In a culture that feeds us pro-abortion propaganda under the guise of “women’s rights,” it can feel like being pro-life is synonymous with being anti-woman. Either the baby has rights, or the mother does — but not both.
But what if in this scenario we didn’t have to choose between caring for the mother and saving the child? Is this even an option?
Pro-choice is not pro-woman
First, it is important to debunk the false perception that being “pro-choice” is interchangeable with being “pro-woman.” Many believe that letting women have the choice to continue a pregnancy is the definition of reproductive rights. It is true that women should have a choice – the choice to have sex, the choice to make an adoption plan, etc. But once fertilized, that egg is a scientifically-proven human being, no exceptions. And that human has rights. No one but God has the right to choose whether an innocent child should live.
Additionally, the “choice” of abortion often leads to deep physical and emotional pain —something even staunch pro-choice advocates must acknowledge. The physical and emotional consequences of abortion are deep and long-lasting. Data shows that women are three times more likely to die following an abortion than after childbirth. The undisputed risks of immediate medical complications from abortion include blood clots, hemorrhage, incomplete abortions, infection, and injury to the cervix and other organs. These complications — affecting about 10 percent of women — can also include cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, renal failure, metabolic disorder, shock, and missed ectopic pregnancy. These risks rise as the pregnancy progresses. Additionally, studies have shown that women who have experienced an induced abortion had an elevated risk for breast cancer and pre-term births in future pregnancies.
Likewise, abortion has a devastating impact on mental health. Over 100 studies show a link between abortion and later mental health issues. One found women whose first pregnancy ended in abortion were 65 percent more likely to face clinical depression. Another indicated that 27 percent of post-abortive women experienced suicidal ideation (50 percent among minors), and were three times more likely to die by suicide than women who gave birth. Forty-two percent also reported major depression and 39 percent suffered from anxiety by age 25.
Yes, women can heal from abortion, but it’s not easy. It is inconsistent to care for women and be in support of a choice that is undeniably harmful to them. Women deserve honesty about abortion and the risks that follow. These truths are often withheld from women until it’s too late. Both women and children deserve better than abortion.
Pro-life and Pro-woman attitudes
Many people dislike the term “pro-life” because its political associations can blur its true meaning, linking it to political figures and divisive agendas. But being pro-life is not just a political stance — it’s a heartfelt commitment to protect and support every human life — the preborn, women, and men alike. While deeply valuing the lives of preborn children, being pro-life also means compassionately supporting women regardless of the choices they make.
It is not uncommon for both married and unmarried women to face unexpected pregnancies. For those who aren’t married, while we don’t endorse premarital sex, we still celebrate the gift of life regardless of the circumstances. It’s not the Christian’s role to shame or condemn. Instead, God calls us to offer compassion. We lift women up with encouragement and affirm the beauty of the God-given process of pregnancy.
Support can make all the difference. When Christians respond with kindness, joy, and words of affirmation, we help women see the value of their lives and the life growing within them. Scripture reflects this heart posture of celebrating both physical and spiritual life. Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
How can we love them both?
A common misconception is that pro-life advocates care only about birth, neglecting the mother and child after the baby is born. While some focus their attention primarily on the preborn, many pro-lifers actively support both women and children throughout and beyond pregnancy. Pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) accomplish this through the amazing and God-honoring work they do. PRCs provide women in unplanned pregnancies with the resources and help they need to choose life and feel equipped to do so.
Pregnancy resource centers provide free or low-cost support to vulnerable women and youth, including medical care, pregnancy options counseling, parenting education, and material assistance. Trained professionals deliver services through a holistic approach that addresses physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Many offer services for single moms as well. Organizations like Embrace Life give single mothers community and support as they walk out their parenting journey. Additionally, PRCs often provide post-abortion counseling, showing they care deeply for women regardless of their choice.
You can get involved in the pro-life, pro-woman work of pregnancy resource centers in several ways. Start by researching PRCs near you, then head to their website to see volunteer opportunities. Additionally, generous donors fund most PRCs, so even if you can’t give your time, you can still make a difference by giving financially.
Being pro-life means protecting the unborn and supporting mothers, and volunteering or donating to PRCs helps do both.
Are abortion laws anti-woman?
As previously mentioned, pro-abortion propaganda is loud and legion. Many tout that abortion laws are oppressive to women — a common misinterpretation often rooted in a lack of research or legal knowledge.
First and foremost, lawmakers create laws to protect public safety and uphold our rights. The Declaration of Independence outlines life as one of our three inalienable rights. We all share it, and we all have a right to it — including human beings developing in the womb. Once fertilization occurs, the sperm and egg merge to create a genetically unique human life — an embryo that is living and entirely one of a kind.
Lawmakers create abortion laws to protect the rights of the little life in the womb, not to oppress women. You may have heard statements like “abortion is healthcare” or “abortion bans stop women from getting life-saving care.” First, the notion that abortion is synonymous with healthcare is inconsistent with the foundational healthcare ethic of “do no harm” – a stark contradiction to the intentional termination of preborn children. Additionally, abortion laws do not prevent any woman from getting life-saving care, including treatment for ectopic pregnancies or miscarriage. Refusal to treat such conditions is malpractice.
Life-saving healthcare means just that — to save a life. Being pro-life doesn’t mean you’re against women; in fact, it’s deeply pro-woman because it defends the lives of preborn children, many of whom are girls.
Post-abortive women
Finally, it should be noted that people often overlook an important part of the pro-life and pro-woman conversation: post-abortive women. Remember, being pro-life means valuing all life, including the lives of women who have experienced abortion. Research shows that about one in four women will have an abortion by age 45. That means many of the women around us may silently carry the weight of that experience.
The church has a vital responsibility to respond with grace. Over 40 percent of women who have had abortions were regularly attending church at the time of their pregnancy. This statistic reveals a sobering truth: women are often suffering in silence within our own congregations. We must be intentional about creating a culture that supports both women and children with dignity, love and understanding.
One of the most powerful ways to do this is through compassion. Post-abortive women don’t need judgment — they need hope. Many already struggle with shame and regret. They need someone to listen to their story, speak life over them, and point them to Jesus. By showing kindness and offering a path to healing, we can help restore lives and truly live out what it means to be pro-life.
Final thoughts
Do not let the media or others convince you that your pro-life conviction of wanting to save preborn children from the lethal violence of abortion is anti-woman. Instead, become fiercely pro-life, caring and loving all human beings, including women and children. Proudly stand firm in your beliefs, knowing that through your action and compassion, you are helping make abortion unthinkable. You can show the world how to love both.
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Additional Resources:
- See Life – A Focus on the Family ministry that allows churches, medical professionals and businesses to connect with pregnancy centers to support their life-saving services.
- Option Ultrasound – A Focus on the Family ministry that delivers 16 types of grants that help fund nurse salaries, free ultrasounds, extended hours and more at pregnancy centers across America.
- Resources: Hope and Healing Abortion
How Empowered Pro-Life Women Can Empower Women - We Have Everything We Need to Support Single Moms
- Be an Everyday Hero: 5 Pro-Life Steps to Love and Help Expecting Moms
- Single Parent Desires Help and Companionship
- Is Abortion a Constitutional Right?
- Criminalizing Abortion and Practical Application of Law
- Abortion Ban Explained
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