*Tisha, a previous PDHC client, was pregnant – again. She thought about calling PDHC, but she knew she would be offered help with her baby and she didn't want to hear that right now. She and the father of the baby were in agreement that they were, without a doubt, having an abortion. After all, this pregnancy was an accident. Another child was not in their plans. Tisha went to a local abortion provider fully intending on terminating her pregnancy, but something happened during the ultrasound; there was not one, but two babies! Tisha immediately got up and walked out of that abortion facility stunned, confused and in disbelief. In that moment, she needed someone to talk to. Someone to help her think through this. She picked up her phone and called PDHC.  

She wanted honest, practical advice and she knew, based on her previous experience, that she would find that at PDHC. When Tisha arrived for her appointment at PDHC, she explained what had taken place, her thoughts and her struggle in making a decision. Tisha said that her family believed that twins were a sign from God, and, despite the fact that neither Tisha nor her boyfriend had twins in their families, somehow this was happening to them.  

Tisha requested an ultrasound to confirm she was having twins before making her final decision. She said if it was just one baby, abortion would be the decision she would make, but if it were really twins, she would consider that a sign and keep the babies.  

The ultrasound revealed 2 babies with strong heartbeats! During that ultrasound, Tisha had time to bond with her babies as she saw their little arms, legs and beating hearts. Even though she was still early in her pregnancy she was amazed to see how these tiny babies looked like – babies! Tisha was happy to receive pictures to show her family; the nurse talked to Tisha about next steps and scheduling prenatal care.  

During a recent follow-up call, Tisha reported that she scheduled a pre-natal care appointment and is excited as she gets used to the idea of having twins. She has lots of family support and is invited to take part in the PDHC Parenting Program during and after her pregnancy to help with practical education and resources. 

We praise God for the gift of ultrasound, His divine intervention and HIs good plans for Tisha and her family.

*Sophie called the PDHC hotline seeking abortion information. Sophie is married, has children, and was shocked to find out she was unexpectedly pregnant again. With her hands full, and her family seemingly complete, Sophie was not interested in having another child. The hotline worker explained that PDHC does not offer abortions, but rather information on her options as well as a free ultrasound. Sophie agreed to make an appointment with a nurse.  

When Sophie arrived for her ultrasound appointment, the nurse spent time with Sophie to see how she could help. Sophie saw abortion as the only option and the nurse went through abortion options at this stage in the pregnancy, as well as shared adoption information, and what keeping this baby might look like for Sophie. The ultrasound revealed that the pregnancy was very early, and Sophie agreed to come back for a second ultrasound the following week to determine viability before making her decision.  

The next week came and went and Sophie was a no-show for her ultrasound appointment. The nurse reached out and was able to reschedule her, but again she did not come. After not showing up a third time the nurse wondered if Sophie had gone ahead and terminated the pregnancy. The nurse reached out to Sophie one last time to check on her, and potentially offer Sophie information on PDHC’s post-abortion support program. By this time six weeks had passed from the first ultrasound appointment; to the nurse’s surprise, Sophie responded to her text and asked to come back in for another ultrasound. Sophie was still pregnant! 

During these six weeks Sophie’s family had surrounded her with support, offers to help and encouraged her to have this baby. Many people prayed that Sophie would change her mind and want to keep her baby. Sophie had time to think about her decision. Sophie’s husband brought her in for this last ultrasound appointment at PDHC; he had already made a doctor’s appointment for his wife for prenatal care. Sophie was now able to see her 12-week active baby moving around with arms waving and legs kicking during the ultrasound. Sophie told the nurse she did not want to end her pregnancy now, and accepted ultrasound pictures and baby booties.  

PDHC continues to support Sophie through her pregnancy as she is now a part of the Parenting Program, learning about how to better herself and her family, and getting free baby items along the way. We are so grateful for all the supporters who prayed for Sophie during her initial decision-making process, and for those who continue to hold Sophie in their hearts and minds. 

​*Katrina called PDHC asking about pregnancy options. Katrina just took a home pregnancy test and to her surprise, it was positive. Katrina had some health concerns and her only other child just graduated high school. A pregnancy was not in Katrina's plans.

Katrina choose to schedule a socially distanced televisit with PDHC. She and her consultant had a heart-felt conversation and Katrina confided in her consultant that she thought abortion was probably the best decision. At the end of their conversation, Katrina decided to scheduled a time to come to PDHC for an ultrasound to check on the gestational age of the baby and to see if there was a heartbeat. Katrina had no idea how far along she might be. 

