Articles Crisis Pregnancy Center

Written by: Samantha Flores | Published on: January 30, 2026

Crisis Pregnancy Center

It can be difficult to know the best place to go for help with an unplanned pregnancy, especially with so many options available. During your search, you’ll likely come across local places called Crisis Pregnancy Centers, or Pregnancy Resource Centers.

Crisis Pregnancy Centers are usually non-profit and faith-based. They offer support during your pregnancy, with a specific goal of encouraging against abortion in favor of parenting or adoption.

These centers can be useful if you’re looking to parent or adopt, but they might make you feel like your options are more limited than they actually are. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of Crisis Pregnancy Centers so you can decide if they’re right for you.

What Services Do Crisis Pregnancy Centers Typically Offer?

Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are there to support people who plan to parent or place their baby for adoption. If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, a Crisis Pregnancy Center is a free resource that can be helpful, especially at the beginning of your pregnancy. You should not visit a Crisis Pregnancy Center if you are considering abortion as one of your options and would be better served by a regular health clinic or Planned Parenthood clinic.

Free Pregnancy Testing and Confirmation

Crisis Pregnancy Centers can provide free urine pregnancy tests to confirm that you are pregnant.
Some of these centers may also offer a limited ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to see inside your womb. In early pregnancy, the ultrasound can help confirm that you are pregnant and check for any potential problems. Ultrasounds can be expensive, so it sounds like a good deal to get a free one. However, ultrasounds need to be interpreted by a healthcare professional. Since the people who staff CPCs are often volunteers, they might miss the signs if there is something wrong with your pregnancy.

Material and Parenting Support

During your pregnancy, CPCs can provide you with supplies like maternity clothing. If you decide to parent, they may be able to provide essential items for the baby including formula, diapers, and baby clothes.
Many CPCs offer referrals to social services, access to support groups, and help with housing.

They may request that you attend a religious seminar or parenting classes in exchange for these materials and services.

Adoption Information and Referrals

If you are considering placing your baby for adoption, a Crisis Pregnancy Center can give you more information and refer you to an adoption agency.

Options Counseling

Crisis Pregnancy Centers claim to provide options counseling, meaning they explain the options you have during an unplanned pregnancy and give information on each one to help you choose the best decision for you. However, the mission of most CPCs is to encourage you not to have an abortion. This means that they focus mostly on providing information on parenting and adoption. They will not provide referrals for abortion or information on how to obtain an abortion.

What Services Are Not Offered at Most CPCs?

While Crisis Pregnancy Centers have benefits, they focus on a fairly narrow range of services. It is important to understand what areas they do not cover.

They Are Not Medical Clinics

Crisis Pregnancy Centers are usually not licensed medical facilities. The people who work there may not be nurses or doctors, in which case they are not licensed to provide medical services. This means that whatever you decide to do about your pregnancy, you will need to find a medical clinic in addition to the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Abortion Services or Referrals

Unlike licensed medical centers, Crisis Pregnancy Centers usually do not include information about abortion as part of their counseling. Instead, they focus on parenting and adoption as your two main choices. CPSs will not perform abortions or refer you to an abortion clinic.

A Crisis Pregnancy Center may briefly mention abortion in order to exaggerate the drawbacks, make you feel guilty, or provide false information. They may say that miscarriages are very common, or that you have plenty of time to get an abortion, in hopes that you will delay the decision until it is too late. Or, they may say you are already too far along in your pregnancy to get an abortion.

It is common for CPCs to claim that abortion raises the risk of breast cancer, infertility, or depression. These claims are not supported by research.

Contraception and Birth Control

Crisis Pregnancy Centers do not typically provide birth control. Since they are not licensed medical providers, most of them also cannot give you a prescription for birth control. CPCs more commonly encourage abstinence.

Comprehensive Prenatal Care

A Crisis Pregnancy Center is not a substitute for professional health care. While they can offer basic services like confirming that you are really pregnant, they are not equipped to deliver prenatal care to keep you and your baby healthy. If you decide to continue with your pregnancy, you can ask the CPC to refer you to an OB-GYN.

