Nick Cannon Almost Aborted

Nick Cannon: CAN I LIVE? (Nick Cannon's mother nearly aborted him. A powerful music video based on Nick Cannon's true life story.). Nick is the host of "America's Got Talent" and is married to Mariah Carey.  


Click to see Nick's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdOCwd9EttE


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Baby's Amazing Journey

Some people think that my life began at birth; but my life's journey began long before I was born.......

6 week baby ultrasound

7 week baby ultrasound

    



Tiny fingers and toes develop.  Buds of the baby's milk teeth appear.  99% of the muscles are present, and brain activity is detectable.  The baby is around 13 mm (1/2 inch) in length.  The heart is beating and has been beating since 22 days after conception.  Arm and leg buds begin to grow. 

8 week baby ultrasound

9 week baby ultrasound

The baby measures about 18 mm (3/4 inch) in length. His arms and legs are growing and location of the elbows and toes are visible.. Starts to practice moving (not felt by mom till week 20). The face is taking shape. Teeth begin to develop under the gums. The eyes can now be seen. The arms and legs continue to develop - these limbs are stretching out more and more. The heart has divided into the right and left chambers and is beating about 150 beats a minute which is about twice the rate of an adult.  The baby's facial features are visible, including a mouth and tongue. The eyes have a retina and lens. The major muscle system is developed, and the baby starts to practice moving. The baby has its own blood type.

10 week baby ultrasound

Baby is now the size of a strawberry. The body muscles are almost developed. Baby has begun movement. While still too small for you to feel, your little one is wriggling and shifting. The ears and nose can now be seen clearly. Fingerprints are already evident in the skin. Nipples and hair follicles begin to form.

11 week baby ultrasound

 

12 week baby ultrasound

The baby "practices" breathing and facial expressions, even smiling.  The baby can also urinate and stomach muscles can contract.  The baby is now 3 inches in length and weighs 2 oz. with fine hair on the face. The baby is able to swallow and feels and responds to skin stimulation.  Fingernails and toenails appear. The baby can suck his thumb, and gets hiccups!

14 week baby ultrasound

The baby is 3 and half inches (9cm) long. Weight is about 1 and half ounces (45 grams).  The eyes are slowly moving towards the center of the face. The nose is more pronounced.  The ears are fully developed. The cheekbones are visible. The first hair is appearing. 

16 week baby ultrasound

Baby measures nearly 5 inches (12cm) from head to buttocks and weighs about 3.5 ounces (100 grams).  She covered with a protective soft down to regulate its temperature.  Fat begins to form underneath skin.  Baby hears external voices, sleeps and dreams. 

Your baby has learned to breathe. This is apparent from the regular movements of his chest, inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid. These actions help the lungs to develop and grow. More developed facial muscles may lead to various expressions, such as squinting and frowning. The baby can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault!

18 week baby ultrasound

The baby is now 6 inches long and weighs 7 ounces.  Baby can hear sounds and may be startled by loud noises.  Recognizable active and rest periods.  Your baby may have the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn.  

20 week ultrasound

Baby now weighes about 11 ounces and is roughly 7 inches long.  Baby is 17cm long crown to rump, and weighs about 310 grams.  The baby can hear and recognize the mother's voice.  The mother will probably start feeling the first fetal movements.  The toenails and fingernails are growing.  The growth of hair on the rest of the body has started.  The skin is getting thicker.  The heart can now be heard with a stethoscope.

24 week ultrasound

The child is now gaining around 3 ounces (90 grams) a week. Baby weighs about 1.5 pounds and is 12 inches long. Baby weighs about 600 grams and is 30cm (crown to heel) long. The eyelids can be seen very clearly. If born at this stage, baby is considered "viable" and may be able to survive outside the womb.  


Have a question about pregnancy, abortion, STDs or sex? Need help? Any age, confidential.

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Pregnancy Loss

My friend recently found out her daughter was pregnant.  It wasn't expected and wasn't great timing for a number of reasons including the fact that her daughter is just 17 years old.  No matter the circumstances, when a woman, young or older, loses her baby, it is heartbreaking.  Pray for healing in this family.

I see a hurting daughter while at the same time I am hurting myself.  It is very difficult to face a miscarriage.  I see that she is confused but at the same time doesn’t know how to react.   In many ways I see that she is trying to forget that she was ever pregnant.  Right now she is in the denial phase.  I am numb right now having to deal with things on several fronts.  Not only am I dealing with the pain of seeing my daughter hurting but also the pain of losing my grandchild.  This is the second grandchild that I have lost as my daughter-in-law also lost a baby.  I am also experiencing the resurgence of the loss of my own 2 babies through miscarriage. 

