A crisis pregnancy centre in New York City - housed in a mobile home and intended to be parked outside abortion clinics - last week began offering free examinations and ultrasounds to women considering terminating their pregnancies, writes Timothy Lavin.

The mobile centre, run by a pro-life group called Expectant Mother Care (EMC), aims to reduce abortions in the city by providing at-risk women with more information about alternatives and, critics say, unsubtle pressure to change their minds.

"Our calling is to serve the distraught and disadvantaged through life-affirming and pro-chastity education, counselling, on-site contracted medical care, and referrals," the group's website says.

EMC is one of a growing number of crisis centres that aim to dissuade pregnant women from having abortions by offering them counselling and support. The number of centres has increased over the years to more than 2,000, according to Time magazine, which devoted a recent cover story to the trend. Most are run by Christian charities linked by national organisations such as Heartbeat International, but many also receive federal and state funding.