


A compassionate community of providers, maternity homes, pregnancy centers, financial aid providers, and nonprofit organizations exists to serve women.
A t a time when there is so much conversation about “choice” in our society, many people would be shocked to know that 60 percent of women who have had abortions say they would have preferred to give birth, rather than end their pregnancy, if they had received the emotional or financial support they needed.
After experiencing an unexpected pregnancy just over a year ago, I am not surprised by this statistic. I could have easily been a part of the 60 percent. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew that I didn’t have the resources or the support I would need. I was also in an unhealthy relationship and needed a fresh start both for me and for my unborn daughter.
A few years earlier, I had spent time in a maternity home and connected with a woman named Gina. She, and the maternity home, had helped me find support and love during that previous unexpected pregnancy.
Despite having lived in a maternity home before, I still wasn’t sure where to go for help. My circumstances and my needs had changed. I had no idea if a maternity home was the right fit for this pregnancy. I also knew I would need help applying for WIC and other essential resources.
I still had Gina’s phone number, so I decided to reach out for help. She met me with kindness and compassion, but most important, she connected me to the tangible support and resources that I so desperately needed.
Gina pointed me to Her PLAN’s online directory, which listed all the resources available in my community, ranging from housing to medical care to work opportunities. With Gina’s help, I contacted a maternity home listed in the directory. They accepted me into their program and provided a stable environment as I welcomed my daughter into the world.
With my basic needs met and support from the mentors at the maternity home, I was able to find my footing and feel confident in motherhood. I enrolled at Iowa Western Community College, where I am pursuing a degree in psychology. I will graduate in June and aim to specialize in working with women and children facing high-risk situations, such as domestic violence and addiction. My goal is to be a guiding light, empowering these women to build a life they love.
My experience gave me the knowledge, the tools, and a special place in my heart for helping other women facing unexpected pregnancies. Just as Gina was a lifeline for me in my time of need, I’m now able to help point other moms where I once was to resources and support.
Recently, I was connected with another young woman in my town who is currently in foster care and facing an unexpected pregnancy. Her circumstances were dire: She was living in a hotel and had no place to go. I’ve been able to point her toward local housing options and assistance until she’s able to get back on her feet.
In every community across this country, there are women just like her, and like me, who need care during their pregnancy. Whether it be medical, emotional, financial, or legal support, there is help available. A compassionate community of providers, maternity homes, pregnancy centers, financial aid resources, and nonprofit organizations exists to serve women. Like Gina and the maternity home did for me, these providers are here to offer support and hope whenever you need it — once, many times over, or even years down the road.
We must continue building on these resources to support mothers during pregnancy, parenthood, and beyond. Every community has a role to play to ensure that every woman knows where to turn.
We owe it to the 60 percent and to every mother who faces an unexpected pregnancy.