If I can, I am going to get my daughter involved in a grief support group.  I am hoping if we go together she will be willing to go.  I know that by myself I cannot totally help her.  I can be there when she needs to talk but I am too close to the situation to be effective in being her counselor. 

I don’t know why God has allowed this to happen.  The baby was not healthy was probably the main reason.  It could also be that it would have been too hard on my daughter.  What if I had kept her at home instead of finding her another place to stay?  I could do what ifs all day.  It won’t change a thing and I know that I won’t know this side of heaven.  

I do know one thing.  God is our ultimate comforter and healer.   He is there, we just have to reach out to Him.  I know that our healing will take time.  We will have to stay in close contact with God and continue to depend on Him.  There are too many instances in the Bible and in my own life that have shown me his faithfulness.  He will not leave me now.

And so Lord, where do I put my hope?  My only hope is in you.  Psalm 39:7

Heartbroken

The Crisis Pregnancy Center ministry is about a lot more than working to prevent abortions.  We give a lot of free pregnancy tests and options counseling for sure.  We also do relationship counseling, parenting classes and mentoring.  It is through our mentoring and classes that we develop longer term relationships and grow in love for our young families.

We have known a young couple, Joshua and Ashley (names changed) for about 3 years.  They are married and came to our Sweet Pea's Baby Boutique for parenting classes and were also in need of material resources for their unborn baby.  We helped them and developed a relationship with them over many many months. Their baby boy is now 2 1/2 years old.  Then along came their little girl who is now 1 year old.

Joshua and Ashley are a struggling young couple like many of us but it also became apparent that Joshua has a psychological disease that causes him severe mood swings as he often goes off his meds.  He has left ranting messages on our phones only to come back and apologize.  We became aware that Joshua had some issues with the law and CPS but didn't know any details.  He eventually stopped coming to our classes and then told Ashley she couldn't come either.  She complied.  I reconnected with this couple a few months ago when I saw them walking up San Pablo Avenue without their children.

Joshua was muttering and pushing an empty baby stroller.  Ashley was following him closely in silence as she always does.  I tried to talk to them and they just kept walking.  I was alarmed!  Where are the babies?  As they walked quickly up the street, I got in my car and followed them to try to talk to them.  I parked my car on the curb and chased them up the street.  Eventually they stopped and Joshua told me that "they" had taken his children because "they" wanted them for their own families.  He and Ashley were now homeless and all their possessions were with them.  "They" was Child Protective Services.  Joshua was obviously off his meds and ranted and raved about all the people who were "after them".  I managed to get 10 seconds with Ashley and told her if she ever was ready to get help to come to the center, it would be a safe place.

8 week ultrasound

On Tuesday, Ashley was waiting outside our door early in the morning.  Joshua had threatened to kill her.  She said she was ready to leave him.  She is now 8 weeks pregnant with their third child.  After counseling with her, she assured her counselor over and over again that she wanted help and wanted to get her children back and be their mother.  She said she recognized she couldn't be with Joshua because he refused to get help and that she needed to start a new life and raise her children in a safe home.

We were able to contact a dear lady named Mary from our church who picked her up and took her home with her so she would be safe until we found someplace more permanent.  She stopped and fed a hungry Ashley, bought her clothing and opened her home. All seemed well for only one night.  On Wednesday, while Mary was at work, Ashley contacted her husband, packed up her clothes, left no note, no thank you and went to meet Joshua.  An altercation ensued, police were called.  That was and is the end of our involvement.  We can't help them anymore. 

Our hearts are broken, especially for the two young children in foster care and their unborn brother or sister. We are sad for Ashley and Joshua as well.  Many of our volunteers and our staff have developed relationships with them over these years.  Life is not always simple and we can't fix it.  Only God can do that.  We turn it over to Him.  We pray that He will meet them where they are and they will get the help they need.  We pray for those precious babies and pray the Lord will keep them safe.

Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7


Have a question about pregnancy, abortion, STDs or sex? Need help? Any age, confidential.

Email birdsbeestalk@gmail.com 

Take Me Away!

Abigail Meyers is 21 years old, has a beautiful heart and is wise beyond her years.  I love how she speaks of Jesus as her "Knight in Shining Armor"!   What is stopping you from being swept away by your Prince?

Abigail Meyers

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is their Stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him. Psalm37:39-40

It says that the reason why He delivers them is because they take refuge in Him. Which makes me think of something God has been teaching me in this last year or so.... I have to let Him rescue me. He is a gentleman and He won't come uninvited. TRUE. But once you invite Him, once you cry to Him to rescue you--you have to choose to be rescued!!

