Women’s Care Center staff continues to offer support for women and is preparing for new mothers seeking support. Educational Coordinator Erin Sudul and Director Mary Brown are pictured here in the center’s “Baby Shop.” They are asking for donations of larger sized (4,5,6) diapers during April’s diaper drive held at the Crossings Cafe in downtown Warren.

The Women’s Care Center has filled a need and will continue to do so, preparing for more of an influx of families due to the recent closing of the maternity ward at Warren General Hospital.

Based out of Erie, the Women’s Care Center has been serving Erie, Western New York and northeastern Ohio since 1982. Its satellite office in Warren is located at 203 West Third Ave., and has been in operation since May 2018. Support is offered free to individuals and families facing planned and unplanned pregnancies, youth navigating relationship decisions, women seeking healing and couples hoping to become parents. The mission is to provide a safe space where comfort, support, education and health are offered to individuals and families at no cost. The Women’s Care Center also works with an adoption agency called Adoption By Choice.

Director Mary Brown shared that when Warren General Hospital’s labor and delivery unit closed its doors it put a feeling of panic in many people’s hearts, particularly for those where transportation is an issue. Patients can be seen in Warren up until 28 weeks before they will need to be referred out. Traveling to Erie or even Jamestown can be tough for some people.

Having been recently inundated with patients, Great Lakes Physician Practice in Jamestown is the closest for referral care, and they answered the need by sending medical staff to Warren. Midwives and a nurse practitioner are available in Warren to see patients locally. Recognizing the stress that occurs when transportation is a problem, going to someplace like Erie can be difficult and could mean that mothers sometimes miss appointments. Brown said she is grateful that the Beacon Light Center building on Market Street also houses UPMC Specialty Care where patients can now make local appointments. While delivery will still occur in Jamestown, the UPMC for You state insurance is accepted.

“We want to see them get the prenatal care that they need throughout their pregnancy,” Brown said.

The Women’s Care Center meets initial needs that include pregnancy testing, sonograms, STD testing and treatment, and support. It isn’t a medical facility, but its staff makes referrals for proper care. An initial visit consists of an intake, pregnancy test, STD test and a needs assessment. A sonogram is the next step along with education and encouragement in taking the time to consider options for making a decision on what’s next, if that is needed. Both three- and four-dimension sonograms are currently offered every three weeks by appointment only and with a positive pregnancy test done at the center.

“Education is so important. It doesn’t matter what it is you are trying to figure out in life, you always want to explore and educate yourself on all the possible options so you can make the best possible decision for you.” said Brown.

Classes in pregnancy care, childbirth, newborn care and postpartum are all offered on a once-a-week basis where credits are earned and can be used towards necessary products that the center has on hand. The credits can be earned up through the baby’s first year; however, assistance from the center is ongoing.

In addition, with a need for mothers to diminish feelings of isolation and grow a support circle of their own, a mom’s group is held on the first and third Monday of each month. Held at the Warren First Church of Nazarene, mothers can enjoy a provided dinner along with additional activities and topics of discussion all while their children are cared for by nursery volunteers. Curriculum from the Real Essentials Education teaches about healthy relationships within all the people in life. A “Mom’s Night Out” is offered a few times per year as well as other outings.

Collaborating with other agencies in the area, they often refer people to other services such as therapy, WIC, medical, and childcare. While the center can offer life coaching, which helps people set goals and learn how to look at what is ahead, they refer out for therapy and counseling.

“The heart of what we do here is love on them for whatever that’s worth and wherever they’re at,” Brown said. “We’ll do our very best to get them the help they need.”

While appointments are preferred, walk-ins are accepted. For more information, visit the Women’s Care Center of Warren, PA Facebook page. A live chat with a nurse is available through the website www.wccerie.org. For more information, call 814-723-4357 or email mbrown@wccerie.org. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

There is a great need for larger sized diapers to be donated which will help stock the Women’s Care Center. During the month of April, the Crossings Cafe will hold an annual diaper drive where donations can be dropped off during the cafe’s business hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays and 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.