By Bonnie Adams
Managing Editor
Worcester – When a woman is faced with a surprise and often unplanned, pregnancy, she can feel all sorts of emotions ranging from shock, fear, and loneliness. Those feelings can multiply if she does not have a strong support system, adequate finances to support a child or is in an abusive relationship. Often times she feels there is only one choice – to terminate the pregnancy.
ClearWay Clinic, a free, nonprofit organization, can help women become aware of all of the other options that are available to them during this stressful time. The clinic, which just moved into its new 358 Shrewsbury St. location, offers a wide array of services and support from medical professionals and trained volunteers.
Jan and Dr. Peter Bryan, a dentist with his own practice in Shrewsbury, are staunch advocates for the clinic.
“We know that an unplanned pregnancy can be a very traumatic thing for a woman, especially if she is not in a supportive relationship,” Jan said. “At ClearWay we offer compassionate, nonjudgmental care and support and provide information on all her options.”
Information is presented in a neutral way, she stressed.
“These women are going through enough already,” she said. “The last thing we want to do is to make them feel more pressured. But we want to make sure they get as much information as possible about all their options and the support they can get so they feel comfortable making the right choice for them.”
The clinic is staffed by professionals and a core staff, Jan said, and is funded by private donations. All services are 100 percent free and confidential.
Those who choose to have their baby are helped every step of the way, Jan said, including prenatal and parenting classes.? The clinic also helps to provide a new mom with the equipment, such as a car seat or crib that she might need.
“Too many times a woman has made a decision that she has regretted,” Jan said. “So we offer support to help them deal with those feelings.”
Although the clinic prefers women set up an appointment they will also see those who just drop in. The first step is to have an ultrasound.
“It helps to establish if a woman is indeed pregnant and how far along she is,” she said. “We can then help explain all of the options available to her based on that.”
“As our website states, our mission is to “share knowledge, wisdom and resources,”” she added. “We know every woman's situation is unique. We want to help you make an informed choice and know what all your options are.”
The clinic will be holding a fundraising benefit and breakfast Sat., Sept. 28, at 10 a.m., at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, 284 E.? Temple St., Boylston. An auction will also be held featuring items such as St. Maarten and Barbados vacation weeks, Bose equipment, and gift baskets. For more information concerning tickets call Jan Bryan 508-735-6174. Monies raised at the event will be used to help publicize the clinic's new location and the services they offer.
To learn more about the clinic visit www.clearwayclinic.org.