How to Know If You’re Contacting a CPC

It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a licensed medical center and a Crisis Pregnancy Center. CPCs typically try to imitate abortion clinics or medical clinics. They are often located close to licensed medical clinics, and the volunteers who work there may wear white coats so they appear to be medical professionals. It might not be obvious that they don’t offer abortion. There is no law that says they have to tell you if they are not a licensed medical facility. You can start by looking for some key signs on their website, or call them to confirm.

On Their Website

Many Crisis Pregnancy Centers are faith-based, so the website may mention that the center is connected to a particular religion or a larger umbrella organization such as Care Net or Heartbeat International. Another sign that you are looking at a Crisis Pregnancy Center is if the website’s staff list includes few or no registered medical doctors or nurses.

Crisis Pregnancy Centers often pay to appear in internet search results for “abortion” and related terms. Their website may also mention abortion, but if you look closer, you will notice they are not actually offering abortion services or referrals. Instead, you may notice they talk a lot about “abortion alternatives.” Similarly, CPCs do not usually offer birth control or other types of contraception. Instead, they promote abstinence.

Questions to Ask on the Phone

If you’re unsure about whether a center is a Crisis Pregnancy Center, you can call them up and ask for more information. Some questions to ask include:

“Are you a licensed medical facility?”
“Do you have a doctor or registered nurse on staff at all times?”
“Do you provide referrals for abortion services?”
“Do you prescribe birth control?”

CPC vs. Reproductive Health Clinic: A Side-by-Side Comparison

In contrast to a Crisis Pregnancy Center, a licensed reproductive health clinic provides information on all three options—parenting, adoption, and abortion—and can offer professional medical services to accompany you during your pregnancy. A health clinic also provides related services, like access to birth control.

Planned Parenthood is a licensed reproductive health clinic with branches across the country. You may also be able to access medical services through your local health department.

Service	Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC)	Licensed Medical Clinic
Medical Staff	May have volunteers or staff; not always licensed medical professionals	Staffed by licensed doctors, nurses, and medical assistants
Abortion Services	No	Yes, or provides direct referrals*
Birth Control	No	Yes, provides prescriptions and methods
Prenatal Care	No, but may refer	Yes, provides or refers for comprehensive care
“Options Counseling”	Discusses parenting and adoption	Discusses parenting, adoption, and abortion in detail
Cost	Services are typically free	Accepts insurance, Medicaid, and may have a sliding scale based on income

*Abortion access depends on laws in your state

The Bottom Line: Finding the Right Support for You

There are many resources available for pregnant people. Choosing the right one depends on what you’re looking for.
If you are still deciding between parenting, placing your baby for adoption, or seeking an abortion, the best place to start is a licensed reproductive health clinic. These official clinics can provide neutral information on all three options and help you access the care you need during your pregnancy.

If you have decided to carry the baby to term and are looking for help sourcing materials like maternity clothes, a Crisis Pregnancy Center can be a good resource. Be aware that because they are not official medical clinics, CPCs do not have to follow privacy laws. This means they can share your personal medical information, including information on your pregnancy or abortion, if you end up getting one.

Once you have decided to either seek an abortion or carry the baby to term, you should visit a licensed medical facility or schedule an appointment with your doctor. Prenatal care and abortions both need to be overseen by a healthcare professional.
Even if you do visit a CPC, you should also attend a licensed medical clinic. CPCs are usually run by volunteers who are not medical professionals. It’s important to get regular checkups from a licensed doctor to make sure the pregnancy is running smoothly.

Resources for Unbiased Support and Medical Care

The following resources can provide you with unbiased advice and help you find healthcare:

Unplanned Pregnancy Options: Find more information about all the options for your unplanned pregnancy.
National Abortion Federation: Free hotline for information on abortion and financial assistance.
CMS Database: Find a local health center enrolled in Medicare.
HRSA Data Warehouse: Find a health center in your region.
Abortion Finder: See local laws in your state and get connected with abortion clinics where available.
Connect with a Compassionate Adoption Specialist: Talk to a specialist if you’re considering adoption.
Crisis Pregnancy Center Map: See a list of CPCs in your area.

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