By: Nicole Colwell, STPRC volunteer

Many people, whether they’re in a steady relationship or not, struggle with saving sex for marriage. It’s not easy to wait, and many people fall into the trap of believing the various lies they’ve heard from the media, from their friends, and even from their partners when they decide to have sex before they get married. Phrases like:

• Having sex will bring us closer together.
  
• We’re going to get married anyway, so why wait?
  
• Having sex now will help us find out if we’re compatible with each other.
  
• It’s just sex. What’s the big deal?
  

Unfortunately, when people believe these statements, the result may be heartbreak, confusion, contracting various STD’s, or even an unplanned pregnancy.

In this series, we’re going to cover the importance of saving sex until you’re married, and we’ll discuss the practical reasons for making this decision. If you are struggling with making the decision to have sex, or to wait until you’re married, we hope that you’ll check back in, and follow this series.

The truth is, while it might be difficult for you to wait until you’re married to have sex, waiting until marriage will provide you with a lot of benefits in your marriage that you’ll miss out on if you don’t wait. We’ll be discussing those benefits too, and it’s our hope that you’ll make the choice to experience all of them.

Here at the Southern Tier PRC, it’s our goal to provide our clients with the information they need to make good decisions about their sexual health. While it’s always your choice to decide whether or not you want to wait until you’re married to have sex, we want to give you the information you need to make a well-informed decision. Finding out about an unplanned pregnancy, being diagnosed with an STD or an STI, or experiencing the loss of a relationship you were sure was going to last can have devastating effects, and we’d like to help you prevent those situations.

If you or someone you love would like more information about making good choices for their sexual health, one of our peer counselors would love to talk with you. We’re available to answer any questions you might have. Please contact us today to make your appointment, or click the Appointment button to make your appointment online.

*Image courtesy of Anelli Nuziali, www.freedigitalphotos.net*

By: Nicole Colwell, STPRC volunteer

According to an article on the WomensHealth.gov website, about half of all pregnancies are unplanned. Perhaps you have recently found out that you are pregnant. It’s possible that it came as quite a shock to you, and you’re now unsure of what to do, or how to react.

Here at the Southern Tier PRC in , we help women and families who are encountering unplanned pregnancies. Here are a few of the common reactions we see in the women who visit the Center.

Concern that the baby’s father will not be happy about the news - This is one of the most common fears that women have when they find out when encountering an unplanned pregnancy. Many of them worry that their partner is going to want them to have an abortion. Some of them worry that their partner will leave them.

Worry that you can’t afford a baby - There’s no doubt that having a baby is expensive. Not only is prenatal care costly, but once the baby is born, paying for clothes, formula and other baby essentials can be pretty taxing on your income.

Unsure of your ability to handle being pregnant for nine months - If your pregnancy is unplanned, you might be concerned about feeling depressed or anxious during the next nine months. You may have other children to care for, or other responsibilities that will make being pregnant very difficult for you.

Fear for your future plans - Whether you’re a student in high school who has had a positive pregnancy test, or you thought your child-bearing days were over, finding out that you’re pregnant can make you very fearful about your future. It’s disheartening to think that you will have to put your plans on hold, or perhaps have to give up your goals altogether.

If any of these sound familiar to you, we want you to know that we understand, and we’re here to help you. We hope that these truths will offer you some encouragement:

• Most new fathers are very excited to hear that their partners are pregnant, even if the baby was a surprise.
  
• With all of the agencies in our community that are willing and able to offer help to you, it’s not as costly as you might think to have a new baby. 
  
• Talking with a peer counselor about your pregnancy is a great way to alleviate some of your deepest fears about how you will handle the next nine months. 
  
• Many new moms continue with their education, and flourish in the workplace. Being pregnant does not mean that you have to put your future plans on hold forever. 
  

Here at the Southern Tier PRC, we are dedicated to helping women and men just like you. Our services include offering free pregnancy tests, free options counseling, free ultrasounds, and much more. We are excited to be able to offer you with materials assistance as well as referrals to many community agencies who will rally around you during this important time in your life.

If you believe you might be pregnant, it can feel as though you’re facing a crisis. You may feel the need to make a quick decision, but that quick decision will affect you for the rest of your life. Contrary to popular belief, it’s important for you to get the education you need about your options before making any decisions regarding your health, or the health of your unborn baby.

If you would like to make an appointment with the Southern Tier PRC, we would love to talk with you. Our peer counselors will help you navigate this difficult time, and all of our services are always free. To make your appointment, please contact us today.