 “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
On May 5, 2022, a beautiful and healthy 6lb 15oz baby girl named Gabrielle was born to a loving Mother and Father. What many do not know is that this birth almost didn’t happen, this life was one pill away from being cut short. Gabrielle’s mommy came to us through the Abortion Pill rescue Network. She had just taken the first pill in a set of two that would end the life of her baby. She felt sure that abortion was right for her even though she had support from her boyfriend and family to parent. Upon taking the first set of pills, she felt immediate regret and started researching ways to undo what she had started. We’re so blessed here at PDHC to offer the Abortion Pill Reversal service. We meet the bravest women and are honored to walk with them through their pregnancy journey and beyond. Our two nurses had the extreme blessing of meeting with and caring for Gabrielle’s mommy throughout this process. On May 5 we all got the chance to rejoice in this woman’s blessing. Rejoice in this new life. Rejoice in the Lord and His faithfulness and goodness. We invite you to rejoice with us, today and always. Submitted by Noelle Tomko, PDHC Director of Client Services
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 One thing we know about crisis is that it causes confusion. It is not atypical for us to see or speak to a client who seems to going back and forth between choosing life or abortion. The decision of abortion is final, irreversible, and our clients, even those of whom who are very hard-hearted, feel this tension within. The pulling. The pushing. That “thing” they just can’t identify that is making them doubt their decision to abort.
Such is the story of *Amelia. She came to our center and was initially very undecided about what to do after finding herself in this pregnancy with zero help from the baby’s father. Our nurse Lesa showed her love, kindness, grace, support, and shared the truth with her. After several conversations and visits to our center, Amelia chose LIFE for herself and this precious baby. This week, as a staff, we got to celebrate Amelia and her baby with a baby shower. Through the blessing of a grant, we were able to supply Amelia with items necessary to bring her child home from the hospital and have everything she needs to start this new life as a single mom. I hope you’ll join us in supporting this brave decision and praising our GREAT God!  Imagine being in a foreign land, trying to make a new home, scared, and finding yourself newly pregnant. The “love” that promised you so many things has now turned it’s back on you and you’re alone. Where would you go? What would you do? It’s almost impossible to imagine.
Thankfully, with God and with your dedication to our ministry, we get to come alongside women in these exact scenarios and carry them through. Our Nurse Kathy had the pleasure of being the hands of feet of Christ to one such client several months ago. *Greta had found PDHC and come to us to confirm her pregnancy. She wanted to choose life for her baby but needed help in several ways. With the help, support, and guidance of Kathy and PDHC, we connected her to the needed resources and were able to walk alongside her throughout her pregnancy. That alone is beautiful enough for us. These women may never know the gift they’re giving us by allowing us to support them as they become Mothers. In this case, the gift didn’t stop there. Just last week Great returned to see Kathy and introduce her to her baby, the one Kathy saw on that ultrasound so many months ago. However, this time she returned with a question…..”Will you be my baby’s Godmother?” I wish I could have been there to see this beautiful exchange between two women. What blessings the Lord bestows on us day after day. Of course, Kathy said “yes!” What an honor. This child, the one who was carried by a frightened woman who was all alone, will be dedicated to the Lord on Mother’s Day. Supported by his mother and his godmother, our Kathy. We are so thankful for this work. For this place. For this time on earth. We are also so thankful for you and all you do to help us continue in this fight for life. Submitted by Noelle Tomko, PDHC Director of Client Services  Have you ever wanted a second chance? What a gift we have with Abortion Pill Reversal to offer that to some very brave women.
