New pregnancy counselling service in NW
www.irishhealth.com Mon 20/06/2005

By Deborah Condon

A new pregnancy counselling service has been launched in the north west by the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA). The service will be open to any women in the region and their partners, who are experiencing a crisis pregnancy.

The service, which will operate from Sligo and Letterkenny, is non-directive, which means that the counsellor does not give an opinion or form a judgement. All counselling sessions are completely confidential. Women will be given information on all of the options open to them.

"The introduction of these services in the north west will give women an additional choice of service provider when accessing crisis pregnancy counselling", said Rosie Toner, director of the IFPA's counselling services. The service will also provide counselling and support for women who have had an abortion. "When women return home after a termination, we encourage them to have a post-abortion check up. During this check up, they can discuss their future contraception needs so that further crisis pregnancies can be avoided. The IFPA can advise women of doctors in their area who will carry out post-abortion checks", Ms Toner explained.

The service, which is free of charge, is funded by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency. Appointment must be made through the IFPA's national pregnancy helpline, which operates during office hours, Monday to Friday. Call 1850 49 50 51.