It was another fight with her boyfriend. When he found out that Ashley was pregnant, he didn’t share her enthusiasm. Instead, he demanded that she abort the baby, like she had done before.
Her spirit was broken, because deep down she wanted the baby. And Ashley didn’t intend to go through another medical abortion. It was too painful physically, and emotionally it was unbearable to consider all the mixed feelings and mental stress that came with it.
She thought her abortion would be simple. No big deal, just getting rid of an unwanted clump of cells. But afterwards, she was devastated. The pill regimen was awful. What she saw was not a clump of cells; it was a baby, and it was more than she could handle. It literally made her sick.
What had she done? Was her abortion the right thing to do? She had lots of “good” reasons why abortion was right. She didn’t have much money and couldn’t afford to pay the doctor and the hospital, let alone feed and take care of a newborn. The father of the baby didn’t want another child yet, and she wasn’t all that convinced that she wanted it either.
But the memory of her lifeless baby’s body in the toilet made her break down and cry. She wept bitterly and wept for a long time. That’s when she realized neither the pill manufacturer nor pharmacist cared about her health; they were only interested in selling another set of pills.
Her realization brought months of tears and mental anguish that still hasn’t gone away. Ashley understood that she had sacrificed her preborn baby on the altar of convenience rather than fighting for the child she wanted.
So, when the father of her now preborn baby insisted she get “another” abortion, Ashley was shocked and saddened. They were experiencing difficulties in their relationship, and she didn’t know what else to do. She was still young and struggled to pay her bills. If she refused his demands, she could lose him and the emotional support he provided.
Out of desperation, Ashley started looking up abortion online to find out how much it would cost. Would a medical abortion with pills be the way to go again, how long would it take, and when could she get the pills?
Urgent to find answers, Ashley came across a group that promised to be non-judgmental, supportive in every way, and to educate her about the different ways of abortion. Her call to Human Coalition changed her life.
Ashley talked with a nurse who understood her situation and gave her all the time she needed to talk about her issues. The nurse was kind, supportive, and wise in her responses.
A few days later, Ashley went to a clinic to get a free pregnancy test and ultrasound. What struck her the most about the clinic was how bright and warm and welcoming it was. Everyone was so kind and supportive to Ashley; they actually cared about her and the baby in her womb. She left thinking, maybe abortion wasn’t the right choice, but needed to think about it.
Another argument ensued with her boyfriend after she told him about Human Coalition and how they promised to support her tangibly, emotionally, and spiritually. She thought he’d be excited too, but he was all the more against having another baby. What would she do now?
A few days later, Ashley decided to keep her baby and raise it on her own, with the help of Human Coalition, if that’s what she needed to do.
Through Human Coalition’s Continuum of Care Program, Ashley received consistent support and individual attention to help her navigate challenging circumstances during her pregnancy, and as long as she needed afterwords without feeling alone. She was able to get small and large items like baby clothes, diapers, a crib, and car seat. Connecting her with community resources also made a difference during an overwhelming season of her life.
Ashley was able to participate in the Holiday Connection program where she was matched with a church and a family who adopted her for the holidays with meals, presents, parties, and more.
Human Coalition also arranged for Ashley to connect with the Maternal Health Program. This program provided comprehensive support through medical service education, pregnancy education, and guidance from skilled nurses who promoted the health and well-being of both Ashley and her baby girl, Maliyah – during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Ashley admits that without Human Coalition, she may have gone through with an abortion. Even if she had kept her baby, she would have experienced greater financial strain, growing stress, and more barriers to accessing essential items and services for herself and her children.
When asked what she would tell other women in the same situation, she said with a huge grin, “A baby is a blessing from God and things will eventually get better.”
Due to Ashley’s resilience and determination combined with your compassion, she is now the mother of a beautiful baby girl, Maliyah. She’s happy and her life has stabilized because of folks like you who willingly give to provide a mother the support she needs to choose life for her baby. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!