I Lost My Baby & Health,But Then I Choose Life: 40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 18

 

The first time I found out about the Good Counsel Network was from receiving one of their leaflets outside the BPAS abortion centre. 

I was already in the BPAS clinic when I read the leaflet, so I tried to postpone the abortion. I had already postponed it several times. My financial situation was very bad and I had no job. I didn’t want the abortion, I wanted to keep the baby but the Clinic called me so many times and sent reminders about my appointment. In the end, I felt I had to go through with it. 

After the abortion I had bleeding for three months. I went back to the clinic, they told me that was normal – I’m a nurse by the way -I know that that’s not normal. I kept going, they told me if it didn’t stop, to come back again but then they told me it was not their responsibility. I had a contraceptive implant while I was at the clinic. I told them I had an allergy to the hormones in it, but they said it was completely safe, there were no consequences. I told them that just once in my life I had had contraceptive tablets, just once a long time ago, but that my body did not tolerate them. Later on I went back to ask them to remove the implant and they refused, I would need to go to a hospital they said. 

When I asked them why all this had happened to me they said it was just my bad luck.The bleeding was still happening. I went to different clinics, different hospitals, A&E. Meanwhile I was trying to work. I decided to go back to my home country at the end of the August and have the doctor check out my cervix properly, because of the abortion complications. When I came back to the UK, in September, I received a letter for an appointment for a smear test at the surgery. The results were not OK . After that I received another letter for further investigation,a month later, in another hospital.

I had had the abortion on 1st of June. The bleeding had continued until September. The clinic had only offered me Vitamin K. But I said I wanted to know the cause of the bleeding. If I had no medical knowledge at all and if I had believed them that this bleeding was normal, probably I could have had my bleeding stopped with Vitamin K and I would have been resting assured that my health was great which it obviously wasn’t. In January I had more tests in the hospital and again the results were not OK. There was scarring on my cervix from the abortion, I needed treatment as well for pre-cancerous cells there. The gynaecologist I saw told me the abortion and the scarring of my cervix as well as the implant which turned my hormonal body balance upside down, had all contributed to my health problems.

Early the following year, I got pregnant again. I had kept the leaflet of the Good Counsel Network. I was again in a difficult situation, but at least I decided to contact tGood Counsel and I got in touch with them at the beginning. They offered me legal advice whenever I needed it, because I needed to find out my rights as a pregnant woman, especially my rights at work, and they told me all about it. They offered me support. And I had the baby and everything is fine.

I wish I had never had the abortion, but had accepted the help I was offered.

I continue to have health problems and need regular check ups for cancer prevention, something I believe was hugely aggravated by having an abortion and the poor follow up care I received.                     - Caitlin

Good Counsel's funds are dangerously low, please donate to support our work here.

When I Needed Help No-One Else Seemed To Care: 40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 17

 

About 6 and a half years ago I fell pregnant unexpectedly. I had experienced a lot of domestic violence and I was dealing with that. 

I already had a disabled daughter and I was her carer.

I also had no supportive family living near me.  

I was scared to tell my boyfriend, in case he forced me to abort the baby.

I was unsure what to do.

I first heard about the Good Counsel Network from a friend of mine.

When I went to Good Counsel I met an advisor called Yvonne. Yvonne really listened to me and I told her that this guy was going to try to pressure me. She advised me. and I decided not tell him about the pregnancy until I was further along. So that is what I did. Yvonne stayed in touch to check that I was OK.

Now I had two children under 5, and one of them was severely disabled, but I was happy that I had been able to keep my baby. My relationship with my children’s father had broken up but as time went by I met a man who supported me and really helped me with my children. Then, I fell pregnant again.

My disabled daughter was then 3 years old, but her brain function was and is more like that of an 8 month old baby. I was worried about what would happen but I hoped my partner who had been so supportive of my children would accept this baby, but he wasn’t at all. Instead, he pressured me to abort the baby. I didn’t know what to do.

I went for an appointment at an abortion clinic. But while I was there they did a scan and found out that the baby was about 17 or 18 weeks! I knew then that I could not abort the baby.

I went straight to the Good Counsel Centre and saw Yvonne. She told me they could put some support in place, that someone would help me with my daughter. Yvonne helped me to stay positive. I continued the pregnancy, but my boyfriend was very angry about it. He cut off contact with me and I began to wonder how I would cope with 3 children under 5 and one with special needs.

When my baby was born he was very unwell. He was put in intensive care on life support and I was told that he may not survive. I wanted to visit my son every day, but I was not allowed to bring my older children to the hospital when I visited my newborn, I had no-one to mind them for me. This meant that I would never be able to visit him in hospital.

