Facing an unwanted pregnancy leaves many women wondering who or where they can turn to. It can be scary! But pregnancy resource centers are there for these women with love, care and zero judgment. There are hundreds of pro-life stories about women choosing to keep their unplanned pregnancies rather than make the irreversible choice of abortion. And many of them are thanks to pregnancy resource centers. 

Read on for seven of these amazing pro-life stories from PRCs (1). Personal stories of forgiveness, acceptance, freedom and determination. To protect the identity of each woman, their real names have been changed. But their stories are still just as powerful. Enjoy!

Facing an unwanted pregnancy leaves many women wondering who or where they can turn to. It can be scary! But pregnancy resource centers are there for these women with love, care and zero judgment. There are hundreds of pro-life stories about women choosing to keep their unplanned pregnancies rather than make the irreversible choice of abortion. And many of them are thanks to pregnancy resource centers. 

Read on for seven of these amazing pro-life stories from PRCs (1). Personal stories of forgiveness, acceptance, freedom and determination. To protect the identity of each woman, their real names have been changed. But their stories are still just as powerful. Enjoy!

Facing an unwanted pregnancy leaves many women wondering who or where they can turn to. It can be scary! But pregnancy resource centers are there for these women with love, care and zero judgment. There are hundreds of pro-life stories about women choosing to keep their unplanned pregnancies rather than make the irreversible choice of abortion. And many of them are thanks to pregnancy resource centers. 

Read on for seven of these amazing pro-life stories from PRCs (1). Personal stories of forgiveness, acceptance, freedom and determination. To protect the identity of each woman, their real names have been changed. But their stories are still just as powerful. Enjoy!

Pro-Life Story #1: A Changed Heart

PRC worker Ashley* invites whoever is opposed to the pregnancy to the ultrasound exam. She shared this personal experience as her story why:

“I remember a client we had once,” said Ashley. “A young girl named Addison, who had no father and whose mother had died.” 

According to Ashley, the young girl’s grandfather was her only support. Her grandfather complained that Addison and the baby’s father only liked to get high. They didn’t work or go to school. 

“He was very upset at her for getting pregnant and wanted her to get an abortion,” Ashley said. “He was going to refuse to help her anymore unless she aborted.”

That was until he came to the ultrasound exam. 

“When he saw his great-grandchild on the screen, he exclaimed, ‘That’s my grandchild!’ and promised Addison to continue helping her,” said Ashley with a smile. “This is why it’s so important for people to see ultrasounds. It gives people a unique perspective. You see the baby inside of you and realize it is a human life!”

Pro-Life Story #2: Leaving a Partner Behind

Some young girls who come to pregnancy resource centers are in dangerous relationships. They fear that bringing their child into the world will put the baby at risk too. PRC worker Samantha explained how they help these young women in the difficult situation of an abusive relationship. 

“We encourage and support the woman’s decision to leave her partner,” said Samantha. “The quicker she can leave that toxic environment, the better.”

To do this, many PRCs provide referrals for housing. Along with that, women are introduced to domestic violence and single-mom church support groups. These groups help women with a traumatic experience like abuse to heal.  

Many young people in abusive relationships become codependent on their partner (2). That’s why they stay. But having that network of support and knowing they’re not alone is what makes all the difference for these women’s lives.

Pro-Life Story #3: First Child

When asked about a client story that stood out to them, Cassandra immediately had a couple come to mind. 

“They were a lovely young couple,” she said, speaking of a man and a woman who had visited her PRC. The woman was pregnant with their first child.  

Cassandra explained that they were both very devoted to each other. However, the woman, Tonya, was very clear she wanted an abortion. Chad, her partner, just wanted her to be OK and supported whatever decision she made. 

“When we asked her what pressured her to feel like she was unable to parent at the time, she said financial issues,” Cassandra said. “Her partner, Chad, argued that they could make it work. I could tell there was more to the issue.”

Later on, the real reason bubbled to the surface. 

“The woman had been raised by her grandfather,” said Cassandra. “She couldn’t stand to disappoint him. Tonya thought that her being pregnant would upset this father figure of hers.” 

That’s when Cassandra confirmed Tonya’s worst fears. Her grandfather probably would be upset and disappointed. But after that, he would realize how much he loved her and would embrace not only her but her unborn child as well. 

Tonya, with tears in her eyes, agreed to do an ultrasound exam. 

