Emily* came to Thrive Medical Clinic completely overwhelmed, with a child in her arms and another on the way. She also carried a heavy burden of hurt and distrust from a painful past relationship, and it was taking a toll on her current one…
Karli's Story
Nora's Story
When Nora* got a positive pregnancy test, her first reaction was that she needed an abortion. Carrying a pregnancy to term and raising a child were both overwhelming things for her to think about, and the concept of being a mom at this time in her life just didn’t seem realistic. The only people she had spoken to about the pregnancy so far were abortion providers, and it seemed like getting an abortion was the clear thing to do. But after telling her partner about the pregnancy, she felt unsure.
Nora heard about Thrive Medical Clinic through a friend and decided to schedule an appointment with us to confirm her pregnancy. While at her appointment, she bravely and honestly talked about how confused and torn she felt about what to do. She openly acknowledged how difficult any pregnancy decision she came to would be, but also how pleasantly surprised she was by seeing the support from those around her.
When it came time for her ultrasound scan to be done, Nora was able to see her beautiful child for herself - with its little head, body, legs, and arms. The baby’s heart could be clearly seen, strongly beating away; and, gradually, Nora started to become more excited about being this child’s mom. After the ultrasound, she expressed how things seemed much more real and asked good questions about her options and the types of support available.
Seeing the process of her mind cautiously go from shocked confusion to genuine excitement about parenting was absolutely incredible. Without anyone pressuring her, God simply worked to shift Nora’s perspective in a beautiful way as she took the time to process and learn more. It was such a joyful day when she shared that she made the decision to parent this child!
We’re grateful for each of you who prays and supports our patients in so many ways. These women, men, and babies are being given the chance, hope, resources, and support to choose life in a safe and loving place - and that is absolutely priceless.
*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality.
If you were touched by this story and want to help provide the solutions, resources and support for women like Nora to choose life for their precious babies, we invite you to make a donation. Thank you so much!
Katelyn's Story
Katelyn* came to Traverse City with her child and no support or family in the area. After she became pregnant again, she made several abortion appointments, but each time something kept her from going through with it.
She finally made the decision to keep her baby, but was feeling entirely overwhelmed. She came to Thrive Forward in her last trimester because she heard that we offer free baby supplies. We were delighted to meet her and gave her maternity clothes, a postpartum and newborn gift bag, and we just so happened to have one unclaimed dresser fully stocked with baby items that we gave her that same day.
Before she came in, she knew she was meant to have this baby, but the thought of it seemed so daunting and hard to grasp. But the tangible love and support she received that day made all the difference; she felt hopeful and had confidence in her ability to thrive as a mom of two.
TMC supported Katelyn throughout the rest of her pregnancy and she continues to participate in regular mentorship sessions with one of our Thrive Forward mentors. Katelyn received a Bible with her dresser, and her mentor has been able to share comforting Bible verses with her. She has also been very receptive to discussions around God’s power during times of uncertainty and fear, and His incredible love for her.
*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality.
If you were touched by this story and want to help provide the solutions, resources and support for women like Katelyn to choose life for their precious babies, we invite you to make a donation. Thank you so much!
Rowan's Story
Rowan already had an abortion scheduled when she came to Thrive Medical Clinic. She was living with an abusive boyfriend who had convinced her that she was incapable of being a mother and abortion was their only option. Her world was consumed by darkness and she felt hopeless. But after a close friend recommended that she call
Thrive Medical Clinic, everything started to change...
Ava's Story
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
Brooke's Story
By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director
After getting a positive pregnancy test, *Brooke made an appointment for an abortion. She felt conflicted about what she should do regarding her unplanned pregnancy and wanted to talk things through, but she also faced serious pressure from individuals encouraging her to go through with her abortion.
After making the abortion appointment, she chose to come to TMC to get a confirmation ultrasound, ask questions, and verbally process in a safe and private setting. Brooke openly expressed the conflict she felt inside and said, “Honestly, I want to keep my baby; but I know it would be hard. I think I’d regret getting an abortion, though.”
When Brooke saw her baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound machine, she said she felt “protective” of the life inside of her and said, “I know I need to do what’s best for me and my child.” She courageously canceled her abortion appointment and, for the first time, allowed herself to feel excited about being a mom!
She is now being surrounded by beautiful support and practical help that she didn’t even know existed originally.
Brooke has repeatedly expressed so much appreciation for this ministry and the support she is receiving from so many in the community... “If it wasn’t for this place, getting to talk to someone, and seeing the ultrasound, I’m convinced that I would’ve been coerced into having the abortion.”
Praise God for what He is doing through both of these lives! And thank you for providing this brave mom and her little one with the chance they needed to thrive and know how incredibly valuable they both are.
“I am so, so glad I came here. I feel like I have the information and resources I need to make the best decision for me.” - Brooke
*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality
Jenna's Story
Maya's Story
So many times, we don’t get to hear what happens to our patients or the little one inside of them after they leave our clinic. Well, in 2021 I met with a girl who has been on my heart for months.
*Maya came to us emotionally overwhelmed. She was experiencing common pregnancy symptoms and wanted help to know what to do. We did a pregnancy test for her, which came back positive, and I was able to sit down with her and hear her heart. Maya cried as she shared honestly about how she felt: relationships in her life, her age, her health, and being afraid of being viewed as a “failure” by others all made an abortion seem like the best option to her. Maya shared that in her past relationships with guys, she just felt used for her body and didn’t feel that she was valued. She began to panic that her current boyfriend wouldn’t love her enough to stay with her, and she was terrified of parenting alone.
Kaylee’s Story
God recently brought us a young woman who came in already decided that an abortion was what she needed.
When *Kaylee arrived, she shared that, although she had hoped to be a mom someday, this seemed like a terrible time to bring a new life into the world. Kaylee was very open and shared with me about how she came to her decision and how torn and alone she had felt while making it. She said she felt bad about choosing abortion but thought that this would be the most responsible choice for this time in her life. She told me about some people in her life who were trying not to sway her decision, but she assumed they hoped that she would choose abortion, and she wanted to please them.
Krystyn's Story
For the first time EVER, a patient is sharing her personal experience and introducing you to her beautiful daughter. Get your tissues!
Kay Hall - My Journey to Restoration
Kay experienced two unplanned pregnancies - one ended in abortion, the other in adoption. Until 2017, she had remained silent about her abortion. She feared that if she told her friends and family, that she would be met with shame and judgment. "Instead, I ran into a life of freedom. A life where I could pick up and take the shame off." This is the story of how she overcame her fears, and gave her story over to God so that it could be used for good and help others face their past, and allow healing and restoration to begin.
If you have an abortion in your past, and have not yet found the courage to tell your family, or would just like to talk to someone who understands - please contact Kay! She would love to meet with you.
Email her at: micoachkayhall@gmail.com
Let Hope and Healing Begin!
To share your own story, go to: www.friendsofpcc.org and contact us. We will even film and produce it for you, just like Kay's story!
Music by: www.bensound.com