I spoke to Social Services and asked them to provide a carer for my two children at home so I could see my son, who was possibly dying, but they refused! 

I told Yvonne and immediately Good Counsel helped me. They helped provide someone to take my daughter to and from school, this - along with the help of some friends caring for my 1 year old – meant I was able to visit my baby in intensive care. I had to contact the baby’s father and tell him “Your son has been born, but he might not make it”. He came to the hospital and visited him every day and they did start to bond there.

Thankfully my son made a full recovery and left hospital a few weeks later. His father sees him regularly but no longer provides me with any practical support. Good Counsel pays for a carer to help with my daughter each day.

This allows her to go out for 2 hours each day after school, which she loves. It really benefits my daughter and it helps me to have time for myself and my other children. 

Life is not easy but I am so glad I did not have to abort my children.

Please support the Good Counsel Network.

When I needed help no-one else seemed to care. Even when my son was in intensive care social services did not help me, but my advisor Yvonne, through Good Counsel, helped me. Yvonne was always there to support me. She checked in on me a lot. And when I did need practical help, the help was instant.

They are still helping me. Your support can help them to help someone else like me. Please give generously!

Please donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

A Story of Kindness Come Full Circle: Day 16 of 40 Days of Mums Choosing Life

Mary worked as a nurse back in 1997 when Good Counsel began. We didn't know it at first, but she broke the rules to put us in touch with an expectant mum who kept leaving in tears when she came for her abortion appointments at the hospital Mary worked at. 

Mary never met the woman but she heard from her colleagues about her, and when she heard how she had turned away from abortion 3 times. 

Without giving us too much information, Mary passed on the young womans details to us. When we reached out to her, the young woman accepted our help and kept her baby. 

Her baby is grown up now and recently graduated as a doctor.

The story doesn't end there though. As Mary lay dying we were able to finally connect her with the young expectant mum who she had helped.

A couple of weeks ago this lady, "Jennifer", went to visit Mary in the same hospital where they first crossed paths (without actually meeting the first time). She brought flowers and thanked Mary, told her about her daughter and brought photos.

Mary died last week. Its such a blessing to have seen this beautiful story unfold. Please pray for the repose of Mary's soul.

Help us reach out to Mothers with prayer, help and support by attending the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here Donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

Three of the Best!: Day 15 of 40 Days Celebrating Mums Choosing Life

 

I came to the Women’s Centre when I was in my darkest moments and there shone a light. I remember the first time I came to the charity. It was as if I was at the end of walking a tightrope and no hope of what to do next or what decision to make.   I already had two daughters aged two and three years and was in good relationship with their father when I found out that I was pregnant again. It was not a planned pregnancy, but being very sick I was sent for a scan at 9 weeks.

The scan showed I was having twins. I turned to the doctor and said “I don’t think that what you saw is clear” because I was very shocked and I was thinking ‘How am I going to cope with twin babies and two kids under the age of three?’

When I got home I showed my partner the scan and within minutes he completely shut down. I asked him “What’s the matter?” and he replied “How do you expect me to cope with an additional two kids?”

My severe pregnancy sickness got so much worse that I was booked in for a scan at 12 weeks. Here I was feeling very sick, with so much going through my mind. My partner’s attitude had completely changed. The sonographer couldn’t confirm my scan result, so I knew something must be up. She called in a doctor who during the scan turned to me and said “I can confirm there is a third heartbeat. - Who said you were having twins? No, its triplets”

TRIPLETS? I broke down, crying, weeping so hard. I could see that it should be a blessing, but how was I going to manage going from having two kids to having five kids? Especially with my partner already saying that he cannot cope and now having to tell him there is one more baby added to the twins!

Then the doctor seeing how broken I was turned and said “we can offer you a chance of ‘foetal reduction’ as having five children under five it will be so difficult for you to cope”. She told me this procedure can reduce the number of foetuses from three to one or two.

I called my partner from the hospital and he said “Yes, you must consider it, we can’t manage financially or cope with three babies”, considering that he was the only one working. He made it very clear that if I don’t accept the foetal reduction that he would not be there to support me. When I got home he was still pressurizing me for the foetal reduction. The pressure was so much I remember crying myself to sleep for nights considering that option. I had to open up to a friend about what I was going through. She told me about The Good Counsel Network and gave me their contact number. I rang and got an appointment to see Yvonne. I remember the first day I walked to the centre I felt like they tied a knot and the end of the tightrope and ask me to hang on. They told me not to consider the foetal reduction that there will be help. I can’t explain how I felt after the appointment but they guided me to see hope. Light in the midst of the dark moment.

