By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director
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.
We were able to do a confirmation ultrasound for Maya, which showed that she was six weeks along – just far along enough to see the tiny growing baby inside her, its heartbeat, and take measurements.
After her ultrasound, we were able to talk more about Maya’s fears and her deep worth. She allowed me to explore all her options with her (abortion, adoption, and parenting), and we talked about what they would look like for her, both now and down the road. Maya did have someone close who didn’t want her to go through the emotional pain of abortion. She encouraged Maya to parent and was eager to be a support for her. I was able to introduce Maya to multiple beautiful resources that would be a huge support to her if she did decide that parenting was what she wanted to do. We spoke truth and love to her, trying to help her see how not-alone she is. But we also made it clear that this was ultimately her decision, and that, no matter what, we care about her and will be here for her. Maya was very appreciative and said that this was a “safe place for sure,” but left no indication of what her decision would be.
Not until eight months later did we hear any sort of update from Maya… and it absolutely made my week. It’s crazy how much can change in eight months. Well, Maya let us know that she is doing well and that she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy boy! Not only is she now parenting her son, but she plugged herself into some amazing support and surrounded herself with loving, Godly people who are walking her through motherhood.
I can’t help but praise God for His compassion and for orchestrating so much for the sake of this baby boy and his mom, despite all the attacks of the enemy. I am so thankful for the prayers and gifts of this community and the way God’s faithful hand uses each of them. He sees all the details that we can’t and is the only One who can save.
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27
*Patient names and photo are changed to preserve confidentiality