“Sloane” was trapped.
Involved in an abusive relationship and now pregnant with his child, she wrestled back and forth with what she should do.
At times, she felt she already loved this baby. Other times, she was terrified. How was she going to keep this little one safe, when she couldn’t even keep herself safe?
She trembled as she shared the news with her boyfriend. And that’s when the ultimatum came: abort the child, or their relationship was over.
Though Sloane knew their relationship wasn’t healthy and what she ideally wanted, she also felt in a sense cared for and protected. Without him, she wasn’t sure where she would go.
Sloane grabbed her phone and began to research abortion options nearby, choosing him over their child.
Finding the number to Human Coalition, she gave us a call. Sloane was in tears. If she were to keep the baby, she would be overwhelmed by financial struggles; she would be without a car and was already relying on some medication to cope with the day to day. The nurse listened and sympathized and worked to bring hope and light to the unexpected and overwhelming situation.
Having a kind and reassuring voice on the other end of the line was exactly what Sloane needed to begin feeling hopeful again. The nurse assured her that there would be support available for her throughout her pregnancy journey, and that there was a program called Continuum of Care (CoC) that would assist her in working around her given circumstances. That no circumstance was too difficult to where she had to say no to her baby.
Sloane needed some time to think.
To help her through the process, she called the one person she knew would have her back, no matter what: her dad.
On the phone with her dad, she shared both the pregnancy news and the ultimatum her boyfriend had given her. He made it clear that she had his support and that he would be by her side. To not worry about the ultimatum but to take care of herself.
The support from her father was life-changing.
It was what Sloane needed to hear. She now realized she had him in her corner, but also a group of people at Human Coalition.
The next day, she called us back with her mind made up: she was going to keep her baby.
Scheduled for a free ultrasound, Sloane was beaming at her appointment, assured she made the right decision. She knew it had a cost to it, and that her boyfriend may not stick around. But she was okay with that; her baby needed her.
Throughout her pregnancy journey, Sloane received consistent support, and her needs were met physically, emotionally, and spiritually. While things were up and down with her boyfriend, her steadfast help remained with her father and her social worker.
Sloane joined the Holiday Connections program, enrolled in online parenting classes and was assisted with several resources through the CoC.
Regardless of how bleak the situation looks surrounding an unexpected pregnancy, Sloane told our team that she would want all moms out there to know that there are resources and support available, and things will improve for the better!
Sloane delivered a beautiful, healthy baby and is doing well. Since then, she has been promoted at work and has visited us several times throughout her postpartum journey to check in and pick up diapers and wipes.