Tens of millions of preborn babies have been lost to abortion, and Focus on the Family® has been laboring diligently for several years to preserve the tiny lives that continue to hang in the balance.

As we investigate ways to encourage mothers-to-be to carry their babies to term, we’ve been extremely encouraged to learn that women who see their babies on ultrasound are far less likely to seek abortions than those without access to such an option. It is becoming increasingly clear that ultrasound services and support through pregnancy medical clinics (PMCs)carry the potential to save a significant number of lives.

For this reason, with the generous support of our donors, Focus on the Family has undertaken the Option Ultrasound Program (OUP). When a PMC has met the training and assessment requirements and been approved for an OUP grant, Focus on the Family provides 80% of the costs of the ultrasound machine or sonography training. Approximate costs for an ultrasound machine average $21,000 - $33,000; training costs $13,000 - $17,000. The PMC pays 20% of the cost. Pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) that have not yet converted to medical clinic status may be eligible for a grant to assist them through the medical conversion process, and this is in addition to the OUP grant.

But OUP is much more than placing an ultrasound machine or providing sonography training – it’s an integrated program of training and consultation offered to PRCs to strengthen organizational infrastructure, raise the level of professionalism, increase effectiveness in operations, financial readiness, and life decisions as they provide medical services to women at-risk for abortion.

Preparation Required for OUP Participation
After submitting a thorough grant application and ministry profile, the executive director and one board member of the PRC/PMC are invited to a 2-day Regional Information Meeting, which is a pre-requisite for OUP approval. Focus on the Family pays the costs for this training, as well as accommodations and lunch.

This training explains elements of the program, equips the board and staff to protect and prepare their clinic for excellence as they operate as a medical clinic, and provides opportunities to network with other centers and OUP representatives. Instruction is provided on:

• How converting from a counseling-only center into a medical clinic changes the dynamics of the services offered
• Raising the level of professionalism and effectiveness in operations at a PMC
• Budgeting and donor development
• Organizational development and re-alignment of the functions of staff and volunteers
• Board role and fiduciary responsibilities upon conversion to a medical clinic
• Understanding legal status, corporate requirements and insurance protection
• Increasing the number of women at-risk for abortion who choose life for their babies

Delivery and Implementation of OUP
Each PMC is assigned to an OUP Site Representative who spends months helping them meet program requirements, and then provides 2½ days of on-site training, assuring that all program elements have been accomplished.  When the assessment is completed and approved by Focus on the Family, a report is delivered to the PMC’s Board of Directors.

Due to the substantial cost of the program and the expenses related providing professional training to the PMC nursing staff in the use of ultrasounds, Focus on the Family requests a measure of financial accountability from each PMC that receives a machine or training. PMCs report monthly on their client activity and outcomes and Focus on the Family analyzes and reports these statistics for the program as a whole on a monthly basis.

And here are the amazing results we are seeing! Reports from PRCs offering women a combination of counseling and ultrasound indicate that 89% of the clients at-risk for abortion leave PRCs with intentions to carry their babies to term!*

How you can help
The Sanctity of Human Life (SOHL) Division at Focus on the Family is impacting high abortion communities across the nation, and OUP is but one of our initiatives to reduce abortion and offer life-giving alternatives to women and their children.  We are committed to reaching those most at risk for abortion with excellent medical services and compassionate support and counseling, knowing that each human life is made in the image of a loving God.

Tens of thousands of women will never forget the day they first saw the image of their baby, kicking its feet and waving its arms on the ultrasound monitor. They will recall the day that their heart was changed, with gratitude they can hardly put into words, and they will be forever thankful that they had the opportunity to choose life, all because someone cared enough to give them the option of seeing an ultrasound.

Option Ultrasound is 100% donor-supported and those wishing to help to underwrite this program should designate their gift to DEXSOHL. Thank you for helping Focus on the Family protect women’s health and save the lives of their preborn babies!

• How many Option Ultrasound grants have been funded since January 2004? (pdf)
• Read some of the latest ultrasound testimonies.
• Read how ultrasound technicians can get involved in the Option Ultrasound™ Program

All Pregnancy Medical Clinics in the Option Ultrasound Program provide limited obstetrical ultrasound as medically indicated. Clinics are licensed to operate under the supervision of a physician, using only trained sonographers. Focus on the Family does not endorse the use of ultrasound outside of a medical clinic setting and does not endorse the use of ultrasound for non-medical reasons. Patient referrals are made to physicians for follow-up diagnosis and care as needed.