Local center offers more than just pregnancy advice

ASHEBORO — Women with unplanned pregnancies often find themselves overwhelmed — “I can’t afford a baby.” “I can’t quit school.” “It’s just not the right time.”

That’s where Your Choices Randolph steps in, to show pregnant women their options and continue to support them through the process.

Your Choices Randolph (YCR) is a Christ-centered nonprofit ministry with the mission to “empower individuals to make life affirming and restorative choices in the areas of sexuality and pregnancy.” Founded in 1997 as Pregnancy Care Center, the name was changed in 2013 “with the intent to encourage more women considering abortion,” said Caralynn Vaughn, executive director.

Located at 110 E. Walker Ave., Asheboro, YCR offers pregnant women ultrasounds which show images of their fetuses, and even provides the sound of the heartbeat. 

The ultrasound, Vaughn said, “helps determine if it’s a viable pregnancy, in the uterus where it needs to be, and how far along the pregnancy is.”

Seeing the baby in her body is dramatic for the mother, according to Vaughn. Even if a woman is leaning toward abortion, seeing the baby may be enough to change her mind.

“Our goal is not to convince her to have the child but to give her enough information about abortion — sound medical information — and talk about her options,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said a medical abortion can be impersonal but the abortion pill can have much more impact on the mother. She said a first pill is given by a doctor but the second pill is taken by the pregnant woman at home, where she expels the fetus.

“For many, it’s a place of trauma,” Vaughn said. “It’s pretty graphic. Women don’t know what to do with the fetus and are traumatized by the abortion pill.”

Even with all the information beforehand, about 30 percent of those considering abortion will stick with the decision. In that case, YCR provides abortion recovery by dealing with “all emotions of grieving, depression and guilt. We keep in contact with them and help them through the aftermath.”

For those who choose to have their babies, YCR will “keep up with them for two years and provide them with diapers, wipes and formula. We’ll give it to anybody who asks with children in that age group.”

Prior to childbirth, the mothers get help from YCR in the form of prenatal vitamins, help with health insurance and an obstetrician/gynecologist. The women can even live upstairs during pregnancy with a full kitchen and nursing help on-site. 

Vaughn said YCR and a Circle of Care coordinator who “works with those willing to be accountable — help them financially. With a little help, they will be successful. Often a woman will say she can’t have a baby for financial reasons. The coordinator will ask, ‘What if I can help you with your bills?’ ”

Your Choices Randolph doesn’t just work with pregnant women. The fathers are also a big part of the program.

“We have parenting and prenatal classes,” Vaughn said. “Our goal is to get the moms and dads in the classes. The father has an instrumental role in the family. If he takes the classes, the dad is more likely to be involved with the child.

“We’re incentivizing with vouchers they can redeem for baby clothes and items, cribs, high chairs, car seats,” Vaughn said. “For those that attend classes, we’ll have a baby shower at the end with $300 worth of items.

“We love to bless parents with the classes and follow up with them and pray with them. We don’t overtly advertise, but once inside the door, they know we’re Christ-oriented.”

Vaughn said clients can text anytime day or night “if they’re scared or don’t know what to do.”

For additional information about Your Choices Randolph, visit www.yourchoicesrandolph.org or www. friendsofycr.org.