Heartbeat of Toledo Serves Over 1,200 People in 2021

    TOLEDO, OH, February 02, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In April 2020, the COVID-19 health crisis forced Heartbeat of Toledo's Heart-To-Heart program to discontinue in-person classes. While uncertain how effective moving solely to online courses would be, they were pleased to learn that by June 2020 participation in the Heart-To-Heart program doubled, growing from serving 80 families to 160 families.

Among 2021's highlights at Heartbeat of Toledo was the opportunity to hold its 50th Anniversary Banquet, where past and current clients, volunteers, and others shared impactful stories of bravery and the joy Heartbeat of Toledo has brought them. Those present also enjoyed an inspiring talk from one of the program's founders, Esther Applegate. She presented an affirming message while also recognizing the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancies and the "need more than just a pregnancy test."

Unplanned Pregnancies Have Grown During COVID-19
According to a major study led by researchers from University College London (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/oct/unplanned-pregnancies-nearly-doubled-during-lockdown), incidents of unplanned pregnancies increased during the first period of lockdowns in the United Kingdom. The study, published in BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health, a quarterly peer-reviewed medical journal covering reproductive health, analyzed data from 9,784 women, who are all participants of an ongoing Contraception and Pregnancy Study (CAP-COVID) based at UCL and UCL Hospital. Of the 9,784 women, 4,114 conceived pre-lockdown and 5,670 conceived post-lockdown.

The research team determined that women were nine times more likely to have difficulties accessing contraception during the first UK lockdown period. The proportion of women reporting problems accessing contraception rose from 0.6% pre-lockdown to 6.5% post-lockdown.

With access to contraception hindered by COVID-19 worldwide, along with difficulties in getting access to family planning and physical appointments, a rise in unplanned pregnancies is not much of a surprise. This underlines the continued importance of programs such as Heartbeat of Toledo to support women who find themselves dealing with unplanned pregnancies.

Heartbeat of Toledo Appreciates Its Supporters
Heartbeat of Toledo greatly appreciates the love and support of its donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Every call to action in these recent, challenging years was met with immediacy and in abundance so that Heartbeat could continue to meet the needs of women and families in our community.

Heartbeat of Toledo is a life-affirming organization whose mission is to be the best source of information and support to women facing pregnancies and to help moms, dads, and babies in need.

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