When the call came into the PRC [Pregnancy Resource Center] of Southwest, Oklahoma, the voice on the other end was soft and trembling. A mother and father were navigating a difficult decision, and the mother was on the line:
“It’s me, Jane. I need help. I think I’m pregnant again.”
Jane had given birth just a few months earlier, and she and the baby’s father, Ed, were participating in the clinic’s Empowered Parenting classes. Over time, the clinic had been building a meaningful relationship with them. Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, they silently prayed and gently asked how she was feeling about the possibility of another pregnancy.
There was a long pause. Then she whispered, “I don’t think I can do it.”
The words came pouring out. Jane felt overwhelmed. They asked if she could come into the clinic, and without hesitation, she agreed.
The Weight of Motherhood
When Jane arrived, she quietly broke down. Being a first-time mother was already hard, but compounded with her newborn’s health challenges, financial struggles, and the added pressure of her boyfriend’s existing responsibilities, it all felt like too much.
“It’s just not going to be okay,” she said through tears.
The staff members sat with her, listened, and gently helped her begin to untangle her emotions. “Jane, it won’t always be this hard,” they told her. “You’re tired, overwhelmed, and scared. But you are doing an amazing job. You are a strong woman, and you are not alone.”
She had convinced herself that the pregnancy was her fault—and that abortion was the only way to “fix the mess.”
Meanwhile, a Father’s Heart Was Stirring
What Jane didn’t know at the time was that the fatherhood coach had also connected with Ed. He was in shock, too. He wasn’t sure how they would manage, but he was sure about one thing: He wanted the baby.
Ed admitted his fears, but he also expressed hope. The coach encouraged him to be honest with Jane, to share his heart, and to support her not just as a partner—but as a father.
Also read: How You Can Help Men Choose Fatherhood
A Moment of Silence at the Ultrasound
The day of the ultrasound came. Ed had to step out to take a phone call and never returned to the room. Jane sat silently during the scan, offering no questions. Afterward, the nurse gently asked what her next steps would be.
Jane looked down and said, “I’m going to find the abortion pill.”
She urged her to slow down. “You don’t have to decide today. You have time. You don’t have to make this decision from a place of fear.”
Jane and Ed left the clinic that day. The staff and volunteers gathered to pray for clarity, for peace, for strength, and for the life of this unborn child.
Silence… Then a Spark of Hope
For days, the clinic’s calls to Jane went unanswered. Still, they prayed—believing that something was stirring behind the silence. Almost a week later, the fatherhood coach called Ed again. This time, he answered.
“She’s still pregnant,” he said. It was Ed’s birthday, and he confessed it had been one of the hardest weeks of his life. Without skipping a beat, the coaches picked up a birthday cake and a card. They wanted Ed to know: You matter. You’re worth celebrating.
It’s important to give a father the recognition and support he needs when facing a difficult situation. Men are just as impacted by unplanned pregnancies.
Also read: Jimmy Bloss: A Father’s Abortion Story
A Second Chance
The very next day, Jane called: “Can I come in for another ultrasound?”
The clinic welcomed her and Ed back that same day. And that’s when they shared the news: They had changed their minds. They were keeping the baby.
The entire clinic rejoiced. One life saved—and a family choosing hope. They can’t wait to continue walking with Jane and Ed through the clinic’s Empowered Parenting program, supporting them every step of the way on their parenting journey.
Their story is not just one of hardship, but of resilience, love, and the quiet courage of a father who showed up when it mattered most.
Every life matters. Every parent matters. And sometimes, it’s the quietest voices—like Ed’s—that speak the loudest.
Want to help more young parents like Ed and Jane choose parenthood even in the face of challenges?
Read next: Patti Didn’t “Feel Pregnant” At First… But the Test Was Positive