A couple of days later Katrina came to PDHC and was able to see a very tiny baby on the ultrasound screen. Since she was so early in the pregnancy, the heart rate was detectable, but was in the early stages and still climbing. A follow-up ultrasound was scheduled to verify a healthy heart rate, and Katrina said in the meantime she would think about her decision. Unfortunately, Katrina never showed up for her next ultrasound appointment and the nurse was unable to reach her.

​A month went by and Katrina's consultant reached out to Katrina again by text. She asked Katrina if she had made a decision and offered help with pregnancy resources, or if she would be interested in support if she had an abortion. Katrina responded and said all is well. After the ultrasound, she had decided to continue the pregnancy and parent her baby! She had scheduled prenatal care, and was going forward with the pregnancy!

Despite uncertain times  and changes in her life, Katrina made the decision to have faith and press on. We continue to support Katrina during her pregnancy!

Audrey *took a home pregnancy test – it was positive. Her heart sank, and she panicked. “I must have an abortion,” she thought. Audrey told her mother, Janeen*, she was pregnant, but told her not to worry because she was planning to have an abortion. Audrey had just finished high school, but still lived at home, and didn’t want a baby to be an extra burden on her family.

With her daughter pregnant and planning to have an abortion, Janeen wondered why Audrey thought having an abortion would make her feel better. Did her daughter think she wouldn't love her? Did she think she wouldn't accept her since she was pregnant? With so many confusing thoughts running through her head, Janeen knew PDHC would be the best place to bring Audrey to sort things out.

Janeen brought Audrey to PDHC for an ultrasound appointment. Though Audrey was early in her pregnancy,  they could see a baby with a heartbeat. The nurse spent time explaining things as the ultrasound went on, pointing out the heartbeat and explaining the measurements. The baby was measuring almost 7 weeks. 

Janeen was happy on the inside, but was afraid to show her emotion. Audrey saw her tiny baby on the screen, and secretly got excited, but didn’t want her mother to think she wanted to keep this baby she had already decided to abort. After all, how could Audrey expect her mother to take on an extra burden? 

After the ultrasound, the nurse took time to answer the questions Audrey had and explained abortion procedures, risks and potential side-effects. The nurse also planted a seed by telling Audrey that if she changed her mind, it was okay and that PDHC would support her and provide her with resources to care for her baby should she choose to parent.

Audrey and Janeen left that day and went home – both secretly excited about this baby, but both afraid to tell each other. A few days later, the nurse called to check on Audrey and give her the results of her ultrasound. Between the time they had left PDHC and when the nurse called, Audrey and her mom had a heart-to-heart. They were both in agreement that they wanted this baby!

We thank the Lord for working in this relationship and in the hearts of this new mom and grandma. We praise God for this beautiful life decision! Audrey is currently connected to care with her doctor, and is receiving support from PDHC throughout her pregnancy.

*Names were changed to protect privacy.

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!

Leticia* came to PDHC with her mother for a pregnancy test. Leticia’s mother didn’t even know she was sexually active since she was young and still in school; when the pregnancy test came back positive, they both were disappointed. Both Leticia and her mother requested abortion information because a baby was not part of the plan right now. The nurse sat and talked with them about abortion procedures, risks and side effects, and the importance of an ultrasound to determine viability. They declined an ultrasound and any other information about additional options.

The PDHC nurse's heart was heavy after they left, but the nurse knew she didn't need to carry the weight of this situation alone. She added Leticia, her mom and the baby to PDHC's prayer requests, so the PDHC community would lift them up in prayer and ask God to be at work.
​
A few days later, the nurse checked on Leticia, and her mother said they had an abortion scheduled later that week but was feeling unsure about it. The nurse offered to meet with them again to discuss resources and other options and they agreed. When the nurse called the day before to confirm this appointment Leticia’s mother said they had canceled the abortion and wondered if it was still possible to get an ultrasound at PDHC.

Leticia brought her mother and another family member to her ultrasound appointment. They could see the baby moving on the screen and saw a strong heartbeat. They all smiled and commented on how amazing it was to see this baby live on the screen. By this point the family was beginning to get excited and hopeful. It was in that moment Leticia’s mother gave her blessing and Leticia made the decision to keep her baby.

