerful magnet for hands, and everyone wants to handle it. It doesn’t matter if you are walking around in a store, sitting down in a restaurant, or walking on your own street – someone is bound to start rubbing their grimy hands all over it and driving you crazy.

You aren’t the only one that is being driven nuts by this either – take a look at your husband. Sure, he seems like a trooper, but, deep inside, he’s probably ready to put someone’s lights out. Talk with your husband, and see how he feels. Even if you don’t personally mind, he might not like other men’s hands all over your belly. He may not care if it is a female touching your body, but he can mind very much about a man touching you. Think about how you would feel if you saw some woman rubbing her hands all over your husband’s chest. Maybe the two of you can come to an agreement – after all do you have to let everyone touch the baby?

Your belly, clothed or not, is a personal space; sure, there is someone intruding inside you, but that person inside is very welcome. But to actually touch someone else’s belly, one should ask before they do it, and then kindly respect your answer. If you don’t want them to touch it, just tell them. While some women don’t mind all the attention, there are other women that don’t want their bellies touched; much less do they want their bellies showing for the whole world to see. Maybe they’ve gained 10 pounds, and they feel conscious enough about it, or they could be a very private person. There is nothing wrong with either at all.

Children may also want to touch your pregnant belly; usually, it’s because they know someone that has had a baby recently who permitted them to do that. If you don’t like it, let them know. If you don’t mind them touching your belly, you may at least want to hold their hand and place it gently on your belly. Children tend to get excited, and they can actually smack the belly when they are trying to reach for it.

Forget about the soft and smooth rubbing of the belly for a moment; be careful that you don’t get the person that likes to poke at it. Poking at your belly can hurt more than anything, and most of the time “belly pokers” just don’t get it. Try explaining to them as nicely as you can that it really does hurt. They may only be doing it because they want to see the baby move, and, when you jump, they just think it is part of the pregnancy reaction. If you let them know how painful it really is, in the future, they may think twice before doing it again to you or anyone else.

If nothing else seems to work, and you’ve been polite in letting people know that your belly is off limits, feel free to launch your husband onto them or even start shooing and swatting. You’ve already given fair warning. You’ve got every right to defend yourself – including your pregnancy belly. Don’t feel bad if you smack a person that lifts up your shirt in broad daylight either. This is a normal reaction, and people should really think twice before doing it. They wouldn’t do it if you weren’t pregnant.

After that night, did you ever think you’d wind up here…pregnant and alone? Perhaps you believed him when he said he would always be there for you, but now he’s gone and you’re left with the hardest decision you may ever have to make.

Maybe you’re still with him, but you don’t know how he would react to this news. You’re scared to tell him you’re pregnant because you don’t know whether or not he will support you through the pregnancy.

Or possibly both of you are excited that you might be pregnant, but you’re scared to tell your family. You don’t think they’re going to react well so you want some advice as to what your next step should be.

Whatever your situation is, we know that it may be leaving you overwhelmed and scared. And while you might feel like you’re alone in this, you’re not. With six locations in South Central Indiana, Pregnancy Care Center is here waiting to come along side you and help you through this time. (You can find us in Columbus, Seymour, Shelbyville, Greensburg, North Vernon and Nashville, Indiana.)

So what can Pregnancy Care Center do to help you? First off, be a listening ear. For more than 20 years we’ve supported women struggling with unplanned pregnancies. One of the most helpful services they say we have is that we listen to their hearts and don’t judge them based on their situations. When you come to the Pregnancy Care Center, we will let you talk and express your feelings, fears and concerns. Then together we will sort through your feelings and answer any questions you may have regarding the pregnancy. Our goal is to help you clearly see all your options (Parenting, Abortion and Adoption) concerning this pregnancy so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Here are just a few comments our clients have said about the support they have received at the Pregnancy Care Center:

• I felt very comfortable and respected in this situation. I never felt judged or worried that my situation would be not confidential.

