Being pro-life isn’t a statement of beliefs, it’s a way of life.
That being said, we realize that sometimes in life things happen that present unique, sensitive, and complicated circumstances. It’s these circumstances that can even challenge pro-lifers, at times, and make them question where they stand.
Specifically, we see this happen when it comes to the two big “exceptions” to abortion, frequently inserted into abortion related legislation – namely, abortion in case of rape and incest, or to save the life of the mother.
Some people might be shocked and think it’s cruel that we as pro-lifers still oppose abortion in these circumstances and advocate for the unborn child.
But we do…and on the contrary, we have very, very good reason to.
Here’s where we stand and why.
Abortion in cases of rape and incest
It turns out that contrary to popular belief, cases of rape and incest represent less than 1.5% of all abortion cases, according to the Guttmacher Institute and statistics from the recently updated Johnston Archive.
However, regardless of statistics, rape is a horrific crime and act of violence against a woman. No woman should ever have to endure such a traumatic and violating experience. We have talked to women who have been victims of rape, and we sympathize with them.
We have also counseled women who have become pregnant as a result of rape and had abortions. From our experience in speaking with these women, their abortions did not provide a solution to their pain, but exacerbated it. One woman painfully revealed to us that she would rather endure the suffering brought on by the rape, than that which having an abortion caused.
Abortion in itself is an act of violence on both the woman’s body and the body of the unborn child conceived. The rapist should be punished to the fullest extent of the law for the heinous crime he has committed.
At the same time, we must remember that the unborn child conceived in the act is innocent of the crime. He or she is a separate human being, with his or her own unique set of DNA, never to be repeated in the history of the world. To abort the unborn child would be to kill a living human being, whose body is completely separate from the mothers, was conceived through no fault of his own, and cannot be guilty of the crime committed. The same would hold true in case of incest.
And the fact is, many, many beautiful, incredible people have been born into this world, conceived in rape.
One example would be Ryan Bomberger. Founder of the Radiance Foundation and Emmy Award Winning Creative Professional, Ryan has made a tremendous impact in the pro-life movement…and there’s an incredible story behind it. Hear Ryan share the personal story of his mother’s courage after rape and the beauty of adoption, right here.
Abortion to “save the life of the mother”
Illinois Right to Life adopts the expert position of the certified OB-GYN’s in the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG). Their statement of position is as follows:
“Abortion is the purposeful killing of the unborn in the termination of a pregnancy. AAPLOG opposes abortion. When extreme medical emergencies that threaten the life of the mother arise (chorioamnionitis or HELLP syndrome could be examples), AAPLOG believes in ‘treatment to save the mother’s life,’ including premature delivery if that is indicated — obviously with the patient’s informed consent. This is NOT “abortion to save the mother’s life.” We are treating two patients, the mother and the baby, and every reasonable attempt to save the baby’s life would also be a part of our medical intervention. We acknowledge that, in some such instances, the baby would be too premature to survive.”
Dr. Anthony Levatino is a former abortionist who performed over 1,200 abortions. In a special video interview, he addresses several of the questions and misconceptions people have about abortion, one of them being the notion that abortion may be necessary to save the life of the mother.
Dr. Levatino plainly states that “nothing could be further from the truth.”
The doctor explains that for nine years, he worked in a tertiary medical center, taking care of women with high risk pregnancies. He handled hundreds of cases of women with severe pregnancy complications, including cancer, heart disease, toxemia pregnancies, and more.
Surprisingly, he saved hundreds of women from life threatening pregnancies by actually delivering the baby.
In all the years he worked, he never once had to deliberately kill or abort a baby to save the life of the mother.
Furthermore, the doctor explains how abortion procedures were not only unnecessary, but also unreasonable and dangerous for the woman.
“You never need late term abortion to save the woman’s life,” said Dr. Levatino. If necessary, you accomplish the delivery. Now, did every one of those children make it, because they were pre-term? No, but they all had a chance at life, and most of them did make it.”
Watch the full interview, right here.