Mothers who chose life after taking abortion pill testify in California trial

Women who took the first drug in a chemical abortion regimen but later chose life for their babies are testifying in a closely watched California trial against two pro-life organizations that promote abortion pill reversal treatment. 

In the case The People of the State of California v. Heartbeat International & RealOptions, the state alleges the groups spread “false or misleading” information about Abortion Pill Reversal (APR), a protocol that uses progesterone in an effort to counteract the effects of mifepristone, the first drug used in a two-drug chemical abortion. California Attorney General Rob Bonta is seeking nearly $20 million in penalties against the pro-life nonprofits. 

>> Pro-life nonprofit stands trial as California targets abortion pill reversal <<

In a July 10 statement, the Thomas More Society (TMS), which is defending the organizations, highlighted the testimony of Erika Carrillo, a mother of three from San Mateo who said she felt pressured by her partner to undergo a chemical abortion. 

Carrillo told the court that her partner was “adamant” that she could not have the child and needed to end her pregnancy, the TMS reported. 

She said she twice told the nurse practitioner who gave her the abortion drugs that she was unsure whether she wanted to proceed, but she said she nevertheless felt like she “had no other option” and took mifepristone while her partner sat in the room with her.

After returning home, Carrillo refused to take the second drug in the regimen. At about 2 a.m., she began searching online for a way to continue her pregnancy and contacted the Abortion Pill Reversal Network helpline, the TMS said. 

Carrillo was referred to RealOptions, where she confirmed her pregnancy with an ultrasound and began receiving progesterone at no cost. A volunteer arranged transportation to future appointments because Carrillo was a single parent without a vehicle. 

She later gave birth to a healthy boy who is now almost 10 years old.

Carrillo told the court she shared her story because “every woman should be able to advocate for themselves,” according to the TMS. She said women who feel pressured, isolated, or unsupported deserve to know APR “is an option for them.”

Two other women, Elizabeth Barrett and Uyen Pham, who also saved their babies after taking mifepristone, are expected to testify in the coming weeks.

According to court filings cited by the TMS, Barrett took mifepristone at a Planned Parenthood clinic after telling staff that she was ambivalent about the abortion. She later received a text message from her boyfriend saying he wanted to keep the baby.

The couple found information about APR online, and Barrett began progesterone treatment that same day. She later gave birth to a healthy daughter.

Pham reportedly regretted taking mifepristone almost immediately. A friend researched possible options and gave her a phone number that connected her with Heartbeat International and then RealOptions. Pham was seen by a medical provider less than 24 hours after taking mifepristone and later gave birth to a healthy son without complications, according to the legal group.

“These success stories of courageous mothers who chose life could cease to exist if California prevails in suppressing the speech of Heartbeat International and RealOptions,” TMS said in the statement.

The trial is underway in Alameda County Superior Court and has been described as the first case challenging claims about APR to reach this stage.