First Resort

I am so glad I found First Resort! When I discovered I was pregnant a few months ago, I was extremely concerned. I’m only 20 and my husband and I weren’t prepared to have a baby. Although we decided not to terminate the pregnancy, I still didn’t have medical insurance and wasn’t able to meet with a doctor or have access to any prenatal care (of course, I applied to Medi Cal right away, but its been a slow process.)
Long about 15 weeks, I was getting desperate to have an ultrasound done. That’s when I came across First Resort, which provided me with an abundance of completely free prenatal care. They supplied me with free prenatal supplements, counseling, an ultrasound, and assistance with applying for Medi Cal and WIC. I was especially amazed and grateful that they did the ultrasound (complete with pictures to take home!) at no cost, since my husband and I were looking to pay $ 200-​$ 300 out of pocket to get one done.
Overall, the atmosphere of First Resort was non-​judgemental, warm, and welcoming. I’ve never encountered friendlier or more loving people. I’m surprised that some of the other reviews complain that First Resort advertizes itself as an abortion provider; I was told immediately upon meeting my counselor that they do not provide abortion services (I also saw this on their website beforehand).
In short, I am truly touched by this organization and their desire to support women facing crisis pregnancies. This is the kind of care women deserve. I definitely recommend this place to anyone dealing with an unexpected or difficult pregnancy.

Maria — your disingenuous attempt at damage control really infuriates and upsets me, and it is just proof that I was right to feel so negatively about your organization. Your center promotes a link between abortion and breast cancer — every major medical organization rejects this. You may not hand out pamphlets about homosexuality, but you do (or did) hand out information prepared by Focus on the Family, which is an organization that opposes homosexuality and abortion even in cases of rape and incest.
This is not like the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. Let me try to make you understand something: I have never IN MY LIFE felt so emotionally manipulated as the day I went to First Resort. The counselor I met with talked to me about her experience losing her fertility permanently as a complication of her abortion. How can you call this neutral counseling? Do you have any idea how rare that complication is? Do you understand how reprehensible it is to manipulate and frighten a vulnerable young woman making a very difficult decision that might impact her life forever? You don’t get to lie to people just because you think you’re right. When I got home and found out what your organization is really out to promote, I sat by myself and cried. I was scared and looking for help and what I got was a hidden agenda. But rather than apologize, you attempt to discredit me on Unilocal.Really truly unfathomable.

Maria,
First Resort is the first paid advertiser to come up when I google «abortion provider San Francisco.» Since you mentioned it, I’m including it in my Unilocal review. Please explain why you advertise under that phrase if you do not offer abortions. In the paid ad, it says «Abortion Information and Abortion counseling,» NOT, «Anti-​abortion information or Anti-​abortion counseling» which is what First Resort offers.
Additionally, the stated claims of your president are to end abortions. Please refer to this interview she gave the Washington Times.
If anyone would like an email from Shari, the pres, sent privately to First Resort supporters stating her aim is to help «abortion minded women» be swayed to choose another option, I’m happy to provide it.
Sadly, your post abortion counseling relies upon women feeling guilt, shame and unhappiness. I’ve yet to read a woman that has been counseled by First Resort who did not hold these feelings initially. Many women who have abortions are perfectly fine, but your counseling sessions do not support this feeling.
Again, you are linked to Christian organizations that promote the concept that breast cancer and abortions are linked. Patently false, says the American Cancer Association. YMCA & Habitat for Humanity do not give out fictional medical advice.
I encourage you state directly what your president states in private emails — that your goal is to rid the Bay Area of abortions, you applaud the closures of Planned Parenthood clinics that offer annual exams, cancer screenings and birth control, and you intentionally provide women ultrasounds hoping they will not choose an abortion.
That way everything is above board. And people can make an informed decision as to whether or not to visit First Resort.
*Maria has since removed her owner comment, similar content can be found on Randy R & Sarah C.‘s reviews.*

