Her decision to abandon her baby emphasises the importance of a person whose pregnancy is a crisis to find counselling and help.
YFC's Options Care Centre has been operating in George for 17 years with a focus on counselling people who face an unplanned pregnancy.
Finding help is essential because decisions about the choices carry long-term effects and consequences for the mother (and the father) as well as the baby. Looking at the internal pressures (such as overwhelming emotions and the future goals) and external pressures (such as other people and lack of financial support) and being able to address them with support can make all the difference for the person in crisis.
It is important for teenagers and women to understand the various options they are considering. One of the options discussed in an article in the George Herald was the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP). Understanding the possible negative emotional and spiritual implications as well as the physical risks of this choice is essential and many people are unaware of these.
Options is seeing an increasing number of people who are struggling with the after-effects of a TOP, such as depression, nightmares, anger and suicidal thinking. Medical personnel and family members in the community are reporting that they are observing these in those who have chosen abortion or have been pressured to terminate their pregnancies. Getting help is important and Options offers confidential counselling for people who are experiencing these symptoms.
The George Herald article mentioned various places of help. Rather than abandon a baby, Options is another place where a teenager or woman can come to make an adoption plan.
After working through some of the emotions and pressures, many people in crisis choose to parent. Finding networks of support and other community resources makes a difference. Options has many supporting programmes to help those who face a pregnancy crisis or who are struggling to cope. Assisting with a healthy pregnancy, baby clothing, support groups for teen mums and single mums, ante-natal classes and income-generating projects are available along with ongoing counselling.
Making an informed decision is important because the pressures in a crisis pregnancy are very intense and all the options look difficult. Contact Options Care Centre at 122 York Street behind La Capannina Restaurant or call 044 874 7414 for more information or help. All services are free of charge and confidential.
The Options team are, back, from left: Janet Bradfield, Xoliswa Qampi, Monia Bredenkamp, Val Lyons and Laurie Edwall. Front, from left: Lisa McKenzie, Berenice Lewis and Vuyelwa Mpisani.
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