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Sunday, June 30, 19:02:06Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 12345678910 ]
Subject: Re: Unplanned but Hopeful


Author:
Melanie
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Date Posted: 12/18/06 5:48am
In reply to: michaela 's message, "Re: Unplanned but Hopeful" on 12/17/06 4:31am

Hi Michaela,

I would love to give you the encouragement that you need. First of all, if others feel you are capable of doing a job, you probably are.

If you don't want to have an abortion, you really don't have to. It's not necessarily easy to do what you feel you want to do, but going against what you desire in your heart of hearts on this isn't going to be really easy, either. There are no guarantees in life whether it is your house or not, and that is true whether or not you have a baby now. You could have an abortion and still lose the house. You could have the baby and still keep it. WE don't have a crystal ball. IT's really easy to freak out and feel that there are no other options, but that is rarely the case.

You don't say what makes you feel that you would lose the home if you have your baby, but I have my doubts that it's a given. You still have time to plan and figure things out. I think that's why we have 9 month pregnancies -- so we have time to work out the details.

If you want help and support, you might also check into an organization called, "The Nurturing Network". They are geared specifically towards helping college and career women to be able to carry their babies to term if that is what they want. The number is 1-800-TNN-4MOM. The e-mail address is: tnn@nurturingnetwork.org
They have a website here:
http://www.nurturingnetwork.org/needhelp.html

If there is anything I can do to help, just let me know.

--Melanie

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Unplanned but Hopeful


Author:
Sharon
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Date Posted: 12/18/06 7:47am

Michaela,

First, take a deep breath. I know everything seems like it absolutely must be decided right now. But, the truth is, you have time to reflect and think things through. Don't feel rushed.

Let's look at your options:

1) You could have the baby and keep the baby. This would possibly (but not necessarily) mean losing your home. Or, it might mean scaling down from the mortgage you have to a more modest home and mortgage (so, not quite the same thing as losing your home - if the mortgage IS an excessive and difficult to manage one, this might actually be a blessing in disguise.) I had my last child when I was 40. He was unplanned, but he is the most incredible joy. I can't imagine my world without him in it. Things that seem impossible at the moment (having a child at 40 when I had a wonderful job and was finally had all of my children in school) actually settle in and settle down. It's amazing how we can blow things out of proportion when we're imagining the "worst-case" scenario! My little Andrew is now in Kindergarten (my OLDEST son just turned 27 this year!) My job is fine (that's why God invented day-care ;-) and my life is SO much richer for having him in it.

2) You could have your baby and place your baby with an adoptive family. I know that sounds kind of weird if you already have children (because your children will see you pregnant and question why you aren't choosing to keep their brother or sister), but it is an option, albeit a more challenging one.

3) You could have an abortion. While this might sound like it would solve all your problems, the truth is, it comes with its OWN set of problems...and it's irreversible. I've never known a woman to regret NOT having an abortion, but I've known of LOTS of women regret HAVING an abortion. You can end a pregnancy, but you can never erase it. You will always have been pregnant, and your heart and soul will know that. I worry, too, that since you sound like you don't really WANT to have an abortion, that you are at prime risk for regretting it later. (Studies show that women who feel they HAD to have an abortion - either because of job, finances, boyfriend's or husband's or parents' wishes, etc. have a MUCH greater chance of suffering the negative emotional aftereffects of abortion. It's as if they are going against the very fundamental drive within them to protect their own child - and they're doing it for someone else.) Also, your child has no one but you to protect him or her. Right now he or she is completely depending upon your love and nurturing...and it sounds like you are already feeling that connection - that bond...

I will pray that you feel strong and able to carry this pregnancy. It won't be easy, but neither will the emotional aftereffects of an abortion. And, if you carry the pregnancy to term, at least you have a beautiful little baby at the end of the road! So, any pain or hardship seems to pale in comparison!

God bless you, Michaela.

E-mail me if you want to talk. My e-mail is gray at augie.edu.

Sharon

P.S. Be sure to visit the post-abortive sites for women who are seeking healing from abortion. They give you a clear idea of what you can avoid when you are still at the decision-making stage. It's heartbreaking to hear from women who want nothing more than return to the time PRIOR to making their decision and choosing instead to give their child life... I have some links at this site that might be helpful: http://student.augie.edu/~lifealliance/lifelinks.html

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