Rev Dr. Love Holt Testimony to the House Democratic Discussion of Abortion Rights
Synopsis
Reverend Dr. Love Holt, a mother of five and the first person to testify before Congress about a self-managed abortion, illustrated how Missouri’s abortion ban nearly cost her her life. Because Missouri has a near-total abortion ban with stiff penalties that include felony charges for doctors, Rev. Dr. Love was afraid to seek care at a clinic.
Instead, she took abortion pills at 13 weeks pregnant, beyond the recommended time frame, after repeated delays in the mail.
Medication abortion is extremely safe, but in rare cases like Rev. Dr. Love’s, some patients need follow-up care. Afraid of being arrested, she delayed getting help until her mother found her in the midst of a medical crisis, and brought her to a local hospital.