*Susan was linked to us through the Abortion Pill Reversal Network. She contacted our center for help as she had just taken the first of two sets of Abortion pills to end her pregnancy. She shared with our nurse that she didn't feel very confident in starting the abortion process but felt pressured by friends and family to terminate. As soon as she took the first set, she had immediate regret and started searching for ways to "undo" what she had done. We connected her with our doctor who got her the prescription needed to help reverse the effects of the first set of abortion pill and scheduled her for an ultrasound to check on the baby. Susan lived almost two hours from our center but drove in for her appointment the next morning. The ultrasound showed a strong fetal heart rate. A second scan was scheduled and again, the baby looked great. Susan was so thankful that she had not taken her second set of pills to continue the abortion. God brought this beautiful woman to us and we have had the pleasure of walking through the last several weeks with her. She is scheduled to begin prenatal care and is in her second trimester. We praise God in heaven for His miraculous work. We thank Him for allowing us to walk with these women through such scary times. We thank all of you for your continued prayers. Please Join us in praising a God of second chances! Submitted by Noelle Tomko, PDHC Director of Client Services  For a lot of people the statement “It’s not every day that you witness a miracle” rings rather true. Not for us. Witnessing miracles is a gift the Lord sets before us every day here at PDHC. Sometimes that miracle comes in the form of us learning that a previously abortion bound client has chosen life, after months of no contact. Other times it comes in the form of watching the father of a baby break down in tears over seeing “his baby”, that 10 minutes prior he was certain they just couldn’t keep. And then there are days when a miracle begins by shoveling snow…..
This client was coming to us for information regarding a pregnancy that she wasn’t sure she wanted to continue and had scheduled an Ultrasound. She was late for her appointment when our staff noticed a car stuck outside in a snowbank. Being the servant hearted women they are, they went outside and started shoveling. And pushing her car to safety. I wonder if anyone knew they’d be doing more than rescuing her from snow that day. After the initial consultation the client still wasn’t sure what she should do. But then the Ultrasound started. When those images appear, the Holy happens. It’s one of the many ways that God reveals Himself to us in our work. The client saw her baby and smiled. She smiled. I imagine it will be the first of a million times that her baby will make her smile. After her scan she was asked how she was feeling and if she was still considering abortion. Her answer? “I don’t think so”. Her stated intentions upon completion of this appointment are to parent. She is still in contact with our Nurse and we celebrate this young woman and the brave choice she has made. Maybe you don’t get to witness miracles’ everyday like we do. But I pray you remember this client and her baby the next time you find yourself shoveling snow. By Noelle Tomko, PDHC Director of Client Services  *Rochelle came to our west center for a pregnancy test. She had taken a home PT and wanted to verify that she was pregnant. Rochelle stated during her consultation that she was not at a place in her life where she could support a baby. She didn’t have a lot of family support or support from the father of the baby. Her mind was pretty made up that abortion was her only option.
Our Nurse manager Amanda proceeded with an Ultrasound to determine how far along she was and they were both surprised to see TWINS. Rochelle was shocked but also excited to learn she was carrying twins. She still felt that abortion was a better option at this time. She was very early on in her pregnancy and agreed to come back for a second scan to better determine viability and gestation. Rochelle came back for her scan and shared with nurse Amanda that she had decided to keep her babies and presented a gift of flowers and a card to our nurse thanking her for her help. Rochelle had planned to tell her family about her pregnancy and has agreed to stay in contact with us throughout her pregnancy and birth.  Sienna* was brought to PDHC by her older sister for pregnancy test and ultrasound. Sienna was in high school and had just learned she was pregnant; she made her appointment to see how far along she was and if “abortion was still an option”. The nurse learned while talking with the family that Sienna's mom had an abortion as a young teen and was encouraging her to have an abortion also, her family did not believe she was ready to be a parent. The ultrasound showed Sienna was almost 20 weeks pregnant and she was able to see the baby move and hear the heartbeat. Sienna was tearful as the nurse went over abortion information. Sienna shared she was still undecided but was less likely to have the abortion after seeing how far along she was. Information on adoption was also shared with Sienna. Before leaving the nurse was able to pray with Sienna and let her know she would continue to stay in touch, and we would be here if she needed anything. The nurse reached out to Sienna and her mother by text a week later to offer support and conversation if needed. Sienna’s mother replied she had been praying to God and had made peace with the situation and God had assured her everything would be okay. The family says they plan to keep the baby and they will soon, “welcome our bundle of joy into our families.” They thanked PDHC for the help and prayers.  Kelly* came to PDHC looking for help.
