(The Center Square) – This Christmas season, pregnancy centers in North Carolina are continuing their role as the “go to” for women and families encountering unplanned pregnancies, with a regional medical director of four centers in North Carolina detailing why the organizations are vital.
Dr. Susan Bane told The Center Square: “Our medical clinics and the 80% of pregnancy centers that provide health care services across the country are ‘the go to place’ for trusted health care for women facing an unplanned pregnancy and the data prove it.”
Bane has “practiced obstetrics/gynecology for over 28 years both in academic settings and private practice and now in 4 pregnancy centers in NC,” the centers being where she also serves as the medical director.
Bane shared with The Center Square “three ways medical clinics in pregnancy centers function” that make them “‘the go to place’ for trusted medical care for women facing an unplanned pregnancy.”
“First, is who we are: Medical clinics in pregnancy centers have clinical professionals of many types including doctors, advanced practitioners such as midwives, PAs, and nurse practitioners, nurses, sonographers, social workers and more,” Bane said.
“Second, we provide life-affirming health care that focuses on health and healing,” Bane said.
“Abortion is not health care; it is a false Band-aid,” Bane said.
“We provide medical care that typically includes a pregnancy test and ultrasound and extends so much further in the various clinics around the country, including pre-natal care, STI testing, abortion pill reversal, post-abortion visits, and on and on,” Bane said.
“Third is what makes us unique,” Bane said. “We recognize that Christianity informs the practice of medicine and in doing so, no one is not neighbor, including preborn children.”
Bane said that “women who face an unexpected pregnancy are in a true crisis, and pregnancy centers empower them with information and provide excellent healthcare as they consider their options.”
“They receive individualized counseling and informed consent, including the risks/benefits/and alternatives of what they’re considering,” Bane said.
“The majority of abortions occur for socioeconomic issues, and the majority of women state that if their circumstances were different they would not have chosen abortion,” Bane said.
“Pregnancy centers can help women change these underlying circumstances by providing invaluable care and support to help with needs ranging from job training to housing,” Bane said.
As an example, in 2024 pregnancy centers provided over $452 million in goods and services to women and families across the nation, The Center Square reported.
Bane told The Center Square a paraphrase from pregnancy center board chaplain Pastor Taylor: “There are two kinds of people. Those that love pregnancy centers and those that do not understand what we do.”
According to Charlotte Lozier Institute data, clients of pregnancy centers in the U.S. love the organizations, as evidenced by a 98% satisfaction rate, as The Center Square reported.
This fact “speaks volumes,” Bane said.
Bane told The Center Square about a patient she recalled “with an unplanned pregnancy who arrived at our pregnancy center on a busy day.”
“She was overwhelmed,” Bane said. “At some point she broke during the appointment – tears began as she realized she was not alone in this journey, truly had options and whatever one she chose, we would love her unconditionally as Jesus loves us.”
“She shared that she appreciated not being judged or shamed,” Bane said. “She knew she was not alone.”
