A handful of states have laws that require a woman undergoing an abortion to be given the option to view her unborn child by ultrasound. South Carolina will be the first in the country to take it one step farther and make the viewing required.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a Democrat, of South Carolina has taken up the battle against requiring women to view an ultrasound that she asserts is emotional blackmail. "You love them in the womb but once they get here, it's a different story," said Cobb-Hunter, a social worker. "You're sitting here passing judgment? Who gave you the right?"

South Carolina’s three abortion clinics already give women access to the ultrasounds they pay for (to determine gestational age) before the abortion is performed. Whether they choose to look at the images is up to the individual patient.

Cobb-Hunter believes that option should be the end of the debate. “It suggests that women don’t know what they’re doing, that they’ve arrived at this decision quite lightly, and nothing could be further from the truth.”

"Are you saying God makes mistakes with the lives he creates?" said Rep. Greg Delleney, the bill's main sponsor.

One only needs to hear testimony from pro-abortion advocates to understand what a key measure required ultrasound viewing is in the fight to save unborn children.

"Seeing a blown up moving image of the embryo she is carrying can be distressing to a woman who is about to undergo an abortion. The screen should be turned away from the patient. Staff members also may be affected by the sonographic images and may need some opportunities for venting their feelings and reconfirming their priorities." - Dr. Sally Dorfman, Ob/Gyn News.

According to At The Center, ultrasound technology offered to women seeking abortions drastically reduced the procedure. In Seattle, Washington where the average abortion rate is 50%, receiving an ultrasound led 70% of women in one clinic to carry their pregnancies to term. Likewise, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana crisis pregnancy center reported that a full 98% of women who viewed their unborn child by ultrasound went on to have the baby.

While the public debate on abortion legislation is far from over, there is no way to argue with the fact that ultrasounds categorically reduce abortions in a very quick, efficient way. Pro-lifers don’t have to sit patiently by as the tide slowly and strategically turns in favor of life. An ultrasound (possibly happening the very moment you are reading this) takes less than a minute or two to perform, and typically changes the mind of a woman seeking abortion. A life is saved instantly.

Take action by contacting your local State Legislature and ask your representative to sponsor or support a bill similar to South Carolina’s.

For more information on getting ultrasounds in your local crisis pregnancy center visit Option Ultrasound.



Sources: Associated Press, MSNBC, At The Center, Focus On The Family