How I Became Pro-Life

I am not a fan of politics. I never have been. In college I registered for a Political Science course, thinking that it would help me understand it better. I bailed after the professor made it clear he would gear the course to the most advanced "poli-sci" students in the class.

I've never felt strong enough about a candidate for any office to wear a button or volunteer for a campaign. For me, the only leader I can put my trust in is Jesus Christ.

Still, I vote. It is the right thing to do. My job as a responsible citizen.

With life experience comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes responsibility. And so, I'm outing myself. My name is Lauren Barrett, and I am Pro-Life.

I’ve always had the sense that abortion was wrong; certainly a decision which I would never choose. However, I wasn’t sure that women shouldn’t be given the opportunity to make the right choice, especially when it involved a medical procedure on their body. After all, it has only been since 1920 that women in this country have been allowed to vote, and I myself have felt the sting of gender-based discrimination. Supporting the right to choose seemed to be compassionate toward women. During this presidential primary I found myself rethinking my political beliefs in relation to my faith.

I feel so blessed to be the mother of four beautiful children. When I first found out I was carrying triplets I went through a series of emotions. I was thrilled to be pregnant again but had a difficult time wrapping my mind around the implications of a triplet pregnancy. Eventually my shock turned to fear and apprehension as I was told by the nurses I’d be on bed rest by my 22nd week. Because a triplet pregnancy is very high risk my local doctor wouldn’t treat me and I was referred to a specialist in Boston for my OB care. I anxiously awaited my first appointment with the specialist in Boston. I had a lot of questions; I wanted to know what to expect.

When my husband and I arrived for my first appointment I was told it was a consultation. Nobody checked my blood pressure or weight; it was clear I was not yet under their care. The specialist in high order multiple pregnancies was happy to answer any questions. However, it became apparent that the primary goal of this meeting was to discuss reduction, a process by which one or more of your babies is aborted. We were given a packet of information which detailed pregnancy success rates for triplet pregnancies and for those who chose reduction at that hospital. It also included a description of the procedure.

While I knew this was not an option to me, I couldn’t help having the same thoughts that so many women in my position must have. As I reviewed the statistics of successful triplet pregnancies and those who reduced I wondered, “Would reduction increase the chances that the other two babies would survive or be healthier?” “Am I more apt to have serious health issues by carrying three?” “How am I going to care for my toddler during a triplet pregnancy?” I thought about having twins and knew it would mean I could be cared for and deliver closer to home. Some of those closest to me who were concerned about my health suggested I consider reducing.

When I got home that day I read through all the paperwork I received, thirsty for any information to help me feel more secure about what the coming months would be like. It was then that I learned how reduction is done. A needle guided by ultrasound is inserted into the child and they are injected with a solution that will stop their heart beat.

That was the reality.

I thought about the first ultrasounds, when I waited excitedly to hear the heart beat. It was an amazing and shocking sound, carrying with it the undeniable proof that I was indeed pregnant, there was a child inside me, and all was well.

Sure, I wanted to be pregnant. What about those women who really don't want to be? The heart beat is the same, the child is still present, and all is well.

Stop their heart beat? Reduction was not about increasing the odds for the other unborn babies, it was murder and nobody should have the right to do that. I finally got it. For some reason I think I previously considered abortion certainly as wrong, but more like stopping a child from being born in some abstract way. Some may think this is the same thing, but at that moment I realized it wasn’t the same. This issue wasn’t simply about being compassionate to women. It was about being compassionate toward innocent, defenseless babies and in turn, helping women to care for and respect the amazing gift of life and ultimately, themselves.

Choosing the right thing to do is never a guarantee that life will be easier but it does bring blessings. My pregnancy sure wasn’t easy, but it was a healthy one. I was never placed on bed rest and carried my babies to 34 weeks. I am embarrassed to admit that one of my biggest fears was how the pregnancy would affect my body, and I was spared even a single stretch mark. My pregnancy was a witness of God’s mercy and care that was shared with my whole parish as I continued to serve in music ministry until my 30th week. Even as our family has faced many adversities including my husband losing his job early in my pregnancy, God has been there with blessings delivered beautifully through His people. The Kingdom of God revealed through the love of little children.


Children teach us so many valuable lessons. Through mine I have become better at surrendering to God. By His grace I try to choose the right thing and trust Him to work out the details. The Lord continues to work miracles in my life.