Since her ultrasound, Leticia has been able to schedule prenatal care and get connected to additional support specifically for teen moms in the community. Leticia will be able to continue her education and have the support of her family, as well as PDHC, as she navigates through pregnancy and being a young mother. PDHC remains involved with Leticia and her family to offer support during this time. We thank God for this family and this life decision!

*Misty visited PDHC.org and scheduled a consultation appointment online; She came to PDHC with a friend that evening. Misty told the nurse that she had already decided to have an abortion and wanted to get more information about abortion procedures. In fact, she had already been to an abortion provider that day, but there was a problem. Misty had made a silent vow to herself that if there was a heartbeat, she wouldn’t go through with the abortion. Misty hadn’t shared that with the abortion provider and the abortion provider said that the ultrasound showed a baby with a heartbeat. The PDHC nurse thought this was odd because abortion providers don’t usually share that information.

The PDHC nurse offered to do a confirming ultrasound and Misty accepted. The nurse found that Misty’s pregnancy was very early.  Knowing the vow Misty had made, the nurse was still honest with Misty and told her she was too early to see the baby – much less a heartbeat. Had the abortion worker been mistaken or stretched the truth to increase the cost of the procedure? Had God been at work knowing what would save this baby’s life?  Misty was confused by the misinformation from the abortion provider and said she needed to think things through.

The PDHC nurse then spent time with Misty going through her options. They talked about making an adoption plan, and also about abortion procedures. Then they talked through the option of having the baby. Misty shared her fears and reasons for considering an abortion in the first place, and the nurse listened to these concerns and walked through them with Misty one-by-one. They talked about resources and practical support. They talked about what her life might look like during the pregnancy and after the baby was born if she chose to parent. By the end of the conversation it was evident that one thing had emerged which was not present at the beginning – HOPE.

The PDHC staff, particularly on the hotline, was diligent about following up with Misty and encouraging her. Misty agreed to schedule another ultrasound a week later at PDHC.

During that second ultrasound a six-week baby with a strong heartbeat was seen, and Misty stated her confidence was growing. The time that had passed gave Misty an opportunity to envision two outcomes of her situation – an abortion or the life of a growing child inside of her. By the time the ultrasound was over, Misty was ready to share her decision with the nurse.

Misty chose life for her baby. Truth was revealed at PDHC by the power of ultrasound, and Misty kept her vow not to end the life of her child.

Recently Misty delivered a healthy baby and is grateful to PDHC for meeting her at the point of her need in those critical moments. Misty is happy that she took the time to consider ALL her options, and to not make a decision out of fear.
​
The PDHC nurse continues to communicate with Misty now that she is a new mother and continues to provide encouragement; Misty is grateful for the help, baby items and diapers from PDHC and is invited back for continued support. ​

Sanaya* visited PDHC after she took a home pregnancy test that was inconclusive. She was extremely nervous and hoped the test would be negative. Sanaya already had children and thought she was done having babies. She was in a rough period of her life, and a pregnancy would be a huge interruption.

Sanaya came to her appointment at PDHC and took a pregnancy test. It was positive; she cried and shook her head. “How could this be happening?” she said with tears rolling down her cheeks. “I cannot have another baby. I am so overwhelmed already!” The nurse went over parenting, adoption and reviewed abortion information with Sanaya so she would have all the facts.  Sanaya was visibly shaken as they talked about abortion procedures. Sanaya asked questions about the abortion pill specifically, and how that worked. Sanaya was agreeable to having an ultrasound right then. The pregnancy was so early the ultrasound did not reveal much, so she scheduled a second scan.

Two weeks later Sanaya came back; by then Sanaya had had time to think, but said she was still upset. The nurse performed her ultrasound which revealed a small, but growing baby with a heartbeat. After the ultrasound, Sanaya said she had decided to keep her baby and asked for ultrasound pictures. She made a plan to schedule an appointment for prenatal care and accepted prenatal vitamins.

The nurse continued to follow up with Sanaya in the subsequent weeks. Recently Sanaya welcomed a lovely baby girl into her family. Both mom and baby are doing well, and Sanaya has an appointment with PDHC to pick up a baby gift and supplies. We are so thankful to God for this beautiful life choice, for the nurse who worked with Sanaya and the power of ultrasound.