This place should have negative stars because they’re liars.
When my BFF needed an abortion, she asked me to find out where would be the best place for her to go. Since I was going to be driving her there and waiting to drive her home, I wanted to make sure she was getting good care.
First Resort in Oakland is one of the places I called because their name came up at the top in the «paid advertising» in my Google search. The woman I talked to on the phone did her darnedest to try to convince me to bring my friend in to their office. However, when I couldn’t get direct answers to any of my questions about what they offered, I got suspicious and said I’d call them back later. Smelling a rat, I went back to the internet to do some deeper research on First Resort.
Of all the things I found, this one tells it best: First Resort’s statement of purpose, filed in the company’s state licensing documents, is to «build an abortion-​free world.»
I called them back and asked them point blank if they actually perform abortions. The woman just babbled and wouldn’t give me a straight answer. By that point, however, I already knew: they don’t perform abortions. They won’t even refer you to someone who does. They’re a Christian organization and she admitted that.
If you read their website and advertising, you would think they’re similar to Planned Parenthood. Wrong! They’re on the opposite side of the fence. Their website and advertising is obviously designed to be deceptive.
When you have to deceive women to accomplish your purpose, there’s something wrong with your purpose!

First Resort has been tremendously supportive in my post abortion recovery process. I recommend First Resort’s post abortion study group for anyone who has undergone abortion and are ready to receive healing. Abortion is a traumatic experience no matter what the circumstance is. I didn’t grow up dreaming of undergoing abortion and I can’t imagine any girl who does. Ten years after my abortion, I am starting the grieving and healing process under the expert guidance of First Resort. When I really needed help the most, First Resort was there to support me. I am so thankful for the love and compassion I receive from First Resort.

I walked into first resort off the street without any previous information. I wanted confirmation of what I already knew was true, that I was pregnant. I was warmly greeted and seen the same day. As a Kaiser patient I will tell you the First Resort staff treated me better than some doctors I have had who are cold and uncaring. I received counseling which I didn’t know was a part of the deal. It was awesome because I really needed someone to share my feelings about it even though I had already known what I would do before I walked in their office. I really was able to resolve some issues and I didn’t even realize I had needed the counseling. I am so appreciative of all the compassionate and caring staff at First Resort Oakland, I strongly recommend them to everyone in the Unilocal community!

When I first found out that I was pregnant I actually feel that was the end of the world. I didn’t think I could have two options (although rationally speaking I did know that I had two options) until I went through the counseling sessions. I knew this is a Christian organization before I went there, but the consultant did not try to persuade me to make any so-​called morally correct decisions but provided me with possibilities of the two options and how the consequences might be for me to have a better idea of what to do.
During the hard time of my pregnancy they were also a nice emotional support for me so I could get through it. I now have my baby and I do feel it’s worthy making the decision. (But once again, no one can force you to make any decision you don’t want. I was at the beginning wanted to keep the baby just don’t see any possibilities for me to do it. And about this, they did a great job helping me to clear out how.)
For people that have unplanned pregnancy and don’t know what to do, I would say this is a good place to go first. It is not a bad thing to know what you have and what you can have.

Wow. Just wow.
My wife and I are both out of work, and BAM, we’re pregnant. No health insurance to speak of terrifies me, but my wife finds First Resort online. We call them in the morning, and have an appointment set for the afternoon.
Upon first entrance we are greeted with the most genuine smiles I’ve seen in a long time. The woman at the front window offered us some water and had my wife fill out forms. While she filled the info in, we both commented on how nice the window lady was. It only got better. Both the nurse and the woman who walked us through the program were so warm and caring… it was amazing. And there was none of that fake «the-​customer-​is-​always-​right» Walmart-​style service: just folks who really wanted to help us. They gave us info on MediCal and set up an appointment with us to start that ball rolling for the next. They also give us the in on a service that will help us get prenatal care and buy groceries. The woman we spoke to personally vouched for the prenatal folks since they had delivered her son!
The best part was as we were leaving, they gave us a gift: our first onesie, complete with knitted cap. I thought I was going to cry. How can something this pure and good come with no warning?
I don’t know what else to say. Thank you, thank you, thank you First Resort for SERIOUSLY taking the edge off this pregnancy thing for a terrified dad.

I had originally gone to planned parenthood but the wait time there was over 2 hours. So I called first resort to make an appointment and they were able to see me that afternoon. I arrived early for my appointment and was greeted by a very nice receptionist and asked to fill out a form. I was seen by the nurse not long after I finished filling out the forms. The staffs here are very friendly, helpful and thorough. This place rocks!