Planned Parenthood was a place “Mackenzie” knew all too well.
Suspecting she was pregnant again, she didn’t know where else to go. After all, that’s where she had gone last time.
Planned Parenthood confirmed her deepest fear: She was pregnant.
She was convinced she needed to do the same this time.
She and the father of her baby were no longer close, so she couldn’t imagine raising a child with him. Neither felt they could financially provide for the baby. Last time she was pregnant, Mackenzie was living at home with her parents when she took the abortion pill that Planned Parenthood sold to her. Her parents never knew about the first abortion. But Mackenzie still felt the shame of that decision deep inside. She simply didn’t feel she had any other option.
Leaving Planned Parenthood after confirming her second pregnancy, she let the news sink in. By the evening, she began to seek out the abortion pill once again.
Thankfully, and because of your support, she found Human Coalition online, and she reached out.
One Phone Call Can Change Everything
Over the phone, a nurse reviewed all of Mackenzie’s options with her and went into greater detail about the abortion pill and its side effects. She also made it known to Mackenzie that abortion was not her only option. Though it seemed like the only one that made sense at the time, there were other things to consider.
Mackenzie hung up the phone feeling encouraged yet still unsure how she would break the news of her pregnancy to her parents. She figured the sooner she told them, the better. The angst was eating her up inside. With the nurse’s encouragement, she told herself she’d tell them that evening.
Bravely, Mackenzie first broke the news to them that a few years ago, she had an abortion. The anger on her parents’ faces was visible. But then it came time for her to tell them she was pregnant again. She explained that she still didn’t feel ready to parent a child of her own and that she and the father of the baby weren’t making permanent plans together. In that moment, she was looking for support.
Deep down she knew she needed her parents to lean on. But did they realize that? She feared they would kick her out of their home. Could they look past her previous choices and extend the love and grace she was desperately craving?
To her surprise, her parents did not reject her. And they didn’t kick her out of their home.
They encouraged her to choose life and become the mother her baby deserved. Regardless of the father of the baby being present, they would be present.
With her parents’ support and after several encouraging conversations with her nurse over the next couple of weeks, Mackenzie decided to choose life for her baby. She was excited to share the news with her nurse and thanked her for her support over the phone.
Mackenzie was connected with Human Coalition’s Continuum of Care program, which provides resources and support to moms as they walk throughout their pregnancies and beyond. A social worker helps pinpoint the mom’s specific needs and then connects her with the appropriate resources. These can include connections with employment opportunities, housing, church groups, and so much more! This support system that surrounds a mom empowers her to parent on her own and ensures she’s equipped to do so long into the future. Mackenzie has been educated on what to expect throughout her pregnancy, labor and delivery, and parenting. She received essentials and baby items such as newborn clothes, a blanket, formula, and diapers.
Mackenzie is enjoying motherhood and is forever grateful that she chose life for her daughter, “Emily.” She recently returned to work and Emily’s grandma loves watching her throughout the day!
Had Mackenzie not found Human Coalition before ordering another abortion pill online, Emily would likely not be alive today.
Mackenzie probably would have walked her journey alone and possibly had another abortion in silence, believing the lie that it was her only option.
Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry want women to believe that lie. They want women to feel that abortion is the answer to their problems because of convenience. Moms experience struggles ranging from not feeling financially prepared to parent or feeling a lack of confidence in becoming a mom. But no matter the obstacles, life is always worth it. Thanks to your support, Mackenzie found a place where she could receive real hope and a group of people willing to walk with her through pregnancy and beyond.
So, thank you for making sure more moms like Mackenzie know that they’re not alone and that they have a support system ready to surround them. You’re giving them one of the best gifts they’ve ever received, a life with their child at their side!