Local agencies offer reproductive health, pregnancy support for free
With access to abortions still on hold in Missouri, St. Joseph residents are being reminded of resources that are available for their reproductive needs at little to no cost.
The Stuber Health Center in Downtown St. Joseph offers confidential services such as annual exams, STI screenings, HIV testing and birth control for anyone regardless of income.
"As females, we have options," Edna Mensah, a clinic nurse manager at Stuber Health Center said. "Whatever we feel like we need, we don't need to have somebody in power to tell us what we can and what we can not have."
Stuber Health offers services by appointment or walk-in.
"We do have scheduled patient appointments but we occasionally do take walk-ins," Mensah said. "You come in, you tell us what you're looking for ... with yourself and a nurse practitioner, based on your health history, we are able to put you on what works best for your body type."
The free clinic offers various types of birth control including pills, shots, implants, IUDs, patches, condoms and emergency contraceptives.
Mensah stressed that using birth control will not prevent someone from getting pregnant in the future if they wish to do so.
"The biggest misconception I hear a lot is 'Will I be able to have babies once I get off birth control?' and that's a yes," Mensah said. "All of our bodies are different, made in unique ways. What works best for me might not work for somebody else."
To book an appointment or learn more about services offered, visit Stuber Health Center's website at socialwelfareboard.org.
As well as resources to prevent pregnancies, St. Joseph residents have resources to deal with a current pregnancy, miscarriage or post-abortion support.
The St. Joseph Pregnancy Resource Center, or PRC, provides support groups for women who are concerned about a pregnancy, are dealing with emotional distress after an abortion or are healing from a miscarriage.
“It doesn’t make everything all better, but we see women that are able to come distraught about pregnancy,” Executive Director Libby Owens said. “But if they’re coming to classes every week, then some of the resources are being taken care of for them, they’re making friends, they’re learning a little bit more and they gain confidence. So what was scary a few weeks ago isn’t nearly as scary right now.”
St. Joseph PRC offers several services outside of the courses such as ultrasounds, maternity and baby clothes, diapers, wipes and other essentials for expecting or new mothers.
“We all need support and encouragement,” Owens said. “When we can step outside of ourselves to realize that 'I have something in common with someone else,' or to ask questions to help us maybe in a new circumstance. And every pregnancy is different. Sometimes life circumstances are different … to have that support and know that there’s a place to go to gather even how we feel at that time, to gather information.”
To learn more about the resources available at St. Joseph PRC, visit its website at stjosephprc.org.
