Pregnancy options counseling

Pregnancy options counseling provides information and support for a pregnant woman who is considering her choices regarding the continuation of her pregnancy. Her choices include continuing the pregnancy (toward parenting or adoption) and pregnancy termination (abortion). Competent counselors present this information non-judgmentally, in a way that helps each woman make the best decision for her. Counselors require up-to-date knowledge of local and national laws governing women's pregnancy choices, especially concerning adolescents and their rights to make such decisions.

Two organizations that provide pregnancy options counseling are Planned Parenthood in the United States, and the Pregnancy Options Counselling Centre in the United Kingdom.

There are pro-life organizations called crisis pregnancy centers which offer a controversial form of pregnancy options counseling that discourages abortion. Some of these centers have have come under criticism for offering misleading health information.

Policy and position statements regarding pregnancy options counseling and reproductive health exist for the following professional organizations (among others): American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) - Reproductive Decisions, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing - Health Care Decision Making for Reproductive Care , American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - Counseling the Adolescent about Pregnancy Options, American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) - Abortion & Access to Reproductive Health Services