Camila originally reached out to the Mobile Medical Clinic, asking for STD testing. She suspected that her boyfriend was cheating on her, and he had recently forced her to take some medication without telling her what it was.
After talking with the nurse on board the Mobile Medical Clinic, the nurses deduced that it was most likely treatment for Chlamydia. The staff asked about how Camila felt about her relationship, and she shared that she had concerns and did not feel safe with her boyfriend, but she didn’t know how to get out of her abusive relationship.
Then, Camila asked for a pregnancy test.
It was positive.
Pressured to Abort
When Camila saw the positive pregnancy test, she started crying and shared that her boyfriend had already pressured her to have an abortion a few months prior. Unfortunately, many women are pressured to abort by partners like Camila’s. It was a traumatic experience, and she did not think she could go through it again.
Staff on the MMC had a long discussion with her about her value, the other options available to her, and how she did not deserve the abuse she experienced from her boyfriend. The caring nurse and advocate also talked about the resources available to support her and her child if she chose life.
Experiencing Domestic Abuse
Camila was grateful for the encouragement and shared that she did not have a safe person in her life to talk to. She never told anyone some of the things she shared with the staff on board the Mobile Medical Clinic.
After Camila’s initial appointment, the Mobile Medical Clinic staff continued to follow up with her, but her replies were inconsistent. One day, they received an appointment request with her name asking for an abortion. The clinic called her, and she said that her boyfriend had been trying to make her appointments to force her to have another abortion. Since Camila had visited the Mobile Medical Clinic once already for STD tests, her boyfriend assumed it was an abortion bus.
Camila returned to the Mobile Medical Clinic without his knowledge to have an ultrasound and see her baby. The clinic continued to encourage her to call our referrals for domestic violence services.
Escaping Domestic Abuse
Time passed, and the nurse and advocate continued to contact Camila. Sometimes, they’d get no reply, and sometimes, they’d get a text back. Despite this, the advocate never stopped reminding her that she was strong and worthy of love.
Finally, Camila gained the courage to call a domestic violence hotline. She finally left him. However, it wasn’t over. Her boyfriend continued to try to find her or contact her for months. She lied to him that she had another abortion to protect the baby, but he found out that she was still pregnant.
Camila got a restraining order against her ex. As she slowly started feeling safe again, her advocate helped her find OB care and continued to encourage her and connect her with support.
Camila Finds the Courage to Choose Life
Determined to create a fresh start for herself and her baby, Camila moved out of state to be with family.
She shared that she might not have found the courage to leave her abusive relationship if it hadn’t been for the motivation to protect her baby. She saved her baby’s life, but in many ways, her unplanned pregnancy saved her life as well. We’re so glad our Mobile Medical Clinic helped Camila realize she had the strength to escape her abusive relationship and save both herself and her baby.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the hotline for help.
Do you want to help fund more Mobile Medical Clinics like the one that helped Camila? Your donation can make a life-changing difference.