Keeping the babies was the best decision I ever made and the Good Counsel helped me. Yvonne promised to help me. They gave me money for food and bills and when the babies were born they provided me with full support, baby food, clothes, moses baskets and basically everything. Suddenly I had someone to talk to waking up every day knowing the next food on the table was available for my kids.

My triplets were born in August 2017 at 32 weeks two boys and a girl weighing 1.2kg, 1.4kg and 1.6kg respectively, such amazing babies so full of life with such potential, with the biggest smile that keeps me going on each day thanks to The Good Counsel Network. I am still receiving support now. To everyone who gave generously to see hope, care, support, giving to someone like me, having a place that tells you everything is ok no matter how hard your situation is, a place that tells you we love you, we will care for you, I say thank you so much. I am a happy and proud mum because of you all. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Help us reach out to Mothers with prayer, help and support by attending the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here Donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

Why the Prayer must be right *there* : 40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 14

 

A woman - I will call her "Nadine" - stopped to talk to our vigil volunteers a couple of weeks ago, she had gone to Ealing Marie Stopes abortion centre in 1999 and she met a lady praying outside. After speaking with them, she chose to keep her baby. He's a grown up now and has a great job and a great life and she is very happy about her decision. She said the thing the woman did that changed everything was simply that she said a prayer with her. Nadine is a Catholic, and that moment and the moral support it represented, allowed her to take some time to think about what she wanted to do. No-one else supported her, just this woman, standing out in the cold, praying with her. Her life was not easy for the next few years, she gave up many things for her son, but later got the chance to do many other things she loved instead. She said she had had a wonderful life with her son. While local Councils are banning people for thinking prayers in their heads outside abortion centres, I am thinking of and praying for women like Nadine, who have no-one to pray for them as they are pushed to abort their children.

Not *all* or even *most* women going for abortions are aggresive atheists who despise the sight of Christians praying for them and their children. Even if many of our MPs seemingly are.

Please support us support Pregnant Mothers, goodcounselnetwork.com

"Don't Impose Buffer Zones" A Mother Who Was Helped Speaks: Day 13 of 40 Days Celebrating Mums Choosing Life

Tomorrow, Tuesday 7th March, MPs will vote for the last time on the Public Order Bill and on the national buffer zone they plan to bring in. The most important voices on this havenot been listened to - thevoices of Mother's who wanted the offer of help at the gate of the abortion centre which pro-life vigils provide.

Alina with her daughter

As MPs get ready to vote, please read this recent article by Alina, who cared so much that other women should have the chance to get the help that she did that she went to court to try to stop the Ealing buffer zone.

Day 12 Patricia's Experience of the Ealing Vigil Before the Buffer Zone: Celebrating 40 Days of Mums Choosing Life

 

I have personal and direct experience of meeting the pro-life people from the Good Counsel outside the Marie Stopes Clinic on Mattock Lane, Ealing one October when I attended the Clinic for a proposed abortion and absolutely refute the Council’s allegations that there is any harassment, name calling or signs of intimidation as women either enter or leave the clinic. On arriving just one man was standing outside the clinic boundary offering leaflets in a peaceful manner while two or three other people were sitting some distance away on a grassy area keeping vigil. There may have been a poster or placard that was designed to make those in two minds about their decision for abortion rethink but in no way was it accusing or condemning. 

 As it happened on arriving at the clinic & almost getting as far as the operating theatre I was unable to go through with having an abortion as I was just too confused and torn between wanting to keep the baby and practical circumstances making it seem overwhelmingly hard.  On leaving the clinic it was actually a great source of comfort to me to speak to the pro life man outside who outlined the type of help the Good Counsel could provide me,  that I wasn’t alone and how many other women that had benefitted from them. He was a mild mannered & softly spoken man and we stood and spoke for at least 40 mins in which time I was able to observe him approaching people while offering a leaflet. Most (but not all) of the women declined the leaflet and none of them had it thrust upon them or were subject to any form of intimating behaviour from him whatsoever. There was no invasion/ obstruction of the women’s personal space either & they were allowed to pass freely. 

Since then I have gone on to seek help from the Good Counsel who have been incredibly generous offering financial assistance enabling me to enlist extra support through the latter stages of a difficult pregnancy.  They have also given me access to a lot of baby clothes and accessories that have been an enormous help as our budget is very tight and I know provide support to others in a myriad of different ways eg. help with benefits, housing, work opportunities.  All my dealings with the organisation have been with people who have been very empathic and non-judgemental, just trying to help me get an all rounded perspective and also providing hope and positivity. My understanding of the Good Counsel is that they are there to help women who may not choose abortion otherwise but who feel they have no other option due to circumstances.  Even though most of their members I think are Catholic there was absolutely no attempt to impart any religious belief onto me and their help is open to people of all cultures and faiths.

