TOO EASY: How I almost killed my own daughter

A SUNSHINE Coast woman who cancelled an abortion at the last minute is bravely sharing her story in the hope that it will save unborn lives.

Stacey with her daughter Katie

A SUNSHINE Coast woman who cancelled an abortion at the last minute is bravely sharing her story in the hope that it will save unborn lives.

Stacey McBride Wilson says her life has been 'so much richer' because of her decision to have her daughter, Katie, now 14, despite intense pressure to terminate the pregnancy.

She said what was looked like the 'worst thing in the world' as a teenager had become her greatest gift.

The wellness coach, fitness instructor, speaker and educator has become an Emily's Voice ambassador to promote greater awareness among women about the alternatives to abortion.

While Stacey says she has had overwhelmingly positive feedback to her story, she admits there have been some negative reactions.

"My intention is not to judge others,'' she explains. "I'm just sharing my story.''

"This is the path I chose. I just want to show there is an alternative to abortion.''

 She says it was important that both the pros and cons of abortion were fully explored. "I have not met anyone who has had an abortion who is happy that I have had an abortion.''

STACEY'S STORY

When I found out I was pregnant at 16, it wasn't exactly how I expected my final year of high school to pan out. I'd only been with my boyfriend for four months. The condom broke one night, Valentine's day actually. But no problem. We went to the emergency room of our local hospital and I took the morning after pill. "Phew," I thought, "I'm so glad there are options like this available."

But then a few weeks passed, and I had a suspicion that I might be pregnant. I just felt different. Not wanting to entertain the thought or believe my worst fear I pushed it to the back of my mind and carried on as normal. But I couldn't let it go. I did a pregnancy test, which came up negative. What a relief! Little did I know that condoms, morning after pills and pregnancy tests aren't 100% accurate.

Weeks later there was no longer denying it; at 18 weeks pregnant I began to feel my daughter moving inside of me. Shock, fear, panic and shame gripped me. This couldn't be happening!

I was always a good girl. At least, down in the depths of my heart, I knew what was right. I'd been raised in a Christian home. I went to church with my parents. I was only having a bit of fun, nothing unlike what all my friends and peers around me were doing.

Worst fears confirmed

My worst fears were confirmed with a second pregnancy test. What now?!

Overwhelming embarrassment, fear and shame enveloped me. Oh the shame. I wanted as few people as possible to know about this. The few people I did tell encouraged me that abortion was the best option.

When each of them asked me what I wanted to do, or whether I wanted to keep the baby, I said I wanted an abortion. I wanted this problem to be fixed and fast. I didn't actually want an abortion, I just felt like I had no other option.

How easy is it to book an abortion when you're 16?

The internet was relatively new at the time, and there was this thing called Google. So I Googled unplanned pregnancy trying to find out some more information and links for abortion clinics.

From my memory, the resources I found all pointed towards abortion. I found a few clinics online, made some enquiries and booked in the one that could fit me in soonest. I was already 18 weeks pregnant and I knew abortions weren't performed after 20 weeks.

There was no suggestion of needing to see my doctor, or have an appointment with a counsellor. This clinic allowed me, a 16-year-old girl, to book myself in for an abortion without any need for support or consent from my parents, or anyone else.

When I booked in for the abortion, I could already feel her moving inside of me. How I disconnected myself from this fact, I still don't know; the shock, the fear, the panic, the shame I guess.

Then I had to tell my parents. That was the worst. But with matters already settled in my mind and heart, I told them I was going to have an abortion and was already booked in for a few days' time. I could see their hearts breaking.

They are strongly against abortion and made their position known to me, but also made it clear that they loved me and nothing I do would change that.

We drove down from my small country town to the big city of Brisbane in the middle of the night ready for my appointment the next day. I was in utter torment; I couldn't sleep at all that night.

The abortion clinic

Walking into the abortion clinic was one of the worst moments of my life. Pro-life campaigners met me in the carpark as I walked to towards the doors of the clinic.

I can remember their faces, pleading with me, willing me to make a different choice to the one I'd already made. I felt so overwhelmed and ashamed. I just wanted to be invisible. I wanted this all to be over, quickly.

I sat in the waiting room and the contrast of how it was decorated and how I was feeling struck me. The waiting room was a bright yellow with so many happy paintings and fresh flowers scattered around. I wanted to scream.

I looked around at the other women in the waiting room, wondering how they were feeling inside. They all looked so calm and normal, like they were about to go in for some sort of routine check up.

