Rosa* worked as a housekeeper, but had recently lost her job when she discovered she was pregnant. Her two other birth children are being raised by relatives in Honduras.
Birthmothers: How did you find out you were pregnant?
Rosa: I missed a period and was nervous, so I went to the Rockville Pregnancy Care Center and took a pregnancy test.
Birthmothers: What happened next?
Rosa: When the test came back positive, I was afraid. I wasn’t prepared and I panicked. The first thing I thought was, “I’ll have an abortion.”
Birthmothers: How did you get connected with your Birthmothers Friend?
Rosa: The pregnancy care center staff were very kind. They encouraged me to have an ultrasound, but the next available appointment was at a different center and I didn’t have a ride. Mary, a staff member in Rockville, called Birthmothers to connect me with a Friend. That’s how I met Annette.
Birthmothers: Describe what happened when Annette took you to your ultrasound appointment.
Rosa: I became very emotional when I saw that there is a life growing inside of me. After this, how could I consider abortion anymore? This baby could be a blessing in my life and if I decided to make an adoption plan, the baby could be a blessing in another family’s life.
Birthmothers: Tell us what it means to have a Birthmothers Friend during this time.
Rosa: It’s a relief – I’m so glad I have Annette. She gives me the support I need and she’s someone I can talk to and confide in. Now I can see the options that are available to me. I’m now seriously considering adoption. Instead of thinking about abortion, I have hope.
*name changed for confidentiality