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Here is my story with a patient from a week or two ago. It was an incredible opportunity to spread the Pro-Life message to a woman in a difficult situation. I gave many details but still left some out, as it must remain anonymous for the confidentiality of the patient. (...)
Thank you for giving me the chance to share my story.

— A Pro-Life Nurse in Montreal

I am a nurse at a hospital in Montreal, working in postpartum; however, our clientele also extends to prenatal cases of hyperemesis gravidarum (excessive pregnancy vomiting). Last week, I had a patient with this condition. She was 9 weeks pregnant and had been vomiting for two weeks. She was not able to keep anything down, to the point that even drinking water was difficult.

On the first evening that I had her, I congratulated her on the pregnancy, despite the difficulties she was experiencing. I told her how wonderful it was that she was having a baby, which made her smile, even though she was still dealing with nausea and a decreased appetite. In addition, she had an unexplained infection and therefore required IV antibiotics. She was dealing with a lot, but she had support from her husband, who encouraged her and tried to help her eat as much as she could tolerate.

The next evening, she was having complications with her IV; it had become infiltrated (no longer in the vein), and it was difficult to reinsert because she was so dehydrated. Several nurses had tried the day before and were unsuccessful, until finally someone was able to place one. So when it happened again, she was completely exhausted by it all. She said she did not want an IV anymore, even though she needed it to stay hydrated and receive the antibiotics. She eventually conceded and said we could try again. I asked another nurse to reinsert it, but after a short while, the nurse came out of the room and said, “You need to call the doctor. The patient just told me she wants to terminate the pregnancy.”

Those words shocked me and crushed my heart. How could someone go from wanting this baby to wanting to kill it so quickly? The nurse suggested she might be experiencing perinatal depression and should speak to a doctor or psychiatrist. However, I was determined to speak with her myself first.

I went into the room. Her husband was not there, and she looked relieved to see me, as we had developed a therapeutic relationship. I asked her how she was doing, and she told me directly, “Not good. I don’t think I want this pregnancy anymore. I’m tired of all of this. I’ve been poked so many times for this IV and have been so uncomfortable with all the nausea and vomiting. I haven’t been able to eat anything for two weeks, and I just feel awful. I can’t take it anymore. I think I need to terminate this pregnancy.”

I sat with her, listened to all her concerns, and sympathized with her. I affirmed that this pregnancy had been incredibly difficult and uncomfortable, but I also reminded her that it was still a good thing. I told her that being pregnant is a blessing and that she gets to carry life within her.

She interjected, “I know, but I’m so worried about my job because I’ve been away from work for so long. I don’t see my friends anymore because I’ve been so sick, and I just want my old life back.” I reassured her that the hospital could provide a note for her employer to explain her hospitalization, so her job would not be in jeopardy. I sympathized with how hard these two weeks had been, but reminded her that this would not last forever, that she would get better, and that in the end it would be worth it because she would have a beautiful baby. She smiled at that, but then cried again, “I just feel like my body is telling me I’m not supposed to have this baby, like that’s why I’m vomiting so much.”

I replied, “Actually, the reason pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting is because of the hormone B-hCG released by the placenta. Its purpose is to tell your immune cells not to attack the baby, but it also has the side effect of nausea and vomiting. So you are experiencing this because your placenta is saying, ‘Don’t attack the baby.’”

She said, “Well, I don’t want to attack my baby.” So I replied, “Then you don’t want to terminate.”

She shared that she was worried she was not ready for this, but I reassured her that she was, that she had already been so strong through all of this, and that she just needed to keep pushing forward and stay positive. She nodded and smiled, though there was still some anxiety in her eyes.

She thanked me at the end of the conversation and was determined to keep her baby. I was so grateful that I had the opportunity to counsel her and be a source of support. I pray that the rest of her pregnancy will be safe and healthy.

***

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