Staffers find reward in every ultrasound at the Modesto Pregnancy Center

Ask Janet Spyksma for her favorite memory at the Modesto Pregnancy Center and she doesn't hesitate.

It's the time an unmarried couple came in, saw twins on the ultrasound monitor and decided not to abort them.

"The woman was in her early 20s," said Spyksma, MPC's nurse manager. "She had previously had an abortion and was considering having another one. (She and her boyfriend) didn't think they could afford any children. She did not know how far along she was. On doing the ultrasound, I found twins. Her next words were, 'I can't go through with (the abortion). God blessed me with two.' "

When Spyksma brought the boyfriend — not the same partner for the woman's first abortion — into the room and showed him the two heartbeats, "he went up and got real close to the monitor and touched the screen as if he could touch those babies. They were

moving. She couldn't feel them yet, but we could see these babies moving around. They were really performing there."

He also called them a blessing and wanted his girlfriend to give birth to them, Spyksma said.

The 71-year-old retired nurse joined MPC as a volunteer in 2002. Before that, she said, she had supported the organization with financial donations. She gives about 25 hours a week to MPC, doing the limited ultrasounds and overseeing volunteer doctors and nurses. (A limited ultrasound reveals whether a baby is in the uterus, as well as heartbeat and general gestation information. A complete ultrasound reveals much more information.)

Before retirement, Spyksma worked as an obstetric nurse for high-risk pregnancies, and she holds certificates to perform limited ultrasounds and serve as an ASPO/Lamaze instructor. The registered nurse said her volunteer work at MPC "is the love of my life."

The best part, she said, is "saving lives, saving babies. People say they are not babies, but there they are with a beating heartbeat. There's nothing more joyous than seeing someone see that heartbeat and changing their minds (about having an abortion). It's a miracle."

The Modesto Pregnancy Center opened its doors on McHenry Avenue in 1990. Adding services and gaining space over the years, the center is a Christian nonprofit organization with a goal of helping women in so-called crisis pregnancies — those that are unexpected, often to single women in difficult circumstances. The ministry's hope, of course, is that the women will decide to bring their pregnancies to term. But Delores Wolterstorff, executive director, said MPC's volunteer peer counselors never "browbeat" the women into giving birth or converting to Christianity.

"According to the exit interviews," she said, "almost everyone makes very positive comments: 'Counselor was helpful.' 'Was thorough.' 'Wasn't judgmental.' 'Very informative.' 'They were loving and caring.' 'It's a peaceful atmosphere.' "

The benefit of the ministry to the community, she said, is "probably the fact that we do offer free services. Our pregnancy test, ultrasound, the verification is all free. It helps that woman who's in crisis. A lot of times their minds are put at ease. It helps them to make an informed decision."

Other services also are free — maternity clothes, Bible studies, post-abortion classes for men and women, counseling, etc. Clients can earn "baby bucks" by watching videos or participating in classes that they can use to buy baby clothes, disposable diapers and other baby items.

Wolterstorff, 67, began at MPC as a volunteer 10 years ago.

"This is probably the most fulfilling job I've ever had," she said.

The best part, she said, "is to be able to just listen to a woman in a crisis pregnancy. This pulled me out of my little comfort zone to an area where I could interact with people who have so much of their lives ahead of them. They didn't stop to think before that intimate relationship, which could result in pregnancy, but could also result in something else — an STD (sexually transmitted disease). ...

"And every time they have another partner, they've lost a part of themselves. Even if the pregnancy test is negative, it gives us an opportunity to help them take a look at this lifestyle."

The post-abortion classes — one for men and one for women — have been helpful to many, Wolterstorff said. "We take them through a Bible study called 'Forgiven and Set Free.' Through that 12-week study, they come to grips with who God is. Often, they think of him as very judgmental, and yet he is a loving, heavenly father. Then they move into the basis of their anger — who are they angry at? The next chapter is writing a forgiveness letter, which often includes forgiving themselves.

"Finally, there's a memorial service where they name their baby and commit the baby to God. A lot of them say it's like a load lifted off of them. It's often not an instant process, but sometimes it's a beginning process."

The nonprofit center has many needs, she said, including disposable diapers. MPC hands out 27,000 diapers a year. Other needs include "gently used" baby clothes up to size 18 months, baby blankets, wipes and lotion, nurses and volunteers.

For more information, call 550-5923 or visit www.modestopc.org.

Bee staff writer Sue Nowicki can be reached at 578-2012 or snowicki@modbee.com.

This story was originally published January 23, 2009 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Staffers find reward in every ultrasound at the Modesto Pregnancy Center."