Annika and her husband came into Care Net of Puget Sound looking for an ultrasound. They knew they were pregnant, but not sure how far along the pregnancy was. As soon as Care Net’s Client Advocate started asking Annika the intake questions, she interrupted and said, “We are not sure what we are going to do; we want an abortion.” The couple had a young son at home and felt they were not ready for another baby. The Client Advocate explained that they don’t perform or refer for abortions but could provide information to help in their decision.

“The girls love the program,” Director of Operations Ginger Smith stated. “We make sure they have a healthy pregnancy and teach them about caring for a baby.” In Sheila’s case, she stuck with the program and her relationship with her mother was eventually mended. In fact, the grandmother now babysits the grandchild she couldn’t accept initially.

“Heather” came in with her boyfriend seeking abortion information. Years ago, she had been pregnant and had taken the abortion pill. She had such severe complications that she had to be hospitalized for bleeding and needed to have several blood transfusions.

Jazmyn, a 22-year-old college student still living at home, arrived at Chicago’s Southside Pregnancy Center in need of help. In her mind, abortion was a practical solution for her situation. She didn’t want to be an unwed mother; didn’t want to tell her parents; and she admitted she was scared and felt “stuck.”

“Sapphire” came to Parkville Women’s Clinic (PWC) wanting abortion information. As the nurse told her about the abortion procedure, tears ran down her cheek. She was given an ultrasound, and she saw her baby at 9-weeks. Her response: “I don’t think I can do this.” Did she mean she couldn’t go through with the pregnancy?