• My peer counselor helped me sort my feelings. She was very helpful and I feel a lot better after talking with her.

• I like the fact that she took the time to listen to me about my life.

• What I like best is that no one here judges you by who you are or what your circumstances may be.

• I felt very supported. Everything said was helpful in any decision I may make in the future.

• I like the fact that the people treat you as equal instead of something else. I also like the fact that they see your perspective of things and how you feel instead of telling you how you feel.

In addition to our peer counseling services, we also provide pregnancy tests and first trimester ultrasound to verify that you are indeed pregnant and determine how far along you are in the pregnancy. And all services provided by the Pregnancy Care Center are available at no cost.

We know you’re probably feeling overwhelmed with the weight of this decision; especially if there is no one in your life you can talk to about it. Remember that we’re here for you, waiting to help. Just pick up the phone and call us at 812-378-4730.

It really is possible to survive a full-length labor without drugs, even when there is pain involved. To my husband and me, the benefits were worth it, especially in retrospect.

From the time we knew we were expecting, we also knew that we didn’t want to have our baby born in a hospital. Of all the reasons, the most notable was that I kept reading about relaxing helping labor along, and I knew I’d never be able to relax in a hospital, and I’m not much of a fan of pain. After a few months of searching and researching, we found a birth center in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with close ties to high-quality emergency medical facilities. From the first visit to their website, we were pretty confident that this is where we would to birth our baby.

With our decision to plan to have our baby born in a birth center, we were, in that decision, choosing to plan a natural delivery, with no drugs or “preventive” procedures that can be done only in a hospital. Since this was our first baby, we didn’t really know, entirely, what we had coming, but now that we’re on the other side, we wouldn’t do it any other way.

Right from the start, my only sensation of labor was lower back pain that alerted me to contractions. The baby was born with the cord around her neck, and the midwife believes that she (the baby) had her head cocked into my spine througout the entire laboring process, with triggered the back pain as contractions pressed her harder into my spine. Poor kid…it seems a rough way to get started!

There were definitely moments when I wanted to just be done and/or give it all up. Funny thing, though, when you’re in the middle of labor and giving birth, it’s too late to change your mind. Thankfully, I had my wonderful husband with me throughout, and God strengthened him as much as He did me. From the jacuzzi to the shower to the floor to the bed, we experimented with many things that we had read, but for the most part, we just had to breathe through it all, and there was always a break right when I “couldn’t take it any more.”

I remember, all too clearly, that when it was all done, and our healthy baby girl was on my belly, then in my arms, that I was sure nothing would ever hurt again. After twenty-two hours of repetitive pain in my lower back, I was confident that I could take any discomfort and it would be nothing, in comparison. Less than nine months later, the least little paper cut hurts like crazy. So they were all right–the memories do soften over time.

After the fact, when our little girl had been born healthy, it was wonderful to be able to hold her right away. Since I had no drugs, I was very alert (until I crashed, a few hours later) and fully able to enjoy our daughter. She, too, was quite alert, and we had a great time getting to know her, right away. It was wonderful to be able to go home, since all systems were functional, and we were thrilled to have our first night altogether in our own home–what a great start! This was all possible, since I’d had no preventive procedures or medications. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gifts!

Where can you go to find out for sure if you’re pregnant? My friend recommended Women’s Center-Kettering (Ohio) and I’m so glad she did. I didn’t know there was such a place that would listen to me and my issues and not judge me. I couldn’t believe they did not push me into a decision or try to tell me what to do. As a matter of fact, the nurse that talked to me did more listening than talking. I felt so respected and understood. I think it’s great that people like to help other people who may be facing the same problems they faced when they were younger. It’s a really cool way to give back. If anyone needs pregnancy help near Dayton, Ohio, I would suggest Women’s Center-Kettering.

