By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director
*Ava reached out to us after getting multiple positive pregnancy tests at home. She called saying, “I thought I knew what I wanted to do, but now I’m not sure.” We were able to schedule her for a free consultation and confirmation ultrasound to verify her pregnancy, and when she came in, she opened up more about what she was going through.
She and her boyfriend had broken up just before Ava found out she was pregnant. When Ava got the positive pregnancy tests, she told her ex-boyfriend along with some family members. She said that she didn’t initially know what to do, but then began to experience pressure from multiple people around her trying to persuade her that abortion would be her best option. So, Ava scheduled an appointment to get a medication abortion.
Ava came in to TMC for her ultrasound appointment just two days before her abortion was scheduled to happen. During her options consult, she cried as she expressed her fears about being a single mom but also her conflict in not wanting to abort her child. She talked about someone God had put in her life who was encouraging her that she was capable of carrying this pregnancy to term and felt that she might somehow receive the support she needed.
After discussing her pregnancy options, Ava went in for her ultrasound. She measured just over 8wks along, and her beautiful baby could be seen clearly...heart beating away. Seeing the scan, Ava let herself laugh with joy a little as she watched the scan and expressed that she actually was beginning to feel excited!
She said, “Seeing the baby, I’ve made up my mind to parent. I wish that I came here weeks ago when I first found out I was pregnant. That was super lonely to go through, and coming here was the encouragement I needed.”
Ava canceled her abortion appointment, and we were able to help her get set up with some helpful community resources. She also gratefully accepted our offer to gift her a dresser filled with essential baby supplies.
When the time came for Ava to receive the dresser, she let us know that she is having a boy! Once Ava came to pick up her dresser, she started crying as soon as she saw it. She expressed how thankful she was and that it was so much more than she expected. She shared that, since making the decision to parent her son, things have gotten much better, and she is genuinely feeling the support of those around her.
Ava’s story and her courage and determination to be a good mom to her son blows me away! Seeing the way that God looked out for her and is now working on her behalf through amazing individuals in this community is such a beautiful reminder of the loving, miraculous, and personal God that He is. It also makes me overwhelmed with thankfulness to everyone who has given, prayed, and volunteered for TMC so that Ava and her son were both given this chance at life.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality