Women Fare Better When Choosing Life

In 1972 feminists across the country celebrated the Roe v Wade decision for the freedoms they believed it would bring to women’s reproductive rights. In 2022 when that decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, feminists went into mourning, calling this reversal a huge setback for women’s reproductive rights, a vague term that that has been around for 50 years. While feminists raged at the decision, their rhetoric has not changed and neither has their care for women. While they profess to be the premier pro-woman group, the changes they demand in the abortion arena prove otherwise.

 The counseling offered to women at pro life centers, affords women an opportunity to explore alternatives for a pregnancy other than ending the life of the child. These Pro-Life centers are making enormous strides not only in saving the lives of once unwanted babies but also are working to provide women the resources they require to care and support their children.

“Our goal is to problem solve,” says Joan Fasanella of Life Choices, a center that helps women with crisis pregnancies. She believes that’s why 96% of the women they see come in wanting an abortion decide to choose life instead.

 It isn’t just the ultrasound, where women can see their babies in utero, that does the trick. She believes it is because counselors at Life Choices listen to the reasons these women are seeking abortions in the first place and work to resolve these problems for them thus giving them what is needed o carry the baby to birth.

 “If you don’t listen, you’re not pro-women,” she says.

 Few women choose abortion casually. Most are in distressed situations and feel they have no other choice. Joblessness, homelessness, a lack of a support system are just some of the reasons that push women to seek abortions Many of these women are being coerced by the baby’s father or family members.   Problem solving removes these barriers.  

 Pregnancy screening and ultrasounds to determine gestation are free at pro-life centers. Women are able see their babies during the ultrasound allowing them to understand clearly the decision they are about to make, while most abortion facilities charge a fee for both the pregnancy test and the ultrasound. In those facilities, once a pregnancy is confirmed, an appointment is made for an abortion. There is little to no counseling and rarely follow up. Ultrasound screens are turned away, so the mother doesn’t see her baby. The chance that these women would be back for further abortions becomes high since their life circumstances haven’t changed.

 In contrast, says Christine Kalinowski, a former client advocate at a pro-life women’s center in Bucks County, PA, “After an ultrasound a woman is given a full explanation of the abortion procedure for the size of her baby and the physical and psychological effects of the abortion. Then it is up to the woman to make a fully informed choice.” 

 “If she chooses to keep her baby, we delve deeply into the woman’s needs both physical and psychological,” she said.  “Then her needs are addressed. The best lifestyle for her after the baby is born is discussed and she is connected to critical resources.” She is also counseled on adoption options.”

 Not all women seeking abortion are middle class, or career women, with means. Many come from poverty. “About 98% of women we see are not married and very few are in a stable relationship,” said Kristine.

 Life Choices began 25 years ago with one center that serviced mostly poor women. Today they operate five programs in four locations including a home where up to 14 women can live for at least six months after the baby is born and can up to two years if she is working toward a goal. .Each cheerfully decorated bedroom includes a bed, dresser, crib, and rocking chair.

 In addition to the free pregnancy tests, they offer pregnancy counselling, day care, assistance on how to obtain necessary services like health insurance, the use of sites like Indeed, resume building, money skills and more including breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings, In their Holy Family Center children’s furniture and clothing are given freely  to clients and non-clients alike.

“It’s a constant baby shower,” said Joan.

Pro-life women’s centers have become safe zones for not only abused and destitute women, but young girls at the mercy of loving, but unwise parents, boyfriends who walk away and students who are afraid they can’t juggle a family and school. Some girls come from abusive and incestual situations that only become apparent through pregnancy. Abortion, therefore, is the tool that allows this abuse to go on.

 Pro-life women’s centers have seen enormous growth in 50 years, developing programs and offering assistance that change women’s lives, not only enabling more women to choose life for their babies, but to improve their own circumstances with better jobs, more education and more independence. Not only is society missing the sixty-three million babies killed, but the impact on women has not been positive.  In a recent study Sage Journals found, “abortion was consistently associated with increased risk of mental health disorder,” in adolescent and early adulthood.

 In a 2010 study, Partnership to End Abortion, a Canadian based group, found that about one in four U.S. women who have had an abortion reported having alcohol or other drug problems, compared to 7 percent of women who had not had abortions.” (University of Manitoba in Canada. May, 2010).'

 “My abortion has left me with an empty place in my heart and life…. As a mother, I struggle with the reality that I destroyed my child.” Said Teresa.  (Rachel’s Vineyard).

 In 1994, Rachel's Vineyard began a unique healing program for post abortive women. This program has expanded to weekend retreats for women, men and even family members all whom are grieving the loss of aborted children. Rachael’s Vineyard has grown into a nationwide organization based souly on helping woman who rgret their decision to have an abortion. Compare this with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s admission, during an on-line fundraiser sponsored by White Dudes for Kamala that, “men are also more free in a country where …. there is access to abortion.” Admitting what we all know, abortion is a boon to men.

 America is the greatest land in the world. We have abundantly opened our arms to refugees and pilgrims from all over the world, yet the best we can offer a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy is the right to kill her child. We can do better.