I feel that by enforcing Buffer Zones around Clinics many women who might have been helped to see there was any alternative to abortion will be denied this route. If others, like me, are in great conflict and see no other way out but abortion, then the Good Counsel can provide an invaluable lifeline and should be allowed to carry on with their good work in the peaceful manner they have been doing all along.  

Day 11 Paulette Chose Life because of a leaflet at the gate: 40 Days Celebrating Mums Choosing Life

 

"Why can't you just offer your help somewhere else? Why do you need to be right at the door of the abortion centre?" This is what buffer zone campaigners keep saying.

They don't seem to realise that many women will never find us online, or get our leaflet, or see our ads. In fact those in the most vulnerable positions are the least likely to find help before their abortion. Those with no money, no broadband, poor English, under pressure, victims of domestic violence, those from the strictest backgrounds where an unplanned pregnancy is unacceptable - they are amongst the groups that have least access to unfettered use of the internet.

Ane even those who hear about our support may be doubtful about it until they meet a real in the flesh person who can tell them about it.

It is not OK that ONE woman goes through an abortion because she has not got the help and support she needs to keep her baby. That is why we continue to fight for the right to offer help outside abortion centres.

Paulette, an immigrant with no rights to support and 1 child already with her unsupportive husband. She did find us online, read about the help we offer anddecided it was too good to be true. On the day of her abortion she met one of our volunteers outside the abortion centre and at that desperate moment she chose to come in to see us and give our help and support a chance. Here is what she said:

Outside the clinic, I was handed a leaflet. When I found out I was pregnant, financially my position was not that good. I booked an appointment for my abortion. When I went there, I found Good Counsel outside. At first I couldn’t believe the help, I never thought somebody would help you like this, would support you. It’s like somebody is saying it, but are they going to do it or not? That was the first question that came in my mind. So then I talked to the lady who was outside there, she just hugged me and she assured me that “We will support you with whatever you need.” So she told me that if I would like, I could come and talk more about my pregnancy and what are the difficulties I am facing. If I want to have the baby, what best can they do for the baby. So I went with them to the Good Counsel office and there we had a long chat. So then I decided not to terminate.

I feel, the abortion was quite a big burden for me, the whole night before it I couldn’t sleep because I was doing something which I didn’t want, but when I spoke to Good Counsel, I felt really good, I feel very light. It was great talking to them and after that I spoke to a few mums who Good Counsel had helped. I couldn’t believe what they were saying, I spoke to a few mums, I called them. They called me as well. They said “We are getting support for so many years.” So then I believed “Yes, they are there for me.”

Praying Pro-lifers offering real alternatives

I have been supported for more than 5 years.

The first thing that came to mind, because we were living in just a single room, my daughter was with me, I came here on a student visa, my visa conditions didn’t allow me to work, so I couldn’t afford two rooms for the family. My landlord told me “Too many people can’t live in one room, so you have to move out”. So GCN provided me with a two bedroom house. They were paying all the rent and everything, and even they were paying for all the groceries as well and diapers and, you know, baby cots. My child got everything. I couldn’t even believe…I couldn’t afford those things and he got all the things from there. From birth to now. Whenever he needs like winter coat or anything.

And I just want to add one more thing, because of my little one, my elder daughter is having a better life as well. Whenever I need something for her she gets it from them as well. No, even if I need something or my daughter, whoever in the family. 

My pregnancy would be terminated definitely if I had not met Good Counsel. When I booked my appointment I didn’t want to terminate the pregnancy, but I kept on looking everywhere for the help, but I couldn’t find any help. I even found Good Counsel Network on the website, but I shut it down because I couldn’t believe it. And then again when I was entering the gate, they handed me the leaflet. Because of that leaflet, when I went inside, I was thinking about that while waiting for my scan, they could not do the abortion that day so when I went out, I spoke to the lady from GCN who was on the door and she told me everything, so I did not go back again. So the leaflet – I think it is the most important thing, it saved a life. I couldn’t believe the website.

I don’t understand why people feel offended because if GCN is standing by the gate they are just providing more choices for people like us. They are not harming anyone and there is nothing wrong in it.