Those moments of waiting and wondering were horrible. Then it was my turn. As I sat in with the doctor for the pre-screening she asked me some brief questions, and did an initial scan. She turned to me and said, "Ok, everything looks fine, are you ready?"

Everything looks fine?

Everything looks fine?
What does that mean?
I asked her if everything with the baby was healthy and ok.
She said yes.
I asked the doctor if she could tell if it was a boy or a girl.
She said yes.

A scan showing Katie sucking her thumb in her mother's womb before she was born.

The moment that changed everything

Something inside me in that moment changed. What was I doing?
I told her I wanted to see the scan. She turned the screen to me and there she was, Katie, 19 weeks, perfect and healthy, sucking her thumb. And I was about to terminate her. I drew on every bit of courage I had (which in that moment didn't feel like much) and told her I didn't want to go through with it.

To say things were easy from that moment onwards would be telling a lie, BUT the huge wave of peace in the depths of my being far outweighed the challenges.

Life after unplanned pregnancy

Despite my pregnancy, I completed year 12, and went on to complete not just one, but two uni degrees in education. I also have numerous other vocational qualifications in health and fitness, and as of this moment right now I run my own holistic health and wellness business. I'm also happily married and the three of us feel like the perfect fit. Truly, life is so very sweet. I love my life. And I wouldn't change a thing.

When I found myself in a crisis pregnancy, it may have seemed like my life was over. But I now know that my life, and the life of another, had only really just begun. I can't imagine my life without Katie - and when I do, when I think back to how close I was to not having her, it brings me to tears.

This all comes down to the value of life. And I believe that a life is a life of value with a purpose from the moment of conception.

All the goodness that makes Katie was put inside her from the moment she was conceived. No matter how she was conceived, from that moment, she had purpose, a personality, and so many gifts and talents and abilities. I am so grateful that the world doesn't miss out on the beauty and flavour of what my Katie girl adds to it.

Entertaining the what-ifs

But what if I had gone along with the suggestion of those strong influences in my world at the time? What if I'd partnered with the stereotype of a teenage pregnancy that society offers? The only portrayal of the situation I found myself in are overwhelmingly negative. The opinions and expectations of someone in my position are anything but positive.

I am so very grateful my story has a happy ending. But how many other young women find themselves in a crisis pregnancy and don't have anyone offering a positive narrative of what their life could look like, if they continue with their pregnancy? How many others succumb to the pressure and lack of hope offered in such a situation? How many Katies does the world miss out on? My heart breaks to think of how many lives have been lost in this way.

It was all too easy for me, a young girl in a crisis moment of her life, to have an abortion. Despite the fact that I could already feel movement in my womb; my baby moving inside of me. Despite the fact that I was already showing. Despite no counselling offered to enable me to fully understand what I was about to do.

Stacey McBride Wilson says her life has been 'so much richer' because of her decision to have her daughter, Katie, now 14, despite intense pressure to terminate the pregnancy.

Abortion is too easy

Obtaining an abortion is easier than obtaining medication. Think about that for a moment. A forever, life altering decision and event is easier to undertake than to gain prescription medication.

When you are in a moment of crisis, you are compromised. I was young, terrified and believed that abortion was the only option otherwise my life would be ruined. What is needed is a greater value of life and more support for women in crisis of challenging pregnancies.

To gain counselling and support and to even be told that there is an alternative and that they are capable to navigate this and even thrive, rather than abortion being offered as their only option.

There are countless stories of women grief-stricken and heartbroken from proceeding with a termination. Women who have been coerced or pushed to believe that this was their only option by those in positions of great influence at such a crucial time.

Speaking from experience, when finding yourself in a crisis pregnancy you are extremely vulnerable and compromised in your judgement.

I am yet to hear a story of any woman who went through with a crisis pregnancy who is grief stricken or heartbroken.

It all sounds good on paper but when we get to the heart of the matter and think about each of these babies as a person, a person who could be the next Steve Jobs, or Prime Minister, or some other great leader, or perhaps a mum destined to raise an amazing family, or a teacher influencing the future generations to come, that's when this whole argument for abortion falls apart.

A positive message for life

I am so glad that organisations such as Emily's Voice offer a positive message when it comes to unexpected pregnancy. Their work to fight for the unborn and the message they share is vital in changing our current culture that allows women so easily to make an irreversible choice that many, if not most, will later regret. This issue deserves emotion. It deserves passion.

This truly is a matter of life and death. My Katie girl was just moments from death, and by some miracle was given life. There are thousands others, approximately 80,000 each year, who should also be given that chance. 

Stacey's story originally appeared on Emily's Voice website.

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