BIRTHLINE Mission and Core Services

Birthline Mission

Birthline is a Christian non-profit agency whose purpose is two fold. First, it is to provide personal services and support to anyone confronted with an unexpected pregnancy and the many problems related to it. Second, it is to promote respect for life and those personal values, attitudes, and behaviors which prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Organizational Information

For the past 35 years, Birthline, Inc., a Christian non-profit agency, has been providing services and support to those in and around Central Minnesota who are confronted with an unexpected pregnancy. While Birthline values the unborn child, it also is compassionate with regard to the physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of the mother and father. Listed here are some of the many services provided by Birthline’s professional staff and volunteers.

24 Hour Helpline

Through a 24-hour telephone helpline, Birthline assists men and women every day concerned about pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control issues, relationship issues and abortion. Our trained staff works one-on-one via the telephone line, offering a willing ear to listen and encouraging callers to come into the Birthline office for free pregnancy testing as a first step to their “problem.” It is at this time that each client is given the message of hope and positive alternatives that Birthline offers.

Mentoring Support

Birthline’s trained volunteers and staff provide mentoring and support to those concerned about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy. They offer a non-judgmental helping hand to explore all options necessary to make important life decisions. Once a caller has arrived for a free personal and confidential appointment, a face-to-face interview and pregnancy test are performed. This unique, one-on-one counseling offers Birthline a window of opportunity not only for supportive pregnancy counseling and providing referral services (including assistance in securing help with food, clothing, housing, medical assistance and finances), but also promotes the most effective intervention and prevention of future occurrence through counseling clients on how to live an abstinent lifestyle until marriage. Many resources are made available including assistance in securing help with food, clothing, housing, medical assistance and finances.

Prenatal Medical Exams

Birthline’s volunteer physicians will confirm pregnancies and provide pregnancy verification forms, thereby allowing women the necessary means to apply for Medical Assistance and financial support. This will also begin the process of assignment to a Public Health Nurse. Physicians provide information about the ill effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco as well as the benefits of good health and nutrition during pregnancy. Our goal is to see that all women have access to vital prenatal care early in their pregnancy. Our physicians will also provide free prenatal vitamins insuring these women adequate doses of folic acid early in their pregnancy.

STEPPING STONES Incentive Program

This unique incentive program, offered in partnership with the CentraCare Health Foundation, works with each individual to assess key life skills and establish efforts to improve upon them. Areas evaluated are: physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being, education, career, finances, decision making and parenting skills. Our intake staff works one-on-one with individuals to customize this program to meet specific needs. As areas of development are agreed upon, goals and objectives are identified and established. Points are earned for completion and these equate to ‘decision dollars’ that can be used to shop in the Birthline Boutique. The goal of this program is to provide motivation to individuals to develop life skills that enhance decision making, incorporating a thorough and adequate review of the adoption process and enhanced parenting skills.

Men of Birthline

Men, trained to counsel and work one-on-one with men who have fathered a child are bringing an essential element to our services. Many young fathers come from fatherless households or lack a relationship with their dads. This program teaches men how to be good dads through the establishment of role models and mentors. It teaches men the importance of being a ‘provider and protector’ and provides information on Father’s Rights and Responsibilities. This program ultimately benefits the fathers of the babies we serve. Yet overall impact expands beyond those men to include babies, women, families and society as a whole.

Hearts and Hands Program - Professional Labor Support

This service is offered through a group of volunteers certified by a national organization called Doulas of North America (DONA) and sponsored through a grant made a available by March of Dimes. Doula is a Greek work referring to a woman who helps other women with pregnancy and birth. A Doula is trained to provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. Doulas offer coping techniques during labor and delivery including verbal encouragement, massage and positioning, relaxation and breathing, etc. Doulas also assist mothers with breastfeeding during the immediate postpartum period and can provide important education and referrals. This important service has been studied and results show shorter labors, less use of oxytocin, fewer Cesarean sections, fewer deliveries using forceps and vacuum extractors, and few requests for pain medication in women who had the support of a Doula compared to those who did not. Infants had fewer admissions to the NICU and benefited from increased contact with their mothers and a higher rate of breastfeeding. Women referred to Birthline for this service will receive the support of a Doula without cost. Private practice Doulas charge between $400-$700 for this beneficial service. We are pleased to be able to provide such a valuable service to those we serve.

Baby Basics

Education is power! In partnership with the March of Dimes, we provide an educational component to those we serve, using a valuable resource book, BABY BASICS: Your Month By Month Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. Written to a 6th grade reading level, the book's unique format was created in response to mothers' varied interests and skills. This comprehensive prenatal guide and literacy training tool takes into account the special health, economic, social, and cultural needs of low-income women. The book is presented to each pregnant client with the offer to attend educational support groups. Our volunteer educators provide support and information to small groups of pregnant women. The sessions cover changes that happen during the different trimesters of pregnancy and post partum. The goal of the program is get moms and dads comfortable with pregnancy and baby.

Breastfeeding Support Groups

Breastfeeding is a win-win situation. There are numerous health benefits to mothers and babies. We realize that it doesn’t always go smoothly and it is a learning process. We’ve found too that it helps to have the support of others who are making the same choice to breastfeed. This group is open to pregnant women or moms of newborns. We encourage women to bring their babies along to the support group. This class meets the 1st Tuesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Birthline office. It has been established to provide encouragement, support and practical information for women considering (or currently) breastfeeding. This group is free but pre-registration is encouraged.

Cradle of Hope

Birthline has partnered with Cradle of Hope, a non-profit organization in Roseville, MN, that provides baby furnishings and funding to those meeting eligibility requirements. Assistance with car seat, playpen, stroller, diapers and cribs is offered. The program is available to pregnant women in their 8th month of pregnancy or mother’s with a child under 3 months of age experiencing a financial hardship. Items are limited and there is no guarantee on receiving them as decisions are based on financial need and the number of women who apply. We consider this a ‘last resort’ option.

HEART (Health Education and Relationship Training)

Birthline’s outreach to students in public & private schools, churches and youth groups, offers information and guidance on how to develop and maintain healthy relationships enabling young people to make choices that will help to protect their future goals. This program has indeed been changing HEARTS! More than 3,600 youth have participated in HEART presentations during this past school year.

H.E.A.R.T. - Please click here for more information on the Heart Education and Relationship Training Program.