A Massachusetts pregnancy resource center helped my son Sam, and me start on a successful path, and it has been so disheartening to see the same center that helped us now attacked and discredited by Massachusetts politicians.

This summer, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll launched a first-in-the nation taxpayer-funded $1 million smear campaign with the goal of discrediting every pregnancy resource center in the state and scaring women away from seeking the help that these charitable centers offer.

Unfortunately, the attacks on pregnancy resource centers in Massachusetts are part of a larger trend happening across the country. During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, a Chicago area pregnancy resource center was vandalized. The Biden administration has even tried to cut crucial funding for these centers.

The support these centers provide women like me is so important and touches so many lives.

For years, my husband and I had trouble conceiving. We both wanted children but faced heartbreak after heartbreak. Eventually, we both underwent testing and received the devastating diagnosis that we were infertile. I went to three fertility clinics in New Hampshire to confirm, and they all said the same thing.

I was devastated and mourned the loss of not being able to be a mom.

Years later, after the end of two marriages, I began a relationship with an old school friend, and I was shocked when I became pregnant in my 40s. Because of my history and my age, I didn’t believe the multiple positive pregnancy tests I took in my home bathroom.

My friend suggested I go to a local pregnancy resource center because it had pregnancy confirmation testing. I brought all the pregnancy tests I had taken in a bag.

I met a lady at the center named Lois. After talking with me about my history, she had me take a self-administered pregnancy test, which showed I was definitely pregnant.

Shock again took over. “That can’t be because I was told I couldn’t have children,” I said. She asked me how many pregnancy tests I had taken, and I held up the bag with all the positive pregnancy tests inside.

Lois talked to me about my options and asked if I had decided what I wanted to do. I told her I wanted to parent my baby, and I was excited.

I learned that the center would provide whatever support I needed during my pregnancy and for the whole year following the birth.

In the beginning of my pregnancy, my immediate family and friends were not supportive of me being a single mother. While my friends eventually came on board to help me, it took my family a little longer.

The center stepped in and became my support network when I didn’t have one.

Lois and the staff at the center delivered on their promise, and they were there for me every month during my pregnancy and beyond. I met with Lois regularly to talk about how things were going. Lois took the time to get to know me personally. She even picked out cute pregnancy outfits for me and offered other materials items as I needed them.

After my son, Sam, was born, I was able to pick out baby supplies, including diapers, formula, and even a christening outfit.

Throughout the pregnancy, Lois and the center never left my side.

The center provided me with compassion and care, without judgment. While others criticized me for being a single mom, Lois was genuinely excited for me. Her excitement helped me throughout the whole process.

She made me feel cared for and wanted. But the most important thing that Lois did for me was offer support that gave me a real choice and made me feel confident in my decision to keep my baby.

It’s a decision that I’m so glad I made. Being a mom is something I wouldn’t change for the world. Today, my son and I have the best life. We are always busy doing something together, and we have a very close relationship. In some ways, we are best friends.

Sam is now 13 and he loves to play sports. He plays basketball, and this year he tried track for the first time. He came in first in the 400-meter dash. He also loves being outside to go hiking and swimming.

As I look back on my experience, I would tell any woman in the same situation as me to listen to yourself. There will always be other people’s opinions about what you should do, but it is important to block out the outside noise and seek out the support you need. As long as pregnancy resource centers are around, that help will always be available.