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 medical pregnancy centers 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) which will place 650 ultrasound services (ultrasound machine or sonography training) in qualifying medical Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) between 2004 and the end of 2010.

When a PRC 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 - $28,000; training costs $10,000 - $14,000. The PRC pays 20% of the cost.

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.

PRC Preparation Required for OUP Participation

After submitting a thorough grant application and ministry profile, the executive director and one board member of the PRC 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 center 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 PRC
• How to raise the level of professionalism and effectiveness in operations
• Budgeting, financial and donor development
• Organizational development and alignment and function of staff and volunteers
• How board role and fiduciary responsibilities expand upon conversion to a medical clinic
• Legal status, corporate requirements and insurance protection
• Tools to increase the number of abortion-risk women choosing life for their babies

Delivery and Implementation of OUP

Each PRC 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.  The assessment is completed by the delivery of a report to the Board of Directors and final approval by Focus on the Family.

Due to the substantial cost of the program and the expenses related to training PRC staff in the use of ultrasounds, Focus on the Family requests a measure of financial accountability from each PRC that receives a machine or training. PRCs 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!*

Click here to see a chart showing the estimated number of babies that potentially will be saved by the end of 2008 through a combination of counseling and ultrasound services, since the inception of Option Ultrasound in January 2004.

* Constituent Insight Report, Sep 30, 2007

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 their feet and waving their 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.

SOHL 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?
• 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.