Think of the knight in shining armor allegory that is always drawn of Jesus--You (His princess) are trapped in a high tower with no way out, and you've been hoping against hope that your handsome prince will come and save you--Jesus (your handsome prince) heroically climbs the high tower to save you-- He gets there and majesticly declares His love for you and that He wants to bring you home from the tower that has held you captive for so long-- But you hesitate..... because first of all, climbing down from that tower looks pretty dangerous compared to staying put in this nice little barred loft you have been given; and secondly, you grown quite used to living here and going back to real life means you will have to take care of all your responsibilities.....--So what will you do?? It's like a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' book, what will you decide? Will you trust Him and let Him take you far, far away from what has held you captive? OR Will you tell Jesus 'Thanks for coming all this way to rescue me, I know it was alot of trouble and I appreciate the effort but on second thought, I think I'm just gonna stay put for now; I am pretty secure in this tower and trust is not really my thing. :)

Will you take refuge in His arms and allow yourself to be rescued from whatever it is that is holding you captive in the tower? Will you let Him deliver you? He can sweep you off your feet and carry you out of that tower in a heartbeat, but He waits for your word - He doesn't want to steal you - He wants to know you are coming willingly and that you trust Him to deliver you from your captor.  Do you want to be rescued?

Written by Abigail Meyers

Hopefully she can have the future she dreams of.... hopefully

LaNell Richard is the coordinator for our "No Regrets" program.  Give her a call if you or your teen are interested in hearing more about "No Regrets".  If you are outside the Coachella Valley area, LaNell will try to connect you with a program near you!!  

LaNell Richard



She was 17 and scared when she came into the Crisis Pregnancy Center.   She had been to a doctor several months before, and was diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer caused by HPV (human papillomavirus).   I sat and listened to this beautiful young girl as she told me her plans and dreams.  She wants to go to college, to pursue a career in nursing.   She is looking forward to marriage and children some day.  What is her reality now?  She most likely can go to college . . . hopefully her cancer can be effectively treated, although there is no cure for her HPV.  She can still marry a wonderful man. . . hopefully he’ll understand when she has to tell him that she has an incurable STD which she will most likely pass on to him.  Hopefully, she has not contracted another of the over 25 STDs; she now has an increased risk of other sexually transmitted infections, which often have no symptoms but can cause her to become sterile, or worse.  Hopefully, she can be a mother and have children of her own some day . . . hopefully.   

Currently, there are over 15,000,000 new cases of sexually transmitted infections every year ~ most are in people ages 15-24.  One in four adolescents has an STD and many of them don’t even know it.  At Crisis Pregnancy Center, we are passionate about helping educate young people about the risks of sexual activity outside of a committed relationship.  We have a program called NO REGRETS which gives teenagers tools to help make positive choices.  If you are an educator, youth pastor, parent, or young person yourself who would like more information, please contact us at 760-568-2200 or lanell@choiceline.org.  We want this generation to realize their dreams . . . hopefully without worry of unplanned pregnancy or STDs. 

LaNell Richard

My Daughter is Pregnant

My friend just found out that her 18 year old daughter is pregnant.  We counsel with many mothers of teens who are pregnant and the heartache they feel and disappointment over the dreams they had for their daughter are so real and sad.  I want to share with you my friend's thoughts.  She will be sharing with us as she and her family deal with the realities of a new life, a tiny life to be born.

I just had confirmed that my 18 year old daughter is pregnant.  A lot of what I am feeling is numbness and wanting to just cry.  I want to yell and scream at her about how irresponbile that she has been.  We have had many talks and I have been very firm and told her how disappointed I was in her.  We had so many talks about not getting pregnant.  She thought she knew better.  I have so many mixed feelings.  I want to keep this baby and raise it but I know it is impossible.  Our health would not permit it.  I also know that this is a child having a child.  Right now adoption is a real option.  I just want to scream at God, why me?  I can't handle this!  Then I know that God does not give us any more than we can handle.  I know that there is a lesson that God wants to teach my daughter and our family.  I will continue this blog through the pregnancy to share my feelings both good and bad.     Patty

Have a question about pregnancy, abortion, STDs or sex? Need help? Any age, confidential.

Email birdsbeestalk@gmail.com 

Praying for Ursula

22 week ultrasound

Join me in praying for Ursula.  She is 22 weeks pregnant and seeking an abortion.  She feels unsupported, trapped and overwhelmed.  Pray the Lord would meet her where she is and that she would consider adoption of this precious baby.  This is a horrendous 3 day procedure called a D&X partial birth abortion she is contemplating. 

Click on link for more info on D&X http://www.choiceline.org/AbortionInfo/abortionprocedures/tabid/1322/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Dealing with Disappointment

In life, disappointment and the hurt it causes is sometimes hard to handle. We often win but we also lose sometimes.  Whether it is at work, in our personal relationships or just a game, losing can be difficult. 