Priest Arrested For Praying, You Could Be Next? 40 Days of Celebrating Mothers Choosing Life Day 10

 

Father Sean Gough of the Archdiocese of Birmingham was arrested for praying silently outside an abortion centre, while it was closed. The police produced no evidence at the trial and thus Father was found not guilty. But the story does not end there. On Tuesday the 7th of March MPs will vote on the Public Order Bill. This bill contains a clause introduced by Stella Creasy MP to introduce buffer zones around all abortion centres across England and Wales, those breaking the buffer zone rules would  face a fine of an unlimited amount.

 

Some Lords and MPs had expressed their concerns that banning and criminalising silent prayer was a step too far. Now, because Fr Gough was given a ‘not guilty’ verdict, MPs voting on Tuesday will be under the impression that voting to bring in a national buffer zone will not result in Priests and lay people being arrested for praying silently.

 

But the police had clear evidence that he was praying (the sign he was carrying said so) and they did not present it in court. If it had been presented, he may well have been found guilty just for praying silently. It is very possible that with the introduction of a national buffer zone silent prayer may still become illegal outside every abortion centre in the country – even when they are closed.

 

Please contact your MP today in writing to ask them to vote against a national buffer zone if possible and against the bill in its entirety if the clause bringing this in is not dropped.

 

If you don’t understand why we want to pray at abortion centres, please watch this one minute video testimony of Theresa, a mother we have been blessed to help.

 

Please join us in praying and fasting for the protection of those brave people who spend many, many hours in all sorts of weather praying outside abortion centres and offering women real hope, real alternatives and real support at the very last moment.

40 Days of Celebrating Mothers Choosing Life Day 9: A Little One About to be Born

 

I hadn't been counselling for very long when I met a young woman named Sandra. In the early stages of pregnancy Sandra was very depressed by her partner's lack of support and felt it would be better to end the pregnancy before it was too far along. I talked through her situation and the support we could offer, but what touched her most was when we looked at some pregnancy textbooks with pictures of the baby's developmental stages. Realising that even at 6 weeks her baby had a heartbeat, and seeing what her child looked like changed her mind forever. 

She left saying she would think about it. 

I didn't hear for her for months but at Christmas I received a card with a penguin family on it. Inside it said: "There is a little one about to be born. He is going to be very loved by his mum and dad. Love Sandra". 

About 6 months later I was at the bus stop and a lady came up to me and said "Do you work at the Good Counsel Women's Centre? " I said yes. She swung open her coat and showed me her beautiful little boy, strapped on her in a sling.

We pray for Sandra and Mothers like her. We give thanks for her boyfriend accepting their child and we pray that all father's will accept the grace to do likewise.

Help us reach out to Mothers with prayer, help and support by attending the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here Donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 8: What Will Become of Our Children?

 

People often say to pro-life pregnancy centre staff, "It's all very well you encouraging women to keep their babies, but just giving them a few packs of nappies won't be much help. Are you going to support them for 18 years and are you going to solve all the social problems they have?"

Firstly, I have never, ever assisted a mum who wanted (or needed) 18 years support from us or any other organisation in raising their children. However the help we do have is a brilliant combination of generous, pro-life supporters donating, women-to women friendship, think-outside-the-box solutions, years of experience and really listening to women. Our support doesn't have an automatic cut-off point and the amount of support is tailored to each woman's needs. Some women we assist move on with their lives after a while, but also know that in bad times they can turn to us for emergency support.

Many Mothers we see will cope very well once they have sailed through rough patches or difficult circumstance. However, some Mothers have ongoing issues from housing to addiction, debt to domestic violence, children with disabilities, health issues and so on. In these cases we make good use of the services which already exist to help women, but we can support women in getting help if they are rejected, waiting too long or sidelined. We become their allies in fighting for the support they should have. Additionally, we are often able to top-up the support they get, so that in terms of their circumstances they become better off rather than worse off through keeping their baby.

What does become of their children? After 26 years of working in this field we are beginning to see what does happen to them. The first group of doctors and lawyers have qualified in the last few years. Others have got married, had children of their own, are still studying, some are working. All of them have in common the fact that they have been prayed for since their Mother carried them in the womb and their Mums have always had us to fall back on in times of trouble. God bless these beautiful children and young adults, may God hold them in the palm of His hand.

Help us reach out to Mothers with prayer, help and support by attending the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here Donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 7: Elaine

Elaine who received our help some years ago tells her story of choosing life:

How did you feel when you found out you were pregnant?

I had mixed feelings, I was happy that I had a new life growing inside my body, but I was also very worried and anxious because I knew that it would be extremely difficult to cope with a new baby in the situation my family was going through.

