Kaitlyn’s Story

Kaitlyn Willing found out she was a pregnant when she was just a junior in college. When she found out she was pregnant, she describes feeling terrified and confused. We sat down with Kaitlyn and asked her some questions about her experience as a student at Auburn.

Looking back, what would you say to yourself the day you found out you were pregnant?
“It is all going to work out. This was not a surprise to God and he has a perfect plan for you and this baby… trust Him.”

What was something surprisingly pleasant about your journey?
“I accepted The Lord into my life and vowed my story, and my child’s story would be a public testament of His Glory. I got baptized when I was 9 months pregnant.”

Who was someone who made a difference during your pregnancy and the months following? What did they do to support you?
“Susan Hubbard. She was/is the Dean of the Human Development Family Science department. When I found out I was pregnant, I stopped going to classes and just hid in my apartment bedroom. When I finally mustered up enough courage to face reality, I met with Dr. Hubbard and she immediately helped me get back on track academically and began to check in with me throughout my pregnancy/post partum to make sure I was continuing to keep up academically.”

What was something surprisingly difficult about your unplanned pregnancy?
“My parents not wanting me to keep my pregnancy.”

Did you have people around you that supported you?
“Absolutely. Along my journey, The Lord placed specific people in my life to encourage me and keep me on track.”

​If Baby Steps had existed, how could this have impacted your experience?
​“Greatly! My parents had pulled all financial support when I decided to parent my baby and I was left scrambling to find a new place to live. Being a student, I did not yet have credit and needed someone to cosign on an apartment for me. Right before I had to move out of my old apartment, my older sister graciously agreed to co-sign on an apartment for me. I promised her I would never miss a month's rent and began going to classes during the day and waiting tables during the night. Baby Steps would have also greatly impacted my life while pregnant because I longed for the camaraderie of other student/friend that was going through what I was. My friends truly had no idea what I was experiencing being a pregnant college student. I would have loved to know other pregnant Auburn students because I know I couldn't have been the only one on campus that was pregnant. Couple that with living in a home that would support me spiritually, physically and emotionally throughout my pregnancy and after having the baby and I couldn't think of anything else I could have possibly needed or wanted more.”

Where is she now?
Now Kaitlyn is happily married with three boys (and another boy on the way)! She and her husband live in Auburn, AL. "I truly feel after my mom held Hudson for the first time, every fear she had about me having him so young disappeared.​" Her husband has adopted her oldest since.

***Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this post belong solely to the author, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and viewpoints of Baby Steps.