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How My Unplanned Pregnancy Changed My Life

  • Writer: First Step Women's Center
    First Step Women's Center
  • 11 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

Second Chances and New Beginnings


“This couldn’t be happening again,” I thought when I started feeling nauseous for the third morning in a row. I was a week late, and I knew I needed to take a pregnancy test, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do so just yet. I finally found a good-paying job as a receptionist at my dentist’s office and a great daycare for my little girl. As hard as the past two years had been, life was finally improving.

girl holding white and blue pregnancy test that says pregnant

I didn’t want an abortion. I loved being a mom, as difficult as it was sometimes. But an abortion felt like the right choice at the time. I could continue to take care of my daughter, and my family would never know. 


When I called a friend sobbing, she told me of a place she visited when she had a pregnancy scare a few months back.


Not knowing what I needed to do next, I made an appointment to find out more about the abortion pill. The ladies were really kind to me, even when they learned this wasn’t my first unplanned pregnancy. 


I had to get an ultrasound to determine how far along I was. During my appointment, I realized I couldn’t go through with an abortion. I instantly loved this new little person. Right then, I knew that whatever I had to do, I would make it work.


black and white ultrasound photo with positive pregnancy test on top

That was the most significant part of my visit. They didn’t just help me make a decision about my pregnancy; they gave me encouragement about my life - my choices.


As happy as I am now that I have two beautiful kids, I want to make choices that they will be proud of in the future. My unplanned pregnancy (albeit my second one) changed my life for the better, and I’ll always be grateful for that. 


This is why we’re here. If you or someone you know is experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, come see us. You will be met with compassion, support, and real options. 


We provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasound confirmations of pregnancy, options consultations, abortion information, pregnancy support, parenting programs, and after-abortion recovery and support. 



No matter who you are, what your circumstances are, or what you decide to do, we are here for you. 

 
 
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First Step Women's Center in Springfield, Illinois is committed to providing you with everything you need to make an informed pregnancy decision. We believe women and men have a right to get evidence-based information from a resource that will not profit from the choices and pregnancy decisions they make. All our services are free and confidential. 

Please note that we can only provide telehealth services to individuals located in Illinois and can provide a state ID. If you do not have a license or identification that shows you are an Illinois resident, we can still provide in-person care at no cost to you.

 

First Step Women's Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the state of Illinois. The information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical or legal advice. We are committed to protecting your health information. Please be aware that communicating via unencrypted text messaging or messaging services has some level of risk of being read by a 3rd party. While we do not provide abortion services, we can answer your questions about side effects, what to expect, and more. Contact us to learn more. We proudly serve in Springfield, Farmingdale, Sherman, Riverton, Buffalo, Cantrall, IL and the surrounding areas.

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