For decades, the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Lowcountry has served as a lifeline for women and families navigating one of life’s most vulnerable seasons. What began as a single office has grown into a three-location network serving Beaufort County – with centers in Ridgeland, Moss Creek, and a newly opened facility on Hilton Head Island.
At its core, the nonprofit is built on a simple but powerful mission: to care for both mother and child with dignity, compassion, and comprehensive support.
“We are a pro-life organization,” said medical director, Dr. Christa Catalano, a mother of seven. “But we are also deeply pro-family. That means caring for the whole person – and really, the whole family – through every stage we can reach.”
Staffed largely by volunteers, including nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, the center provides free medical and practical services to women from the earliest moments of pregnancy through the second trimester. But what makes this organization remarkable isn’t just what it offers – it’s how and why it offers those services.
The Pregnancy Center’s new location on the North end of Hilton Head at 201 Merchant Street.
Closing the Gap in Care
From the moment a woman discovers she is expecting, the clinic steps in with comprehensive prenatal services: lab work, ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins, and routine monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar.
“We provide standard prenatal care that you would receive at any obstetrician’s office,” Catalano said. “And we do it completely free of charge.”
Beyond the clinical services lies a multifaceted, and more urgent, issue the organization is working to address: a growing gap in maternal care.
After patients transition out of the center’s care at around 20 weeks, many are referred to local obstetricians for continued monitoring and delivery. Yet, for a variety of reasons, a significant number never make that transition.
Transportation challenges, lack of childcare, financial strain, and limited access to insurance often stand in the way.
“What we’re finding is that many of these women are not receiving any care during their third trimester,” Catalano said. “And that’s a critical time, for both mom and baby.”
The consequences can be serious.
“Without consistent prenatal and postpartum monitoring, medical conditions like maternal high blood pressure or gestational diabetes can go undetected, leading to complications during delivery and in the postpartum period. In some cases, women arrive at emergency rooms in labor having received little to no care in the final months of pregnancy. If no one is monitoring mom, then no one is monitoring baby,” Catalano said. “That can become a very dangerous situation.”
Dr. Catalano also noted that, “It is not only medical support that is required during prenatal and postpartum care. Possible psychosocial concerns create stressors for the mother that may contribute to a poor outcome for mother and baby. “Financial stress may have a significant impact on the mother especially in a single income family. Decreased income may contribute to poor nutrition during pregnancy. The mother may miss work from illness or have decreased ability to work as her pregnancy progresses. She may be unable to return to work after birth due to lack of childcare. Routine screening during prenatal and postpartum visits to assess the emotional well being of the mother must be performed. Increased stress for a pregnant mother has been linked to a higher rate of anxiety and depression and a higher risk of preterm delivery. Routine monitoring provides treatment options or referral for mental health care if needed. In addition, pregnancy is a high risk time for domestic abuse, which often escalates or begins during pregnancy. Routine care is essential to allow us to identify warning signs. During her care, the mother has a confidential and safe space to discuss potential abuse, either physical or emotional, as well as learn about safety plans and options.”
Baby Ethan is sent home with a care package from the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Lowcountry.
A Vision for Expanded Care
This growing concern has shaped the organization’s next chapter, one focused on expanding services deeper into pregnancy and beyond. The goal is to extend care into the third trimester for women who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
This proactive approach could not only improve outcomes but also offer peace of mind to women who might otherwise navigate late pregnancy and new motherhood alone. With increased funding, the center hopes to provide comprehensive prenatal services to women who do not seek local obstetrical care prior to delivery. The funding will also provide routine postpartum medical care as well as screening for postpartum depression.
Dr. Catalano notes, “The postpartum visit is standard of care and can provide treatment or referral for mental health services if needed. If needed, our staff can refer the mother to community services in the case of economic hardship or an unsafe relationship or home situation.” The center’s goal is to ensure that care and support can continue long after the baby arrives.
