linda@laviesc.org

For a woman, finding out she’s pregnant can be exhilarating news.

That’s if she’s planning for a baby.

But, what if she’s not?

An unexpected pregnancy can turn a woman’s world upside down. Fear, confusion, and not knowing what to do next can be overwhelming. Having no support system or feeling that she can’t share this with friends or family, can make things so much worse.

LaVie Pregnancy Care Center, the only center of its kind in Lexington County, can be the perfect place for a woman to start. Empowering women and men with resources, education and information is part of the mission of this non-profit. Not only are all of the services provided at no cost to each person, but LaVie is dedicated to protecting their confidentiality as well.

“We offer compassionate, non-judgmental help to those in need,” says Executive Director, Linda Brown. “Her choice, whatever it is, will be a part of her life story and will have a profound impact on her life, and on our community as well.” Brown says.

In addition to pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, LaVie has a Belly Boutique with maternity clothes. They’re available to anyone who needs them.

In preparing women for childbirth and parenting, LaVie has a program where each client can learn what to expect and how to be the best mom she can be.

The program includes education on nutrition, newborn care, parenting, breastfeeding, safety and much more. The new dads are encouraged and welcome to participate as well.

Clients earn baby bucks in this program and use those baby bucks to shop in the Baby Boutique which is on site at LaVie. The boutique is equipped with car seats, pack ‘n plays, clothing and everything a baby needs, all of which is donated by generous members of the community.

Building relationships with the clients is intentional at LaVie. Brown says that they want women to know that they are respected and valued.

For clients considering adoption, they work closely with local adoption agencies.

If a client has a need that LaVie doesn’t provide, Brown says they have relationships throughout the community with organizations and individuals that they can call on for help.

In a recent conversation with a client who has a toddler, the mom mentioned the air conditioning in her car was broken. LaVie was able to reach out to a local church and one of their members repaired the woman’s air conditioning free of charge.

For women who may be having difficulties with a past choice, LaVie offers a program called “Set Free”, which Brown says promotes healing and is life-changing.

“Women experiencing an unexpected pregnancy don’t have to figure this out alone. The need is great in Lexington County and LaVie is here to meet that need,” says Brown.

For more information, visit http://laviesc.org/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LaVieSC/

You can reach Linda Brown at 803-996-4673.