I Wish They Had Told Me!

How lack of information pressures women to abort

When Vanessa* visited Birth Choice, a pregnancy resource center (PRC) in San Marcos, CA, she was alone and set on having an abortion. She met with a client advocate at the clinic named Elise*. Vanessa explained to Elise that she had already gone to Planned Parenthood in the past for a prior abortion, and although her abortion at the time seemed straightforward, she was not fully informed on her decision.

“It’s not really a choice if mothers are given only one option,” Elise said. “Pregnancy centers like Birth Choice have tremendous respect for the women that we see. We would never presume to make a woman’s decision for her.”**

Elise educated Vanessa on all of her options- parenting, adoption, and abortion- and what each option would entail for her for her situation.

After learning how an abortion was performed, Vanessa said, “I wish they would have told me! What have I done?”

The staff at Birth Choice were heartbroken for Vanessa.

Once they covered her options, Elise asked Vanessa if she’d like to get an ultrasound. Vanessa began to cry when she saw her baby on the screen. She had been deprived of the opportunity to see her baby before her previous abortion.

Vanessa considered parenting her baby rather than adoption, but shortly after her appointment she had a miscarriage. The pregnancy resource center rallied around her again and she was given information and support for her loss.

Unfortunately for many women like Vanessa, the pressures to abort comes from a lack of information or education. Women facing an unplanned pregnancy need compassion and support when making a pregnancy decision. Pregnancy centers like Birth Choice, as well as many others, not only offer education on all options, but also support and after care for all women and men when necessary. Pregnancy centers around the country are always willing to stand with woman throughout many situations, even extending after their baby is born.

Read more stories of hope and overcoming partner pressure here.

*Names are representational to protect the privacy of the client and staff members involved.

DEAR READER

We hope this article enlightened and inspired you to stand up for life.

Despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortions are still prevalent in our nation. As a response to the overturning, the media: from the news to entertainment sources to even political figures and celebrities, have pushed abortion as an ongoing agenda, shaping the way this generation thinks and acts. Misinformation is being spread every day, and people are sadly believing the lies.

Our articles and stories aim to tell one thing: the truth.

We know that it is both a blessing and a challenge to understand the reality of abortion, because knowledge incites belief, and belief incites action. But we’re in this together. We believe that we can make abortion unthinkable.

With your support, we look forward to a future where young women are empowered to fight for their own rights: a right to bring life into the world, to be fearless leaders, to be examples of hope, strength, and undeterred resilience. We look forward to a future where life can happen.

If this article strengthened your belief to reach women everywhere with the truth and to let life happen, then please consider helping us extend our reach by making a gift right now. Your gift of just $10 or $20 helps our mission to create a story of hope and empowerment for every woman facing an unplanned pregnancy.

We aim to create a culture that views “pro-life” as equivalent to having empathy and compassion, providing holistic care (before and beyond pregnancy) and education, and most importantly, choosing to speak and act in love. We are pro-life, pro-love, pro-woman, pro-solution.

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