What made you choose abortion?

I was under intense pressure to cope with the housing situation, financial situation and the health challenges I was facing. 

What was it like when you went to the abortion centre?

I went there, but I just got up, cried and left because it was a decision I was struggling to come to terms with. I didn't know how I would cope but luckily on my way home, I saw someone sharing leaflets during the 40 Days for Life campaign and a sign that said..."Pregnant? Need help? We can help"

What made you choose life for your baby that day?

I got the leaflet, called the number on it but I was very skeptical because it seemed to good to be true.

What help were you offered by The Good Counsel Network? 

They offered me financial, emotional and housing support that I needed to navigate that very difficult moment of my life.

What help did you actually receive? 

I got help with baby clothes, food vouchers, advice, counselling and several letters to the council until my family was rehoused in more decent accommodation.

Lorraine, Yvonne and everyone at The Good Counsel Network really helped me. They are doing  amazing work and saving many lives. I'm just immensely grateful to God and everyone at  Good Counsel Network, for supporting me and my family. Whenever I look at my son, I just think of what would have happened if I hadn't received any support

Thanks to everyone who has helped me. May God bless you all xx🙏

Help us reach out to Mothers like Elaine with prayer, help and support by attending the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here Donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

40 Days Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 6:Celebrating Mothers & the Pro-Life Pregnancy Centres Which Assist Them

 

One year during the 40 Days for Life Campaign we got a call from an expectant Mum, Stella, who somehow had got through to us while trying to phone Marie Stopes abortion centre. We explained who we were - a pregnancy centre which only offers life-affirming help and support to women in difficult pregnancies and their children - and she told us that she had an appointment with Marie Stopes for an abortion the next day. She did not want to have an abortion but did not know what to do. She had two older children and was trying to keep out of the way of her ex partner who had been physically abusive. Then she found out she was pregnant with his child. Abortion seemed to be the only way out. But she was not happy about it.

So she begged us to visit her that night. She had no childcare available and had her two young sons with her all evening and the abortion was early the following day. If we couldn't come to her, she had no chance of hearing about alternatives to abortion.

I agreed to come and went with a volunteer to offer her help and alternatives, including getting her support to keep herself and her children safe from her ex. 

As Providence would have it, Stella was half German and half Polish and the volunteer who came with me was from an identical background to her. As we sat down to talk with her, we noticed a small statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We two Catholics silently asked the intercession of the Mother of God.

We were able to offer her a simple but very useful package of help, support and advice. We left late that evening and prayed some more.

We didn't hear from her for hours after her appointment time the next day, but when she called she said  "I could not go through with it and I am so glad you have real help for me." 

Stella kept her baby and some months later delivered her first daughter with joy. She has remained forever grateful for the help we were able to offer.

Pro-Life Pregnancy Centres provide unique support for expectant mums

The BBCs Panorama Programme (27th Feb) attacked Pro-Life Pregnancy Centres.

They accuse us of lying, giving false medical information, manipulating women by giving scans and being biased in our views on abortion.

While the medical establishment try to claim that risks from abortion are minor, that post-abortion trauma doesn't exist, that no-one is at risk of severe complications following abortion, remember that the whole minefield of abortion complications has been totally skewed by lies which abound in the pro-abortion culture we live in. Thousands of post-abortive women we have served have stories to tell that back up the reality of the physical and mental trauma of abortion. Ultrasound scans don't lie and showing women their own babies in the womb is arming them with facts, not manipulating them! Lastly no-one is unbiased on abortion, not us nor the abortion providers, but pro-life centres don't claim to be. Abortion centres -which make hundreds of thousands of pounds from abortion - continually try to present themselves as "neutral" and unbiased.

Finally think of women like Stella. Abortion centres have nothing to offer her but the death of her child! They won't be going to her home at the last minute to answer her desperate plea for help to let her child live.

Please support your local pro-life Pregnancy Centre.

40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 5 In the Case of Rape

 

Anna was raped by a trusted older man who had not seemed interested in her, but suddenly, out of the blue, he assaulted her. She was deeply traumatised and did not know how to begin to think about telling her husband what had happened. Then she found out that she was pregnant.

She was deeply confused, hating the thought of abortion, hating what had been done to her and hating what was likely to happen if she had this baby. Would her husband leave her? Would the baby be a constant reminder of the rape?

As a Catholic, she accepted a "Miraculous Medal" from one of our volunteers, a Catholic sacramental - a medal depicting the Mother of God  - wearing the medal is a sign of asking for Our Lady's protection and powerful prayers.

