PRCs highlight complexities mothers face in pregnancy, postpartum
A woman came to Birthright St. Charles at nine months pregnant.
Her immigration status left her fearful of seeking prenatal care. She eventually reached out online for an appointment with one of Birthright’s licensed professional counselors. Staff initially thought they had time to get her connected with medical care, but the ultrasound they arranged through a partnering provider revealed she was already full term.
After she delivered her baby, Birthright continued virtual sessions to help her navigate urgent needs, including securing safe and appropriate housing. She is considering whether to remain in the United States or return to her home country, a decision influenced by limited support and a lack of basic resources for her newborn.
Her story is an example of the complex realities facing undocumented women who are pregnant or parenting. Some are hesitant to attend doctor’s appointments, fearing they’ll be detained. Others worry whether they will be separated from their baby after delivery. Some have considered abortion.
Pregnancy resource centers such as Birthright are increasingly becoming a lifeline for undocumented immigrant women who face additional barriers in choosing life for their child, Birthright Counseling St. Charles executive director Sheri Petruso said.
“There are so many things they have to stop and think about,” she said. “There’s a whole other level of stress and anxiety that follows them through this whole pregnancy journey, and it impacts the overall care they and their unborn child are receiving. It’s a whole other level that people don’t identify with because it’s not their reality. If you’re pro-life, honor women. You want to help that woman no matter what she’s facing. Every single life matters.”
In addition to professional counseling services, Birthright St. Charles offers pregnancy testing and support services, including connections to medical services, financial assistance, basic needs for mother and child and other resources for a successful pregnancy journey, Petruso said, adding that information also is made available in Spanish.
“We are following the spiritual and corporal works of mercy: If we see them cry, we show compassion. If they’re hungry, we help with food,” Petruso said. “We reassure them this is a safe space and we do what we say we’re going to do.”
Since its opening in March, Reach Reproductive Health pregnancy care center has seen a steady increase in undocumented pregnant women, chief operating officer Michaela Rodriguez said.
Their first undocumented client contacted them seeking an abortion, and the fear during her appointment was “insurmountable,” Rodriguez said. “She would hardly give us her name, nevermind what was going on, nevermind getting to the bottom of the fear and being able to address it. Then it happens again — and again. Once we had two undocumented patients with this insurmountable fear, who were absolutely abortion determined, that’s when I started making some phone calls.”
In July, the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate and Office of Peace and Justice held a workshop for pregnancy resource center and maternity home directors on walking with immigrant and refugee mothers. A local immigration attorney presented legal information, and a clinical psychologist who works with immigrants addressed clients’ fears.
“The need came from PRC directors themselves with the question: How do we help?” Respect Life Apostolate director Mary Varni said. “Catholic social teaching calls us to serve all pregnant and postpartum moms and their children and families, including refugees and migrants. We have to encourage them to bravely choose life while also helping them within the bounds of the law and helping them to sustain that life.”
Varni said that the Respect Life Apostolate accompanies mothers and their unborn and young children, including refugees and migrants, by providing needed supplies and other material assistance. The RLA works closely with local pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, Catholic Charities and other Catholic, pro-life and social service agencies to identify those needing assistance.
Reach has made Spanish-language interpreters available and has strengthened partnerships with medical providers for ongoing prenatal care, as well as legal assistance when needed, Rodriguez said. Other resources they’re seeking to expand include referrals to pediatric care as well as post-traumatic counseling.
Every case is different and needs to be approached with care, she said.
Immigration and unplanned pregnancies “are two very complicated issues, and we have not seen them overlap so much,” Rodriguez said. “At the heart, the issue is the dignity of the human person, but as a culture, we have separated them so much that this is where the two roads intersect. It’s a healthy conversation that we’re having about how to protect all people.”
