Research shows that the single most influential person on a woman’s decision whether to carry her child or to end her pregnancy rests on the shoulders of the baby’s father. Further study reveals that children who have fathers who are actively involved in their lives are healthier in every way than their fatherless peers. Fathers are a big deal!
At Hope Women’s Centers we have consistently seen how patients consider and often defer to what the father of the baby and/or the patient’s family desires. When the father of the baby does not want the baby, patients feel torn between not disappointing the men in their lives, and wanting to feel like it is okay to desire to keep their baby.
Society has provided so many negatives surrounding having a child. Unfortunate experiences also escalate these negative perceptions and our patients come to us completely overwhelmed with fear. Patients struggle with seeing three months, six months, one year out due to the state of mind they are in.
One of the many services we offer to our patients is to go through their goals and dreams with them, helping them to consider today’s realty and how it will impact their future. Many times patients do not consider that their current situation may change for the better in the very near future and making a quick decision today without understanding all options may cause regret later. Quite often patients state that it was during the time in the counseling room that they felt most empowered and free to think through all their options, and able to re-consider previous dreams. Emilé’s experience was no different:
When I found out my pregnancy test was positive at Hope, I immediately went through an array of emotions: sad, happy, excited, disappointed, and mostly shocked. I felt like I would be judged by my family and friends and not having stability. My visit to Hope provided me with reassurance and support that I would be a great mother and reminded me that I have people in my corner for information and support. I made the harder decision to choose life and I thank all the staff and team members at Hope that opened that ‘happy’ Pandora’s box for me to see all the positives in pregnancy and being a mom.
Emilé recently came back to the center she visited and brought Baby Cameron with her. She wanted to encourage other women with her story and hopes that other women have a chance to sit and consider all their options as she did at Hope Women’s Centers.
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