“Meredith” was racing against time—with an abortion appointment scheduled and her heart full of doubt.
Meredith was 27 weeks pregnant when she gave Human Coalition a call.
She had been swimming in an ocean of uncertainty her entire pregnancy thus far. Living in Pennsylvania and far along in her pregnancy, Meredith was beyond her state’s legal abortion limit of 24 weeks. Resolute in believing that there was no way she could provide for her child, Meredith made up her mind to obtain an abortion in a state with no restrictions.
Meredith grabbed her keys and headed out the door. She had no time to waste. With her abortion appointment scheduled for that afternoon, she wanted to make one last call to the abortion clinic. Accidentally ringing Human Coalition’s phone number instead, in Meredith’s angst she voiced her anxiety to our nurse over the phone. Meredith refused counseling services but by the end of the conversation, she found herself agreeing to follow up text messages.
Any support would be helpful, she thought. Though the conversation hadn’t gone the way Meredith imagined, she was grateful to speak openly without judgment and was resolved to continue with her decision. Pressing on the gas pedal, she thought, there’s no turning back now.
Shortly after that, she received a text message as promised from the nurse. She reminded Meredith that even though her abortion appointment was already scheduled in another state, she could still change her mind. Nothing was permanent yet. There was time to cancel and consider other options. The next text message provided Meredith with adoption resources and an offer for assistance with material items for her baby.
She thanked the nurse for the information but continued her drive.
The nurse then contacted the staff in our clinic to pray for this mom, that she would have a change of heart. The team began to pray throughout the day for Meredith and her precious baby to be spared. As Proverbs 24:11 says, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.” Our team did everything they could do and left the rest up to God.
The nurse then contacted the staff in our clinic to pray for this mom, that she would have a change of heart. The team began to pray throughout the day for Meredith and her precious baby to be spared.
The next day, the nurse texted Meredith to see how she was doing. She responded that she had walked out of the abortion appointment because things had felt weird while she was in the waiting room. She was unsure what was happening, but she knew something was off and she couldn’t proceed with the abortion.
Meredith took the longer route back home, allowing herself to come to terms with continuing the pregnancy. She allowed herself to feel new emotions and dream of what motherhood might be like.
Human Coalition was still in her corner, and through Continuum of Care, she was offered resources and assistance for anything she needed. The Human Coalition clinic staff was overjoyed that Meredith had chosen life and that God’s hand was upon her and her baby.
Meredith admitted that she believed she lacked the resources to parent well. That driving factor led her to seek out an abortion. Did you know that 76% of the abortion-seeking women we serve say they would prefer to parent if circumstances were different?
The week after her canceled abortion appointment, Meredith visited our clinic to collect some baby items such as a mini crib, mattress, travel system with car seat, video monitor, clothes, blankets, and other necessities.
Meredith continues to remain in touch with her Human Coalition nurse and has been attending all of her necessary pregnancy appointments. Meredith has been preparing her place and getting it set up to welcome her baby.
Meredith is also prioritizing her own health, leading up to delivery. When Meredith thinks about the moment she will deliver her child, she feels both excited and frightened of what it will look like.
Meredith has been grateful for all the support offered through Human Coalition. Had they not followed up, encouraged her, and prayed for her; Meredith would have chosen a different option for her baby.
Your prayers, encouragement, and support made all the difference. Because of you, Meredith didn’t face her decision alone. She found hope, compassion, and truth through Human Coalition
Meredith truly felt she knew what she wanted, and she came very close to losing her child in abortion. But sometimes it’s the smallest text, a few encouraging words, and a silent prayer that is the mountain mover in a mother’s heart. A decision for life is a decision of a lifetime and should not be taken lightly.
Thank you for partnering with us not only financially, but also in prayerfully covering these women and children.