Possibly pregnant, in school, and planning a wedding was the view surrounding Faylone when she learned she was in in fact… pregnant. When we recently caught up with Faylone she shared a little more of her story, hoping to encourage others.
Having taken two pregnancy tests at home, I was so surprised to see both with double lines. I needed to know whether these home pregnancy tests were accurate so I went to Hope Women’s Centers for free pregnancy testing. When the results came back the same as at home, I was shocked, that’s the only way to explain it. I kept questioning over and over in my mind whether I was ready to be a mother. I felt like I needed more stability before becoming a mother. I was in school and also in the middle of planning a wedding. I had a lot on my shoulders. My visit to Hope helped me to realize that unplanned pregnancies happen sometimes and I WAS able to provide for and protect my child. When I went to my free ultrasound, my technician prayed with me and made it unforgettable. When my son Noah was born and I saw his innocent little face, I realized that God specifically chose me to be his mother and that gave me a LOT of strength. What a special gift that Noah was born on Mother’s Day! The staff at Hope Women’s Centers is amazing. Everyone is so friendly and very caring. When I was feeling troubled they made me feel more at ease. I will never forget this amazing team at Hope.
What Faylone echoed above is one of the most popular emotions women who come to Hope state they are in – shock. Understandably their world is turned upside down when they get a positive pregnancy test result confirmed in our centers, to which then shock quickly turns to fear. In a state of fear, a person is not able to make healthy decisions. Their view of their current situation is very limited. In a state of crisis, an individual is not able to believe that their situation could change for the better and they often make quick decisions they may later regret. This is why it is vital to spend time helping to walk a patient through their hopes, dreams, and goals; helping to encourage them in thinking three months, six months, 1 year out.
The second statement that Faylone highlighted that we consistently see in our patients is the feeling of inadequacy. Sometimes this is because their home life is unstable but more often this because they haven’t had anyone come alongside of them to encourage them. While the ultrasound is the most powerful tool we use in our medical centers, the time in the counseling room prior has always been regarded as the time where patients tell us they felt most empowered. Patients often state that the counseling room is where for the first time someone listened to them and helped to coach them in how to achieve their goals and dreams, WITH their baby in the picture.
We could not do what we do without our wonderful staff and volunteers. They are the messengers of hope and healing to the thousands of women and men we see every year.
WOMEN and MEN: consider volunteering in our medical centers. We are quickly growing and need more volunteers to meet the high demand of expanding patient appointment requests. Male volunteers needed too!
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