Embrace Grace: Providing Support and Community for Single and Pregnant Women

Nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy may signal the rise in hormones needed for a healthy pregnancy. Contact us today to confirm.

Finding out you might be pregnant when you weren’t expecting it can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re feeling scared, alone, or unsure of what to do next.

If you’re considering abortion or simply want to understand your options, getting a confirmation ultrasound is one of the most important steps.

Learn more about the abortion laws in West Virginia. You have a choice. We are here to help you explore all of your options in Martinsburg, WV.

Making a major decision can be stressful. What if you change your mind? Explore your options and know it’s okay to reconsider.

Relationships can be amazing and fun or challenging and difficult. Both people in the relationship have value and worth and deserve to be treated well by their partner. It takes both people working together to have a healthy relationship. A Healthy Relationship: Respects the others opinions, beliefs and boundaries Actively listens to the other person to gain understanding not just to form a response. Is kind and treats the other person the way they want to be treated Is honest and truthful in all situations- no “white” lies Understands and is able to empathize when the other is going through a difficult time Perseveres standing strong together in tough times Protects Trusts to do things independently as well as together Gives, being able to compromise An Unhealthy Relationship: Jealous - does not trust Possessive-demanding of your time Selfish– not giving Intimidating- willfully scares Easily angered – not understanding Demanding- wants what they want when they want it Arrogant- thinks they are better than you Stubborn- not willing to compromise Forceful/Hurtful- does not respect you or your boundaries While this is not an extensive list, it gives you a good idea of the differences of a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship. Any relationship can go through a tough time. However, if you are in an unhealthy relationship that attacks your value and worth, there needs to be a change. If you are unmarried, you may need to put a hold on the relationship and seek counseling. If your partner is unwilling to see a counselor, you may need to move on. If you are married, you definitely need to seek counseling. Working on a relationship is not easy. Both partners need to be ready to work, make changes and grow into a more loving and solid relationship.

From teen pregnancy to advanced maternal age, pregnancy at any age can come with risks. We are often told that pregnancy in our teen years or over the age of 35 comes with possible increased risk to Mom and baby. But, what are those risks? Should a woman be concerned if she is a pregnant teenager or a woman over the age of 35? Teen pregnancy: Many of the risks of teen pregnancy tend to be socioeconomic risks. These risks include: Unplanned Pregnancy Lack of or inadequate prenatal care Lack of preparation for having a newborn Difficulty completing high school or going to college Being a single parent Lack of support or resources Many of these socioeconomic factors can be helped with good support from family or resources such as pregnancy resource centers. AbbaCare and other pregnancy resource centers can come alongside adolescent pregnant women and families to help ensure they are well-prepared and supported. Many pregnancy resource centers offer material support (diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, and other newborn supplies), parenting classes, childbirth classes, counseling, support groups, and mentor moms. There are some increased medical risks associated with adolescent pregnancy. These include an increased risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, premature labor, low birth weight, and an increased risk of post-partum depression. These medical risks tend to decrease with adequate prenatal care and support throughout the pregnancy. Teens who are pregnant should immediately stop all drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. They should also get into prenatal care as soon as possible. Pregnancy over the age of 35 : Many women are told that if they are pregnant over the age of 35 they are considered high risk due to their age. Increased age can come with more risks but it is not guaranteed that any of those risks could happen. Here are some of the increased medical risks associated with pregnancy over the age of 35: Increased risk of twins or multiple gestation Increased risk of gestational diabetes Increased risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy Increased risk of premature birth or having a baby with a low birth weight Increased risk of C-Section Increased risk of chromosomal conditions such as Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), Trisomy 18, or Trisomy 13. Increased risk of miscarriage or pregnancy loss. What can women over the age of 35 do to decrease these risks? They can: Make a preconception appointment with an OB/GYN or get into prenatal care as soon as they find out about their pregnancy. Seek regular prenatal care Eat a healthy diet Gain weight wisely Get regular exercise Immediately stop any alcohol, drug or tobacco use. AbbaCare is a pregnancy resource center serving women and families facing pregnancies that are unexpected or unexpectedly difficult. To learn more about our free, confidential services, visit abbacare.org . Sources: Mayo Clinic Nationwide Children’s Web MD

There are many definitions of sexual assault; some broad and some narrow. This results in problems in reporting, both over reporting and under reporting. In their book, Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault, Justin and Lindsey Holcomb define sexual assault as, “any type of sexual behavior or contact where consent is not freely given or obtained and is accomplished through force, intimidation, violence, coercion, manipulation, threat, deception, or abuse of authority.” The authors go on to say that, “This definition . . . expands the spectrum of actions to be considered sexual assault.” This expanded definition helps victims who need to have a clear understanding of what exactly sexual assault is. Understanding helps survivors to know several things: They are not alone If they have experienced sexual assault, it is a crime. They are not responsible for their assault There are services available that cater to their needs Statistics on sexual assault are disturbingly high. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, “Over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.” As you can see, sexual abuse is sadly a common experience, and one that cuts to the very being of a person. That is a difficult thing for us to think about, because behind the statistics are people. The reality is that more than likely someone you love has suffered from sexual assault. Perhaps you personally know the pain that comes from the violation of your will and body. What does it look like to live in the aftermath of such a horrible experience? For many, their lives are riddled with emotional, psychological, and/or physiological effects. Rid of my Disgrace offers an expansive list of effects, some are listed below,

In the tight-knit community of Winchester, Virginia, where adoption discussions aren’t as common, it’s crucial to dive into the details of modern adoption.