Even though we are blessed with many "wins" (babies saved and lives changed), we have found it hard sometimes to "lose" in our Crisis Pregnancy Center ministry.  It is especially painful when the loss results in a hurting young woman and a dead baby.  We sometimes wonder why God would have sent a particular case to our center if the result was not going to be a "win"?  Of course, we are talking about OUR definition of a "win", not necessarily God's.  How can we presume to know the heart and mind of God?

We need to accept that God used us for His purpose at that moment and we may not know the reason or even the ultimate result or outcome.  We may be planting a seed along the way in someone's life which could result in a changed and/or saved life in the future.  We may never know the impact we have had in the lives of others until we are in heaven.

Our hearts, in their humanness, cry out to God over the destruction and loss we see day in and day out.  Sometimes we think if we had said or done something differently, it would have affected the outcome.  Not true! 

 If we prayerfully seek God each day and give Him the control, He will speak through us and use us for His purpose each day. 

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

Seeing God work in the lives of others is an honor and a privilege.  It is AMAZING to see lives saved and transformed!  We move on and move forward and anxiously await our next phone call or visit.

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Phillipians 4:8

Praying for Ally

17 week ultrasound

In the end, as the law stands, we still have the choice to end the life of our baby.  We met Ally 4 weeks ago when she was 13 weeks pregnant.  She and her boyfriend came in for counseling and an ultrasound.  They didn't have any intention at the time to abort their baby.  They laughed and smiled at the ultrasound screen.

Ally, an immature 19 year old, was concerned about telling her mother.  Ally is a pleaser and knew her mother would be disappointed and upset.  She was.

On Tuesday, Ally called our Crisis Pregnancy Center office to tell us her mother had made an appointment for Wednesday at an abortion clinic in Los Angeles.  At 17 weeks pregnant, she could no longer go to an abortion clinic in the valley.  This would be a 2-3 day procedure.  We talked with Ally as she cried on the phone.  She didn't have a ride to get to our office.  Her boyfriend left her because he wanted this baby and Ally was going to end its life.

Ally went to LA with her mother on Wednesday.  She called us crying a number of times.  She didn't have the strength to say no to her mother.  She went in the abortion chamber for the procedure and walked off the table.... she couldn't do it!  Her mother was furious!  The clinic workers talked to her mother and suggested she take Ally to lunch and return in an hour.

Ally couldn't forget the images of her baby's heart beating that she had seen just a few weeks ago!  She told the abortion doctor about this and  he told her it wasn't her baby's heartbeat she heard, it was her own heartbeat!  The baby didn't have a heartbeat!  Ally called our office to question what the doctor had told her. We assured her that what she saw (her baby's heart beating) and what she heard was the truth.

Ally and her mother returned to the clinic after lunch.  Her mother convinced her she had no choice and that her future would be ruined if she had this baby.  The doctor inserted lamanaria to dilate her cervix... she was to return Thursday for the termination.  The abortion procedure at 17 weeks is called a D&E.....  click to learn what this is: http://www.choiceline.org/AbortionInfo/abortionprocedures/tabid/1322/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Thursday morning Ally called our CPC office from her cellphone.  She was hysterical.  She didn't want to have the abortion and wanted it stopped.  Her cervix hadn't dilated enough to finish the procedure so the doctor inserted more lamanaria and told her to return Friday morning.  All day long, Ally called from LA.... her mother wouldn't bring her home.  The doctor told her she could hemmorage or even die if she didn't continue with the abortion.  We could only pray.

Late in the afternoon Ally's mother called me from LA to ask that we not call her daughter because we were upsetting her.  I explained to her mother that Ally was calling us and didn't want to abort her baby.  Her mother was very angry with me at first and told me that I didn't understand how Ally was ruining her life with her loser boyfriend.  This mother's dreams for her daughter were shattered.  Her anger turned to tears over the phone.  I asked Ally's mom if I could pray for her.  She said yes.  I prayed, she said Amen.  She thanked me and we said goodbye.

I don't know the outcome this morning.  God does and nothing is a surprise to him this morning.  I pray for Ally and her precious little 17 week old baby.  I pray for her mother too.  I pray for the abortion doctor.  Lord, help us...... guide us.  Be with these women and with our tireless volunteers who walk through these tragedies and love these men and women everyday.  Thank you for trusting us and using us for your purposes.  Some days we don't understand, we just don't understand.  You do and that is good enough for me this morning.  I put my faith in you.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.  I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  Psalm 61:1-4


Follow up on Ally:  Ally texted this week that she went forward with the abortion on Friday morning.  She said she is "full of regret and sorrow".  We told her we love her and we are here for her and hope she will come in to talk.


Have a question about pregnancy, abortion, STDs or sex? Need help? Any age, confidential.

Email birdsbeestalk@gmail.com