Two women bravely stood before large crowds on opposite sides of the United States recently and told their individual stories of Abortion Pill Reversal.
Sarah addressed the National March for Life in Washington D.C. January 23, and the next day on January 24 Elizabeth spoke for the Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco.
Both women discussed their personal experience of being pregnant and feeling that abortion was a choice they had to make, taking the first chemical abortion pill and experiencing regret, then seeking to save the life of their child.
Sarah and Elizabeth’s addresses to tens of thousands of pro-life supporters came as chemical abortion continues to surge as the most common abortion method in the country, instances of chemical abortion abuse surface repeatedly, and pro-life advocates press for review of safety standards for the abortion drugs. The women also shared their stories as inquiries to the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) have been on the rise.
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Asked what went through her mind upon receiving the invitation to speak at the Walk for Life West Coast, Elizabeth said that she was honored, but being new to the pro-life movement, at first, she had no real idea of what she was saying yes to.
“I was honored that someone recommended my story to the event organizer,” she said. “I immediately said yes before understanding the assignment. It wasn't until I arrived at the event that I realized what a large reach I could have to share knowledge of APR and I was honored.”
Sarah said what first entered her mind was “excitement and hope.”
“I was filled with excitement about the opportunity to share the powerful impact of the Abortion Pill Reversal process,” she said. “I had such hope that by being able to be a part of such a big day, this big event, that my story could impact future women's choices to know the truth that APR can work and the APR hotline is there and motherhood is a source of joy.”
Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) is a newer application of a treatment used for decades to prevent miscarriage.
It involves prescribing bioidentical progesterone, the hormone in a pregnant woman’s body necessary to sustain pregnancy, to counter the effects of mifepristone, the first of two drugs in a chemical abortion.
If a woman acts quickly enough after taking mifepristone it may be possible to save her unborn child with APR. Results are best withing 24 hours, but successful reversals have taken place as long as 72 hours after the mother took mifepristone.
All major studies show that using progesterone to counteract an in-progress chemical abortion can be effective because it’s the bio-identical version of the pregnancy-supporting hormone.
A 2018 peer-reviewed study showed positive results with APR, including 64%-68% of the pregnancies saved, no increase in birth defects, and lower preterm delivery rate than the general population. Still, abortion apologists attempt to smear the protocol, and tech companies and some elected officials have acted to suppress APR.
To date statistics show that more than 7,000 lives have been saved through APR - including Elizabeth’s daughter Evelyn and Sarah’s son Isaiah.
Regarding the process that went into preparing her message, Elizabeth told Pregnancy Help News, “I'm not a professional speaker, I'm just an okay storyteller.”
She was given nine minutes to share her story, she said, and never before had a cap on the amount of time she could speak.
“So, I had to really tune in on key parts and cut out some things like emotion and backstory,” she said. “I also normally talk more about Evelyn's life currently.”
“It was just so important to me that people know Abortion Pill Reversal is an option,” Elizabeth said. “I needed to give that information above everything else.”
Tweet This: “It was just so important to me that people know Abortion Pill Reversal is an option” - APR mom Elizabeth on the Walk for Life West Coast
She shared a fun fact about her presentation.
“I took a piece of paper up on stage, but it had nothing but Evelyn's scribble and a few little notes that I never even looked at,” Eliabeth said. “I felt like it just made me look more official. Lol, I just spoke from my heart and my memory.”
Sarah said that certain parts of her story have been foundational in her willingness to speak.
“It was important to me that my message was about hope more than politics,” she said. “I wanted women to know that APR can work and they have options.”
“I wanted men to know that their voice is also important,” she added. “I wanted to thank everyone who helps make sure women have safe options as well as encourage everyone to be the person who helps another woman find hope through love.”
What was it like stepping onto the stage before so many people and the media?
“It was surreal,” Elizabeth said. “Walking around the event through the sea of people, I was so nervous, I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe.”
“I had no idea how massive this event was,” she said. “I compare it to jumping into a cold pool.”
“I psyched myself out so much, but once I did it, I was so happy I did,” said Elizabeth. “As soon as I started speaking all my fears left. I had prayed right before I got on stage with my family for that to happen, and to my surprise it did.”
