Pregnancy Assistance
 Chelsea, Mikki, Amy | You are facing one of the most important decisions of your life.
You don’t have to face it alone.
Our counselors can provide you with counseling regarding your options, resources for medical needs, housing, and food. If you are interested in adoption, we can provide profiles of potential adoptive parents.
What services are offered?
Our counselors can meet with you in a place of your choosing to inform you of your options, answer your questions, including any legal questions, and offer emotional support. We can provide assistance for medical needs you may have, including prenatal care, and support your needs by assisting with rent, transportation, and food.
 What are my options?
If you decide to create an adoption plan for your child, you have many choices available to you. It is your choice if you want to select |
an adoptive family for your child, and how much information you wish to share with them. Some relationships are like extended family, in which you would stay in contact and see the child in years ahead. Other relationships may be more distant, where you may receive pictures and letters from the adoptive family to stay connected to the family, or have no contact with the adoptive family at all. The choice is yours.
View waiting families
What are my rights regarding adoption?
Iowa law requires that you wait 72 hours after the child’s birth before signing a Release of Custody. If signed, you have 96 hours after signing to change your mind. A court hearing is held several weeks after the Release of Custody is signed; birth parents don’t usually have to attend this hearing.
Pregnant? Bethany can help. Listen Here 
Does the birthfather have any rights?
If the birthfather has not already been informed of your pregnancy and adoption plan, our attorney attempts to notify potential birthfathers of the court hearing for the termination of parental rights. If the birthfather chooses to be involved with you in an adoption plan for your baby, our staff is available to both of you. If the birthfather has any questions about his rights or about making an adoption plan he can contact our staff to talk.
There are many choices that you have to make regarding your pregnancy and your baby’s future. Some choices are immediate - about medical care, your health and nutrition, even your relationship with the father of your baby. Others, like whether you are ready to be the kind of parent that you want and need to be, may take more time to make. Whatever choices you have to make, we’re here for you.
If you’d like to talk with a pregnancy counselor or set up a meeting, contact us anytime at 1.888.791.3981. One of our staff is always available at this number. You can also send Mikki a text message any time at 515.729.3120.
No matter where you live, you can also e-mail our staff at
bcsdesmoines@bethany.org