Recently, we had a young woman come into RETA for a pregnancy test. She was living with the father of her oldest child, but was in a new relationship with a different guy. After many years of wanting another child but having difficulty conceiving, she unexpectedly became pregnant. However, instead of having joy and excitement at this news, she was shocked and wanted to have an abortion because she didn’t feel this was a good time to have another child. Her new boyfriend said he would support whatever decision she made.

When she came to RETA, she met with a nurse that talked with her about her options, the impact an abortion decision can have on her life, and the ways RETA was able to offer support for her. At the end of her first appointment, she agreed to schedule an ultrasound for the following week, when we would be able to see her baby’s heart beating. In that week’s time, she fluctuated between the choice of keeping her baby and having an abortion; thankfully, we were able to keep in contact with her through phone calls.

When she came in for her ultrasound, the nurse/sonographer was able to show this mom her baby and the heart beating on the screen! The mom said the ultrasound helped reality set in that she really was pregnant and there was a baby. She was still wrestling with the decisions she faced, and the nurse encouraged her to not rush into any decision and to take time and think about her choices. The nurse was also able to share with this mom the good news of God’s unconditional love for her and her baby, and pray with her.

In the following weeks, the nurses continued to keep in contact with her by phone calls, and the staff continued to pray for this mom and her child’s life. At last, we finally heard back from the mom that she had decided to make the brave choice to choose life for her baby! She was in the process of getting into prenatal care with a doctor. We praise God for this mom’s life-giving choice and for His answered prayers!

by Melody, Administrative Nurse