Recently a woman pulled me aside and told me that she had accidentally gone to a crisis pregnancy center when she had actually intended to visit a clinic in hopes of getting an abortion. She walked out of the pregnancy center that day with a renewed optimism about the direction her potential in life. This time that potential included a child.

She carried her baby to term and kept the little boy. Today, he is three years old and loves Bob the Builder, playing in the apartment complex’s courtyard, and his tabby cat, Smoky. The woman is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in sports nutrition, a dream that she had never given much attention to, until she became pregnant with her son.

When I asked if, at any time, she felt manipulated by the counselors at the crisis pregnancy center, she said no. I was surprised, given the adamancy with which she had approached her unwanted pregnancy. She was insistent that she wanted an abortion, was given the information on the procedure, and decided that it wasn’t for her.

As I’ve researched the subject, I’ve found that the large majority of women who have consulted a crisis pregnancy center did not encounter pressure tactics or what they perceived to be manipulation. That includes women who have gone in seeking abortions, and even the ones who ultimately went on to get abortions.

Most women that I’ve spoken with have described numerous crisis pregnancy centers across the United States as calming, professional, and friendly. Counselors are informative and freely give information on all options for an unwanted pregnancy. Most impressive, they felt, was the time counselors spent with them. This is in stark contrast to the hurried, uncompassionate atmosphere of abortion clinics, where the main goal is a quick turnover and profit margins.

Remember this article next time someone engages you in a debate over the tactics of crisis pregnancy centers. Write in with your experience.