She wanted to find out how far along she was in pregnancy and get answers to questions she had about abortion. Kelly opened up and let the nurse know she was "50/50 on parenting or abortion", and needed more information. Kelly shared that she had ended the relationship with the father of the baby, and she couldn't afford her own place to live. Kelly also shared her ex-boyfriend had made an appointment for her at a local abortion clinic for the next day. She canceled it because she wasn't sure what to do. The nurse was able to share with Kelly information about abortion and pregnancy, and while talking about fetal development Kelly became teary-eyed. The nurse talked to Kelly about all her options and encouraged her to write out her thoughts in the "My 3 Choices" brochure to give her the opportunity to really think about everything. Kelly had an ultrasound that revealed an early pregnancy, but she would need to come back to determine viability. When Kelly returned a week later, she as able to see the baby and the heartbeat, but it was still quite early in pregnancy. Another ultrasound was offered, and Kelly agreed. A week later when Kelly returned, she was surprised how much the baby had grown. Kelly shared she had gone to church with her parents and was able to tell them about the pregnancy. She also shared how her parents were excited and told her they would help. Kelly decided to continue the pregnancy and have her baby! The nurse was able to talk to Kelly about her relationship with the Lord, and Kelly gratefully accepted a prayer from the nurse. Before leaving, Kelly also registered for parenting classes to help her in her journey to becoming a mother.  Amy* and her boyfriend Eric* walked in to PDHC after going to another local clinic and finding out she was pregnant; Amy was looking for information on her options. Amy asked if, "it was a baby yet," at 6 weeks, because she was thinking about the abortion pill. An ultrasound was done, and an early pregnancy was confirmed. Amy and Eric were scared. They were both young and realized they now had a very big decision to make.
Being only 17, Amy and Eric were nervous about being pregnant so young, and neither had told their parents. Amy shared that her parents are, "very religious and strict," and she does not want to disappoint and upset them. Eric also voiced the same. The nurse told Amy that she is still their daughter, and they love her, and even though they may be shocked or disappointed at first, they would likely want her to talk to them about the situation and not try to hide it with an abortion. Amy was given the “My Three Choices” journal to take home and put her thoughts down on paper, and she and Eric also read through a brochure called, “How to Tell My Parents,” before they left PDHC that day. The nurse offered encouragement and prayers and invited them back for another ultrasound and to answer any other questions they might have. When Amy and Eric returned for an ultrasound, the nurse again went over options and talked more about fetal development. Amy and Eric still had not told their parents, but they knew they had to make a decision soon. This ultrasound showed a very visible baby with arms, legs, and a clear beating heart. Another courtesy scan was offered for the next week and Amy and Eric accepted. When they arrived for their final ultrasound, Amy & Eric shared they decided to keep their baby. They had told their parents over the weekend, and although both sets of parents were shocked and needed time to process, they were ready to support them both in this pregnancy and raising their child. Amy was able to schedule prenatal care now that her parents knew, and both Amy and Eric have enrolled in the PDHC Family Empowerment Program. They are looking forward to doing parenting classes throughout the pregnancy, and PDHC will be there to support them both on their journey into parenthood. *names changed for privacy  Lainey* visited PDHC a few months ago; this was her second pregnancy she experienced with the support of PDHC, and she felt comfortable coming back for help again. This, however, was a very different situation, and instead of being excited about this baby, she was overwhelmed and distraught, and had already made up her mind that an abortion was going to be her way out of this situation.
When Lainey first arrived, she was dejected and sad. She looked at Amanda, her nurse, and said, “How can I do this again so soon? My baby is still so young and I’m not ready for this.” The nurse took the time to listen to Lainey’s concerns and sympathized with her, as she had also experienced an unplanned pregnancy early in life. They sat and talked and shared and bonded over this situation; Amanda then offered her an ultrasound before she made her decision. The next 20 minutes would change everything. The ultrasound showed that Lainey was very early in pregnancy, but Amanda walked her through everything she was seeing, including a tiny yolk sac which is designed to nourish the baby through the first few weeks of pregnancy. By the end of the appointment, Lainey said, “I think I can do this. I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to keep it.” Amanda reassured her that PDHC would be here to help her with her baby she had, as well as the new baby. Lainey enrolled in the Family Empowerment Program and began taking Parenting Classes. Amanda kept her promise and supported Lainey throughout her pregnancy. Through the Family Empowerment Program, Lainey has been able to learn so much, as well as get diapers, baby clothes, and other needed items for both babies for free. Lainey’s sweet baby girl Penelope was born in May, 2021. Lainey now states, “I’m so thankful for Amanda. I don’t know where my sweet pea would be without the encouragement from her… Thank you PDHC for saving my baby!” *Name changed to protect privacy **Picture shared with permission |
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