When my pregnancy test came back positive, it took a little while for the news to sink in and the nurse was so patient. How could I be pregnant? I told her that I had my whole life ahead of me and that I was not that serious with the man involved. Right away I knew that abortion was what I would choose. But then I wasn’t so sure. The nurse offered to check via ultrasound if my pregnancy was “viable” meaning if it would continue or not, if left alone. She found the little “sack” where the baby should have been, but there was no heartbeat. All of the sudden, I felt so sad to know that on the same day I found out for sure that I was pregnant, the baby would not survive.

I really can’t express the emotions that I felt. First I was upset that I was pregnant, and then I was sad that I was not. Through my emotional roller-coaster, the Nurse-Consultant at the Women’s Center-Kettering was so kind. She explained that one out of four pregnancies end in miscarriage. She told me that many women schedule an abortion before they find out if the pregnancy will even continue on it’s own or not. She told me about the different methods of abortion. She explained how my cycle works and how a pregnancy occurs. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I didn’t know you could only get pregnant a few fertile days of the month. The way she talked about what a precious gift fertility is and how many women would give anything to be fertile and achieve pregnancy, it really made me think about things in a way I have never even considered.

She let me talk about my feelings and hopes and dreams and I got a new appreciation about being a woman. I’ve always dreaded pregnancy like it’s a disease or something. Now I think I’d like to save sex for a man who I’d like to raise a child with. I don’t know where the relationship with the man I’m dating now will lead, but one thing’s for sure; I’m not going to be having sex with him again unless we’re ready to have a child together (like after we’re married). At the Women’s Center-Kettering, they treated me with such respect as a woman, that I want to treat myself more respectfully from now on. My fertility is an awesome gift—I can’t wait to share it with my husband someday down the road.

For more information or to find out if you’re really pregnant, go to the Women’s Center-Kettering’s website at: www.womenscenterohio.com or call 937-643-4673. Tell them Jennell sent you.

When a couple is struggling with conception issues, both partners need to do a thorough examination of their lifestyles. Things like smoking, diet and alcohol consumption can affect the fertility of both men and women and improving these issues can make a big difference when it comes to starting a family. But what if you’re already an exceptionally fit woman and are still having problems conceiving? You may want to consider the possibility that you are too healthy.

The hormone balance in a woman’s body is a delicate thing. Her ovulation and monthly cycles are sometimes so precarious that a more than usually stressful month can throw them off. When trying to conceive, it serves a woman well to try to reduce her stress level by incorporating some physical activity into her daily routine. Unfortunately, this is a situation where there most definitely can be too much of a good thing. Over exercise can affect a woman’s ovulation cycle resulting in irregular, skipped and sometimes even non existent periods. Medically known as amenorrhea, this condition makes conception extremely difficult and in the long run can even contribute to severe osteoporosis.

In essence, the more you exercise, the more your cycle is affected. When you engage in high intensity activity, your body releases opioids, otherwise known as endorphins. This ‘feel good’ chemical creates the runner’s high that so many fitness enthusiasts are addicted to. However, this same chemical also suppresses the pituitary gland and thereby alters the production of hormones necessary for ovulation. Although high intensity exercise can give you an emotional boost and help you slide into your size five jeans, having too little body fat is another of the factors in infertility. Thirty percent of a woman’s estrogen production happens in her fat cells and if there simply isn’t enough, she’s going to have a struggle to become pregnant. Her body just won’t support a baby.

If you are an avid exerciser and are noticing your periods are affected, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. He or she may recommend cutting your routine back to three or less hours a week and after calculating your body mass index, may even suggest gaining some weight.

Allow your body to rest and create the ideal environment for your growing baby. It may take some time to get your body back into a regular cycle. Try to relax. There is no reason why you can’t continue your hunt for endorphins after you have delivered a healthy baby and given yourself time to heal. Becoming a parent generally means giving up a lot of control and pregnancy is just the first step.

Light of Hope Pregnancy Center has been serving women in Sumter, South Carolina, and in Lee, Clarendon and Sumter counties for over 15 years. More than 6,000 women have trusted us with their concerns and questions about their sexual health and pregnancy.

