“Sara” never imagined that a single phone call could change the course of her life, her marriage, and her future.
Everything was unraveling in Sara’s life. The marriage vows she and her husband once exchanged had little weight nowadays. Their spark was fading, and their love had grown cold. She wondered how to keep it alive.
Feeling ill one day, the South Carolina mom told herself she was just under the weather and she’d feel better soon, though the nauseated feeling she experienced only in the mornings lingered for days.
Then she had a terrifying thought …
Running to the drug store on her lunch break, Sara grabbed a pregnancy test. Afraid of what the results might be, she waited to take the test until she was home later that day.
Her mind raced all day at work, preventing her from focusing. What if she was pregnant? Was this the kind of family this child deserved with the ups and downs over the last couple of years? Sara might have been more excited for this pregnancy too if it hadn’t been for the issues that arose in her marriage.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves …”
She reminded herself to take deep breaths and not to jump to any conclusions just yet.
Once she was home, Sara took the pregnancy test. It confirmed what she was afraid of: Sara was pregnant. She felt sick all over again after seeing the test come back positive.
It wasn’t that Sara was against having kids. But the timing was not ideal. She pictured having a family with a loving husband. But what do you do when a dream has lost all hope?
The only option that made sense to her was to abort this child. As if you could just erase the memory of it, Sara would try her best to do just that. Conducting an internet search, Sara looked for abortion options. Thankfully, that’s when she discovered Human Coalition and decided to call.
A voice filled with compassion and hope answered the phone. Pouring out her worries and concerns to this kind stranger over the phone, Sara felt heard and understood. Throughout the call Sara learned that abortion was not her only option. Even though her circumstances were not ideal, it did not make it right to take the life of her child through abortion.
Sara began to wonder if that was true. Could she keep her baby in the midst of her own relational turmoil? Would everything be okay? Even if things were unraveling with her marriage, would she regret having an abortion?
Processing all of Sara’s questions aloud, the telecare nurse made her feel at ease and reassured her that she could parent her child amid uncertainty.
After hanging up the phone, Sara needed time to think. She knew whatever decision she made — parenting or abortion — would both have great impact on her. Not only was Sara having to process each one of her thoughts, but she also worried about what her husband would say. Would they be able to work through things and be able to parent well?
The next day, Sara sat down with her husband and shared the news of her pregnancy. She told him she found Human Coalition, where they would support her throughout the pregnancy, and that there was a program called Continuum of Care that offers wraparound assistance through a network of support services.
At the end of their discussion, together they decided to keep the baby. They chose life and wanted to do their best to parent together and try to make their marriage work. Having her husband’s approval was what Sara had hoped for.
Sara called the nurse back days later and shared the news! The nurse reassured her that Human Coalition would be with her every step of the way to the point of delivery and even beyond.
Not only did Sara receive support from the Continuum of Care program, but she was also connected to a life-affirming pregnancy center in her local area. Throughout her pregnancy journey, she gained emotional support, encouragement, and material assistance for her baby.
The day Sara gave birth to her baby boy, everything changed. Looking into her son’s eyes for the first time, Sara knew she’d never be the same. She asked herself how she could have ever considered getting an abortion, then immediately asked God for forgiveness.
Saying yes to her son was the best decision Sara has ever made. He is such a blessing to their family and to their marriage, and their hearts overflow with love for him.
Sara’s story could have ended in heartbreak — but because of your compassion and support, it became a story of redemption, healing, and new life.
Thank you for being the reason that women like Sara don’t have to face these moments of uncertainty alone. Your prayers, support, and belief in the sanctity of life gave her the strength to choose hope over fear and life over an abortion.