From the Director 

Close your eyes and imagine the typical Pregnancy Resources client. Was it a teenager, or a young woman pursuing her college degree – someone scared and alone? While that perception once was true, today 48% of our clients are 25 or older. Many of today’s clients are in long-term relationships – either living together or married. Some of these clients arrive pregnant for the first time and they are excited and happy. Others aren’t so excited. These couples may see their life as already full and complete. They can do whatever they want whenever they want. They don’t want a baby to disturb the lifestyle they have become accustomed to.

Recently, we met with Isabelle* who is happily married with 2 children, a good job, and life that is exactly how she and her husband want it. They have the house, the cars, the kids, and the vacations. But then, the one thing they didn’t want happened … another positive pregnancy test. This happily married couple’s immediate reaction to this news was simple and straightforward – end the pregnancy.

Isabella made an appointment at the abortion clinic for the following week. Then, 2 days before her scheduled abortion, she felt an urge to come to Pregnancy Resources. She arrived alone. After a pregnancy test and an ultrasound, Isabella shared with the nurse that she wasn’t sure what to do. It was very early in the pregnancy, so Isabella was offered a second ultrasound. She decided to delay her abortion and brought a friend with her to the next appointment. This close friend encouraged Isabella to have the abortion and move on with her life. The baby was still very small, and she was still undecided – so another ultrasound was offered and scheduled. One week later, Isabella returned a third time with her husband. This time things were different. This time the couple clearly saw their baby, and when they left after that 3rd ultrasound, they had made a decision for life!

Tomorrow another couple will walk through the door. Tomorrow another life will hang in the balance. And tomorrow another couple will have the chance to choose life for their child because you help keep the doors of Pregnancy Resources open.

Pam White, Moline Center Director

We must always be on the lookout for new ways the enemy attempts to steal, kill, and destroy. In the ongoing attack against the pre-born, today more than half of all abortions occur with abortion pill drugs. This type of at home, do-it-yourself, abortion has typically utilized two unique drugs to induce an abortion. The first drug, Mifepristone, cuts off blood supply to the womb and causes death to the fetus. The second drug, Misoprostol, makes the uterus contract and expel the fetus. In the midst of this type of abortion, sometimes a woman will want a second chance to choose life. It is possible to stop this process and re-stabilize the pregnancy with Abortion Pill Reversal protocol. The abortion industry knows this – and hates it.

As a result, the latest disturbing new abortion trend is an aggressive, high dose, Misoprostol Only multi-pill protocol. This drug regimen eliminates the use of Mifepristone and removes the chance to stop the abortion process. Women are now being instructed to consume high doses of Misoprostol (starting at 3 to 4 pills every 3 to 4 hours) until she sees the baby pass. It has been reported that the abortion industry is mailing out 12 to 20 pills at a time!

This is dangerous and increases the risk of significant complications and fatalities. For the woman, if she has experienced a prior Cesarean Section then she is at higher risk for a uterine rupture. Her other complications can include bronchospasm, heart arrhythmias, blood clots, maternal heart attack, and the possibility of an early live birth delivery. For the child, if this new abortion method doesn’t work there is the increased risk that the child will be born with birth defects. Moreover, many states, like Illinois, do not legally require infants born alive after an attempted abortion to be offered medical care – and thus the child can be left to die even after surviving an abortion attempt.

You, dear friend, are providing hope in these difficult times. With your support, Pregnancy Resources’ team is trained and ready to provide factual and compassionate information and empower moms to choose life and avoid the devastation of an abortion decision.

Carey Eberhart RN, Nurse Director

Because of you…

Jenny* came to Pregnancy Resources happy to be pregnant, interested in parenting classes, and excited to be starting this new chapter in her life. Although she and her partner hadn’t been together for long, they both laughed and smiled through the pregnancy test and ultrasound appointments and began attending classes together. Then came that horrible day.

The anger and the violence was not something Jenny had seen coming. The police were called, an order of protection was issued, and Jenny was relocated to a safe, undisclosed location. Now, the woman who had been happy, excited, and filled with joy was devastated, terrified, and overwhelmed with grief. This pregnancy was one more complication and abortion seemed to be the solution.

In the days after the event, Jenny reached back out to Pregnancy Resources and asked to meet with her nurse to fully discuss her options once again. As Jenny and her nurse met, Jenny was able to talk about her fears, her frustrations, and her heartache. She was heard and she was seen. Options education occurred once again, and there was a long discussion about adoption as a realistic option. At her request, another ultrasound was provided, and Jenny saw “her little human” on the screen. In the midst of turmoil and fear – this mother’s love for her child prevailed and Jenny again chose life for her little one.

The days ahead will not be easy, but Jenny knows that she is not alone, and she has hope that there will be better days ahead. Thank you for making continuing support available for Jenny. Because of you, Jenny was able to find the hope and the help she needed when life hung in the balance.

Tomorrow another “Jenny” will walk through the doors – and because of you, another “Jenny” will find help too! Thank you for making a difference.

*Named changed for confidentiality.

Trisha Wilson, Executive Director