15 things to do before your first abortion

In response to 20 tips for your first abortion, written by by some waitress blogger, I offer these tips, instead:

1. It doesn't matter how you got pregnant, if it was with your husband, boyfriend, boss, or someone who assaulted you. Because no matter how it happened, there is a real live human being growing inside of you and he or she is your child, no matter who the father is.
2. Go to care-net.org and find the phone number of a pregnancy center in your area.
3. Go ahead and google fetal development while you're there. See that your baby has a heartbeat, a nervous system, fingers and toes.
4. When you go to your appointment, feel free to bring someone who cares about you. But if you feel like no one cares right now, don't worry. The counselor at the center really will care about YOU, in addition to caring about your baby.
5. Most likely, you will get to see an ultrasound. Look at it. Marvel at the miracle of life happening inside you. Fall in love with your tiny son or daughter.
6. Talk about your options. Most women who have abortions say they didn't feel like they had a choice. Realize that there are many choices that respect both you and your baby.
7. Ask about the services at the pregnancy center. Be honest about your needs. Most pregnancy centers will continue to assist you for up to one year after your baby is born. 
8. Don't bring your checkbook. The services at a pregnancy center are provided at no charge to you by loving members of your community. That's right. It's free.
9. Realize that the people at the center aren't there to judge you. They're there to help. They have heard every kind of story under the sun. They may not agree with the decisions that lead to your pregnancy, but they aren't there to condemn you.
10. When they offer to pray with you, accept, even if you don't believe. Because even if it seems silly to you, it's an act of love. 
11. If he's going to be part of the baby's life, bring in the father. More and more pregnancy centers are including men in their services because your baby deserves two good parents if that's at all possible.
12. It's okay to talk to the other clients. They've been where you are and they got through it. Make friends in the waiting room.
13. Make plans for your pregnancy and beyond.
14. Realize that you're strong enough and supported enough to follow through with your plan.
15. Be a great mother - whether it's through parenting or adoption.