February is Heart Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges those living with a congenital heart defect (CHD) face. For Emily, her heart condition wasn’t just a statistic. It was a life-threatening reality that led her to believe abortion was her only option.
Emily’s Story
When Emily walked into Adria Women’s Health, staff could see fear on her face. Her heart was beating out of her chest, the weight of her circumstances pressing down on her. She had taken a test at home that read positive. Still, the reality came crashing down harder when the nurse at the clinic confirmed her pregnancy again. Those two lines told her there was no question now; she was pregnant, but could she have this baby? She was told that due to her heart defect, carrying a child could put her life at risk. The fear of the unknown loomed heavily over her.
Considering Abortion
Emily shared that the father, who wasn’t present at the appointment, was a friend. At just 20 years old, her health, education, and future all seemed to be hanging in the balance. Yet, beneath it all, there was a quiet strength in her—a faint hope waiting to be ignited.
Her mother was by her side throughout Emily’s appointment, and her love for her daughter was evident but accompanied by deep concern. “I care about my daughter’s life,” her mother said, her voice cracking with emotion. “How can we risk it for a baby we don’t know?” The pain and fear in the room were evident.
Cass, a compassionate member of the medical team, listened intently. She empathized with their fears and walked them through their options. Rather than dismissing their concerns, she encouraged them to consult a high-risk obstetrician to fully understand what pregnancy with a heart defect pregnancy would look like for Emily.
The Magic of an Ultrasound
During her ultrasound, as the image appeared on the screen, there was a possibility of twins, but due to her early gestational age, staff couldn’t confirm indefinitely.
For a moment, awe overtook fear. Emily mentioned earlier that she felt like she was carrying twins. Could this be confirmation that she was meant to have her babies? But then, the weight of her heart defect and the words of her doctors pulled her back. “I’ll carry this pregnancy only if my cardiologist says it’s safe,” she said, holding onto a sliver of hope.
Finding Support and Hope
The medical team prayed with the family for open doors and for God to lead them in decision-making. They prayed for protection over Emily’s health and the health of the pregnancy.
A few days later, Emily’s mother called with incredible news. Her twins were confirmed, and both her cardiologist and a high-risk obstetrician said she was safe to continue the pregnancy and had committed to care for her.
Celebrating Emily’s Courage
“To witness her transformation from fear to cautious hope was inspiring. Her courage reminded us why we do this work—to provide a beacon of light when circumstances seem darkest. Emily’s journey proves that with the right support, even the most daunting challenges can be faced with strength and grace,” said the staff of Adria Women’s Health.
This Heart Month, we celebrate Emily’s courage and the countless women who face unplanned pregnancies with resilience and hope. Adria Women’s Health is part of our National Partner Program here at Save the Storks. Through our National Partner Program, we ensure that pregnancy clinics have the stability, support, and strategy they need to expand their services and save babies by empowering more women like Emily to choose life.
When you support Save the Storks, you ensure more women receive the care, resources, and reassurance they need to choose life—even in the most challenging circumstances. Will you stand with us to empower more women like Emily?
Read another powerful story in honor of Heart Month: Van’s Story
