Joanna's Story

In our bustling community, where stories intertwine and hearts beat with hidden joys and sorrows, Joanna felt a flutter of unease.

A simple yet profound moment—a late period. Her relationship with her boyfriend Keith was blossoming, but neither of them had planned on parenthood so soon.

As the days ticked by and her period remained elusive, the worry crept in. Was it work-related stress? Keith suggested taking a pregnancy test, hoping to ease her anxieties. The result: positive. Bewildered, they turned to the internet for answers.

Eventually they stumbled across Atwell Centre’s website. Joanna booked an appointment. At the clinic, she was greeted by warm, compassionate professionals who understood her turmoil.

In the sanctum of the clinic, a nurse reviewed Joanna’s perinatal choices with her. She found it reassuring to have her questions answered by a medical professional.

After a positive in-house pregnancy test, Joanna chose to receive a point of care ultrasound (POCUS) to better assess certain aspects of her pregnancy like the location of the fetus, fetal cardiac activity, and gestational age.

As the screen flickered on, Joanna saw the rhythm of life pulsing within her and fell in love with her baby.

“Moments ago, I was ready to abort this pregnancy,” she said. “But now I’m not really sure.”

Two days later, Joanna returned to Atwell, this time with Keith. They wanted to see the baby together before making any decisions.

“Babe, it’s a baby,” Keith said, in awe.

“I know. I’m already so in love,” Joanna replied, looking up at him.

“So am I,” Keith told her.

In the following weeks, Joanna met with the social worker, while Keith returned to Atwell for follow-up STI testing. He began to see his sexual health as a new father. In particular, Atwell’s holistic perspective helped him understand the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of porn.

As weeks turned to months, Joanna's belly swelled with life. It took time for their families to come around to the situation, but the couple grew stronger in their decision to parent this new life. They also found comfort in reading the Bible together as they planned their future.

This is usually the end of the story. We meet clients during some of the hardest dilemmas they may ever face, and they may not want to update us on a pregnancy they once questioned keeping.

However, one day our staff received an unexpected picture in the mail: a sweet newborn boy. A note from Joanna and Keith. A miracle.

Their story is a reminder of what’s possible in unexpected circumstances, of the transformative power of love and truth, and the blessing of unwavering support from people like you who believe in second chances.