Perinatal hospices support families with dignity and love: Companions on a Bittersweet Journey.

Pregnancy centers and post-abortion counseling programs were created by pro-lifers to meet the needs of mothers contemplating an abortion or suffering from post-abortion aftermath. The last few years have witnessed a new outpouring of love and support for expectant families who find that their unborn child has been diagnosed to have a fatal condition.

They are hospices for babies. Perinatal hospice programs are springing up around the country to assist those whose unborn child will die at birth or within hours. They are the life-affirming alternative to "early induction."

Tracy Haugen's own son was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Despite early indications that her son's heart condition was inoperable, an ultrasound in the 30th week of her pregnancy gave them hope that lifesaving heart surgery was possible.

His heart was operated on five days after birth, but sadly he passed away a short time later. She now serves others in similar situations.

"Many women, even those who consider themselves pro-life, will consider the option of an 'early induction' when faced with an adverse/life threatening diagnosis for their unborn baby," she said. She described one of the complex reasons for this is that "early induction" is offered as the compassionate option, equating it to removing a terminally ill baby from life support (the child's mother) and therefore different than abortion.

In other cases, women cannot imagine walking out the remainder of a pregnancy that will only end in certain loss. To the unknowing world, the pregnancy will appear "normal." The thought of being confronted daily with "typical" questions from well-meaning strangers can seem unbearable.

In addition many also feel pressure from those around them to end the life of a "less than perfect" baby, or have fears that the baby will live with a severe handicap.