Hey there Alana, we actually have a lot in common...I was told at a young age that I had endometriosis and that I would never have kids, I even got a huge tattoo on my stomach because I figured it would never stretch out...LOL...bad idea...anyways after years of sleeping around, unprotected I never got pregnant and I had no fear of becoming pregnant...when I was 19 I met a guy and we "fell in love" and he was just all that and a bag of potato chips, until a month or so into the relationship, he also was a heavy drinker and when he was drunk he was really verbally and emotionally abusive...I was on the verge of leaving him, just waiting for the "love" to die down enough to make it easier for both of us when I found out I was pregnant, I was in shock, I made the nurse do 3 tests...he instantly said abortion and I was all for it, I did not want to be stuck with him for the rest of my life...I told my mom and sister and they told me not to get an abortion so I ultimately decided not to...we broke up and I had a horrible pregnancy, I never really bonded with her while she was in my womb, I didn't even find out her sex until birth....I even lost my mom to suicide while I was pregnant and that was horrible to say the least, if I had gotten the abortion I cannot tell you where I would be today if I would even be alive...my child gave me hope to make it through....someone to live for...anyways her dad and I got back together when she was 3 weeks old and he became controlling and abusive again really quickly, I eventually left him a year later and he has not seen our daughter in over 4 years, she is now 7 and in 2nd grade....I did not have an easy road as a single mom but I tell you what, it was much easier than living with guilt wondering, boy or girl, what if, and so on...I look back at my times of being a single mom (4 1/2 years, two of them with 2 kids on my own) and I miss those times, I am very thankful for how my life has turned out but there was also something very special about that time, the miracles that happened, finding money in my mail box, food on my doorstep, etc...I was not alone even when I felt like it, I had a family even though it didn't always feel complete...I am now married to a wonderful man who loves me and treats me like untarnished gold despite what my past was like, he loves my kids and they call him daddy, I personally feel that you should leave the abuser and go it alone with your little family, you and baby will make it just fine, if he straightens up then yes there is room for second chances but it sounds like you have a supportive family and you are a grown woman, you can do this...your baby is a very precious gift, neither of us should have had the opportunity to have kids, we both had now had the chance, me 3 times, this is your time, your first, what are you going to do with this amazing opportunity that is awaiting? This is YOUR child, flesh and blood, someone you have longed to meet all these years and thought you never would...do not take this child's life into your hands, trust him/her in the hands of the One who will carry you through the tough times and give blessings where least expected....this child is worth it, so are you, do not rob yourself of motherhood....I am here if you want to talk more but please do not go to your appointment, I am praying for you and I know you will make the right choice, I am anxiously awaiting your reply so that I can celebrate this pregnancy with you....Love Meg
