Never Underestimate the Power of an Ultrasound to Change a Mind and to Save a Life

"...when pregnant women are shown an ultrasound of their babies inside supportive pregnancy resource centers, the vast majority will choose life for their children."

By Maria Gallagher
National Right to Life

It happened when I was scrolling through my Facebook feed one day.

In between posts about the latest football games and political rants, I saw it—and it melted my heart.

There was an Ultrasound of not one, but two babies—the latest additions to my Facebook friend’s family.

I have seen my share of Ultrasounds over the years—my darling daughter’s was the most memorable. Lying on the exam table, I looked up at the screen and saw my little one playing with her toes while in utero.

It was an incredible and unforgettable sight.

But I believe this was the first time I have viewed an Ultrasound of twins. The precious preborn babies were clearly visible—and their official age was 14 weeks’ gestation.

In that moment, gazing at that image, it was hard for me to fathom the idea that anyone would view them as unworthy of care and too young to be guaranteed the right to life. It was also hard to accept the fact that babies where I live, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, can be legally aborted up to 24 weeks’ gestation—10 weeks past the age of the twins in question. It is even more alarming to think about the babies who are aborted up to the moment of birth.

A picture is worth a thousand statistics. It is one thing to hear about nearly one million preborn children being aborted each year. It is quite another to see a prenatal portrait of a baby who lacks protection under the law.

I wonder how many other minds and hearts that Ultrasound touched. From the comments below the photo, it was clear that Facebook friends were astounded at the amazing image.

And it is no wonder that studies show that, when pregnant women are shown an ultrasound of their babies inside supportive pregnancy resource centers, the vast majority will choose life for their children.

Thus it is abundantly obvious why abortion centers do their best to hide Ultrasounds from their abortion-minded clients. Once a woman sees that miraculous image, her tenuous bond to her child is highly likely to grow stronger. The Ultrasound literally puts a face—a distinctively human face- on what the abortion industry cavalierly refers to as the “choice.”

The experience of seeing that Facebook Ultrasound has also left me to wonder, “How many twins are aborted each year in our country? How many times is the tragedy of abortion actually doubled through the deaths of two preborn babies at one time?”

In the words of one clergyman, this could be considered a “two-for-one temptation.” Twice the tragedy. Twice the heartache for the mother left behind.

Never underestimate the power of an Ultrasound to change a mind and to save a life. And consider using your Facebook feed as a way to celebrate life at all its stages and at all phases of development.

Website: National Right to Life

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Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.

In Southeast Penna: Call the Community Women's Center at 215-826-8090.

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  

Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.