In 2017, “Zara” faced a pivotal decision that would alter the course of her life forever.
After initially contemplating an abortion, she chose to embrace parenthood and raise her first child. Through parenting, Zara and her boyfriend’s relationship began to strengthen. Pregnant with their second child a couple years later, they decided to have an abortion. Both Zara and her boyfriend were working hard on their careers and striving for success. The demands of another child felt like an obstacle to their aspirations, which drove them to seek an abortion.
But the abortion had an unexpected cost: The guilt followed Zara long after the procedure, and behind closed doors she was suffering emotionally.
Now here she was.
A couple of years later and married to her boyfriend, she was pregnant for a third time. They had been using birth control, so this pregnancy came as a surprise. This pregnancy was truly unexpected.
They didn’t desire to have another child.
Worry and anxiety flooded her mind – What about the drinking I did while not knowing I was pregnant? What would my husband say? He’ll be shocked! I can’t tell him.
With the positive pregnancy test in hand, Zara called Human Coalition. Finding Human Coalition’s contact center online, she knew she needed help. She needed to process this information and just needed someone to listen.
Unsure of what her husband would say and uncertain of how she truly felt, she was unsure what she wanted to do in this life-altering decision. The telecare nurse patiently listened to Zara share the guilt she felt from her previous abortion and encouraged her to share the news with her husband and weigh all their options together. The nurse assured her that the staff would be with her every step of the way and scheduled Zara for an ultrasound the following day.
Zara took the evening to think through all the implications of her decision. Could I really go through another abortion and carry the weight and shame of it?
She had to tell her husband that night about the pregnancy. Maybe they could dream together of what their possible future would look like. His opinion meant the world to her. She prepared herself for how he would respond and hoped they would be on the same page after discussing all their options.
Upon entering the center the next day, Zara’s face was beaming.
She and her husband had talked the night before and decided to keep their baby. They chose life! Their conversation the night prior was full of hope for the future as they made plans to become a family of four. Zara was excited about her pregnancy, though some medical concerns still lingered in her mind. But relief flooded her heart when she saw her baby on the ultrasound and heard a strong and healthy heartbeat.
Everything was going to be just fine.
She wouldn’t have to know the guilt and shame from choosing abortion this time. She could move forward with confidence and joy knowing they made the right decision.
At the end of Zara’s appointment, she received a spa gift bag. Her sweet daughter was with her, and she too received a gift – new pajamas. She was overjoyed! Zara got connected with the Continuum of Care program, where a social worker worked with Zara and her husband to meet some of their more immediate tangible needs. And her family had the opportunity to be a part of the Holiday Connections program, where a local donor provides gifts and other blessings to their family around the holiday season.
Thank you for rescuing children from abortion by reaching moms like Zara. Through your sacrificial giving and fervent prayers, Zara was reached with help and hope, and her baby was rescued.