Hannah's Story

It was a privilege to work with a client I will call Hannah for nearly three months. Hannah was a twenty-one-years old nursing student who was truly taken by surprise by an unplanned pregnancy. Her boyfriend had just entered the service and was away at boot camp when she learned she was pregnant. Hannah quickly learned that she would face this decision alone and see it through on her own. Hannah's pastor referred her to Pregnancy Decision Health Centers.

Hannah had already decided to make an adoption plan for her baby when we first met. We met weekly for awhile until late in the pregnancy when Hannah's activities were limited by early signs of labor. Hannah worked through the My Baby and Me workbook series and we discussed her thoughts that were written in the workbooks. But most of our time was spent simply in heart-to-heart sharing about how Hannah was getting through all her challenges. Many well-meaning friends would second guess her decision, but Hannah remained strong through those times, even commenting, "I am so surprised at how strong I have been."

As the time neared, she seemed so peaceful about placing her child with another family. I remember the last time I met with her before the baby came. She looked so radiant. She was wearing a yellow top that simply emphasized her beauty. But the greatest challenge was still to come.

The birth of Hannah's baby girl was physically a very smooth process, emotionally, Hannah suffered. She had initially planned not to meet the adoptive parents. By the time the baby was two days old, Hannah felt like throwing out all her adoption plans and parent her little girl instead. She did pray and ask for God's guidance realizing that she had been so certain that He was leading her, towards adoption. So Hannah decided she would meet the adoptive family. Prior to meeting she prayed, "Okay Lord, you're gonna have to knock me over with these people because right now I want to keep this little girl." When Hannah relayed the story to me she said, "And that is just what He did; they are wonderful! I told them I would like regular pictures and they said, 'sure, and we will also send you videos.'"

About two weeks later I went out to dinner with Hannah. Hannah had four packages of pictures of the baby to show me. She had pictures of herself holding the baby, her mom, dad, brother, and grandpa holding the baby, and the adoptive family with Hannah holding the baby. I will never forget those powerful photos.

Hannah is considering visiting her little girl (whose family lives in another state) when she has vacation time. This loving family has left so many options open to her that she never even initially requested. There is no doubt in Hannah's mind that they where the perfect couple for her daughter. They were the third couple she had chosen. The first two didn't work out, and it was only after THIS couple was chosen that Hannah began to receive the many reassurances from God.

As far has her relationship with her boyfriend, she feels blessed and relieved that she learned what to expect from him. He not only failed to communicate with her regularly throughout the pregnancy, but then he didn't even call afterwards to see how she was doing. And to think, he had initially offered to marry her so they could parent the baby together.

Even though this was a difficult process for Hannah to go through, she is now very confident that the decision she made was the best decision for both her and her baby. Hannah has continued to pursue her dreams and goals. She is currently going to school for her nursing degree and is seriously considering specializing in labor and delivery. Hannah regularly receives letters and pictures every three months from the adoptive family and does not regret the choice she made to place her daughter with a loving family who can provide for all her needs. She said that "After going through this positive adoption experience, I would love to adopt one or two children of my own someday."