“When we did the exam, she and her boyfriend were both stunned to see that their first baby wasn’t just a blob of tissue,” Cassandra said. “They both were beaming looking at the unborn child on the screen.”

When asked if they now felt they could make a more informed decision, they looked at each other with a smile and said, “We need to talk.”

Pro-Life Story #4: Finding Happiness Again 

“Chelsea came to us not knowing where to turn,” said Amanda, a pregnancy resource center worker. 

Chelsea was a single mom of an 8-year-old son. She was pregnant with her second child. After parting ways with her husband of 8 years, she didn’t want to be a single mother of two young children. 

Her new boyfriend had recently proposed, but he moved to another state after a major disagreement between them. Now she was alone again and pregnant. She was scared. 

“Chelsea didn’t want to pull her son out of school in the middle of the year and move states,” Amanda explained. It was this argument that left Chelsea without a fiance. 

Because Chelsea was conflicted, Amanda encouraged her to have an ultrasound exam. Chelsea agreed and decided to bring her son to see it. 

When the baby came onto the screen, Amanda recalls Chelsea’s son saying, “This baby will make us happy again.” Her son’s joy at the sight of his baby sibling made the mother smile. 

“She’s still undecided, but I think Chelsea will choose life,” Amanda said. “The rest of the staff and I will continue to pray for her that she makes the right choice.”

Pro-Life Story #5: Overcomer 

When 16-year-old Jamie walked into her pregnancy resource center for the first time, Nicole could tell she had been through a lot. 

“Jamie had a history of sexual abuse, rape and trauma,” Nicole explained. “However, when she found out she was pregnant, she found us online and scheduled an appointment. After an ultrasound, she wanted to keep her baby!”

According to Nicole, Jamie was so excited that she brought her boyfriend in the next time to see a second ultrasound. She and her boyfriend were bound to face many life issues, juggling high school and parenting. 

“We will be here for them every step of the way,” Nicole said. “We look forward to getting to know them and serving them in whatever ways we can!”

Pro-Life Story #6: A Listening Ear

“We see many clients with unplanned pregnancies who are in school and want to focus on their career,” said Sharon, a pregnancy resource center volunteer. 

One such client she described was a woman named Britney. Britney felt it was too early in her life for her to have a baby. She feared it would interfere with her career and ruin her financially. 

This is not an uncommon fear. In fact, studies have shown that most women who seek abortions say it’s for financial reasons (3).

“I just listened while she poured her heart out,” Sharon said. “Then she started thinking about all the ways her life was set up to have a baby.”

The next week, Britney was back in the center for her ultrasound. And she was acting completely different. 

“She was so excited for her baby!” Sharon explained. “She told me, ‘I just needed someone to talk to.’ I’m so glad I was there to listen.”

Pro-Life Story #7: Know Your Worth  

Many pregnant women who come into PRCs are worried about their future. While everyone has their own experience, it’s usually from a lack of support. Rachel explained what she says to clients when they express this fear. 

For women in toxic relationships, Rachel said she makes it clear that they understand their own worth. The decision of keeping their unborn baby is for them to make. 

Rachel explained, “I always ask what they want to do regardless of others’ pressures. Many times, women want to keep their babies but feel that no one will support them. That’s where we come in! With our help, women can make the right decision for their child’s life free of judgment.” 

The Impact of Pro-Life Stories

Pregnancy resource centers play a vital role in helping women to choose life. As can be seen in these pro-life stories, many expecting mothers fear being shunned. Or they don’t have proper resources to support their new baby. Or they think it’s not the right time. 

But these stories show that women can prevail. Choosing life for your baby does not mean choosing to stop living on your own. The compassionate staff at PSC want to help you! 

Do you want to be a part of helping these women? There are many ways you can do that. One way is by donating your time, whether that be by coming in and volunteering or by praying. Click here to sign-up for either.

*Clients’ names, workers’ names, and volunteers’ names have all been changed.

Sources: 

1. iRapture. (2022, April). Client Needs Survey. Google forms. Edited for privacy, length, and clarity.
2. Hagan, E. (2018, October 30). Codependency and Emotional Abuse. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-relationships/201810/codependency-and-emotional-abuse 
3. Biggs, M. A., Gould, H., & Foster, D. G. (2013, July 5). Understanding why women seek abortions in the US - BMC women's health. https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6874-13-29