Recently, the political arm of Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider, made a startling claim: they denied the existence of abortions up until the moment of birth. This denial is not only shocking but deeply concerning for those of us who hold a conservative, pro-life perspective. In this blog post, we will dive into this issue and explore why we must stand up for the sanctity of life, especially in its most vulnerable stages.

It all started when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for accountability during the second Republican presidential primary debate. He rightly criticized the Democrats for their support of what he termed “extremism” in abortion, allowing it “all the way up until the moment of birth.” In response, Planned Parenthood Action Fund claimed there was “no such thing as ‘abortion up until birth.'” They labeled it as “pure propaganda used by politicians who want to play politics with people’s medical decisions.” But is it really just propaganda?

Pro-lifers wasted no time in pushing back against this assertion. A Community Note pointed out that, currently, the “right” to legal abortion has no gestational limit in seven states. Despite the challenges in data collection due to underreporting and inconsistent state reporting, available data indicates that over 1% of annual abortions occur at or after 21 weeks, amounting to at least 10,000 late-term abortions annually. Shockingly, more than 50,000 preborn babies are terminated each year after 15 weeks.

In the legislative arena, we’ve seen a concerning trend. Last year, almost every House Democrat supported the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill that would compel all 50 states to allow abortion for any reason until fetal viability and even up until birth if an abortionist deems it necessary for the mother’s “health.” In 2020, only two Senate Democrats voted in favor of legislation to ban abortion at 20 weeks. Democrat leaders continue to avoid specifying any abortion restrictions they would accept.

Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of this debate is the fate of babies born alive following failed abortions. These innocent infants are fully separated from their mothers. While it is technically illegal to end their lives under the federal Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002, the law lacks the necessary criminal penalties for meaningful enforcement.

Efforts to protect these babies have been met with resistance from Democrats. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which mandates basic medical care for these infants, was voted against by nearly all Democrats in January. Even when they held power, Democrats consistently blocked such legislation from reaching a vote.

Despite claims that late-term abortions are only sought for extreme medical circumstances, the truth is quite different. Nearly every current abortion ban explicitly allows for life-saving treatment in emergencies, even if it results in the loss of the preborn child. Many medical experts, including former abortionists, confirm that intentionally ending the child’s life is neither necessary nor the most prudent option for saving the mother’s life. Furthermore, the vast majority of abortions are not sought for medical reasons but for social, career, or financial considerations.

Some abortion advocates try to downplay the issue of infanticide, dismissing it as a myth. However, several former insiders of the abortion industry and policy scholars have testified before Congress or admitted under oath that infanticide still occurs and often goes unaccounted for in official statistics. The Abortion Survivors Network estimates that two out of every 1,000 abortions result in a live birth.

Despite recent discussions about abortion rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it is clear that public opinion remains firmly against late-term abortion. Entities like Planned Parenthood may try to deny this harsh reality, but we, as conservative, pro-life moms, must remain steadfast in our commitment to defending the sanctity of life from conception to natural birth. Our voices are essential in advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves and ensuring that every life is valued and protected.