Across State Lines

 Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion has been illegal in Texas, with certain exceptions including the life of the mother. Although, in some states, abortion is still legal. It is also legal to travel to a different state and get an abortion – in some states up to the moment of birth. In 2023, more than 171,000 women crossed state lines to get abortions. Bottom line, Texas babies are still in danger of abortion, and it is easier than one might think.

Mary*, a former student of the University of Houston shares how easy it was to get an out-of-state abortion. Mary found herself in an unexpected pregnancy while she attended the University of Houston. She had been dating her boyfriend, now fiancé, since 2021. They both dreamed of starting a family and being parents, having just bought their house when Mary discovered she was pregnant. At first, she was happy and calm with the results. However, when reality sank in, she became scared and cried uncontrollably. Considering their finances after purchasing the new house, it was then that they discussed the option of having an abortion.

The couple went from being in love with the idea of being young parents to being consumed by fear. It had only been a few months prior that Mary's boyfriend's sister had gotten an abortion. Because of this she knew how easy Planned Parenthood makes it to get one.

Mary went downtown to the Planned Parenthood on Gulf Fwy, across from UofH. She went alone. She described the clinic as "super old and nasty, you could tell the people there were people without values in life." She said, "I felt like I didn't belong there." When taken to the ultrasound room, she had a very negative feeling. During the ultrasound she was so nervous. It had taken several nurses to try and see the baby because she was so tense. This made her more nervous and more scared than she already was.

Finally, the employees asked her what her plans were. She told them that she was considering having an abortion. They gave her a number to call and all the resources she would need to obtain her abortion. They also gave her a picture of her ultrasound. When she sent the picture of her baby to her boyfriend, he was heartbroken. She knew that her decision to have an abortion hurt him a lot.

That evening she called the Planned Parenthood in Colorado and made the appointment. Planned Parenthood took care of the flight and booked her hotel. Her boyfriend was not able to come with her unless she wanted to wait 3 more weeks, but she was not able to emotionally handle the wait any longer. She was falling in love with her baby. She said that going on a plane for the first time since she was 10 to a state she has never been to was less scary than carrying her baby and falling more in love with him/her. As she flew to Boulder, Colorado, she prayed that God would accept her baby into heaven. Her baby was 3 months along – 12 weeks.

Planned Parenthood paid for her abortion, the medicine she needed, the flight, the hotel, Ubers, and anything else she needed. They told her if she needed more money, they would send it to her without hesitation. They made it that easy.

Mary indicated that the hotel and flight were "super nice." In addition to the fear she felt, the fact that Planned Parenthood made it so easy to get an abortion contributed to her decision to get one. Planned parenthood didn't ask if she could afford it or how much money she had, they simply asked if she needed money.

After her abortion, Mary felt ashamed. Besides her boyfriend, she only ever told two of her friends the honest truth about what she did. She told her mother that she miscarried. She had to tell her something, because she needed her mom's support because she cried uncontrollably.

Today, Mary is still healing from her abortion. She is currently planning her wedding and looking forward to having a family. She says she is working on growing her relationship with God and wouldn't be who she is without Him.

When asked what advice she would give to a young woman in a crisis pregnancy, Mary said, "I would tell them to breathe, pray about it, and remind yourself of who you are." She went on to say, "My desire my entire life was to be a mom. I dreamed of centering my future around being a mom and a wife. Sadly, the devil made me forget who I was and what I believed in."

Mary's story is one of many thousands of women who have gone across state lines by themselves to abort their preborn child. While in their most vulnerable state, women are being told that abortions are the solution and that they cannot mother their child because they are unable, unfit, unstable, or will be inconvenienced. "Had we prayed about the situation, things may have been different." She said that she was so blinded by fear, but if she had seen people praying, that might have changed her mind. That is why prayer during the 40 Days for Life campaign and throughout the year is so important. Our work is not done. Even though Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the horror of abortion has not ended – Texan women are still seeking abortions, and their preborn babies need love and protection here in their home state.

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals

by Anna Knox