Life throws the most unexpected curve balls. When hit by one of these shocking events, people are often knocked off balance, and may even think the unthinkable. In my case, it was a crisis pregnancy that shattered my picture-perfect world, and left me thinking about abortion. I am a 21-year-old, East Indian female, and this is my pregnancy in a nutshell.

For starters, Indian girls shouldn’t even think about premarital sex, much less becoming pregnant out of wedlock. Instead, we are expected to excel in school, exemplify model behavior, and become a success. I dutifully graduated from high school a year early, started college, and for the most part, excelled…until now.

I met my boyfriend this past year after moving to Houston. Our relationship ran blissfully smooth until we wound up in the .01% category of people who become pregnant on birth control! We couldn’t believe it, even with a hundred positive pregnancy tests staring back at us.

Fearing how a baby could affect our educational and future goals, my boyfriend’s immediate reaction was to terminate the pregnancy. Wanting to support him and his decision, I scheduled an abortion appointment. The day before my pending procedure, I visited Fifth Ward Pregnancy Help Center, where I saw the beating heart of my little baby on ultrasound. Ravaged by my emotions, I wanted to cry, scream, and pass out all at the same time. I felt torn between this amazing new life inside me and everyone else– my family, boyfriend, and his family – all of whom would vote for abortion.    

The next day, against my better judgment, my boyfriend and I pulled into the parking lot of the abortion clinic. Thankfully, my boyfriend, knowing how I felt, sent me a text message while I was waiting in the clinic, saying, “Let’s go…I don’t feel right about this place.”

We left, but continued to vacillate about what to do. My boyfriend accompanied me on my next visit to Fifth Ward Pregnancy Help Center, at which time, there happened to be a volunteer who had married into an Indian family. She shared her personal struggles and her story of how, through prayer and faith, God changed the hearts and minds of her husband’s family. Her words and prayers encouraged us and gave us hope. We also saw our baby again on ultrasound.

In the beginning of this pregnancy, I felt completely alone until I walked into the Fifth Ward Pregnancy Help Center. I will never forget the words of Ms. Debbie (sonographer) who said. “Your baby can’t defend itself. You have to be the one to stand up for its life.” I thank God that when I was weak, He stood up for both of us! And I’m so grateful for all of the help and counsel I received at the Pregnancy Center. My boyfriend also experienced a complete change of heart. He is now so incredibly supportive and caring. A third ultrasound recently showed that I’m 17 weeks pregnant with a baby girl! I am so excited, and trying to prepare myself mentally and financially for my baby.

My family, on the other hand, “disowned” me as I had feared. I feel depressed when I think about how much I have disappointed my parents, who remain adamantly opposed to my boyfriend and to our child.

On the bright side, however, I now realize that I was never alone. God has been with me every step of the way. He spared my life 21 years ago (I was found after birth in a trash can outside a Christian hospital in India and placed for adoption), and now he has spared my daughter’s life as well. He also sent new friends from the Pregnancy Center to walk with me through some of my darkest days. I cry when I think about how blessed I am, and I thank God that I did NOT have an abortion!

I still face an uphill journey, but I’m determined to finish college, and to find God’s purpose for my life. Whatever happens...I’m not alone!