Clara: “The SAMC is so valuable. If it hadn't been there, I would have been completely lost.”
Clara Finds the Courage to Listen to Her Heart
When Clara (27) realizes she is pregnant, her heart immediately says yes to the baby and rejoices. But this joy is short-lived: it is abruptly overshadowed when Clara learns of her boyfriend’s – the baby’s father’s – reaction. He makes it clear to her that he doesn’t want a child. What a disappointment! Her vision of a life with the child quickly darkens. Everything starts spinning, and she finds it hard to think clearly. While searching for guidance in online forums, she comes across the SAMC and gives them a call.
Father of the Child Wants an Abortion
Clara soon speaks with a counselor. She explains that she was initially happy about the pregnancy. She had hoped her boyfriend would stand by her and the child. Now she is bitterly disappointed and no longer considers him a boyfriend. He is pressuring her to have an abortion. Meanwhile, she herself is beginning to doubt whether she should keep the child. She finds it hard to listen to her heart. The thought of being a single parent terrifies her, especially since she would be on her own financially. Despite her education and full-time job, her income is modest. She wanted to start a continuing education program to improve her financial situation, but with a child, that doesn’t seem possible.
The counselor explains to the depressed young woman how the SAMC supports pregnant women in crisis situations – even after the birth. She hands her a written overview of support offers. This is a relief for Clara. Knowing that she is not alone does her good.
A Change in the Child’s Father?
Unexpectedly, the situation seems to be changing. Clara tells the counselor that the father’s behavior has improved. He is no longer pressuring her to have an abortion. She is now able to talk well to him. He wants to acknowledge paternity, and together they want to figure out how to plan their future with the child. Both are making an effort to understand each other better.
Clara feels hopeful. Perhaps solutions can be found after all – including for the financial issues and the child support arrangements. She is calmer and believes the conflict has been resolved.
Clara has doubts again
But when it comes to the crucial issue – finances – an agreement can’t be reached. Her ex-boyfriend refuses to agree to concrete steps like a child support agreement. Instead, he makes his expectations clear: she must work full-time even as a mother in order to make ends meet financially. This comes as a shock to Clara. Unsettled, she wonders if he can avoid paying child support. Doubts return: Was he perhaps right – would a child throw both their lives off track?
With these worries, agonizing questions, and renewed doubts, she turns once again to the counselor and schedules a meeting to discuss the matter.
Clarity and Joy
During the conversation, Clara speaks openly about everything that’s on her mind. She is relieved to learn that the father is legally obligated to pay child support. The law is on her side, the counselor explains. They also discuss the specific support options available through the SAMC. In addition, the young woman learns that she can still pursue her further education later on, even after becoming a mother.
This face-to-face meeting gives Clara a new sense of peace. She is now able to assess her situation and her financial prospects more realistically. Her fears begin to subside. She finds the courage to listen to her heart again and finally decides to keep her child.
Following the birth of her daughter, the SAMC continues to support Clara with food vouchers and financial assistance for the baby’s care. The young mother is now going through positive changes. The counselor finds her increasingly cheerful – a stark contrast to how she was during her pregnancy.
“I’m doing really well!” the new mother tells the counselor. Her daughter is easygoing. Her family helps out with childcare while she’s at work. And the child support arrangement shouldn’t be long in coming. She says, thankfully, “The SAMC is so valuable. If it hadn’t been there, I would have been completely lost.”