As I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the positive pregnancy test in my hand, I felt a sense of disbelief wash over me. I had never planned on becoming pregnant, and the thought of being a single mother at the age of 21 was terrifying.
I couldn’t shake the feeling of panic that gripped me as I thought about what to do next. I had heard of the morning-after pill, but I didn’t know if it would work since it had already been a few days since the party. And besides, I didn’t have the money to pay for it.
As I scrolled through my phone, searching for information about pregnancy and abortion, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and the lack of clarity about what was legal and available in my state.
Feeling desperate and alone, I decided to make an appointment with my doctor. I had heard that some doctors could provide abortions, and I hoped that mine would be able to help me.
But when I arrived at the doctor’s office, I was greeted with a cold and unsympathetic receptionist who told me that my doctor didn’t perform abortions. She handed me a pamphlet with a list of clinics that did, but when I called them, I was told that they were all fully booked and that I would have to wait weeks for an appointment.
Feeling desperate and defeated, I returned to my apartment and cried myself to sleep. I couldn’t believe that I was being forced to carry a baby that I didn’t want and couldn’t afford. The thought of raising a child on my own was daunting, and I felt trapped and powerless.
But as the days passed, I began to come to terms with my situation. I realized that I would have to find a way to make the best of it, for the sake of the baby. I started researching resources for single mothers and reached out to my family and friends for support.
As the weeks turned into months, I found that I was able to get through each day with a little more hope and determination. I started attending prenatal appointments and researching the best ways to care for my growing baby.
And when the day finally came for me to deliver my baby, I felt a sense of overwhelming love and gratitude as I held my newborn in my arms for the first time. It hadn’t been an easy journey, but I knew that I had made the right decision to keep my baby and give her a chance at life.
