When Renee* came to First Choice Pregnancy Services, having another baby was definitely not in her plans. She was struggling to take care of the two little girls she already had, and her youngest was only two years old. This was such a shock. She was so uncertain of her future and already felt too overwhelmed with finances and food and kids and LIFE! Another baby just was not an option right now! Renee's boyfriend was opposed to aborting his baby and Renee felt her mom would also want her to have the baby. But, realistically, it was still going to be Renee's responsibility to take care of this baby.

The Gift of Time
Cindy, her peer counselor, explained to Renee that even though her pregnancy test was positive, that did not necessarily equal a viable pregnancy. Approximately 1 in every 4 pregnancies end on their own and the abortion price would not change until 12 weeks. Based on the dates of her last menstrual period, Renee should only be about 6 weeks. Cindy suggested that Renee give herself "the gift of time." Waiting 10 days for her ultrasound would not cost her anything more financially or physically. If her pregnancy was viable, she could still abort then.

Abortion, as hard and heart breaking as it would be, was still her plan. But what if her pregnancy was not viable? What if she did not even need an abortion? Then she would save the money, the physical risks and especially the emotional cost. Besides, then her boyfriend could not be upset either, right? Renee decided she would come back to First Choice and have the ultrasound. It was free after all, so this First Choice clinic certainly had nothing to gain from her.

Will She Dare to Look?
Ten days later, Renee returned for her scheduled ultrasound appointment. She had not changed her mind. Abortion was still her plan — if the pregnancy was viable. As Renee lay there on the ultrasound table, she refused to look at the flat screen TV monitor above her. As the sonographer, Kathleen, performed the ultrasound, she patiently encouraged Renee to look, but Renee adamantly refused. She just wanted Kathleen to tell her if the pregnancy was viable or not. That way, if it was viable, it would be easier to do what she needed to do.

Renee could hear Kathleen typing and clicking away. Renee could feel her resolve beginning to weaken. And then Kathleen said to Renee, "You don't have to look, but I really think you are going to want to see what I am seeing here." Renee reluctantly agreed and when she looked up, she immediately saw it — saw them! Two babies! There were two heartbeats! "I'm having twins!" Renee thought. She was overwhelmed! She felt like she was going to pass out—but she was lying down! The tears began to flow.

Today, Renee confides, "I didn't want any more kids right then, but I couldn't kill two babies! I just could not do that! Seeing the ultrasound definitely changed my mind." Renee had a difficult pregnancy and delivered her darling little boys prematurely, a month before their due date — healthy, perfect little boys — Stephen* weighed in at 5 lbs. 6 oz. and Samuel* was 5 lbs. 12 oz.!

Looking Back
The pregnancy had almost cost her life. She was hospitalized and lost a lot of blood. But in spite of this, Renee summarized her thoughts regarding the entire process: "We're very thankful for our beautiful babies! The staff at First Choice helped me. They guided me in the right direction. They gave me very good advice. If it weren't for First Choice, I would have aborted. Thank you, everyone at First Choice. Thank you." And then, Renee added this bit of advice: "If you are thinking about an abortion, think twice. Get an ultrasound…AND…be sure to look at it!

On behalf of First Choice Pregnancy Services, we say, "Thank you Focus on the Family for Option Ultrasound!" What an honor it is to serve God and to love and serve these precious women, men and babies. Having done it both ways—without ultrasound and with ultrasound—we can tell you, having the ultrasound machine on premises makes all the difference! With more than 1600 babies' lives spared in the past twelve months, we can testify to the difference having ultrasound available makes—it is truly life or death!

Renee visited First Choice Pregnancy Services.

*Renee, Stephen and Samuel are not their real names.

Faces of Option Ultrasound Index

All Pregnancy Medical Clinics in the Option Ultrasound Program provide limited obstetrical ultrasound as medically indicated.  Clinics are licensed to operate under the supervision of a physician, using only trained sonographers. Focus on the Family does not endorse the use of ultrasound outside of a medical clinic setting and does not endorse the use of ultrasound for non-medical reasons.  Patient referrals are made to physicians for follow-up diagnosis and care as needed.