Perspectives Pregnancy Advice

Pregnancy is an event that we generally connect with happiness and expectant hope for the future but that’s not the real story for everyone.

Perspectives Pregnancy Advice is a Registered Charity based at The Fletcher Centre in Ipswich. We provide free confidential support to those experiencing unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy loss and post abortion stress. You may find it surprising to learn that around 40% of pregnancies are unplanned and when faced with a positive pregnancy test women and couples often don’t know where to turn to for help. At Perspectives we seek to provide people with space and time to explore their feelings and to support them to move forward in their life whatever their circumstances. If women choose to proceed with their pregnancy we can offer them ongoing befriending and practical help such as providing baby equipment. Alternatively if they choose to place their baby for adoption or to terminate their pregnancy we offer support programmes to enable women and couples to explore their feelings.

Sadly pregnancy loss is more common than most people realise with around 1 in 4 pregnancies ending in miscarriage. Sometimes couples don’t grieve at the time of their loss, friends and family can find it difficult to talk about the event and this can lead to suppressed feelings that cause depression or anxiety. Our pregnancy loss support programme enables women and men to grieve for their child, giving them as much time is needed to come to a point of acceptance and try to conceive again if that is what they desire.

Our advice centre is run by trained volunteer advisors who are all Christians. Our training is accredited by the Association of Christian Counsellors, and all our advisors have enhanced CRB disclosures and receive regular supervision. We are part of a national network of over 150 pregnancy crisis centres which have been running for 25 years under the name of Care confidential.

Michelle Jones, Centre Coordinator and member of Rushmere Christian Fellowship, says “As Christians we seek to replicate Jesus unconditional love for all people regardless of events that have occurred in their life, we never judge but come alongside people who are in distress to offer understanding and compassion. You can be assured of a warm welcome from the team at Perspectives.”

We are open for appointments on Wednesday evenings and Fridays during the day, other times are available if necessary. To find out more visit our website at www.pregnancyadviceipswich.org.uk or call us to make an appointment on Ipswich 255115.