This wasn’t the plan. Karla* didn’t think she’d ever be able to get pregnant, so she was shocked when her home pregnancy test was positive. The thought of being a parent brought with it a rush of shame, guilt, and fear. Karla could only think of her mental health struggles, her past mistakes and poor lifestyle choices, and her abusive ex-boyfriend. When Karla told him she was pregnant, he suggested she get an abortion.
It was a cold winter day when Karla came to PR for a pregnancy test with her head down and tears in her eyes. How could she afford a child? How could she keep her baby healthy when she needed to stay on her mental health medications for her own health? She believed abortion was her only option. During her first appointment, a PR nurse strongly encouraged Karla to call her doctor and see if her medications were safe for pregnancy. A week later, at Karla’s ultrasound appt, I was able to introduce Karla to her 6 week old baby with a heartbeat. Karla and her mom wept tears of joy at the sight of the baby. Karla also shared the news that her doctor had approved her medications as safe for pregnancy. As winter turned to spring, we were not able to contact Karla. Spring turned to summer and we continued to pray that Karla had chosen life.
Recently, as I was getting ready to start my normal shift, I was asked to come to the front desk. To my surprise, Karla, with a popped-out belly, was waiting. She had a huge smile on her face, tears in eyes, and a bouquet of flowers. Karla had come to let me know how influential I had been during her crisis. She then shared that at Pregnancy Resources she had found hope and strength to choose life and parent her son, who was due in 20 days! I will always remember how God used me to plant seeds of confidence in Karla. Thank you for helping me help Karla choose life for her son.
*Name changed for confidentiality
~ Nurse Becca Mesmer
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