Deciding About An Unintended Pregnancy (NAPSA)—There could be good news for women facing an unintended pregnancy who are undecided about what course of action to take. There is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of womenin that situation. Nearly 3 million American women experience an unplanned pregnancy each year and one in four of them are unsure of whatto do. While many assume there are counseling and clinic services available that meet the needs of such women, that may not be the case. That’s because the services that do exist generally cater to the needs of women who have already decided how theywill proceed. National unprecedented research has shown that a woman facing an unintended pregnancy who is unsure of what she wants to do has different needs than the woman who has already made her decision. The unsure woman needs services specific to helping her make a decision in a space apart from ideology andpolitics. That’s where the group known as Third Box comes in. It is the only organization in the United States designed to focus on meeting the medical and emotional needs of a pregnant woman as she decides what decision to make. Third Box makes quality medical care and professional counseling, using licensed clinicians and master’s degreed interns, immediately accessible to women and their partners, and extends counseling services for up to a year after she makes her decision. There is no pressure from the agency to makea particular decision and no cost for the services a womanreceives. There is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of women whoare facing an unintended pregnancy and are un- sure about whatto do. Explained Shari Plunkett, the organization’s CEO, “Third Box is different from other clinics that serve women in unintended pregnancies because our agenda is defined by each client who comes to us, shaped by what she tells us she needs to make her own decision.” She added that the Third Box model of offering professional counseling, immediate medical care and ongoing support after she makes her decision are resources she can access in ways that are most meaningfulto her. “Once she has made her decision, we offer professional counseling services for up to a full year, with the goal of supporting her beyond the immediate circumstances she faces when we meet her. We do this because an unintended pregnancyis stressful and regardless of what she decides, we want to support her as an individual,” said Plunkett. To learn more, visit www.third box.com.
