“Justine” wanted to feel excited. She wanted to feel joy over her pregnancy. But looking down at the positive pregnancy test, she felt anything but that.
She thought about friends of hers who bubbled with excitement when they revealed the news of their pregnancies. She would see moms in the grocery stores or walking at the park, and they all seemed to have a glow about them. There was an excitement that radiated on their faces when they spoke of motherhood.
But not Justine … not in this moment.
I want to be further along in life before becoming a mom.
She had convinced herself that she wasn’t ready for motherhood and all that came with it. The responsibility for another human. The financial costs. Was her boyfriend ready to be a father? Mentally, this was too much to handle.
Justine pulled out her phone and browsed online for abortion options. Finding Human Coalition’s number, she dialed and waited anxiously. After speaking with the nurse over the phone, she agreed to a free ultrasound. Deep down she wondered if seeing her baby on the ultrasound would create excitement about becoming a parent. Do I really want that?
Throughout her appointment, Justine’s heart felt torn.
She went into the appointment with her mind made up, but seeing her child on the screen, active and moving, something began to change within her. She needed more time. More time to think things through.
Justine took the week to consider everything.
I need to be strong. I need to stick with the plan. Abortion is best for me and the child. There’s no way I can provide the life this baby needs.
When Justine allowed doubt and fear to creep in, she suddenly found herself driving to Planned Parenthood instead.
Continue Reading Justine’s Story Below:
Tired of flipping back and forth about her decision, she decided to pursue an abortion.
She sat down in the hard chair and listened to a brief explanation of the surgical abortion procedure, medication that would be used, and the cost. Justine began to feel uneasy by the language the Planned Parenthood employee was using. Words like “fetus” and “it” instead of “baby.” It was different from the comforting tone of the nurse at the pregnancy center.
Justine’s doubt about getting an abortion soon returned.
This isn’t right. There’s no remorse. There’s no respect. This isn’t exactly what I wanted either ….
She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream! She wanted to run.
Justine grabbed her purse and excused herself before the appointment ended, not ready to move forward with an abortion. The Planned Parenthood employee remarked they would schedule her abortion in a few days when she was ready.
Justine knew there was one final conversation she needed to have, and she knew exactly who to call.
Outside of Planned Parenthood, Justine reached into her purse and grabbed her cell phone. She dialed the Human Coalition pregnancy center’s number. Unsure of what to do next, she knew someone there would be able to help her make sense of all this.
Assured everything would be okay, the clinic staff invited her in for a visit to follow up. Justine drove straight there from her Planned Parenthood appointment. Once there, she received another ultrasound showing her baby boy was 14 weeks and 1 day. Her boyfriend was with her and excited to see his son for the first time. He encouraged her to keep the baby.
How will we make this work? she asked.
The clinic staff rallied around Justine and her boyfriend and listened with empathy to their concerns and fears. Then they began to address their concerns one by one. Justine and her boyfriend were connected with Continuum of Care, a program offered by Human Coalition that coordinates long-term assistance for moms walking through unexpected pregnancies. Through a network of support services, including social workers, moms and their families are helped both during and after their pregnancy.
This is it, Justine thought. This is how we could make it work.
Knowing Justine had her follow-up appointment for her abortion later that weekend, the Continuum of Care team followed up with her regularly. Through their steadfast care, knowledgeable insight, and proven ways to overcome her obstacles, there was no doubt left in Justine’s mind that she could choose life for her baby.
She cancelled her appointment at Planned Parenthood and early the following week, she called her Continuum of Care team to inform them of her decision to choose life. If it wasn’t for their support, Justine isn’t sure she would’ve made the same decision.
Their encouragement that she was fully capable of being a mom, even if it wasn’t the timing she hoped for, empowered her to choose life. And it’s all because of the prayers and support of rescuers like you!
The Continuum of Care team remained true to their word and got Justine the support and help they promised. Justine wanted to celebrate this new life with her family, but because they lived outside of the state, the Continuum of Care team stepped in and threw her a baby shower. Justine and her baby boy were blessed with all the essentials. They even participated in Holiday Connections, a program where families are paired with donors, churches, and volunteers for the purpose of providing them with “Christmas.”
Whether it’s emotional support, a word of encouragement, or providing diapers and wipes, the Continuum of Care program is there to assist and provide for moms long after the delivery of their babies. Justine continues to remain in touch and left us with some advice for moms facing unexpected pregnancies:
“Slow down, re-think, and take your time. Any decision is a decision of a lifetime.”
Today, Justine absolutely loves motherhood and is enjoying life with her son. She reaches out when she’s in need of anything. And as always, she is overflowing with thanksgiving that she was able to see that an abortion is not necessary at all. She could not be prouder and happier that she chose life. So, thank you for making her story of hope possible each and every day for the next mom like her.