A new women’s health center offering free pregnancy services has opened in Carbon County.

Her Choice Women’s Health, at 179 Delaware Ave. in Palmerton, opened in late April, providing pregnancy tests, limited obstetric ultrasounds, options counseling and prenatal vitamins at no cost. No insurance is required.

“We really felt that we needed a medical facility in the Carbon County area that focused on doing pregnancy tests, followed immediately by an ultrasound, and also discussing all their pregnancy options,” Director Debbie Balch said.

The center covers all three options a pregnant woman faces — parenting, adoption and abortion — providing information on each without referring for any one in particular.

Carbon County, staff said, has no obstetric unit at its hospitals, and OB/GYN appointments can be weeks or months away.

“We’ve had girls come in and say, ‘I called my OB. The first appointment I can get is three months from now. I just want to make sure everything’s OK,’” said Kim Kalista, a registered nurse and the center’s ultrasound technician. “We’re here to bridge the gap.”

Kalista is trained in limited obstetric ultrasounds and checks for three things: whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus and not ectopic; the gestational age based on fetal measurement; and the presence of a heartbeat.

“An ectopic pregnancy is dangerous for the girl,” Kalista said.

LPN Renee Hartwell handles pregnancy testing and intake, reviewing each client’s health and pregnancy history and providing early pregnancy education covering topics including morning sickness, Rh factor and STDs. Clients receive a written packet and an estimated due date based on their last menstrual period, documentation that can be used to access WIC and other services.

Prenatal vitamins are given to every client, regardless of her plans for the pregnancy.

“Even if she’s not going to carry the baby to term, it’s important that her body be in the best condition it can be,” Balch said.

Women who are not ready to disclose a pregnancy to others can seek services without triggering records connected to the local health system.

“If a girl doesn’t want other people to know that she’s pregnant, we’re a good source for her to come get information on her pregnancy without exposure to other agencies, because we’re not connected to the hospitals,” Balch said.

Clients may bring a partner, parent or other support person and may include them in the ultrasound if they choose.

“They run the appointment,” Kalista said. “We’re not here to push an agenda or anything like that. We just want to be here.”

That philosophy extends to clients at every point in their decision-making. Balch recalled a client who had taken the abortion pill and later reached out to the center.

“She just thanked us for being so very supportive of her,” Balch said. “We want to support girls regardless of their decision, regardless of what our personal beliefs are.”

The center has four nurses, two client advocates and a receptionist. It is currently open about six times a month, primarily on Tuesdays, with phone coverage available through a staffed team when the office is closed. It is seeing about 20 clients per month, a number that has grown steadily since opening.

Funding comes entirely from private donors.

“We have some very generous donors who believe in what we want to offer women,” Balch said.

Her Choice Women’s Health can be reached at 610-900-4417 or at herchoicehealth.org. Walk-ins are accepted for pregnancy tests. Appointments are recommended for ultrasounds.