Options

Unplanned pregnancy can be a very difficult and emotional experience for a woman.  Options Counseling is one way to empower yourself in this difficult situation.  It can allow you to make a well-informed and carefully thought-out decision.  If you are unsure if you are pregnant, you should get a pregnancy test by a health care provider.  There is information on this page regarding places that provide confidential/anonymous testing.

Pregnancy options counseling is counseling for pregnant women intended to help them come to a decision regarding an unplanned pregnancy.  The choices that are discussed in options counseling include terminating the pregnancy (abortion) or completing the pregnancy (giving birth), including the choice of parenting (single parenting or with partner) or adoption (open or closed).  
Statistics indicate that unplanned pregnancies are quite common, but circumstances differ greatly for each individual facing this experience.  You and those close to you may have strong opinions related to pregnancy; options counseling can provide a safe place to talk about your unplanned pregnancy and gain knowledge about your options.

Pregnancy options counseling should be non-directive, unbiased, nonjudgmental, and focused on helping the woman make a decision that is best for her.  It should not encourage or discourage a particular choice.  Counselors also help by providing correct information regarding each option and support services that are available.  In counseling you may explore topics such as you your feelings about the pregnancy, values, resources, relationships, goals, overall well-being, and plans for the future.

It is important to start the counseling process as early as possible to ensure that you remain healthy and have time to consider all of your options.

Local Resources

  • Rider University Student Health Services
    Student Health Services offers pregnancy testing.  For services call 609-896-5060.  The Health Center on the Lawrenceville campus is located in the Poyda residence hall.  The Health Office on the Princeton campus is located on the first floor of Taylor Hall.
  • Rider University Counseling Center
    The Counseling Center offers options consultation and counseling as well as referral to other resources.  For services on Lawrenceville campus call 609-896-5157 and 609-921-7100 x 8275 on Princeton campus. Our Center is at Zoerner House on Lawrenceville Campus and Williamson Hall, Rm #6 on Princeton Campus.
  • Planned Parenthood
    Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider of reproductive health care and can provide confidential/anonymous pregnancy testing and care as well as options counseling. Planned Parenthood has several locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and all other states.  Below are a few locations nearby Rider University but click on the link below and find the center closest to you.

    • Hamilton Health Center
      2279 State Hwy 33

      Golden Crest Corporate Center, Suite 510
      Hamilton Square, NJ 08690
      Phone: 609-689-496
    • Trenton Health Center
      437 East State Street, Unit 1

      Trenton, NJ 08608
      Phone: 609-599-4881
    • College of NJ Health Center
      2000 Pennington Rd
      Eickhoff Hall
      Ewing, NJ 08628
      Phone: 609-771-2110
    • Bristol Health center
      721 Veterans Highway
      Bristol, PA 19007
      Phone: 215-785-4591
    • Bensalem Health Center
      Centre Plaza Shopping Center
      2185 Galloway Road

      Bensalem, PA 19020

      Phone: 215-638-0629
    • Flemington Health Center
      349 Rt 31 South, Building B,
      Suite 503
      Flemington, NJ 08822
      Phone: 908-782-7727
  • HiTOPS
    Located in Princeton near Westminster campus, they offer Plan B pill, confidential and annoymous pregnancy testing, and options counseling.
    Call 609-683-5155
    21 Wiggins Street
    Princeton, New Jersey 08540  

Additional Resources

Continuation of Pregnancy Focused Resources

  • Planned Parenthood
    Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider of reproductive health care and can provide confidential/anonymous pregnancy testing and care as well as options counseling. Planned Parenthood has several locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and all other states.  Below are a few locations nearby Rider University but click on the link below and find the center closest to you.

    American Pregnancy Association The American Pregnancy Association is a national health organization committed to promoting reproductive and pregnancy wellness.  The website provides information regarding options and resources in cases of unplanned pregnancy.

  • The Helpline
    Toll-free helpline to meet the needs of those with unexpected pregnancies by providing access to information and support. The Helpline is a life-affirming site that does not make referrals to abortion providers. Call 1-866-942-6466 to speak with someone 24/7.

  • Options Line
    Began by two faith-based organizations — Heartbeat International and Care Net, to provide caring, confidential support to anyone affected by an unexpected pregnancy.  Consultants are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a toll-free phone number, email or live chat.  Call 800 395 4357 to speak to someone who is available 24/7. 

Termination Focused resources

  • Princeton Women’s Center
    The Center offers abortion services.
    Call 609-514-9191 or 800-216-0016 Toll Free or find out more information at their website
    Located at:
    29 Emmons Drive, Bldg. E-20
    Princeton, NJ 08540
  • Planned Parenthood
    Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider of reproductive health care and can provide confidential/anonymous pregnancy testing and care as well as options counseling.  Planned Parenthood has several locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and all other states.  Below are a few locations nearby Rider University but click on the link below and find the center closest to you.
  • American Women's Services
    Provides women's reproductive health services and abortion services are provided in private practice office settings to assure confidentiality and individual support for each woman. Call us toll-free, at 1-888-ABORTION, 24/7 to speak to a professional who can answer your questions and make an appointment for you.
  • National Abortion Federation
    Their purpose is to provide accurate information and resources to women about abortion.  Call the hotline for more information about abortion.
    NAF Hotline: 1-800-772-9100
    Find a provider: 1-877-257-0012 
  • Post Abortion Services
    For help with post abortion assistance, call 1-866-4 EXHALE