She went home, put on her medal and started to pray. Somehow she found the strength to tell her husband, and he found the strength to accept the baby. They chose life for their child and went on to have a very blessed life with their beautiful and much loved, and very talented child. 

We thank God today for the gift of Anna and for her husband's generosity and for the gift of that child. We pray for those who are raped and those who become pregnant through rape. May God turn all their weeping into gladness and provide the support and help that Mothers and their children need. We pray for those conceived in rape - may they be loved and welcomed into the world despite the sins of their fathers. May God turn the hearts of those who would commit such crimes away from such evil.

Help us reach out to Mothers like Anna with prayer, help and support by attending the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here Donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 4 Mums Who Rise Above Suffering and Shame to Choose Life

 

Today we are celebrating Linda, a young expectant mum we met outside an abortion centre who did not want to abort but was worried about how she could carry her child to term because of her circumstances.

She came from a very strict background but who had secretly been having a relationship for some years when she found out she was pregnant. Her boyfriend was very pleasant and supportive, wanting her to keep the baby, but he point blank refused to discuss getting married or telling his family about the child. He came from a much more liberal background, which made it even harder to understand, because Linda would have to give up her whole family if she kept the baby as an unmarried mum.

With many doubts and fears, Linda chose to continue her pregnancy with Good Counsel's support. We helped her to find a place to live with her baby so that she had a place to go before her family could find out about the pregnancy and throw her out. She kept the baby, but she kept in touch with the baby's father and he cotinued to tell her he wanted a relationship with her and her baby.

A few months before the birth he suddenly told her that he had another girlfriend who was also expecting his child and he planned to make his future with her. Linda was heartbroken, devastated and felt humiliated by the whole situation. But she kept her baby and is determined to raise him and give him the best life she can. 

Unfortunately, Linda's situation is not unique. Several expectant mums we have assisted have found their baby's father was not faithful and then had the humiliation of finding out he was having a child with the other woman as well. It is a terrible suffering for a pregnant woman to discover this and women often start to feel that all men are like this; good men often get "tarred" with the brush that "all men are like that" because of these rotten apples! 

Let's pray today for women like Linda who have to endure this pain and the men who inflict this kind of pain through their selfishness. We pray for them to regret their behaviour, to honour and respect the women and children in their lives and to not endanger the lives of children by their faithlessness. We thank God for the gift of the child who was born to Linda. May God bless Linda and her baby and turn all things to their good.

Help us reach out to Mothers like Linda with prayer, help and support by attending the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here Donate to help us support Mothers in need here 

Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 3 Maria

 

A mum we assisted 13 years ago came to speak at the Ealing 40 Days for Life Opening Event recently "Maria" brought her son with her to give thanks for all the help and support she received from The Good Counsel Network when she had thought that abortion would be her only option. 

Maria and her son (right) with Lorraine from Good Counsel

She said "It was a tremendous relief to be welcomed with kindness, invited over and offered assistance. It gave me hope, and made me joyful, grateful and pleased. 

I received clothing, bedding,vouchers, groceries, Christmas presents, financial support, immigration support, support with legal costs. I was offered accommodation.

The assistance changed my story, my son and I.

The Good Counsel Network also developed a place for mothers and children to socialise and all of this assistance gave me the confidence to be proud of my son." 

Let us pray for Maria today and for all mums considering abortion, may theu find the life-giving alternatives they need.

Please attend the 40 Days for Life Vigil near you. We are running one in Brixton, please contact Gabriella for details on 07745711064. Or find your nearest 40 Days for Life campaign here

Donate to help The Good Counsel Network support Mothers in need of assistance here. 

40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life Day 2

 

As we continue to pray for an end to abortion, especially through our public witness and prayer and fasting during 40 Days for Life, today let's celebrate Susan, who chose life for her baby this week after seeing a scan. She had been under pressure from her family and boyfriend to abort, but asked us to get a scan for her. She was delighted to see her baby and learn about the help and support we can offer her. She had been heading to the Ealing abortion centre but is now planning to keep her baby. Please keep Susan in your prayers throughout lent.

You can help to save more lives through prayer and witness at 40 Days for Life. Sign up to join our Brixton (South London) vigil by calling the Vigil Leader, Gabriella on 07745711064. Or go to 40Daysforlife.com to sign up for other vigils around the UK.

You can help us to help other mums like Susan with financial support by donating to our work here.

Celebrating Life 40 Days of Celebrating Mums Choosing Life! Day 1

Now we are into the penitential season of Lent it's good to find some positive things to thank God for and to lift up our hearts and our spirits! During 40 Days for Life you will hear many stories in the media about pro-lifers abusing and harassing expectant mothers, but that is not what we do. Our peaceful and prayerful witness offers life and hope to mothers who would otherwise be coerced by others or by their circumstances into aborting.

