Choices Pregnancy Center in Chattanooga: Medical and Peer Counseling for Unplanned Pregnancies
Choices Pregnancy Center is a free, donation-supported clinic that provides pregnancy confirmation testing, pregnancy options counseling, limited ultrasound services, and referrals to community resources for women and men with unplanned pregnancies in Chattanooga. It operates as a nonprofit with no medical abortions or contraceptive prescriptions on-site, positioning itself as distinct from family planning clinics that offer the full spectrum of reproductive health services.
What Choices pregnancy center actually offers
Choices provides no-cost pregnancy testing via urine or blood tests, with results available the same day in most cases. The center offers limited ultrasounds (not full diagnostic imaging) at no charge to confirm viability and dating, performed by trained staff under the supervision of a medical consultant. Pregnancy options counseling happens in one-on-one sessions with trained peer counselors, not medical clinicians. The center distributes material goods—diapers, formula, baby clothing, car seats—through an on-site resource room available to current and recent clients. Referral networks connect clients to adoption agencies, parenting classes, mental health services, and assistance programs run by other Chattanooga nonprofits and county services.
The center does not prescribe contraception, provide abortion services, perform diagnostic ultrasounds for medical conditions, or offer gynecological exams. Clients needing those services are directed to Chattanooga's family planning clinics, such as Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi's Chattanooga location or independent OB-GYN offices.
Services and cost structure
All pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds are free. The center operates on donations and does not bill insurance or require out-of-pocket fees from clients. Peer counseling sessions are also free. Material assistance (diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, car seats) is distributed at no charge while supplies last; availability fluctuates and the center encourages clients to call or visit to confirm current stock.
Clients do not need insurance, employment, or immigration status documentation. Walk-in appointments are accepted, though calling ahead to confirm availability can reduce wait time, especially in the afternoon.
How Choices compares to other Chattanooga pregnancy resource options
Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi operates a Chattanooga health center that offers pregnancy testing, full ultrasound imaging, contraception, STI testing, and abortion referrals or procedures depending on gestational age. Planned Parenthood charges on a sliding-fee scale and accepts insurance; initial visits typically cost $40–$150 depending on income and what services are performed. Medical counseling is provided by clinicians.
The East Tennessee Pregnancy Resource Center operates in Knoxville and a few satellite locations but does not maintain a presence in Chattanooga proper.
Chattanooga's OB-GYN offices (in private practice or affiliated with Hospital Authority networks) offer comprehensive pregnancy care once a pregnancy is confirmed, including prenatal care, diagnostic ultrasound, and delivery planning. These practices require insurance or out-of-pocket payment and serve established or new patients after the pregnancy is medically verified.
Choose Choices if you want same-day results, material support, and peer-led counseling without medical or financial barriers. Choose Planned Parenthood if you need contraception, comprehensive ultrasound imaging for medical evaluation, or abortion information and referral. Choose an OB-GYN office once you are ready for ongoing prenatal or obstetric care and have confirmed your pregnancy.
Who Choices suits and who it does not
Choices is designed for individuals with positive or suspected pregnancy who have not yet made a decision about next steps, want free testing and confirmation, or need immediate material support (diapers, formula). Peer counseling is non-directive in theory but operates from a pro-life framework; clients exploring all options are also referred to abortion providers for balanced information.
Choices is not the right fit for someone who has already decided to pursue abortion and needs clinical referral (Planned Parenthood is more direct). It is not appropriate for people needing contraceptive prescriptions, comprehensive gynecological exams, or diagnostic imaging for conditions unrelated to pregnancy. It does not provide mental health therapy; therapists and counselors are external referrals.
What a first visit involves
Upon arrival, a client checks in with a receptionist and completes a brief health history. A pregnancy test (urine or blood) takes 10–15 minutes. If positive, a peer counselor meets with the client privately to discuss the pregnancy, listen to concerns, and walk through options information, local resources, and material goods available.
If the client is interested, a limited ultrasound is scheduled immediately or at a follow-up visit. Ultrasound staff explain what they see on-screen, confirm the number of pregnancies and approximate dating, and print images for the client. A registered nurse or medical consultant reviews ultrasound findings to ensure nothing concerning is detected.
The first visit typically takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on wait time and whether ultrasound is performed. Clients may bring a support person.
Hours, location, parking, and logistics
Choices Pregnancy Center is located on Chickamauga Avenue in Chattanooga. The center operates Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday evenings until 7 p.m. Saturday hours vary seasonally; confirmation is recommended before a weekend visit. The facility has on-site parking in a small lot. The building is accessible by car and is located in a low-traffic area.
Wait times are typically under 30 minutes in the morning and mid-week; afternoons and Thursdays after 5 p.m. may have longer waits. Calling ahead at the Chickamauga Avenue location can confirm current volume. The center is closed major holidays; a confirmation note should be made with staff if a visit is planned near holiday dates.
Choices provides an immediate, free entry point to pregnancy confirmation and peer-led counseling in Chattanooga, unblocking the first urgent step for people navigating an unplanned pregnancy.
