From Los Angeles, California to Washington D.C., and even small towns like Dickson, TN, one thing in our post Roe reality is common. Those who are for abortion and those who are against abortion have spoken. There isn’t much of a gray area anymore. 

To that end, the movement to expose “fake” clinics is on! Concerned participants have created advocacy group websites for online abortion pharmacies like Hey Jane and an entire site designed to misrepresent and somehow expose “fake clinics” such as ours. Since we were listed, we thought we would address this head on. 

We agree that when something is fake, it should be exposed. In fact, we strongly recommend that you thoroughly evaluate the clinic you are considering when you are searching for help. 

To that end, here are some over-exaggerated and false assumptions sometimes made about “crisis pregnancy centers” that will clarify things for you:

1)   “They all operate with false information and no medical staff.”

This is false. Most clinics, such as ours, do have medical staff available to offer medical services. We offer medical grade, CLIA-approved pregnancy tests, STD testing/treatment for the two most common STDs, and limited ultrasounds to determine if the pregnancy is in the uterus and if there is a heartbeat.

And all of these services are totally free and confidential. Here is a link to our Medical Staff page to learn more about our medical staff.

2)   “They try and get you to give up your baby.”

Also, false. Is adoption an option? Absolutely! Adoption, just like abortion and parenting, is a viable option.

Are there thousands of partners and couples looking to adopt? Yes, but clinics gain nothing from a woman’s decision to adopt, abort, or parent. It is an option that deserves equal discussion.

As a free service to women facing an unexpected pregnancy, we present our clients with all options.

3)  “They are religious people who try and use God to make you keep your baby.”

Are they religious? In fact, yes. Most of them are. 

Does this make them wrong? No. Most are upfront and you will easily find things about their religious affiliation.

The key question to consider is whether pregnancy centers offer quality professional services that are beneficial and free to the community. If they do, then their religious affiliation should not matter. Discrediting a facility based on their faith orientation can be perceived as religious discrimination. Non-profit religious organizations should not face discrimination solely based on their religious affiliation. 

Religious organizations have a long history of providing charitable services to communities, including food pantries, clothing, and various medical services. 

4)  “They are all connected.”

This is false. Very few of the pregnancy centers are connected. What that means is often they operate on their own and are not governed by a large group in a franchise model.

You may have a few that have more than one location, but in general they are not one entity or a franchise.

Yes, there are affiliation groups they can, and many do, belong to similar to any industry like realtors or home builders, etc.  The primary, but not only affiliating groups for pregnancy centers are Heartbeat International and CareNet.

Are they faith-based? Yes. But again, what does that matter? These groups offer training and insights on everything from how to set up a board to where to get nurse training for ongoing education and everything in between.  They do not provide governance over the clinics and have no way or interest in making sure clinics operate an exact certain way.

5)   “It’s like going to a fake dentist.”

Substantially false. Again, the Resource Center has a full-time staff of licensed medical professionals, all of whom have many years of experience. They provide truthful, science-based information using state-of-the-art ultrasounds, medical grade testing, and evidence-based medications for the treatment of positive STD tests.

We also have a Medical Advisory Board of 40 professionals and our affiliate, Heartbeat International, endorses our “Commitment of Care” which ensures you will be treated with respect and compassion.

Here is the link to our Medical Staff page again.

Keep reading to discover five more mistruths in Part 2 of this series.