This summer, a new trend emerged in how women are seeking pregnancy support, as live chats surpassed phone calls to Option Line, the 24-7 pregnancy helpline run by Heartbeat International, a worldwide network of more than 2,600 pregnancy help organizations.
While phone calls to the helpline have historically been the primary means by which women have sought support, in July, live chats outpaced calls, approximately 17,000 to 15,000.
In August, it happened again, with live chats outstripping phone calls, 20,000 to 16,000, a 20 percent difference. In September, live chat maintained its edge over calls, 16,500 to 16,300.
Nafisa Kennedy, director of Option Line at Heartbeat International, attributes the trend to the prevalence of live chat in our culture, as well as its ease of access.
“It’s extremely common and easy to use, even when you're in an environment where a phone call couldn't be made, such as on public transportation, while your baby's crying, or in a crowded mall,” Kennedy says.
With the help of Google Ads, which point to a live chat landing page, Option Line is able to put a woman in contact with a consultant immediately. Even better, a live chat widget is available on every page of the site, inviting users to chat as they navigate the site’s contents.
“By keeping up with the latest trends in communications and marketing, the Option Line team continues to impress, offering a safe place for tens of thousands of women and men to find support each month,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International. “The team’s top-notch technical skills, combined with our consultants’ extraordinary compassion, continue to offer a critical safety net for those in unplanned and unintended pregnancies.”
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Below is a chat from one woman, “Jenna,” who found help in a matter of minutes, thanks to Option Line’s consultant, Dalia, this August. (Identifying information has been removed from the chat to protect the identity of the woman.)
Dalia Mon, 08/06/18 02:45:13 pm
Hello, how can I help you?
Jenna 02:45:26 pm
Hi Dalia,
I took a pregnancy test at home that is positive and the morning sickness is there for sure.
My husband and I are unsure what to do right now about this but our main concern is that we have been going out semi frequently over the last few weeks and drinking.
Dalia 02:46:48 pm
It sounds like it would be good to get an options consultation and a free ultrasound to see if everything looks good in the pregnancy
Jenna 02:47:05 pm
Yes! that would be awesome!
Dalia 02:47:38 pm
Perfect! This center will be a great help to you, they have both services I mentioned as well as a free confirming pregnancy test for you.
Crisis Pregnancy Center (18887)
853 Haskell St
Reno NV 89509
Options Information, Ultrasound, Material Aid, After Abortion Support, Parenting Classes, Parenting Support, STD/STI Information, Men’s Program,
Phone: 775-826-5144
Hours
M 1p-6p; T-Th 10a-6p
Jenna 02:48:24 pm
Ok thanks! I was unsure if the ultrasound actually confirms how things look or if it was just to estimate how far along..
Dalia 02:48:44 pm
They will also look for a heartbeat and to see if the pregnancy is in the uterus and viable.
Jenna 02:49:19 pm
Thank you so much Dalia,
Have a great day!
Dalia 02:50:01 pm
You are welcome. I wish you the best Jenna!
Since January, Option Line has received more than 300,000 contacts via phone calls, live chats, texts, and emails and is on pace to surpass the more than 360,000 contacts they received last year.
