With Mother’s Day coming up, and assembly bill 175 entering into legislation, I thought it might be necessary for some women to hear my story. If only one mother can heal, find hope, be encouraged or just have a different perspective on a hard situation, it will be worth my time.
My Experience
I was a single mother of a teenage girl in my 30’s when I was raped by someone I thought was a friend. Well, that ended in an unexpected pregnancy. You can bet that I was not happy about it. I was scared, mad, confused. I had to overcome the trauma of rape, face the embarrassment of another pregnancy, and tell my family and friends. Of course, in the society we live in, abortions are highly acceptable and in many cases encouraged. This was one of those cases. I have had an abortion in the past, and many of my friends have had abortions, so I knew the grief and trauma that comes with abortion. Nobody tells you that at the time, but you can’t undo it. I knew I couldn’t bear that pain again. I spent endless hours praying and seeking guidance. The problem was that I didn’t know anyone that had a similar experience. In the end, I knew I had to keep the baby.
Risk vs. Reward
I raised my first child on my own, so I knew how hard it was going to be. There is no job on the face of the planet as rewarding as motherhood. I can’t speak to being a father but have heard many fathers make the same statement. I had faith that I would find that joy no matter what the circumstance was. It was hard at first and I did have some counseling to help me through it. This was over a decade ago now and I can’t explain how happy I am with the choice that I made. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make in my life. There are always options and I feel as if I chose the best one.
The current bill going in front of the legislature is for clarification of medical necessity for abortion and exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Being a survivor of rape, with the knowledge of the after effects of abortion, I understand trauma, the state of mind in the midst of it, and the consequences of making snap decisions. It is not medically necessary to abort after these traumas, but it can be confusing, and scary to say the least, but my son matters. You wouldn’t know I endured either of these traumas by looking at us or seeing us walk down the street. My son is loved, he is beautiful, and he lights up a room with a mere smile. That is all the reward that this mother needs.
What’s Next?
You may not have gone through this particular experience, and I hope you never do, but facing an unexpected pregnancy can still be very scary and confusing. It may be reassuring and helpful to you to discuss your pregnancy options with a caring professional in person. The professionals at Bella Parent Support can help you answer questions at no cost to you. Yes, you read that correctly – COMPLETELY FREE! Schedule your free appointment today to put your mind at ease.
You deserve to have all the information at your disposal to make a confident, healthy choice. Schedule your free appointment today – you are not alone as you navigate this decision.