“If they’re not going to an obstetrician, then we want to be there for them,” Catalano said. “We can at least monitor blood pressure, check on the baby’s growth, and identify any red flags before an emergency happens.”
This proactive approach could not only improve outcomes but also offer peace of mind to women who might otherwise navigate late pregnancy alone.
But the vision doesn’t stop at delivery.
Postpartum care, which is often overlooked by new mothers, is another critical area of focus. According to Catalano, more than half of the women served by the center do not receive follow-up care after giving birth. “That six-week postpartum visit is so important,” she said. “It’s not just about physical recovery. It’s about mental health, emotional well-being, and making sure the mother is truly supported.”
With increased funding, the center hopes to provide comprehensive postpartum services, including routine exams and screening for postpartum depression, ensuring that care continues long after the baby arrives.
Meeting Practical Needs with Dignity
While medical care is essential, the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Lowcountry recognizes that true support extends far beyond the exam room.
Inside each location, clients will find thoughtfully designed spaces that feel less like a clinic and more like a place of care, respect, and even joy. A fully stocked food pantry offers essential groceries in a setting that mirrors a small market, allowing women to “shop” for what they need with dignity.
“We try to make it feel uplifting,” Catalano said. “It’s not about handing someone a bag. It’s about giving them a sense of choice and normalcy.”
Another standout feature is the center’s “baby boutique,” a room filled with clothing, diapers, wipes, and essential baby gear, all organized by size and stage.
From preemie outfits to 24-month size clothing, the space allows mothers to select items just as they would in a retail store. Car seats, strollers, and formula are also available for those in need.
“They can come back when the baby grows and pick out the next size,” Catalano said. “We want them to feel supported every step of the way.”
This approach of meeting tangible needs while preserving dignity has become a hallmark of the organization’s work.
Powered by Volunteers, Driven by Purpose
Behind every service offered is a team of dedicated volunteers whose passion fuels the center’s impact. “It’s truly an honor to work alongside these women,” Catalano said. “Their compassion and commitment are what make everything possible.”
Among them is executive director, Ellen Sullivan, whose leadership and expertise helps guide the organization’s daily operations at the three centers. Recently, the team has also welcomed a new nurse practitioner to expand care at the Hilton Head location. Together, they form a network of professionals and volunteers united by a shared calling.
“They really do God’s work,” Catalano said. “And they do it with such joy.”
This spirit of service extends into every interaction, creating an environment where patients feel seen, valued, and cared for – not just as individuals, but as families.
Light the Night for Life
To support its expanding mission, the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Lowcountry will host its annual gala, Light the Night for Life, on Friday, May 1, at the Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa. This year’s theme, A Night of Southern Grace and Giving, promises an evening of elegance and purpose, with a festive Kentucky Derby flair.
Guests can expect a silent auction, community fellowship, and a deeper look into the center’s work and vision for the future.
But beyond the celebration, the gala serves a critical role in funding the organization’s next phase: expanding prenatal care into the third trimester and establishing comprehensive postpartum services.
“This year, we really want to bring awareness to the gaps in care, and invite the community to be part of the solution,” Catalano said.
Tickets are $175 per person, with proceeds directly supporting the center’s life-affirming programs.
Strengthening Families, One Life at a Time
At a time when access to care can feel uncertain and overwhelming, the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Lowcountry stands as a steady, compassionate presence – meeting women where they are and walking with them forward.
It’s a place where medical care meets emotional support. Where practical needs are met with dignity. And where every life – both mother and child – is valued. “It’s not just about the baby,” Catalano said. “And it’s not just about the mother. It’s about the family.”
That philosophy – holistic, compassionate, and deeply rooted in service – continues to shape the center’s work as it looks toward the future.
With expanded services, growing community support, and a mission grounded in care, the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Lowcountry is doing more than filling gaps. It is building a stronger, healthier foundation for families across the region.
In doing so, it reminds us all of what’s possible when compassion leads the way.
