Adoption is all too rarely talked about as an option for pregnant women. Planned Parenthood and other such pro-abortion organizations seem to barely recognize its existence. And many people today have a rather ancient view of adoption.
Adoption today is different. And we need to do a better job of informing women – and men – of all the options available in adoption. For those who desire no contact with their child or the adoptive family after birth, there are closed adoptions. The names of the birth parents can still be kept secret, but now it’s a choice, not what must be. Closed adoptions can be arranged so that the birth parents’ names are revealed when the child reaches the age of eighteen, or they can result in names that are never revealed. Almost anything is an option.
There are also open adoptions. This kind of adoption is tailor-made with a plan that fits both family’s needs. Birth parents can choose to have pictures and letters sent to them. They can even choose to be a part of their child’s life. There are so many options in open and partially open adoptions. Many women seem to be unaware that these options and choices even exist.
Today, adoption is a beautiful, workable, and very accesible option. We need to do a better job of painting an accurate picture of adoption. Pro-lifers ought to research adoption and be aware of the facts so they are well-equipped to explain this life-giving choice. This adoption site offers a list of common questions about adoption and well-thought out answers.
(link to full article)

St. Louis- Coalition for Life Update:
Seven (7) Turnarounds Locally
Day #8: We Thought We Lost Her-
The local police, who are frequent visitors to the sidewalk, approached myself and another Sidewalk Counselor about our activity on the sidewalk.  While this was all going on, a young girl walked up to the PP gate and was going in. 
I turned to greet her and asked if we could share information on free services and options available to her.  She appeared to be a bit intimidated by the police presence, but took the materials anyway.   Karen, the other Sidewalk Counselor with me, invited the young girls to step away to talk for just a minute.
 The young girl called her Aunt to come back and talk with the counselor about the "free ultrasound" across the street in the medical mobile unit.  
 Despite Karen spending several minutes talking with the young girl and her aunt, sharing all the free services and options available to support her with LIFE, the young girl chose to go in to Planned Parenthood and for her pre-abortion ultrasound.  
About this time, 4 first-time sidewalk prayer volunteers arrived to stand vigil and pray.  I shared with them the news of the young girl going into Planned Parenthood and requested they pray specifically for her and the new LIFE she was carrying.  
The vigil shift changed and we heard no more about her...............until Monday morning February 18th when the Aunt pulled up in front of PP and asked a prayer volunteer to pass a message on to Karen............that message..........."Kelsey chose LIFE".  

One day after the medical examiner’s office confirmed a botched 33-week abortion killed a young woman earlier this month, a pro-life group has filed a complaint with the state medical board.
Jennifer McKenna Morbelli, a 29-year-old woman from New Rochelle, New York died from a botched 33-week abortion on February 7.
Operation Rescue has filed a formal complaint with the Maryland Board of Physicians against the medical license of late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart in the death of Jennifer Morbelli, a 29-year old kindergarten teacher who died from complications to a 33-week abortion he allegedly performed on her and her unborn baby.
(read More)

This is an excellent program for anyone who has had an abortion, knows someone who has had an abortion, or lacks compassion for post abortive women. 
SURRENDER THE SECRET tells the real-life abortion stories of five women, and follows them as they go through post-abortion recovery. Together, these brave women embark upon a healing journey using an eight session bible study called Surrendering the Secret (authored by Pat Layton, LifeWay Press, 2008), specifically written for women who have had an abortion. See how they work through different healing exercises which help them get free from the bondages of pain, guilt and shame.
Episode 3 is especially touching as the women must face the revealing truth about abortion, the procedures, the development of the unborn child, and the abortion industry itself. Facing the truth is necessary to avoid any relapse in their healing journey.
(link to all episodes)

Doctors told Jade Clarke that her unborn baby son had no chance of survival and that she should consider having an abortion. Now the little baby boy has made a recovery from the hospital and finally gone home.
In 2011, doctors told Clarke her baby wouldn’t survive if she continued the pregnancy, but she rejected the advice. After she gave birth to little Riley, doctors soon realized their medical assessment had been incorrect.
Riley was born with his heart on the wrong side of his body and he had disconnected valves and twisted bowels, according to a report in the Daily Mail newspaper.
“Doctors told me time and time again that Riley would have no chance, and I should consider an abortion,” Clarke told the paper. “But he’s an angel sent from above. He’s my first child and I just felt I wanted to keep him.”
“He’s such a happy chappy. He loves Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and is always bouncing about,” she said. “He needs watching constantly as sometimes he tries to pull out his tubes. It’s challenging but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
(read full story)

A judge will hold a hearing Monday to determine if a teen from Texas can be pressured by her parents to have an abortion. The judge issued a temporary retaining order this week in the case, which continues in the courtroom next week, following the teen’s decision to sue her parents.
Attorneys with The Center for Defense of Life have filed suit on behalf of the 16-year-old expectant mom who says her parents are trying to force her to have an abortion of a baby she wants to keep. The teenager is two months pregnant and asking a judge to stop her parents from making her have an abortion by coercing her with verbal and physical threats and by harassment.
(link to full story)

By the time I’d finished the third paragraph of “Medical trial offers Michigan families hope,” I knew I had to forward the story to Dr. David Prentice, who knows pretty much all there is to know about stem cell research. Written by Shawn Lewis of the Detroit News, it is a wonderfully inspiring story about Andrew Kijek, who will be infused with his own umbilical cord blood stem cells on Friday.
Andrew, who is 11, has spastic cerebral palsy and cannot crawl, walk, talk, hold his head upright. or control his muscles.
“It’s wonderful to see more doctors recognize the potential of adult stem cells from umbilical cord blood for treating cerebral palsy in young children,” he said. “This is such a needed and simple application, and many young lives could be influenced by using these adult stem cells from cord blood.” Dr. Prentice cited the example of little Chloe Levine.
As Lewis explains only 5% of women save their newborn child’s umbilical cord blood, a rich source of potential help to treat various diseases. Maureen Kijek told Lewis that the decision was prompted by a family history of cancer.
(read full article)

Today marks the beginning of another 40 Days for Life campaign.  Already there is good news.

Shawn Carney, Campaign Director:
Just recently, I told you about Lima, Ohio … where the abortion center, where faithful volunteers had intended to peacefully pray for 40 days, had CLOSED and gone out of business.

Well, we just confirmed that it happened AGAIN!!!
This time, prayer volunteers in Greensboro, North Carolina were getting ready for their second peaceful vigil outside the Woman’s Choice abortion facility. But now, those plans have changed.
This abortion center has also SHUT ITS DOORS and is not relocating!
“All glory to God!” said one of those volunteers.

(link to blog for daily updates)