Having Effective Pro-Life Conversations
When They Say - You Say

Key points to remember:

  •  A pre-born baby’s heartbeat can be detected 5 - 6 weeks after gestation although some sources say 2 1/2 - 3 weeks.

  • A pre-born baby can feel pain at least by 15 weeks gestation and possible earlier. (Charlotte Lozier Institute)

  • Brain waves have been detected at 45 days. (Charlotte Lozier Institute)

    They say: Pro-life people don’t help after a baby is born

    • Pregnancy help centers dramatically outnumber abortion centers 5 to 1.  They usually don’t receive any government funding but are funded by generous donations.  These centers provide or refer for material support, parent education, counseling, medical care, housing and anything else a pregnant woman might need to get her through her pregnancy and beyond - all at no charge.  Many services continue years after the baby is born

  • They say: My body my choice

    • Abortion isn’t about a woman’s body but the baby’s body. 

    • Every day we follow laws that restrict what we can do with our bodies 

  • They say: Forced Birth

    • Abortion is actually forced birth - forced birth of a dead baby.  Outlawing abortion does not force women to become pregnant - it prevents women from killing their babies.

    • For the vast majority of women seeking abortions, sex is a consensual activity.  Both parents involved have a responsibility to care for human life that results from their actions.

    • Every state has a ‘Safe Haven’ law which allows a mother to surrender her child at a designated facility within a certain time period after birth with no questions asked and no criminal repercussions. 

  • They say: It’s not a baby until it’s born

    • Unborn children are unique human beings with their own distinct genetic code. 

    • Passing through the birth canal is not the source of human dignity. 

  • They say: What about ectopic pregnancy?

    • Restrictions on abortion do not limit a physician’s ability to treat an ectopic pregnancy because treatment of an ectopic pregnancy is not an abortion.  

    • With an ectopic pregnancy, the developing baby implants outside of the uterus.  Without treatment, this can result in severe life-threatening health consequences for the mother.

    • Hopefully advancements in medical science will eventually be able to save the life of the baby and the mother. 

  • They say: How many children have you fostered or adopted?

    • If every single pro-life person adopted and/or fostered children, pro-abortion people would still be pro-abortion.

    • Many pro-lifers do adopt/foster.  Not all pro-lifers are in a position to do that but they do their part by supporting organizations which help birth mothers/fathers succeed at parenting or making adoption arrangements.  Many are also helping with the elderly and individuals with special needs.

    • That doesn’t make abortion acceptable.  Nobody would suggest that you can only oppose child abuse if you adopt every abused child.  Nobody would suggest that you can only oppose the murder of an 11-year-old child unless you try to adopt the 11-year old child.

    • Springs of Love - Catholic Foster & Adoption Support - https://springsoflove.org/ - 

    • We all need to do better to improve the foster care/adoption system ⇒ 400,000 children in foster care with 100,000 children ready to adopt.  

  • They say: Men should not tell women what to do

    • Bad and irresponsible men benefit the most from abortion.  They are the winners.

    • Real men stand up for women and children 

  • They say: What about rape or incest?

    • Rape and incest are terrible crimes and the abuser is a criminal that should go to prison

    • Abortion does not remove the rape but adds to the pain

    • Human dignity is not defined by the circumstances of our conception

    • In no other circumstances do we punish a child for the crimes of her father

    •  Rape accounts for less than 1% of abortion cases

  • They say: Some people aren’t capable and shouldn’t raise children that will end up in jail

    • Killing children is not the answer 

  • They say: Some people are living in poverty, homeless.  They aren’t able to raise more children

    • Let’s help those that are living in poverty rather than killing their children

    • Abortion doesn’t end poverty/homelessness 

  • They say: The baby has a suspected or confirmed medical condition

    • We don’t cure diseases by killing the patient

    • We shouldn’t discriminate against people with disabilities 

  • They say: Babies are parasites

    • A parasite is of another species - not the offspring of a specie

    • The uterus does not exist for the mom, but exists for the baby and is prepared each month to enable a baby to develop 

  • They say: Abortion is needed because of the high maternal mortality rate in the US.  

    • Legal abortion has no positive impact on maternal mortality and may even make it worse. 

    • Abortion does not address any of the risk factors.  If we want to control a public health outcome, we need to focus on the risk factors. 

    • There is no medical reason why the life of the child must be directly and intentionally ended with an abortion procedure.  Pre-term delivery is very different from intentionally killing a baby by abortion. Pre-term delivery (c-section - 1 hour)  is much safer than an abortion (can take 2-3 days starting with dilation). 

Missouri Initiatives to Know About

  •  Show Me Healthy Babies - This program helps infants get a healthy start by offering free health care coverage to unborn babies and their mothers.  It can also provide healthcare coverage for the child from birth up to one year of age

    • Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) Tax Credits - 70% -  ($100+) - https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pregnancy.htm - By contributing to a qualified pregnancy resource center, Missouri taxpayers:

      • Help fund services for women with unplanned or crisis pregnancies; and,

      • Can earn a state tax credit.

    • Safe Place for Newborns law - This law allows a parent to permanently give up their newborn up to 45 days old without prosecution, as long as it is done according to law and safety.  The newborn can be left with hospital, maternity home, or pregnancy center staff, EMS professional, fire station or law enforcement officer.  The other parent has rights and will have 30 days to regain custody.  The Children’s Division finds a safe, stable home with a nurturing family

    • Alternatives to Abortion program (over $50 million appropriated 1997-2022).  It is designed to assist women in carrying their baby to term instead of having an abortion and to assist them in carrying for their child or placing their child for adoption.  Services are available during pregnancy and for one year following birth.  DSS manages contracts with 9 community-based, non-profit organizations to provide services.  Goals: reduce abortions and improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women practice sound health-related behaviors (decrease use of tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs and improving nutrition).  Help parents continue their education and find jobs.

      • The program provides the following services: ◦ Prenatal care ◦ Medical and mental health care ◦ Ultrasound services ◦ Parenting skills ◦ Drug and alcohol testing and treatment ◦ Child care ◦ Newborn and infant care ◦ Housing ◦ Utilities ◦ Educational services ◦ Food, clothing and supplies related to pregnancy, newborn care and parenting ◦ Adoption assistance ◦ Job training and placement ◦ Establishing and promoting responsible paternity ◦ Case management services ◦ Domestic abuse protection ◦ Transportation ◦ Other services