PROTECTING NEW LIFE Many women come to our Women’s Centers at the first suspicion of pregnancy, others come having taken five or six pregnancy tests at home already. Often, they have not shared their news with a single other soul and come with heads spinning and nerves frazzled. Countless times, we hear the word “afraid.” Our free pregnancy test and ultrasound help to reduce the financial stress of the moment and can give a peek at the new life within. But for a lot of women, their thoughts are racing and the newness can cause a state of panic. “How can I afford this? The timing is all wrong. I’m all alone in this.”
“From what you’ve described, you’ve been through a lot and you’ve made it! You have strength.” If they indicate that they are women of faith, we can PAUSE again to pray and invite Jesus to come alongside as well. Quite often their thoughts are so loud that they appreciate reminders of His Divine whisper. If an ultrasound is performed very early on, we have the opportunity to invite these women back for a repeat scan to confirm the viability of the baby, 1, 2, or 3 weeks out. So many lives have been saved in this PAUSE. Here the Lord can soften hearts, calm fears, and reveal a path forward. Many times these women begin to share their news and allow others to process with them. We invite them to bring supportive friends or family to the follow-up scan. The panic subsides, and the tender words of those they’ve encountered at the Women’s Center can keep them buoyant. So whether they know God or not, because of their visit, they have been wrapped in prayer. They’ve been gifted seeds of love that, in the PAUSE, can begin to grow, along with the new life growing inside of them.
What we often witness is the beauty of the Holy Spirit working in the PAUSE. Our Consultants allow the women to breathe, to gather and share their thoughts; their stories, to understand resources that are available to them, and to share without judgment all of their feelings about being pregnant. During the health history, a scanner offers a centering presence for each woman as she walks alongside her. She communicates that she’ll go step by step with her and explain absolutely everything. Emotions tend to spill out, and a scanner can reflect back to the mother, “I hear your caring heart.”
WELCOMING NEW LIFE New Life is something we see quite literally through the work we do at Holy Family Prenatal Care. We are blessed, usually weekly, to be a part of welcoming babies into the world. Fridays are exciting days, when the 3rd trimester ladies come to meet the midwives and complete the last minute checklists about birth plans, car seats, baby supplies and the most common, “How much longer???” We adore these Friday appointments, these are the moms we have spent the most time with and know the best. They walk in and say, “I am ready to deliver!” Most moms send us pictures of their newborns right after delivery so that we are able to praise God for them and ooh and ahh over those precious little cheeks and beautiful faces. We are very diligent in keeping track of when our moms deliver and we keep communication open during this time so they know they are supported and not alone. We at Holy Family are most grateful for the new lives we are able to help serve and assist with becoming a part of God’s creation here on earth. What a great job!!! PRAISE REPORT GET INVOLVED
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for raising funds to support the purchase of two new state-of-the-art ultrasound machines for Elizabeth’s New Life Center. With their support, along with additional grant support, we now have new machines at our Women’s Center - Kettering and at Holy Family Prenatal Care. Ultrasounds truly provide a window to the womb. We praise God for this amazing technology which allows moms and dads to see and bond with the new life God has blessed them with.
Looking for a fun way that you can help support these new mothers? Host a baby shower for Elizabeth’s New Life Center. Plan and organize a gathering with your friends and family or anyone you feel called to invite. Include our wishlist on your invitation, and then donate the items that your guests bring to our boutiques. These items will be available to our clients through the Earn While You Learn educational program. Details can be found at enlc.life/support-us.
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