Pregnancy Care Centre

Who:
The Pregnancy Care Centre is a non-profit organization that is here to support
women, couples, and families who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy.

What:
Our Centre provides many supports:

Options Counselling- Including education on all three options, resources, referrals, and non-judgemental support. It is important to know that we are not a medical clinic and we do not refer for abortion. Our peer counsellors are volunteers who are trained by the Centre; they are not professionals and will refer if needed. If you would like this support please call the Centre @ (780) 424-2624.

Prenatal Classes- The program we run is called Earn While You Learn (EWYL), the reason for the title is that when all requirements are completed for the program our clients receive a gift card to spend on baby items. The classes are free and are held on week
days; the 6 or 12 week classes are once a week for an hour and a half. The EWYL
program goes through many subjects such as SIDS, breastfeeding, 1-3 Trimesters,
What is Safe & What Isn’t, and many more… To join you must first make an appointment with a Peer Counsellor to see if you are eligible.

Material Items- For our clients, our Centre provides maternity clothes, baby clothes and a layette full of baby items needed for a newborn. All of our material items are donated by generous churches, companies, individuals and volunteers who want to support what we do! If supporting us interests you, please call (780) 424-2624!

Sexual Education- The Pregnancy Care Centre is proud to offer WAIT! Let’s Talk Sex! Programs to all Edmonton area schools. WAIT! Let’s Talk Sex! is  series of educational workshops for grades 7, 8, 9, and CALM 20. Each presentation is grade specific, age appropriate, and character-based, with sexual abstinence being presented as a healthy choice for teens. Our presenters are well trained, well informed, and dynamic! Our content is consistent with the Alberta Learning Curriculum and information is presented in a fun and interactive way. To book a presentation for your schools, parent group or youth group, please call 780-424-2624 or email: jenn@pregnancycarecentre.ca

When:                                                                                                                                                 Our Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. At times we are open on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm, please call to see availability.

Where:                                                                                                                                            11223 100 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5K 0J1,                                                                     Email us :Info@pregnancycarecentre.ca or Call us: (780) 424-2624

WHY:                                                                                                                                              At The Pregnancy Care Centre we are here to support women and families with unexpected pregnancy. We do this because we recognize the need for support, a third party to talk about your situation, and education on all your options when in crisis. Why should you come to us? We really do care about you and the situation of your unplanned pregnancy. We do not want you to go through your pregnancy alone or without education on what’s best for you and your baby. If you find yourself in an unexpected pregnancy
please call out Centre and check out our website at www.pregnancycarecentre.ca.

To be the Preferred Choice for Pregnancy and Parenting Support, Post Abortive Care and Sexual Education.

Sexually Transmitted Infections are transmitted everyday through sexual activity. Most people believe that they can only be infected through sexual intercourse. But STIs can be transmitted through all bodily fluids (including saliva) and even limited exposure to the infection via, open sores, childbirth, breast feeding and drug needles puts one at risk.  Many sexually active people are afraid of an unplanned pregnancy , but neglect their safety by having unprotected sexual encounters.

Every year, tens of millions of new infections are reported and every year, people continue to die from these preventable infections.

TYPES OF INFECTIONS
There are four main types of STI’s:

1. Bacterial: – these are infections that are caused by bacteria and include: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis. These infections can be treated with antibiotics but may go unnoticed for years. Symptoms may include: discharge from the vagina or penis, abdominal pain, and even more serious symptoms such as nervous disorders and dementia. Unnerving fact: Chlamydia can cause infertility in women if untreated.
2. Fungal: Most view these as minor infections that are irritating rather than deadly (yeast infections and “jock itch”). They can usually be treated with over the counter medicines.
3. Viral: Viral infections are incurable at this point in time and are easily spread even through kissing and touching. Some viral STIs include: Hepatitis B., Herpes, HIV (AIDS), and HPV. Viral cases are very hard to diagnose as they rarely cause overt symptoms until the infected person is extremely ill. Herpes will only show itself when it “flares up” with genital sores.
4. Parasitic: Crabs (pubic lice) and scabies are tiny parasites that are transmitted from partner to partner through either touching or sleeping in the same bed. They can cause itching and rashes and are treated by store bought products.

While most STI’s are not fatal, they can cause embarrassing and annoying symptoms. One must also be aware that if not treated, bacterial infections can lead to death. Many viral infections have no cure and may also lead to death as breakdown for the immune system occurs.

PREVENTION and TESTING
The best way to prevent these infections is through practicing abstinence. Abstinence is the most effective weapon we all have to ensure that we do not contract any STIs. Let’s be real, Sex is good! You can still have sex in a committed marriage relationship with one partner. If both of you are virgins when you marry you will have no issues with STI’s. People who are having sex of any form should be tested regularly for infection and also know the signs. Regular visits to your doctor are imperative and for women, regular pap smears could make the difference between life and death.  STI’s and unplanned pregnancy.