As you advocate for the unborn, it’s important to consider what the women and couples involved are going through. After all, many pregnancy decisions are made out of fear or even coercion. Let’s discuss the importance of compassionate advocacy and how to approach others with grace and understanding:
Reasons Women Get Abortions
To empower women and couples to choose life through parenting or adoption, you must empathize with those who feel inclined to abort. There are a number of reasons women choose abortion, including finances, lack of paternal or familial support, education and career goals, and so much more. Whether someone is pressuring them to make this decision or they’re considering abortion of their own volition, the decision to abort is almost always rooted in fear.
We have all made decisions out of fear, so it is not difficult to empathize with someone who fears that having a baby may prevent them from achieving their long-term goals or supporting themselves and their family. You may not agree with the route they’re considering, but you can relate to them on a human level. Empathy is essential in changing hearts and minds.
How Can We Show Compassion?
There are a number of ways to provide compassionate support for those struggling with a pregnancy decision:
- Share your testimony. Those who are struggling are looking for reassurance that they aren’t alone. If you have children, share how you navigated new parenthood and obstacles that once seemed impossible to overcome. Also, share the joy you have experienced with parenthood.
- Help them see alternatives to abortion. Fear may be clouding their judgment, preventing them from considering other alternatives. Help them connect with their local pregnancy center, so they can discuss all their options in a safe, judgement-free environment. If they aren’t interested in parenting, a pregnancy center can help them connect with a local adoption agency to discuss the various adoption arrangements.
- Share resources for new and expecting parents. Those considering abortion may need housing, medical/mental health, material, or financial assistance. Share any resources that may alleviate some of the burdens they’re facing. If they’re leaning more toward abortion, it may be beneficial to provide educational sources on the risks associated with abortion.
- Share the humanity of the baby. Lovingly share points regarding the early development of the baby. The heart begins beating at just 21 days and can be heard by ultrasound around 5 weeks. Encourage them to get an ultrasound. By 8 weeks all major organs are in place. Eye, hair color, sex and even some character traits are already determined at conception.
- Ask what you can do to help. Providing your testimonial and resources may be encouraging, but sometimes all someone needs is for you to ask how they’re doing and what you can do to help.
Learn more about the various stages of fetal development (conception, first, second, and third trimester) and don’t forget to follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok).