According to the World Health Organization, about 73 Million abortions occur worldwide every year. That is 6 out of 10 unintended pregnancies.1 In Canada, about 100,000 abortions occur every year. It is obviously a common choice for women who did not intend to get pregnant. There are many reasons why women consider abortion. This page will seek to explain the most common reasons and give some encouragement to women who are at a crossroads.
Why Women Choose Abortion
I Can’t Afford My Baby (The Financial Cost of Raising a Child)
According to loanscanada.ca, the average annual cost to raise a child is $17,200. That number looks staggering, but that calculation is based on the assumption that you will pay for full costs to buy everything for your child new and will pay for full-time, full-cost childcare. Though there are still real costs involved in raising a child, there are abundant resources available to help with the costs, from federal and provincial child benefits payments,2 to church community and pregnancy care centers3 that want to help.
If you are concerned about not being able to afford raising a child, text FINANCE to 587-573-0673 to learn what resources we can offer to aid with these expenses.
This Is Not the Right Time (When a Baby Comes During a Difficult Season)
Whether you are fifteen or forty-five, an unexpected pregnancy can pose a whole world of uncertainty. Too old, too young, too busy, too unstable – these are all fears that can surround an unplanned pregnancy. Raising a child, planned or unplanned, will always involve some degree of sacrifice and can mean a delay in or change of your life plans. It is important to understand that many things in life are unplanned, but can often turn out to be great blessings.
Another option is to allow a couple to adopt your child. So few newborns are placed for adoption that many couples wait seven years or more to adopt a baby. If you are interested in adoption options, text ADOPT to 578-573-0673
I Cannot Have This Child (Circumstances of Conception)
Abortion is often considered when a positive pregnancy test comes after a divorce, one-night stand, or rape, and is sometimes chosen due to the identity of the father. However, neither the circumstances of their conception nor the identity of their father determines who a baby will become. When a baby is a result of abuse, abortion can be used in an attempt to ‘erase the evidence’ but may simply compound the trauma for the mother. All lives have intrinsic worth and value already present in a human baby from the moment of fertilization.
If you need help and support for a pregnancy after a broken or abusive relationship you are no longer in, text LOVE to 587-573-0673.
My Baby Might Have a Poor Quality of Life (Birth Defects and Disabilities)
The primary reason that planned pregnancies end in abortion is due to a prenatal diagnosis of a disability or birth defect. It is important to know that prenatal screening is always speculative. The baby might have a defect, but it may not. These are known as “false positives” in prenatal screening.4 Even if physical disabilities or defects do occur, many go on to live wonderful, joy-filled lives even if those lives are shorter than average. They share a common human nature with everyone despite having different functionality. There are many resources available to support and aid parents in raising a disabled child.
Text QUALITY to 587-573-0673 for more information on and access to resources for raising a child with birth defects or disabilities.
I Have No Choice (Pressure and Coercion)
Parents, partners, peers, and religious leaders can all pressure a woman to abort a baby. Sometimes, the pressure may motivate a woman to hide her pregnancy altogether. She may experience thoughts like “They will hate me if they find out I am pregnant” or “He will leave me if I have this child.” Pressure can be subtle, but generally involves fear of loss of friendships or relationships on account of having a baby. Coercion is not subtle. If you are being threatened with consequences or fear for your safety if you do not have an abortion, you need to seek immediate help. We can offer safe houses and protection if you are being coerced.
If you feel pressured or coerced into having an abortion, text HELP to 587-573-0673. If you need a safe house or protection and cannot call the police for help, text SAFETY to 587-573-0673.
Having Doubts?
You are not alone. Many women realize shortly after taking the first abortion pill that they have made a mistake and do not want to harm their baby. There is a safe, tested, and effective method to reverse the effects of the abortion pill. You and your baby can have a second chance, but it’s important to act quickly.
Call the 24/7 helpline at 1.888.612.3960.
What is Abortion?
Scientific consensus is that human life begins at fertilization. That is, at the moment of conception, a new, genetically distinct human being has begun its life cycle. This is not a dogmatic, religious opinion only held by conservatives. In a US study that gathered responses from 5,577 biologists (the majority of whom held PhDs and were liberal, Democrat, and pro-choice), 5,337 (96%) agreed that life begins at fertilization.5
By the time of the first ultrasound, a baby has a heartbeat that can be observed on a monitor.
Therefore, abortion is the taking or destruction of a human life, in its earliest stages of development. Normally, human beings in modern, developed nations are granted the right to life and protected from harm and murder. However, abortion has been normalized and called a “reproductive right,” and a “woman’s right to choose.”
Why Does Abortion Exist?
Abortion exists for many reasons, but the root issue behind unwanted pregnancies, abuse, and the abortion industry is sin. God created the world perfectly, intending for marriages to foster love, sex, and children. However, sin entered through disobedience, harming our relationship with God and leading to suffering.
Unwanted pregnancies often arise from a failure to value life and a self-centered mindset. Abuse stems from not honoring others as God intended, while abortion reflects a disregard for God’s plans and the sanctity of life. The consequence of sin is serious, leading to eternal punishment.
Two thousand years ago, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to restore our relationship with Him. Jesus lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and offers forgiveness to everyone, including those who have had an abortion. If you’re considering abortion due to financial struggles, timing, or personal circumstances, our church is here to support you and your child. We aim to be a source of inspiration and hope, guiding you to the truth of Jesus Christ, who can save us during our most vulnerable moments.
About Us
At Fairview Baptist Church, we want to be a source of support for women and families who may be facing difficult thoughts and questions about their pregnancies. We understand that these moments can be overwhelming, and we are here to come alongside you through compassionate conversations that emphasize clarity and grace.
Being pro-life is more than just a belief; it is a heartfelt expression of our Christlike love. Through prayer, discipleship, and compassionate care, we aim to be a help to a mom, honor the dignity of the unborn, uplift families, and embody God’s heart for justice and mercy within our community.
If you are struggling or have questions, please contact us. We are here to help. You are not alone.
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion ↩︎
- https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit.html; https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-child-and-family-benefit ↩︎
- https://pregnancycarecanada.ca/find-a-pregnancy-care-centre/ ↩︎
- https://www.aamc.org/news/prenatal-screenings-can-lead-false-positives-heightened-anxiety; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17154189/ ↩︎
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36629778/; see a preliminary version of the study here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3211703. ↩︎