– Release date: 24 January 2005
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) has announced the launch of its pregnancy counselling service in Dundalk this week.
The new service is being funded by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and is open to girls and women in a crisis pregnancy situation.
According to the IFPA’s Director of Counselling Services, Rosie Toner, “the service will provide those in a crisis pregnancy situation with an opportunity to discuss their feelings in a confidential environment. Clients can also avail of information on all of their options, including parenting, adoption and abortion services in Britain.”
The IFPA’s service is non-directive, which means that the counsellor does not promote one option over the next. “Our professionally trained counsellors will ensure that the client has all of the information that they require to make an informed choice about their pregnancy. Whatever option a woman chooses, our counsellors will not form any judgments,” said Ms Toner.
The service is free of charge and although located in Dundalk, will be open to women from throughout the Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan areas.
In addition to dealing with crisis pregnancy, the service will also provide post abortion counselling and support. “When women return from Britain after a termination, we encourage them to have a post-abortion check-up. During this check-up, women can discuss their future contraception needs so that unwanted pregnancies can be avoided. The IFPA can provide women with a list of doctors who will carry out post-abortion checks,” added Ms Toner.
Appointments for the Dundalk pregnancy counselling services must be made through the IFPA’s national pregnancy helpline. This is a low call number and operates during office hours from Monday – Friday (Tel: 1850 49 50 51).