Life Decision Story: “Lucy”

Lucy’s knuckles were white against the steering wheel as she tried not to fishtail on the road. The sky was white. The road was white. All she could see was white. The furious flurries of snow whipped around her car, smacking the windshield. It took every ounce of her strength to stay focused on the road. She’d been driving through the blizzard for almost an hour, trying not to break down in sobs along the way. Her thoughts were fragmented, shame and grief washing over her in waves as her foot pressed the gas. She was almost completely alone, even on the highway. Her coat was tied tightly around her, but she was still shivering. As she pulled into the parking lot, she started to hyperventilate.

She hurried through the clinic doors, pushing against the freezing glass with shaky hands. Tears streamed down Lucy’s face as the receptionist greeted her. She was crying harder still as the nurse practitioner and nurse welcomed her into the ultrasound room.

Finally, Lucy burst out, “I can’t believe I almost killed my baby.”

As the women began talking, Lucy shared that she had taken mifepristone four days before. With relational pressure to abort, and a long road ahead of her if she chose to keep her baby, she purchased mifepristone from an abortion clinic near her home. Somehow, she couldn’t force herself to take the final abortion pill. As the hours passed, Lucy couldn’t ignore the thought that her baby might still be alive. Am I killing my baby? The days ticked by, and still, Lucy had not taken the final pill. She grew more and more uneasy about her decision. The thought continued to nag at her. Am I killing my baby?

As the blizzard rocked her city, a war was being waged in her heart. Lucy was overcome with regret. She began to realize that abortion wasn’t a simple choice, it was ending the life of her baby. In growing desperation, she began to wonder if it was even possible to reverse the abortion. A quick Google search revealed that it was. A hotline connected her to Alliance, the closest clinic that could provide progesterone. It was going to be a long drive. The snow continued to beat harder and harder outside. Regardless of the danger of driving in the storm, Lucy realized there was still a chance to save her baby.

“I can’t believe I almost killed my baby,” Lucy repeated, her voice cracking as she finished her story.

Regardless of the snow, the holiday weekend, and the fact that it was after hours, the nurse and nurse practitioner were able to meet Lucy at the clinic and provide progesterone. Abortion pill reversals are frequently successful within 24-72 hours of taking mifepristone, but it had been 96 hours since Lucy had taken mifepristone. The chances of Lucy’s first trimester abortion being reversed were incredibly slim. Lucy was drawn to Alliance for a reason, and she clung to the sliver of hope that it wasn’t too late. Lucy’s ultrasound began with mixed emotions, the staff hoping and praying God would step in and rescue her baby. Against all odds, there was her baby alive on the screen!

Lucy continued coming to Alliance for ultrasounds as her pregnancy progressed. Because of a merger which resulted in more Alliance clinics, Lucy was able to be seen closer to her home. Lucy stayed in contact with the staff all the way through her third trimester, sharing her updates and plans. Lucy recently welcomed her beautiful baby “Samuel” into the world, and she eagerly shared his photo with the same staff who took his photos in her womb. Lucy and Samuel are thriving and grateful for the love and support they have freely received.

Now, Alliance parks their mobile clinic outside of the very abortion clinic Lucy purchased mifepristone from, seeking to save babies like Samuel and remind moms like Lucy that abortion is ending the life of their baby.

The staff on the mobile clinic hope that these women can experience the joys of motherhood that Lucy is currently walking through. Lucy will treasure Samuel’s gummy smiles and feel the clutch of his tiny fingers around her own. Lucy will kiss his chubby cheeks and hear his joyful laughter ringing through her home. And once winter returns, Lucy will no longer be alone. She’ll take Samuel up in her arms, bring him to the window, and watch his eyes light up with excitement, his tiny fingers pressed against the glass. As the snow falls, Lucy will be rocking Samuel to sleep with full arms and a grateful heart.