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You probably have questions about why we're offering to help you. Who are Birthmothers® Friends? What kinds of help can we provide?

Q. What is a "Friend" — and what does she do?

A. Birthmothers® uses the term Friend to describe the person who is matched with you (or in some cases, your family, boyfriend, husband, or significant other) in a special one-on-one relationship.

Friends are trained to listen and provide practical assistance, emotional support and spiritual encouragement throughout your pregnancy and immediately afterwards. For example, she may help you find prenatal care, housing, or legal advice about custody.

But perhaps most importantly, the Friend provides personal encouragement and compassion, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Many of our Friends have experienced an unplanned pregnancy themselves. They know that this is a time when you need more than just a "fair weather" friend — you need someone who'll stick with you. That's why our motto reads, "A Friend loves at all times."

Q. How does Birthmothers® work?

A. Here's what happens when you call our toll-free help line (1-877-77BIRTH):

You speak with a trained Birthmothers® call coordinator.
You have an opportunity to share as much or as little about your situation as you choose. All information is kept confidential.
Our call coordinator listens.
Our call coordinator explains our Friends program. You may choose to be matched with a Friend right away, or you may choose to wait.
You choose what contact information to leave with Birthmothers® and designate when you would like to be contacted.
When you accept our offer to be matched with a Friend, you can expect to be contacted within 24 to 48 hours by your new Friend.
You define the care giving relationship according to your needs — whether it becomes intensely personal, just an occasional call for information, or anything in between.

Q. Are Friends professionals?

A. Friends are volunteers, not paid staff members. They come from all walks of life.

Friends undergo special training in order to work with you. While Friends are not necessarily professional counselors, lawyers, or social workers, they know how to locate those resources for you if you need them.

Q. Are Friends religious fanatics?

A. No. Although Birthmothers® is a Christian organization, we serve women and families from many different religious traditions. The care giving relationship is one of mutual respect for the unique value of each individual.

As Christians, Birthmother Friends believe that each person bears God's image. We seek to share God's love in a way that honors the care receiver, rather than pressuring you to believe exactly as we believe.

Q. How will I be matched with a Friend?

A. Specially-trained Birthmothers® staff match Friends with birth moms based on geography (someone who lives near you), personal experiences (similar circumstances you and a Friend may share) and compatibility (complementary personality traits).

Q. What if I want an abortion, or have already had one?

A. Birthmothers® does not support abortion for ethical and religious reasons. We will not help you find or pay for abortion services. But we will help you heal from an abortion.

That's because we view every human life as unique and valuable. We will not desert a woman just because she has made a choice we do not support. Rather, we believe that each of us stands equally in need of God's love and forgiveness, and that we are called to demonstrate compassion and acceptance to women. Click here to read One Woman's Story of acceptance and forgiveness.

Q. What about adoption?

A. We present adoption as an option that you may want to consider.

Birthmothers® recognizes that many women choose to parent their children. Others feel trapped by pregnancy and think that abortion is the only way out. A large number are not aware of the many adoption alternatives that are available, and we offer those options to you so that you are well-informed. Click here to read A Birth Mom's Story of Hope.

We are committed to giving you nonjudgmental support, regardless of the decision you make. You will never be pressured. We provide information and resources to help you to make the best choices possible for you and your child.

Q. Who trains the Friends? What is the process?

A. Friends are women and men who have been selected through a careful interview and screening process. Trained counselors and Birthmothers®' staff prepare them to:

Listen without judgment as you sort out your feelings and options.
Connect you with resources you need to reach well-informed decisions.
Provide you with emotional support, spiritual encouragement and material assistance throughout your pregnancy and during its aftermath.

The Birthmothers®' Friends training program was specially developed by a qualified, licensed psychologist, a professional training consultant and our Washington Area Director. Once the initial certification process is completed, Friends commit themselves to a program of ongoing in-service training to keep updated about our expanding network of resources.

Q. Can I trust a Friend to keep what I tell her confidential?

A. Yes — 100%. An important part of the Friend /birth mom relationship is trust, which is built on the Friend's commitment to keep anything you tell her confidential.

She will not call your parents, your boyfriend, your employer, or anyone else. She may discuss some aspects of your situation in general terms with other staff or volunteers at Birthmothers® who also are committed to confidentiality — but only as necessary to get you the help you need.

Q. How much do Birthmother¨' services cost?

A. Our services are free.

Q. How can I get more information?

A. Call our toll-free helpline, 1-877-77BIRTH. You can call anytime — day or night — and a trained call counselor will listen to your story.

You can share as much or as little as you like. You can choose to be matched with a Friend right away, or you can wait.

But don't go through this alone. There's a Friend waiting for you — a Friend who will listen with compassion and without judgment.

Make that call today. 1-877-77BIRTH.

Birthmothers® Building hope through adoption.™

Why We Exist
Birthmothers® helps a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy overcome barriers to choosing life for her baby and facilitates adoption when a woman concludes it is in the best interest of her child.

Birthmothers® provides confidential, nonjudgmental assistance to any woman facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Birthmothers® is currently focused in the northern Virginia area and Metro DC, with plans to expand to other U.S. cities in the future.