stacy

Late one night a PDHC hotline volunteer received a frantic phone call from Stacy* who was looking for help. Two days prior, Stacy visited an abortion provider and began a dilation and evacuation abortion procedure by having laminaria placed – this is a procedure where rods are placed with the intention of dilating or opening up the cervix in a second-trimester or later term abortion. Stacy had an appointment in just a few hours to go back to the abortion clinic to complete the abortion and have the baby removed from her uterus. However, in the past 36 hours Stacy realized she had made a grave mistake and was desperate to save her baby.

Stacy had called the abortion provider back once she realized she did not want to go through with this abortion, but the abortionist told her even if the laminaria was removed she would likely miscarry anyway. Stacy wanted a second opinion, so she called her own doctor and got right in. Stacy’s doctor was sympathetic and removed the laminaria, but told Stacy that this may not save the baby and told her to pray. From that moment on, Stacy began to pray.

A few hours later Stacy began to have some pain, so she visited the Emergency Department at her local hospital. At the hospital, a heartbeat was found through a handheld Fetal Doppler machine, but an ultrasound was not done. A kind nurse at the hospital told Stacy about PDHC and encouraged her to call for additional help. When Stacy left the Emergency Department it was almost 2am, but she called PDHC’s 24-hour hotline.  Stacy spoke to a PDHC volunteer who reassured Stacy and scheduled her for an ultrasound and consultation with a nurse. Stacy went home to get some sleep before her appointment with PDHC a few short hours later.

When Stacy arrived at PDHC it had been nearly 48 hours since her nightmare began at the abortion center. She did not know what to expect at her ultrasound, and though she had been praying, she braced herself for the worst. She wondered if she would lose the baby despite all her efforts. Stacy confided in the PDHC nurse that she had been confused about God and her spiritual life, but she had been desperately praying that her baby would survive this mistake she had begun. The nurse consoled Stacy and they talked about the importance of prayer, and accepting God’s forgiveness, love, and hope. The nurse told Stacy that, regardless of the outcome, God loved her. As the ultrasound began, the nurse also said a silent prayer, not sure what she would find . . .

Stacy’s ultrasound revealed a baby with a strong heartbeat. The baby was moving around and was still exactly where it was supposed to be, despite the fact that the abortion procedure was started. Stacy and the nurse breathed a huge sigh of relief and rejoiced together! Stacy took ultrasound pictures, booties and lots of resources home with her, but most importantly, she also went home that day with renewed faith and hope!

Stacy continued to stay involved with PDHC and was able to receive baby items and other resources to help her along her journey as a mom. Stacy recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl! We praise God for this life and for this mother!