I was only fifteen years old when I learned I was expecting.
My boyfriend, Chris, was only sixteen. We were sitting in the waiting room at Planned Parenthood, both terrified. Even before the nurse said anything, we already knew. Everything shifted the instant the result came back positive.
They talked about our choices, abortion, adoption, and keeping the baby. Abortion was the first option they discussed. They told me I had time to decide, but not much. When I asked about keeping the baby, the nurse looked surprised and reminded me how hard it would be. Chris tried to comfort me, but I was scared.
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
Our relationship was already falling apart, and deep down I knew I couldn’t depend on him. His friends and family didn’t like me, and I can’t blame them. I wasn’t the best girlfriend back then. I was young and insecure. What did I know about love? The hardest part was telling my mom. She had me when she was young, and she had high hopes for my future. One day, she took me to the doctor for a pregnancy test. I already knew the answer. I pleaded with the doctor to keep it from her.
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
He agreed and gave me birth control samples to trick her. But two weeks later, she found the pills and realized I hadn’t used any pads. That’s when the truth came out. I blurted it in the car: “I’m already pregnant.” She screamed and left. Later, she told me not to come home. Everyone wanted me to end the pregnancy.
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
Chris broke up with me. I was sick, alone, and missing school. Even my principal told me to drop out. But something in me said no. It wasn’t about religion or morals. It was instinct. I knew there was a life inside me, and I couldn’t end it. I lost friends and support, but I found something else, love for my baby. He became my reason to keep going.
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
When I found out I was having a boy, I named him Christiano. He was my light. My mom came to an ultrasound and everything changed. She welcomed me back home. Later, Chris returned too. But near the end of my pregnancy, I got very sick. Labor was rough, and I almost died. But I survived. My baby survived. And he saved me. Christiano lost his life in a tragic accident when he was just eighteen.
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
Courtesy of Shannon Barbosa
But if I had the choice again, I’d still choose life. A billion times, yes.