Today we celebrate Belinda who chose life for her baby last week. Despite her baby having a serious health condition and not being expected to live for very long, Belinda felt harassed and pushed into abortion, and asked us for help to pursue life affirming support to keep her baby. That's what we are currently doing. Please pray especially for Belinda today. And please join our 40 Days for Life vigil in Brixton if you can, call Gabriella to join on 07745711064.

You can also donate to help us support mums like Belinda, here 

You can find other 40 Days for Life Campaigns around the UK and the world here 

Abortion Death Toll Reaches 10 million

At some point in early autumn this year, the total number of abortions carried out in Great Britain reached 10 million. It is hard to imagine 10 million people. I’ve never seen 10 million people in one place at one time. I live in London which has a population of nine and a half million and I come from Wales which has a population of a little over 3 million. So, when I consider the 10 million people who have lost their lives to abortion since the passing of the Abortion Act in October 1967, to be honest, such a number of deaths is incomprehensible. So many people who could have achieved so many things that we will never know of.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta was once asked, why God had not sent someone to cure AIDS, she replied instantly, that God had sent someone to cure AIDS, but that they had been aborted.

We all know people that we find inspiring, someone we think it is worth looking up to, great saints or religious leaders, an author, an honest politician, a good teacher from our school days or maybe even some good athlete or a pop or film star. I’m sure that a number of people have come to mind as you read this, I myself think of the great author GK Chesterton whose writings helped me to join the Catholic Church. Now imagine that the person whom you have thought of had, for whatever reason, been aborted. There can be little doubt that without these people our lives would not have been as fulfilled as they have been. Imagine this loss 10 million times over.

When we are confronted with the scale of abortion we can despair, but we should not, as we must remember that in the end, God wins. His win won’t trample down those who have been wounded by abortion but will liberate them from their pain and will end abortion forever.

I cannot stop all of the abortions that will take place this year and neither can you, but God can. The incredible overturning of Roe vs Wade is a sign of what God can do, and yet, even in the US the move towards ending abortion has only begun, there is still much work to do.

What Can I Do?

Here in the UK, we need to do what we can practically do to reach out to pregnant women and assure them that the help and support they need is really here. That we can help them with their basic needs so that they can keep their babies. In every life that is spared from being aborted, God has sent gifts and solutions to the world’s problems.  Helping one life to be spared is helping to change the world!

©      You could come and join us in this work, praying outside one of the abortion centres in London or around the country (contact us for details of your local vigil). The women going into the abortion centres really need grace from God to continue their pregnancies and it may be that it is your prayers that will provide them with this grace. A trained counsellor there at the doorstep of an abortion centre, offering practical help and support to the women is also of the utmost importance.

©      Does your place of work or student residence etc have any posters or leaflets offering help and support with the phone number of a pro-life pregnancy centre? If not, contact our office and we will post you a fridge magnet today with a helpline number where women can find support today.

©      Does your parish have a Good Counsel Network poster on its noticeboard? Ask us to send them one today if not.

©      Have you joined our Rotary Rota where we ask you to say a Rosary just once a month on a specific day to help support the mothers that we see?

©      Saint Teresa of Calcutta said that abortion would end if we all spent one hour a week in Eucharistic Adoration. Is this something you could offer for the end of abortion? You can join our Adoration Rota and offer an hour of Adoration in your parish for the end of abortion.

God will ask us to account for our time when we stand before Him. We are all busy, we all have lots of commitments, but we can all do our bit.

Over the years in my work in the Pro-life Movement I’ve heard many women speak, after they've had an abortion, about how things may have been different, “if only someone had been there to offer me an alternative.” Then I look at the number of young people whom I now know, whose mothers, upon arriving at an abortion centre did find somebody there and that someone made all the difference, allowing them to choose life for their children! We are all called to be that someone in whatever ways we can, we are all called to do something.

Volunteering & Financial Support

Many of the mothers that we help have serious practical and financial needs and so supporting our work with a donation or better still with a monthly standing order also makes a huge contribution towards saving the lives of unborn babies. Please donate what you can today.

©      Join our Lifesaver’s Circle by donating £350 pounds, which you can also do by taking out a standing order for £30 each month or

©      Join our St Margaret Clitherow Guild by donating £1000 which you can do by donating £84 a month by standing order.

Whatever you do, do something, and God bless you for your support of His little ones.

Stuart