Rachel was excited to welcome her firstborn, a sweet baby girl, into the world.
She’d always known in her heart that she’d be a mom someday, and now her dreams had come true.
She had a good relationship with her boyfriend, but money was tight and the two of them were considering moving into a family member’s home in order to help their financial situation.
On top of finances being a challenge, new motherhood was proving to be a challenge for Rachel.
By the time her infant was six months old, she believed she was struggling with postpartum depression.
Riddled with exhaustion, and the many adjustments that come with new mothering, Rachel felt like she was “barely making it through each day.”
She hoped to find a little bit of support from family, but so far, she continued to feel “alone on her journey.”
When the baby turned seven months old, things became seemingly unbearable.
That’s when the curveball came: A positive pregnancy test.
Rachel couldn’t imagine trying to parent another baby on top of everything going on in her life currently.
She felt trapped and hopeless.
She began looking online for an abortion facility.
Thanks to your support of Heroic Media’s OAASYS Emergency Response ads, she was connected with OAASYS’s Pregnancy Help Center partner in Phoenix, Arizona instead.
On the phone with the client advocate at the center, Rachel shared about her anxiety and postpartum depression, and that she didn’t feel ready for another baby emotionally, mentally, or physically.
Her advocate asked an eye-opening question:
“What does the father of the baby think about getting the abortion?”
Rachel responded that he would support her decision.
Her advocate followed up with another question:
“Would he also support you if you chose to parent?”
Rachel replied, “Yes.”
Rachel agreed to come in for an ultrasound and to talk more about her options.
However, when the appointment time arrived, Rachel did not show up.
In fact, nobody heard from her for the next three weeks, despite several calls and texts.
Eventually, Rachel called the pregnancy center back.
It was 1 AM.
She left a voicemail stating that she and her boyfriend had changed their minds about getting an abortion and were choosing to parent!
“Could she still come in for an ultrasound?”
The following morning, Rachel was at the center and saw her beautiful nine-week-old baby on the ultrasound screen.
Tears ran down her face as she watched her baby’s strong heartbeat and softly whispered, “I love, you little one.”
With the newfound support from the pregnancy center, no longer “feeling alone,” Rachel was also connected to support services to help her with her postpartum depression as she fully embraced the gift of her second-time motherhood with this precious new life.
Praise be to God!
Matthew 19:14: “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
