Life’s Greatest Gift
“Dalia” was resolute on her decision to abort. She was financially unstable, felt she had little support, and not to mention the timing of this pregnancy was all wrong. Dalia was completing her degree and excited to pursue a new career. At the time, she only shared the news of her pregnancy with the father of the baby. Dalia boldly stated that she was going to have an abortion. But to her surprise, he encouraged her to keep the baby. But Dalia wasn’t swayed.
She told him she’d reconsider having the abortion, knowing it was a lie.
“I have no plans to keep this child.”
Nothing and no one could change her mind, not even him. After all, she would be the one carrying the child and enduring the pregnancy. She was the one whose schedule and plans would change the most, the one who would be the main caregiver. Dalia thought she would simply tell the father she had miscarried after getting an abortion. No one would ask questions, and he wouldn’t suspect a thing.
Not to mention, her circumstances weren’t what she desired them to be. She didn’t want to view this child as an inconvenience, but at this time in her life that’s what this baby would be.
“Maybe one day I’ll be ready,” she told herself. With her career underway, that would probably be a better time to have a baby.
After sharing the news with her boyfriend, she realized she must get the abortion as soon as possible. Dalia didn’t want her heart to catch up with her head. She understood that she would miss the opportunity to parent her child. She would miss out on watching her baby grow up and making memories with him or her. She knew abortion would postpone her opportunity to become a mother. This decision would cost her at least that. However, Dalia’s mind was made up, and she determined that an abortion was the right choice for her.
Dialing the phone number she saw listed online, she sought out an immediate fix to her problem. Dalia expressed her concerns, fears, and limitations with the nurse. She listened closely as the nurse explained her options and then was offered a free ultrasound appointment at a nearby pregnancy center. Though Dalia was determined that abortion was best, she agreed to the in-person appointment.
The next day she arrived at the pregnancy center. Dalia was hoping to get some more information about how far along she was so that she could better assess which abortion procedure was possible. But it was at this point she realized that her heart was starting to say something different.
Prior to her appointment, Dalia’s sister had called. She knew that Dalia was heavily considering abortion, and there were some things she needed to get off her chest.
Her sister explained that she was unable to conceive. She and her husband had tried for years, desperately wanting a child of their own. Her sister had an abortion a few years ago when she didn’t feel it was time for her to be a mother. Her circumstances weren’t ideal, and she chose to abort her baby. Though it felt like the right thing at the time, since then she realized it was her greatest mistake.
Over the phone, she urged Dalia not to make the same mistake she made. She had reason to think that her abortion years ago was the cause of her not being able to conceive now. “Don’t give up life’s greatest gift.” Dalia listened and took to heart what her sister was saying.
Dalia’s sister was helping Dalia see that if she chose to abort her child, she would be ending an innocent life, not just ending her pregnancy.
At the pregnancy center, the nurse asked if Dalia wanted to hear her child’s heartbeat. Finally warming up to the idea of motherhood, Dalia agreed. As the nurse hovered the doppler over her belly, Dalia’s eyes widened as she saw the reality of the life inside of her womb on the screen. Tears began to well up.
What was I thinking? How could I ever get rid of this child? This child is my baby.
Seeing her child on the screen was Dalia’s turning point. She couldn’t abort this child. Gratefulness overtook her as she recounted the conversations with her boyfriend, her sister, the telecare nurse, and now the pregnancy center staff. All their words echoed life to her. And now she was sure she would choose life for her baby.
Throughout the weeks of Dalia’s adamantly seeking abortion, the nurse who originally spoke with her over the phone never left her side and remained in constant communication. The Continuum of Care team worked on connecting her with a local pregnancy center and other resources such as housing assistance so that her needs would be met. She was even thrown a baby shower and was supplied with all her baby’s essentials. Dalia was overjoyed by the love, support, and gifts she received that day!
In the months to follow, Dalia gave birth to a happy and healthy baby. She remains grateful for the conversations, the follow-up appointments, and all the compassionate care she received throughout her pregnancy and beyond. She believes that every woman who is struggling to see themselves as a mom or facing an unexpected pregnancy should reach out for help too. There are people willing to offer a hand, a voice, an ear, or whatever it takes to help a mom overcome her circumstances and see that an abortion is not necessary at all. And so often, that’s what a mom really needs to be able to confidently choose life!
Thank you for making this possible for moms like Dalia and so many more like her!