No woman imagines finding herself pregnant under circumstances like these.
Pregnancy is meant to be filled with happiness, confidence, and love.
It isn’t supposed to begin with pain, fear, and abuse. And yet, that’s exactly how it began for Texas native, “Alicia.”
Alicia felt completely broken and shattered because her pregnancy was not only unexpected; it was the result of rape. Disgusted and ashamed, she wondered how she could ever love the child growing inside her. Maybe ending the pregnancy would erase the painful memory. Abortion was at the forefront of her mind, and she couldn’t imagine choosing anything else.
Searching for a way forward, she came across Human Coalition.
Over the phone, Alicia expressed her worries and concerns and tried her best to put language to what her heart was feeling. The nurse was sympathetic and kind and patiently shared with Alicia other options she had, helping her see that abortion wasn’t the only path.
Needing more time to process everything, Alicia told the nurse she wasn’t ready to make a decision just yet. However, she agreed to schedule a free ultrasound appointment.
She assumed there would be no harm in seeing her baby on the screen and that the appointment might give her the space she needed to think.
As she pulled into the parking lot of the pregnancy clinic, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. She had no idea what awaited her inside.
Lying back in the exam chair, bracing herself for the screen to flicker to life, Alicia narrowed her eyes and focused on the image coming into view.
For she saw not one, but two babies appear. She heard not one, but two heartbeats, almost in sync with one another.
The sonographer confirmed what she was seeing — Alicia was carrying twins!
It wasn’t anger, shame, or regret, but a wave of love that washed over her.
And in that moment, Alicia began to see clearly.
Could she really blame these babies for the horrible act that happened to her? Instead of giving them a chance, would she really terminate them? Was it fair to point her anger at them?
None of it seemed fair to her — and it seemed even less fair to her children.
Alicia was innocent that night, and so were her babies.
When we asked Alicia what her turning point was to choosing life, she said —
“When I saw my babies for the first time during the scan. The day I saw them was a turning point because it gave me hope and when I realized how the whole thing started; they had nothing to do with that.”
“When I saw my babies for the first time during the scan. The day I saw them was a turning point because it gave me hope and when I realized how the whole thing started; they had nothing to do with that.”
After seeing her babies that day, Alicia felt hope.
Hope that everything would be okay. She had already survived the worst night of her life; she knew that she could endure this pregnancy and do so with joy, especially now with a support system.
But weeks later, Alicia faced another heartbreak.
When she began to bleed, she sensed something wasn’t right. At the hospital, doctors confirmed her fear; one of her babies had passed.
The joy she had felt hearing two heartbeats was now mixed with deep sorrow. She grieved the child she would never hold while still carrying the other twin who was fighting to survive.
Alicia’s heart held both grief and hope at the same time.
Throughout it all, gratefulness rose in her heart for everything she did have. Throughout all the pain, Alicia chose to keep moving forward and pressed into faith.
Alicia has since delivered her other baby, and her little one continues to grow and get stronger each day while in the NICU. Alicia finds herself doing the same.
When asked “How would life be different if you hadn’t found Human Coalition when you did?” Alicia replied —
“It would’ve been very different. I would’ve struggled. I would’ve been miserable. Things would’ve been harder and more expensive, and I probably wouldn’t have been as hopeful. You’re part of the reason why — talking to nurses, therapy, speaking to someone and to know people can care. That people like this still exist. I’ve told everyone about you. You guys have given light to me, the light I really needed.”
Our word for the year at Human Coalition is “Light.” We pray that every woman who is reached would feel the light of Christ as He intercepts their situation with hope and truth.
We asked Alicia one final question: “If you could tell women in a similar situation as you did one thing, what would you say?”
“I would say to have hope, you know, it’s always going to get better. I was reading a book, and it made me realize that sometimes circumstances that we think are really bad God will allow these things to happen in order to bring certain blessings to our life. If I didn’t get pregnant, I wouldn’t have met you guys. I’m grateful for every experience whether big, small, or painful. That’s what keeps me going. There’s a light at the end the tunnel.”
Alicia later became a part of Holiday Connections, where she was showered with Christmas gifts for herself and her precious newborn. She’s also working with an employment specialist to secure a job that offers better pay and flexible hours so she can care for her baby. Being a part of the Continuum of Care program has allowed Alicia to gain confidence to parent, helped her secure her own resources to meet her needs, and has built a network of supportive women in her life.
Please join us in praying for Alicia as she continues to mourn the loss of her baby and fight through the health ups and downs of her other twin. We know that God will meet her right where she’s at and lovingly encircle her with your support and prayers.