January is Sanctity of Human Life Month, a time to focus on the value of every human life.
On Jan. 22, Pregnancy Decision Health Centers (PDHC) will celebrate 42 years of rescuing lives and impacting generations, one heartbeat at a time. PDHC opened the doors to its first pregnancy resource center on Jan. 22, 1981, on the eighth anniversary of the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that legalized abortion in the United States.
On June 24, 2022, the court overturned Roe, which meant decisions regarding abortion laws and regulations were sent back to the individual states. In Ohio, this meant the Heartbeat Law went into effect, banning abortions in Ohio after a heartbeat is detected.
Not long after, on Sept. 14, 2022, the Heartbeat Law was placed on indefinite hold by a Hamilton County judge, making abortion legal again through 22 weeks of pregnancy, and pending litigation continues.
Through it all, PDHC stands as a beacon of hope for women who need compassionate care and support when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Practical resources and life-affirming options are provided through a 24-hour hotline, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion pill reversal services, pregnancy and parenting education, much-needed baby items and outreach to a network of community support and resources.
In 2022, PDHC impacted more than 2,300 individuals in its Pregnancy Resource Centers and more than 44,000 contacts on its hotline. PDHC was blessed with five new 3D/4D ultrasound machines for new moms to see and hear their baby’s heartbeat. This resulted in 896 life decisions last year.
PDHC helped new moms who had taken the first set of the abortion pill, regretted their decision and wanted a second chance to save the life of their baby. PDHC witnessed the birth of healthy babies born after successful abortion pill reversal services.
One woman thought she wanted an abortion and took the first set of abortion pills but immediately regretted it.
“I cried and wanted to stop the process,” she said. “I found the Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) hotline and was connected to PDHC. They gave me so much hope and encouragement. They prayed for me and my pregnancy and told me they would be there every step of the way.
“They prescribed me progesterone and monitored my pregnancy every week for the first month. I went to prenatal appointments with my regular doctor. Nine months later I birthed a beautiful and healthy baby girl. None of this could have been possible without PDHC, and I am forever grateful for this team.”
PDHC empowered 606 new moms and 166 new dads through more than 9,500 online and nearly 1,000 in-person parenting education classes, along with more than 3,100 material aid visits provided through its Family Empowerment Center.
“PDHC has been very supportive of me throughout my pregnancy, and for that I am grateful,” a PDHC mom said. “They supported me spiritually, physically and emotionally. They taught me how to take care of my baby through their parenting classes. My journey has been a beautiful one, and I am thankful to God to be a part of the PDHC family.”
PDHC touched the hearts and minds of more than 5,500 students in Franklin and Fairfield counties with healthy choice education in 37 middle and high schools. One student said, “You really got me thinking of my own relationship and how I can set better boundaries.” Another student said, “I think it is so amazing that you teach this and go around to different schools to make teens think. Thanks again!”
PDHC also helped 170 individuals on their healing journey through abortion recovery (aR) programs and services.
“I found aR support 100% helpful,” an Abortion Recovery participant said. “I was in a dark place and headed back down a dark road! I have been lifted out of a pit that could have ruined me. I cannot express how grateful I am.
“Anyone going through or sitting in a broken place, you can come out! There are people who God sent to help you, and they are so happy to help you with all love and no judgment.
“I sat in a place of loneliness for years feeling unwanted, loveless and broken, but aR at PDHC has opened up a door that I’m walking through with confidence! I have a new mind and heart. Yes, it’s hard, but I am changed, and healing is my new friend.”
If you or someone you know is struggling from a past abortion experience, call or text the aR CareLine at 614-721-2100, or go to www.abortionrecoveryinfo.org.
Also, in 2022, PDHC expanded its programs and services to include translation and interpretation services, individual and group counseling to pregnant moms from a licensed staff counselor and additional parenting education and material aid support.
It added a community health advocate to provide additional assistance to pregnant moms and their families to improve the health outcomes of women during pregnancy and infants early in their development to reduce pregnancy complications, infant mortality rates and maternal mortality rates.
PDHC also reached more women in need of its services in the community through billboards, wall murals and increased marketing and outreach efforts.
If you or someone you know is pregnant and needs help, contact PDHC through the 24-hour hotline at 614-444-4411, or go to www.pdhc.org.
