Michaelene Fredenburg, President of Life Resource Network and a leader in the Women Deserve Better campaign testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health that the abortion performed on her as a teenager impacted her more severely than she imagined, leaving her “violated and betrayed” and unprepared for the emotional aftermath of the procedure.

Fredenburg listed many psychological and physiological consequences of abortion. Among them were nightmares, loss of self-esteem, eating disorders, substance abuse problems, and attempted and completed suicides.

Although times have changed since Fredenburg experienced her abortion nineteen years ago, women facing an unexpected pregnancy still face many of the same dilemmas. Unstable employment, crumbling relationships, and too little knowledge of crisis pregnancy resources often leads a woman to the only choice she feels she has – abortion.

These women are not cold-blooded killers; they’re hurting and confused, and they need our help. The pro-life community needs to make sure that the public is educated on abortion-alternative resources available in the event of an unexpected pregnancy. As Fredenburg says, “I believe women deserve better than this.”

For more information visit the Women Deserve Better Campaign.