What Happens When You Seek Services at Vitality Women's Clinic

GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic talks through what happens when you come to their clinic for services.

Lori Saunders, Center Manager of the Godfrey clinic, remembers what it’s like to have an unplanned pregnancy. She shared that she was 25 when she became unexpectedly pregnant with twins. Now, she works with other individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies to talk them through their options and provide medical services like pregnancy and STI testing and ultrasounds as well as spiritual counseling at Vitality.

“God really gets the glory in that,” she shared about her own story. “There were two heartbeats. For me, it was a demarcation of my life. Am I going to trust God or not? I was just like, ‘Okay, God, I made a mess of things doing this by myself. I’m going to trust you.’ So I did, and those babies just turned 35.”

Saunders previously worked in radiology before learning to perform ultrasounds and taking the job at Vitality, which she calls “the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had.” Throughout her tenure, she has seen Vitality’s medical services expand. She emphasizes that all of their services are free and confidential, and Vitality does not perform or refer for abortions.

“We provide the lab-quality pregnancy tests, the ultrasounds, and the STD testing. Those pieces are all critical when you’re in the decision-making process, especially for a woman who comes in thinking abortion is the only answer,” Saunders explained. “Those medical services are really designed to help her through that decision-making process. We're not there to pressure her. We’re not there to judge her. We really just want to give her all the medically-accurate information that she needs before she makes that decision.”

When a patient first comes into Vitality, they meet with a patient advocate to learn about their options. The advocate will also ask about the patient’s support system and faith.

The patient will then give a urine specimen, which Vitality will test for pregnancy and STIs. A nurse will go through the patient’s medical and sexual history and then perform an ultrasound to find out if the pregnancy is viable, if it is ectopic, and how far along the patient is.

Vitality will follow up with patients 24–28 hours after that initial appointment. Saunders said she is happy to walk alongside a patient no matter what they choose, for however long they’d like.

If the patient decides to parent, Vitality offers online parenting classes through which parents can earn points to redeem for supplies like diapers, clothing and more. Vitality will also talk patients through the adoption and abortion processes if they’re interested in those alternatives.

Executive Director Jackie Duty expressed her appreciation for the patient advocates, nurses and other volunteers and employees who keep Vitality operating. She believes these people are mission-focused and working hard to support patients.

“I feel like I have learned so much just because the team is so phenomenal,” Duty said. “From front to back, we have a team that is so well-versed. They’re so committed with the right hearts to what we’re doing. They made it really easy.”

Saunders echoed Duty and added that she hopes Vitality can serve as a resource for pregnant people. She encourages people to donate to the organization or visit their official website to learn more.

“You need somebody to take you through the three options: parenting, adoption and abortion. Let’s talk about those things. Let’s talk about what is heaviest on your mind. Are they all three on the table or is one of them off the table? What do we really need to hit at? We believe that just empowering them with all those medical services gives them all that accurate information that they need before they make that decision,” Saunders added. “It takes some time and it’s a huge decision and, no matter what you choose, it impacts you for life.”

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