I was online recently researching the effect that the pandemic was having, or was expected to have, on the abortion rate. While there are not a lot of figures out yet at this early stage, maternity providers around the globe are bracing for a spike in unplanned pregnancies, as women may not have access to contraception and have been in extended “lockdowns.”

One article that did catch my attention was this one (“What Happened When I Needed an Abortion During the Pandemic”). It details the struggle of an anonymous 30-year-old mother from Tennessee who found herself unexpectedly pregnant in late March and desperate to get an abortion before the clinics closed and before her window of “opportunity” to get an abortion (based on the baby’s gestational age) closed as well. Her desperate “need” to get an abortion broke my heart in more ways than one. First, I was saddened that Anonymous wanted to abort her baby at all, and second, that she felt she had to for the sake of herself and her other three children. Finally, it devastated me that this would not be her first abortion.

According to her story, she does face certain challenges with her health and living situation, and I am not judging her or saying those challenges have no merit. Additionally, she took precautions to prevent pregnancy, so hers isn’t a case of someone seeking an abortion as a form of contraception. The message I am getting from her story is that she does not see an alternative AT ALL. The truth is she does have alternatives, they just require more help than she has or sees as available to her. Perhaps if someone directed her to a pro-life resource in her community, she would be met with the love, care and assistance she needs to be able to weather this challenge.

There are social services and non-profit ministries in most communities serving people who are facing complicated situations; people just have to know where to look. They need a loving and compassionate hand to hold and someone to direct them to the right resources. Heartbeat of Columbiana County’s vision is to be a comprehensive ministry that can meet the needs of women like Anonymous, walking with them and being a guiding resource while helping to meet their material, emotional and spiritual needs.

In her article, Anonymous mentions praying that patients can get the abortion “care” they need during the crisis. Please take a moment to say a prayer that she and other women will see that God values them and ALL their children, both born and unborn. We need to be a voice for the children and a source of encouragement for the mothers who are misguided and believe that their only option is abortion. Furthermore, please pray that Heartbeat, and other life-dedicated organizations, can reach and provide options for the multitudes of women like Anonymous who need more help than they currently have access to on their own and give them the resources and ability to choose life for their children.

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” – Mark 9:23, KJV

There Are Always Alternatives (And Help)