Women’s sexual health is important to us at Light of Hope Pregnancy Center. That’s why we provide free urine-based pregnancy tests with 99% accuracy, and results that are provided to you immediately.

At Light of Hope, you won’t find people who will judge you or lecture you! We provide confidential peer counseling by women who have been where you are – worried about an unplanned pregnancy. Our counselors have only your best interests in mind and will take the time to learn about you and your fears and concerns.

Have you ever made a decision and – looking back – wished you had known then what you know now? If you have a positive pregnancy test, you can depend upon Light of Hope Pregnancy Center to provide you with accurate information about all of your options for your pregnancy: parenting, abortion, and adoption. The decision is yours – there’s no pressure. But before you decide, we can provide you with all the facts that you need to know about your pregnancy and the options you have.

If you aren’t pregnant, but have questions about sexually transmitted disease, we can help. We can provide you with medically-accurate information about sexually transmitted infections and disease, and bust the myths about how to get them and how to prevent them.

Of course, all of our services are free and confidential. We’re located at 207 N. Main Street in downtown Sumter – just down the street from the main post office. Call us at 803-773-8858 or toll-free at 800-671-0681 for an appointment. You can also walk-in on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Many personal trainers and fitness experts recommend taking at least a full year to prepare your body for the considerable physical stresses of pregnancy and childbirth. A woman’s body goes through miraculous transformations almost daily as her baby forms and prepares to enter the world. These fitness gurus stress that a daily exercise program and sensible nutrition are essential in order to help make these transformations less traumatic. What if you haven’t had the luxury of a year’s worth of planning and training? Happily, your baby and your body will still benefit from a fitness routine whether you begin a week or a month into your pregnancy. It’s not important to be an expert, it’s just important to get started.

The first step in any, especially a prenatal beginning fitness routine is to move. It’s really that simple. Increasing your daily exercise by even ten minutes, can make a difference in the health of your baby and can reduce uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Walk to the store, forgo the elevator, take your partner on an after dinner stroll…you don’t have to train for a marathon, you just have to raise your heart rate. Once you have started the movement habit, you might consider other forms of exercise such as swimming, cycling or low-impact aerobics. Many community centers or gyms offer special prenatal programs that are tailored to your body’s needs. These classes have the added benefit of meeting other women and couples who are expecting and so can help to widen your social circle while reducing pregnancy discomforts. Whatever you choose, be sure your doctor knows you are beginning an exercise routine and has given you clearance to do so.

Stretching is incredibly important for pregnant women. During pregnancy, your body produces powerful hormones that loosen tendons and joints in preparation for labor. Stretching can help ease your body into and out of these considerable physical alterations. Prenatal yoga is helpful in this regard. It enables you to take the time to experience your body through all the stages of your pregnancy and to become more aware of the subtle signals your body sends. This combined with the breathing techniques essential to yoga practice will help you through your labor and in the tumultuous days to follow. There are copious amounts of yoga tapes and classes available to women. A quick internet search will show you what resources are available in your community – take advantage of them.

Many people feel that fitness is eighty percent diet and ten percent exercise. Whether this is true or not, the relationship between the two is certainly important. It’s not enough to exercise daily if you are still drowning your pregnancy anxieties in cheeseburgers and great tubs of ice cream. For your baby’s sake and your own health, you need to clean up your diet. The first thing to do is to stop eating processed foods. Commercially prepared junk foods are designed to taste good and thereby create addictions. When you have a craving for a sauce laden fast food burger, ask yourself if you would feed this to your newborn. Your baby deserves better and so do you. Instead of giving in to these urges, exercise will power and choose instead to nourish your amazing body with healthy food. Talk to your doctor about prenatal nutrition or consult a dietician for more information.

If you haven’t had the desire to pursue fitness before, you may find your pregnancy gives you the impetus you’ve been lacking. It’s never to late to start making healthy choices and starting a fitness program now will ensure you have the energy you need to help you as you and your baby grow together.