Stacy, a pleasant young woman in her 20's, called the Helpline asking for information on the abortion pill and procedures. The Helpline Scheduler explained to Stacy that it was important for her to schedule an appointment to make sure she had a pregnancy that would carry to term. Not sure she was ready to schedule, Stacy wanted to know where she could get the abortion pill. The scheduler told Stacy, "We do not perform or refer for abortion at our clinic," but she would receive valuable information she would need before going any further with her plans to abort. Cost was also a concern for Stacy. The scheduler told her, "All of our services are free." Stacy decided it would be worth her time to come in for an appointment.

At Stacy's initial appointment, she stated emphatically that she was planning to abort. Her boyfriend told her he "definitely did not want a kid." Her mother said she would support Stacy no matter what choice she made. During her first appointment, Stacy agreed to STD testing and an ultrasound. On the ultrasound screen, Stacy could see and hear the little heart beating even though she was pregnant less than six weeks by her dates and measurements. Stacy also agreed to view the models the sonographer offered which show the development of the baby from nine to twelve weeks. She did not want to take sonogram pictures with her. A return appointment was made for Stacy to come back in one week to receive the results of her STD tests and get one more look at the baby during a second ultrasound.

Within an hour after Stacy left the center, she made a phone call to the clinic asking if it was really that important that she return the next week, "because," she said, "I am going to have an abortion . . . I just want to get this taken care of." Stacy was told that her results would be available the following week, and she would also have the opportunity to check once more for the heartbeat of the baby. The phone call ended. Thirty minutes later, Stacy called back and asked why the STD results were important (even though she had already received this information at her appointment). The call was transferred to the nurse, and she patiently explained, once again, why it was important for Stacy to wait for her STD results before going on to schedule an abortion. Speaking truth, the nurse stated, "You have an early pregnancy. You have plenty of time, and this is important information to have."

Stacy reluctantly said, "Alright, but I've talked to my mom. It would be the best thing for me. I am going to abort." And so the prayers for Stacy began . . .

The following week, Stacy returned for her second appointment-with her boyfriend-always a good sign. During the first moments of the appointment, the advocate asked, "Last week you stated your intention to abort; has anything happened to change that?" 

Stacy said, "You know, ever since I made this decision to abort, I've been very depressed-so depressed. I've cried and cried. I promised myself if I was ever in this position, I would choose adoption. I mean, my boyfriend does make some good points (about abortion), but I just don't know. I'm going to have him in the ultrasound room so he can hear the heartbeat. That's what really got to me."

And hear the heartbeat, he did. Although he said practically nothing, he had a look of wonder and curiosity on his face. The boyfriend did not want to look at the baby models, but Stacy said she would like ultrasound pictures this time (also a good sign). Stacy left the center undecided as to the outcome of this pregnancy, but has agreed to come back to another appointment. She has moved from being completely determined to abort the pregnancy to considering the adoption option, but outside pressure exists from her boyfriend and mother.  We'll update you with our next newsletter---please don't forget to pray for this sweet young lady to stand up against the pressure she is facing! 

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 

2 Timothy 1:7

Will you please join us in praying for these attributes to surface in Stacy so that she can choose life for her baby? She'll need the Lord's gift of power, love and a sound mind to stand up to her boyfriend and make a good decision. Please join us in praying for him as well.