Client Story 3 – Kendra’s Story
The Healing Power of a Sonogram
Kendra, a beautiful young married woman, came to Emergency Pregnancy Services requesting a proof of pregnancy statement, the paperwork needed to apply for pregnancy Medicaid. During our counseling session, she revealed that she had been raped and that the rapist was the father of her baby. Kendra never reported the rape to the police nor received any counseling. Recounting the attack, Kendra became visibly upset and it was apparent she was in obvious need of help in dealing with her trauma. We were able to give her information about agencies in our area that offered free victim support and counseling and I encouraged her to seek help through one of the many support options.
Kendra and her husband didn’t have any other children and, after several years of marriage, had been planning to start a family of their own just before the rape occurred. After first dealing with the trauma of the rape, they were further grieved to learn of the pregnancy. Yet Kendra’s husband never faltered in his decision to be a father for this unborn child. He knew immediately that he would never consider aborting a child that was his wife’s own flesh and blood.
Knowing that she would eventually be showing the signs of a pregnancy, the couple had already begun telling family and friends that they were expecting and everyone was very excited and happy for the couple. But it became obvious through our discussion that Kendra was struggling to bond with her unborn child. I grew concerned that she might never be able to fully love the baby, considering the circumstances.
Kendra talked about how painful it was to see everyone so happy about their expected bundle of joy, while she only felt sickened by the thought of having the rapist’s baby. Several family members were beginning to buy baby items and Kendra said, “I just can’t get excited like they are”. She shared that she was secretly considering having an abortion and telling everyone that she had miscarried.
I revisited the issue of the baby’s conception, wondering if there was any way the baby could be her husband’s child. Kendra was absolutely convinced this was not possible based on their family planning decisions. After the rape, she even insisted that her husband protect himself from any possible sexually transmitted diseases that she may have been exposed to by the rapist.
As the session continued, I became worried that Kendra may secretly abort her child. I offered an ultrasound in the hopes that seeing this tiny life would soften her heart and open it up to accepting this miracle, despite how it was conceived.
Expecting to see a 9-week gestation baby, we were stunned to find a baby measuring nearly twice that size. The baby measured about 13 weeks, confirming what Kendra thought to be impossible – her husband was actually the baby’s father!! Kendra had already been approximately 3-4 weeks pregnant when the rape occurred.
Everything changed for this young wife and mother that day. Kendra and her husband could now love and accept this new life without any consideration for the rape that occurred. No longer was Kendra’s pregnancy filled with anguish and secret sadness. No longer was she considering ending her pregnancy.
Clients Stories 1| Clients Stories 2| Clients Stories 3 | Ultrasound video (Popup)