Pregnancy and birth control counseling
Canfield, E.
Family Planning Resume 1(1): 114-116
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0737-0849 PMID: 12308775 Document Number: 438249
The Los Angeles Free Clinic has provided both pregnancy and birth control counseling to individuals seeking information not easily obtained from conventional medical channels. In terms of pregnancy counseling, the clinic conducted sessions which offered emotional support and provided a pelvic examination in order to confirm an intrauterine pregnancy. If pregnancy had not been confirmed, contraception was recommended until the diagnosis was made. Following this, a full explanation of alternatives was made with as little personal bias as possible -- abortion, pregnancy continuation, and physical risks associated with either of these choices. After presentation of options, the counselor conducted a discussion in order to cover the pertinent problems of the particular group. 1st, each woman presented her individual situation to the group. While discussing the problems inherent in attitudes toward sexuality, the counselor tried to redefine responsible sexual behavior as an involvement with planning, forethought, and concern for partners. It is also necessary for the counselor to try to get the women to make a decision on their next step. The birth control counseling was also held in groups but in separate sessions from the pregnancy counseling. Pregnancy and birth control counselors should be selected on the basis of the following criteria if they are to be helpful and effective: intelligence, comfortable approval and acceptance of one's own sexuality, ability to provide information rather than advice, openness to change and new ideas, the ability to be supportive of a client's choice even though it might appear to be unwise to the counselor, and the qualities of sensitivity, empathy, and a nonneurotic desire to help others.