Studying full time to earn a college degree and working part time to pay for school, “Nayeli” had little free time to spare. Determined and ambitious, she was going after her dream of becoming a nurse until a sudden nightmare appeared: Nayeli was pregnant. She was studying hard and preparing for nursing school, making sure she was hitting the mark in her prerequisite classes. The intensity of the work at times was almost too much to bear; under the weight of the news of her pregnancy, she felt she could burst.
How was she to balance all of this? The exams, the classes, the diapers, the feedings — taking care of a whole other human?
But there seemed to be a greater fear she hadn’t yet addressed.
Nayeli feared she wouldn’t make a good mom. Growing up in the foster care system, she never had a family to call her own. When she aged out of the system, she was determined to go after her dreams.
Now that she was pregnant, she had little support to fall back on. She and her boyfriend were on and off, and she hadn’t gotten close to anyone throughout her time in foster care. Her time in the foster care system was full of ups and downs. She felt her needs were never a priority. If she were ever to have a child, she wanted to be able to offer unconditional love, attention, and devotion. She just couldn’t see how that was possible to do while attending college.
During class one evening, she was pondering what to do. It seemed to her that the only option that made sense at the time was to have an abortion. By the time class ended and she was in her car, Nayeli’s mind was made up. She searched online for abortion options nearby when she came across our number.
Over the phone, she expressed her fears and concerns about parenting while attending college. The nurse listened with compassion and patience, then provided Nayeli with all her options. Nayeli hadn’t considered adoption prior to the phone call. The thought of carrying out the pregnancy but not having the responsibility of parenting never crossed her mind.
The way the nurse was describing the abortion process seemed more intense than Nayeli realized. Truthfully, she didn’t know much about what went on during an abortion procedure. She just knew she didn’t have the support or the time to care for this baby. She knew how lonely growing up in foster care was. But if a loving family could adopt her baby from birth, her child could grow up with the support that’s needed.
Truthfully, she didn’t know much about what went on during an abortion procedure. She just knew she didn’t have the support or the time to care for this baby.
Wrapping up the phone call, the nurse told Nayeli they’d be in touch. Nayeli needed time to think before deciding how to handle this unexpected pregnancy. The nurse mentioned that she would have support and that she wouldn’t be alone throughout her pregnancy. The nurse even said she knew many moms who were attending school while parenting and that it was possible. She didn’t have to give up on her dreams. If she was determined, she could achieve just about anything.
Nayeli didn’t remember feeling that way growing up. She had no one cheering her on or telling her to reach for the stars.
Now she found a kind stranger over the phone telling her to do just that.
Maybe motherhood was possible, even with her class schedule and part-time job. Nayeli asked herself if she would regret giving up her baby for adoption. She allowed herself to ask hard questions and think about everything the nurse said.
Several weeks went by before Nayeli had made her decision.
Nayeli chose to raise her child.
In the months that followed, Nayeli began feeling more confident that she could be a mom and pursue her nursing degree. She was excited about the life that she was carrying and for all the moments they would share together. In preparation for the birth, she moved out of her dorm and into a quieter space — an apartment off campus.
Nayeli didn’t waiver in her ambition for her nursing career throughout her pregnancy. She leaned on the support of the Continuum of Care team and heeded their advice and encouragement.
Throughout her pregnancy, Nayeli exuded confidence and gave birth to a healthy baby. She is a caring and wonderful mom while continuing her education. We are incredibly proud of Nayeli and the challenges she overcame to make life possible.
Thanks to your prayers and support, Nayeli didn’t have to walk through her pregnancy alone. Your compassion made it possible for her to receive guidance, encouragement, and practical support — empowering her to choose life, pursue her nursing degree, and become the loving mother she always hoped to be.