Sarah benefitted from prayer as well.
“I knew I had so many people praying for me leading up to the March that their prayers were carrying me with peace and confidence to speak truth and love to the most massive crowd I've ever stood before,” she told Pregnancy Help News. “The peace of knowing I was where I was supposed to be, doing what I am on this earth to do, makes an undoubtedly nervous experience extremely peaceful. I could feel God was with me.”
Sarah said no matter what her audience, she wants to connect personally and remain authentic.
Tweet This: “I feel the APR protocol would fit perfectly into the pro-choice argument” - APR mom Sarah
Elizabeth said that she used to always make it a point to mention she was pro-choice, and that Abortion Pill Reversal is just another choice.
“I've been so changed, moved, and educated by all of the people that I have met on the opposing side, that I have realized life begins at conception,” she said. “Through understanding that, and really feeling it, when I revisit those early days of pregnancy, I don't think of a fetus or a choice. I think of my baby girl. And I fully understand the gravity of the situation.”
“I'm not sure if it comes out when I speak, but it sure feels different when I talk about it,” Elizabeth said.
What does it mean to Elizabeth to have this platform to share her story?
“It's incredible” she said.
“I feared the world would reject my daughter,” she shared about first learning she was pregnant. “And because I felt like the only person who wanted this baby, I attempted to abort her.”
“Seeing the world not only accept my child, but embrace her, I'm emotionally overwhelmed,” she said.
“God has worked in such incredible ways in my life,” Elizabeth added. “I can no longer deny He is our Lord.”
Sarah shared similar thoughts.
“It is very humbling yet encouraging,” she said.
“I am stepping out and telling everyone that I AM an unwed mother of FOUR children who have different fathers,” she said. “What used to be my biggest fear has become my biggest accomplishment and my children are my greatest joys.”
“I only have my story by the grace of God, who works all things for His good,” Sarah said. “I am humbled each time I am asked to speak. And I just want to help women know they CAN be a mother, that being a mother is joyful and no reason to feel shame. And finally, I feel deeply that if strong men knew their voice mattered, it could change the world.”
Regarding the various efforts to quash APR Sarah said it doesn't make much sense to her.
“I feel the APR protocol would fit perfectly into the pro-choice argument,” she said, “letting all options be on the table so mothers can make an informed choice for life, and the pro-life argument would be able to help reach more women and babies to save more lives.”
Elizabeth drew a contrast between her two choices.
“Abortion was the worst decision I ever made. It's a decision I made under duress,” she said. “The reversal is the best decision I ever made, and I would choose it again everyday if it brought me my daughter.”
“Given the statistics of the amount of people who regret their abortions and feel lifelong grief and remorse, I'd say anyone who wants to stop Abortion Pill Reversal does not care about women,” she said. “If you are pro-choice then you should support another option that helps women. And if you are pro-life, you should fight for these babies.”
Asked what she hoped people will take away from the message she shared in her speech, Sarah said, “I hope people remember that APR can work, we need strong men, and motherhood is the greatest source of pure joy.”
“Also, that you are never too far gone for God to work miracles in your life,” she said.
Elizabeth said, “The real movement starts in your community with the way we react to pregnancy, planned or not.”
“I remember every person who told me I should ‘consider all my options,’" she said. “But I also remember every extended hand of support. A lot of things people said to me have appeared to fall on deaf ears, but they influenced me greatly in choosing to save my daughter.”
Elizabeth said as well that she hopes people realize the actual hero of her story is Evelyn’s father Ben.
“When he offered his support to co-parent with me whether we’re together or not, I felt the support that I could do it,” she said. “All I wanted was someone to stop asking what I'm going to do and say, ‘we can do this together.’"
That show of support is the difference in saving an unborn baby, whether it comes from the baby’s father or someone else, she said, and she encouraged others who have the opportunity to do the same.
“Once I got that,” said Elizabeth, “I felt complete clarity that I was meant to be this baby’s mom.”
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) and Pregnancy Help News. Heartbeat is currently the subject of two lawsuits brought by state AGs concerning sharing information about Abortion Pill Reversal.
