Danica is one of the moms who will be traveling with us to Washington, D. C. for Babies Go To Congress on July 27-29. The story she tells is like so many others that the pregnancy help movement is privileged to be a part of.

At 19 I knew that my period was late. I wanted to avoid buying a pregnancy test because I didn’t want to run into someone I knew while buying it, and I was also worried about hiding it once I got home. I knew Planned Parenthood existed because once I dropped off a friend to have an abortion. But, I remembered seeing a “Free Pregnancy Test” sign outside a building not far from my house.  And I decided to go there, with my boyfriend, thinking for sure I wouldn’t run into anyone. I didn't know what the place was. I was surprised when I walked in. It was like a sweet, welcoming cottage. The woman at the desk was very kind and I was taken into a room filled with comfy couches and a really soothing atmosphere. After getting acquainted with the counselor she asked me what I would do if the test came back positive? Without hesitation I said “I’m going to have an abortion.”  I didn’t know what to expect from her, but I was quite surprised that she didn’t respond in a judgmental manner. Then she asked if I would consider keeping the baby. That was definitely out of the question. I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to marry my boyfriend. He made it clear that he didn’t want a baby. I wanted to go to college, travel, and live the life I had dreamed. The list went on and on. She then went on to explain the option of adoption, which I knew I couldn't do.

Now before I took the test she wanted to let me know how far along I was. I was about 7-1/2 weeks along. She asked if I wanted to see a picture of what the baby looked like at this point and of course I agreed. I was absolutely shocked to see that this so called “blob of tissue” -- the term I so commonly heard people use when referencing a pregnancy this early on -- was in fact a fully formed baby! There was no doubt about it. She had a head, arms, and legs.

Of course the test was positive. I was scared, in disbelief, and really confused. We went back into the room and she asked if I was sure I wanted to go through with an abortion. I was still convinced that it was the only thing to do.  She asked if I would like to know how the abortion procedure worked, and of course I was curious. I had no idea what they would do to my body. I saw a video that revealed the tools that would be used and described how they worked without showing the actual procedure. I felt ill and for a moment decided I couldn’t do that. Before leaving she asked if I would like to make an appointment for an ultrasound and actually see the baby, and of course I said yes! My boyfriend insisted I go through with the abortion. So in the time between leaving the Pregnancy Center and my appointment to return there for an ultrasound, a cousin that I love and trust offered to take me to Planned Parenthood for the abortion and even offered to pay for it. Now, I had absolutely no idea what to expect when we got there. But I remember clearly to this day that I was scared sick. It was in a horrible part of town, almost appearing to be hidden down a small street. It was an institutional-looking building. There were no windows, there was cold linoleum flooring, and many plastic chairs lining the walls. We went up to the desk to see what I needed to do. I didn’t have any privacy, everyone in the waiting room could hear what we were talking about. I felt ashamed. I felt like vomiting and passing out. I just wanted to scream, cry, and run out of there as quickly as I could. In front of everyone she asked how far along I was. She needed to know to give us the cost. And “the longer I waited, the more expensive it would be,“ she insisted I needed to hurry up and make an appointment. They never talked to me about keeping my baby or adoption. I left there with an appointment to abort my baby. I didn’t want to. I felt like I had to. I felt pressured to. But I knew I absolutely could not go through with it.

A day or two later, I went back to the Pregnancy Center for my ultrasound. All the women were so kind to me and really treated me with love. When I saw my baby’s heart beating, I knew I would do anything to protect my child. The emotional support I received from the Pregnancy Center helped me realize that I could succeed as a single mom. So I continued in my full time position at the bank, knowing they were there if I needed more encouragement or practical help. I can never thank the Pregnancy Center enough. My baby girl is my world, a world I never dreamed of.  Pregnancy help centers are very important for our community and our country.

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Read Terrie Thompson's personal story, the story she will be sharing at Babies Go to Congress. Terrie is another one of the moms who will be coming to Capitol Hill with us.