The Truth About Pregnancy Resource Centers in America

Currently, at least 5 to 9 states in the U.S. are facing ongoing legal actions against pregnancy resource centers (PRCs), also known as crisis pregnancy centers. Since a number of total and near-total abortion bans went into effect following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, PRCs now outnumber abortion clinics 3 to 1. Approximately $500 million in state government funds have been allocated to build and expand these centers.

We often hear accusations from abortion advocates that pro-life individuals either only care about the baby and not the mother, or only care about the baby until it’s born. Let’s challenge that by taking a deeper look at PRCs and exploring why the abortion industry appears threatened by the rise of free pregnancy care across the country.

Historically, these faith-based centers have existed as an alternative to abortion. After a few began opening in the 1960s, one of the very first PRCs was established in 1971 in Hawaii, following the state’s decision to legalize abortion. In response to the nationwide legalization of abortion via Roe v. Wade, PRCs continued to expand throughout the 1970s in direct opposition to abortion access. The founders of these centers recognized that a growing demand for abortion reflected a growing need for care—women were in desperate need of resources and support to continue their pregnancies.

PRCs have outnumbered abortion clinics since the early 2000s, and that gap continues to widen in the 2020s. Currently, there are roughly 2,500 PRCs across the United States and fewer than 1,000 facilities that provide abortions—only about 700 of those are physical, brick-and-mortar clinics. As abortion facilities continue to close due to funding cuts, retirements, and state bans, we see a shift in the reasons PRCs are expanding. In the 1970s, they grew in response to legalized abortion; today, they grow in response to abortion restrictions. Yet, the mission remains the same: whether abortion is legal or not, women still need care. The unfortunate truth is that while abortion bans are undoubtedly saving lives, there is still a cultural demand for abortion—and PRCs continue to meet that need with compassion.

So what happens when a woman experiencing an unintended pregnancy walks into a PRC? If she has scheduled an appointment, she likely already knows that they do not perform abortions or refer patients to abortion clinics. Upon arrival, she’ll fill out an intake form that includes questions about her health, pregnancy, relationship status, spiritual beliefs, and what options she’s currently considering. From there, staff administer a free urine-based pregnancy test and offer a proof of pregnancy letter, which is often required for Medicaid or other insurance. While not all PRCs have licensed medical staff, those that do may also provide a free ultrasound to determine gestational age and offer STI testing.

Next, she will meet with a counselor to discuss her pregnancy. This includes information on fetal development, her feelings about the pregnancy, the possibility of parenting, and what support is available should she choose to continue. After the initial counseling, follow-up appointments are often scheduled. At medically equipped PRCs, free prenatal care is sometimes offered through the first 24 weeks of pregnancy before referring the patient to an OB-GYN. From that point forward, volunteers and staff are available to support her journey—offering free baby supplies, housing or adoption referrals, and parenting classes. And if, after all this, she chooses abortion, many PRCs still offer post-abortion emotional support. While they won’t refer her to an abortion clinic or endorse the decision, their compassion often remains unchanged—especially if she later experiences emotional distress.

Now let’s contrast this level of care with that of “family planning” clinics, such as abortion providers. At these clinics, care is not guaranteed to be free. For example, while 98% of PRCs provide free pregnancy tests, only 17% of abortion providers do. Planned Parenthood typically operates on a sliding scale, and the cost to confirm pregnancy and discuss options can range from $100 to $300—not including an ultrasound. In fact, most Planned Parenthood locations do not provide ultrasounds unless the patient is scheduled for an abortion.

Furthermore, regardless of a patient’s decision, follow-up appointments are neither standard nor encouraged at many abortion clinics. There is no uniform protocol for checking on mental health after an abortion or for offering a second ultrasound to ensure the uterus is clear of tissue. This is especially concerning given recent findings that up to 11% of women experience serious adverse effects after taking the abortion pill. In contrast, PRCs typically require or strongly encourage follow-up visits to ensure that women feel supported physically and emotionally.

It’s important to acknowledge the demonization of PRCs in America by some abortion-rights advocates. There have been hundreds of cases where pro-life content has been censored, demonetized, or removed from major tech platforms. When PRCs are accused of misinformation or false advertising, it is fair to call for accountability—especially if any center misrepresents itself as an abortion provider. Transparency is essential. However, the same standard should apply to organizations like Planned Parenthood. The term “family planning” is misleading when prenatal care and adoption referrals account for less than 1% of their services. If anything, this suggests that abortion clinics are where family planning ends—not where it begins.

PRC staff and volunteers want women to know the truth: that they are strong, capable, and not alone—and that real resources exist to help them through their pregnancies. And if they are curious, they deserve to know the truth about abortion as well. According to multiple peer-reviewed studies over the past 20 years, roughly 55% of women felt pressured into abortion, and 73% reported pressure from family, a partner, or peers. In a national sample of 1,000 women aged 41–45, 67% said their abortion conflicted with their personal values. Another study published in the Medical Science Monitor found that 64% of women felt pressured, 71.2% said the pregnancy was unwanted by their male partner, and 50.7% believed abortion was morally wrong and conflicted with their conscience.

These numbers are sobering—and they point to why PRCs matter and should continue to grow throughout the nation.