(Unplanned Stories) — At 31 years old, Krystal found herself unexpectedly pregnant and completely alone.
Living in New Zealand and in a long-term relationship she believed was stable, her world unraveled when she discovered her boyfriend had been unfaithful. The betrayal triggered years of unresolved trauma, leaving her overwhelmed by anger, isolation and despair.
As the pregnancy progressed, Krystal began to consider abortion — not because anyone pressured her to, but because she no longer trusted her own ability to survive motherhood.
With no support system and consumed by intrusive thoughts to harm herself and her baby, Krystal reached a breaking point — until an unexpected encounter with God changed the course of her life.
A turbulent childhood and adolescence
Krystal fell into a gang in New Zealand at 14 after years of trauma and abuse. Raised in the church but adopted as a child, she endured sexual abuse from multiple family members and severe bullying at school.
By her teenage years, Krystal was isolated, angry and struggling with addiction.
“I went into a gang life from 14 to 21, sold drugs, partied, did plenty of robberies, [and] sent my mum into the hospital six times during my adolescence,” she says. “It was just a crazy time for me. I was reckless.”
At her breaking point
Krystal was three months pregnant and in a three-year relationship when she discovered her boyfriend had been unfaithful.
“It led me into depression to the point I was hearing voices [saying] my daughter wasn’t meant to be living,” she says. “I was actually planning to abort her.”
Krystal recalls sitting in her car one day, thinking about how she would end multiple lives, including her own and her unborn child’s.
“I didn’t really care about anyone’s life,” she says.
Because of where she lived, accessing abortion was not simple. Krystal says abortion laws and availability were limited in her area of New Zealand. She also says the thought of asking her midwife for help felt shameful.
Krystal then attempted to end her pregnancy in her car by drinking Turpentine, a toxic solvent commonly used for cleaning and polishing.
“I just really wanted to get rid of her and [thought] if she lives through that, she’s [just] going to live with a disability,” Krystal says.
However, in the midst of her despair, something changed.
An encounter with God
Alone in her car, screaming and crying one day, Krystal felt a sudden sense of peace. The intrusive thoughts lifted, and the voices that haunted her ceased.
“I was like, ‘God, why are you putting me through this?’” she recalls.