Within the pregnancy help movement, terminology can vary across organizations, reflecting the distinct approaches and needs of each community. While this diversity is a strength, terminology differences can sometimes lead to confusion or misreporting, especially when completing forms or reporting data. If one organization uses a different term for a service than what's listed on a form or report, they might mistakenly indicate they don’t offer that service—when in fact, they do. Clear, shared terminology—or at least an understanding of equivalent terms—is essential to ensure accurate reporting and consistent communication.

To make the application process smoother and avoid confusion, we’ve put together a list of common terms and what they mean, sorted by priority and frequency of client requests.

When checking services on the application, please use the definitions below to select the services your organization directly provides:

• Pregnancy Tests (Medical Service) - Testing for hCG levels in urine and/or blood (Urine hCG Pregnancy test; serum hCG pregnancy test)
• Self-Pregnancy Testing - Client performs urine pregnancy testing independently without medical oversight
• Ultrasound Services (On-site) - Offers ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy
• Ultrasound Referral in partnership with other clinics - Offers referral for ultrasound with another clinic or physician, either on-site or at another location
• Mobile Unit (Medical/Consulting) - Mobile medical unit offering ultrasounds and options consulting
• Prenatal Care (On-site) - Offers prenatal medical care on-site
• STI Testing (Medical Service) - Testing for particular STIs
• STI Treatment (Medical Service) - Treatment for particular STIs
• Maternity Housing - An organization providing residential care for expectant and/or parenting mothers and their children.
• Free Maternity and Baby Supplies - Free supplies may include maternity items, diapers, wipes, formula, baby clothing, and various baby items
• Pregnancy Options Consulting - Offers clients education and consultation services discussing pregnancy options
• Abortion Recovery - Can include resources, counseling, support groups, and/or educational resources to help women and men find healing after an abortion
• Medical Care Following Chemical Abortion - Offering medical care to women after a chemical abortion, including assessment and/or ultrasound
• Telehealth - Using digital technologies to deliver life-affirming healthcare services remotely, including telemedicine (e.g., pre- and post-abortion assessments/consultations, APR, patient education, and remote vital signs monitoring, etc.)
• Telecare - Using digital technologies to deliver pregnancy help services to empower clients to embrace life-affirming choices remotely, including virtual initial client intake and ongoing support (e.g., intervention appointments, options education/consulting, parenting classes, relationship/life skill coaching, etc.)
• Incentive Programs - Educational classes incentivized by material assistance (a.k.a. earn while you learn program)
• Parenting Classes - Provides classes to empower moms and dads on their parenting journey
• Childbirth Preparation Classes - Provides classes in preparation for childbirth
• Adoption Agency (On-site) - Legally authorized to facilitate adoption placements
• Adoption Information - Provides education on the adoption process and referrals to adoption agencies as needed
• Well-Woman Visits - Routine medical care for clients, such as yearly gynecology and pap tests
• Men’s Program/Mentorship - Offers support, education, and resources to expectant and parenting fathers, empowering them to navigate fatherhood with confidence
• Community Referrals/Networking - Provides referrals for community resources, which may include housing, healthcare, food pantries, professional counseling, childcare, legal assistance, and more
• Virtual Support - Some education and consulting services are available virtually 
• Prenatal Diagnosis Support - Offers support to families who choose to continue a pregnancy after receiving a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis
• Sexual Health Program - Offers clients education and consultation services discussing sexual health, which may include abstinence, fertility awareness, STIs, and more

For questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Last updated May 2025

As a Heartbeat International affiliate, you have a powerful, life-saving resource working for you around the clock—Option Line®. But are you taking full advantage of all it has to offer?

Option Line® is a 24/7, multilingual pregnancy helpline created by Heartbeat in 2003 to connect women in need to local pregnancy help. Through phone, text, chat, and email, our trained consultants offer compassionate support and direct referrals to life-affirming care in their area. As a bridge from national outreach to local services, Option Line helps women find hope when they need it most.

Each day, Option Line connects thousands of women to the life-affirming help they need, often after your doors have closed for the day. And here’s the best part: if you're a Heartbeat affiliate, you're already part of it.

After-Hours Phone & Chat Coverage

We know many centers struggle to answer the phone after hours. With Option Line, you don’t have to worry about missing a call from a woman in need. Our multilingual team is here 24/7, so she never hears a voicemail when she needs a voice of hope.

If your website is hosted by Extend Web Services, Option Line can also answer live chat messages directly from your site—even while you're sleeping. That’s seamless, professional client care that extends your reach without stretching your staff.

Appointment Scheduling

Here’s a hidden gem many affiliates overlook: real-time appointment scheduling through Option Line.

Imagine a woman reaching out late at night. She’s scared and uncertain. Instead of being told to call back during business hours, we can schedule an appointment for her on your calendar right then and there. That personal connection—without delay—can mean the difference between life and death.

"First - THANK YOU!! We had a client come in a few weeks ago, scheduled by your team, and, after walking with us for a couple of weeks, has chosen life! WOO HOO! I am full of confidence that being able to make an appointment while we were closed made all the difference in this little one's life. Thank you for your partnership!"

Online Exposure That Sends Her Straight to You

Option Line was created with one goal in mind—to be a bridge between a woman in crisis and the life-affirming help available right in her own community. Whether she finds us through a Google search or a late-night chat, our team is here to guide her from that first moment of fear or uncertainty directly to you, her local pregnancy help organization.

Every month, thousands of women search for help on OptionLine.org, and every search is an opportunity to connect her to real, local support. Our listings receive millions of visits annually, all designed to point her toward centers like yours.

That’s why we developed an Option Line campaign to meet these women where they are and help combat Big Abortion's monopoly on the issue. Our goal is simple: reach her and connect her to pregnancy help.

To do this, Heartbeat International launched a Gen Y & Z-focused campaign that connects with women facing unexpected pregnancies. When she sees one of these ads, she’s led directly to Option Line, where we can guide her to your center for the life-affirming care and resources she needs.

As a Heartbeat affiliate, these professionally produced videos are available to you at no cost. We encourage you to share them on your social media channels and embed them on your website. By doing so, you’re not only sharing hope—you’re strengthening the connection between the woman searching for help and the care your organization is ready to provide.

You are the goal. We exist to connect her with your care, your services, and your compassion.

Need to update your contact info or hours? Just let us know—we’ll make real-time updates to ensure she always has the most accurate path to find you.

This Isn’t Just a Referral Line. It’s a Lifeline.

Option Line is here to lift the load and strengthen your outreach:

• We provide immediate, human responses to women in need.
  
  
• We offer no-cost appointment scheduling to increase follow-through.
  
  
• We make your services visible to women looking for hope.
  
  

Don't miss out on these powerful tools already working for you.

If you need to update your listing or want to activate appointment scheduling, contact us at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (866) 260-3763 ext. 1

Together, we are reaching her in the moment she needs it most—even if that moment comes at 2 a.m.