As a former abortionist, I had reservations about seeing the movie “Unplanned.” What I experienced was a brilliantly executed, accurate portrayal of life within the abortion industry. It chronicles the rise of Abby Johnson from idealistic volunteer to an abortion clinic manager until she is finally confronted with the harsh reality of abortion. It also gives a rare glimpse into the corporate workings of Planned Parenthood. Although we played different roles; our experiences were amazingly similar.
I cried as I saw her make the same mistakes I had, and especially when the full realization of what she had been doing hit her. I know that anguish. While in the industry, I thought pro-lifers were rabid, mean-spirited, judgmental, fanatics. But I later experienced the same love and compassion from them that Abby did, and I realized, as she did, that they were the ones who truly cared about women in crisis and were willing to give them the help they needed. We were making a profit off these women; they were not.
I was surprised at how tastefully the movie was done considering its “R” rating and the grizzly nature of abortion itself. Although there were some uncomfortable scenes, I think it is entirely appropriate for adolescents to view it with their parents.
The motivations and opinions of the clinic staff and management portrayed in the movie were very similar to what I experienced. I believed the same feminist rhetoric. I wept for Abby and for me when I saw her reaction to seeing the fetal body parts for the first time. It was the same as mine; fascination rather than disgust or horror. The body parts they showed were realistic, but for the viewer’s sake, they were displayed only briefly and in a somewhat shielded manner.
Abby’s experience with her own medical abortion is consistent with the many cases I have reviewed. The panic and reactions of the staff when their patient almost died was realistic, as was the attempt to cover it up. Abortions are purported to be safe but, we really don’t know because so many complications are never reported. I had no requirement, nor even a vehicle for reporting complications coming out of the local abortion clinics that I saw in my practice and in the ER.
The depiction of the abortion procedure itself, including the pain experienced by the patient, was accurate and was not sensationalized. This was also true of the sonographic images of the baby in its attempts to escape the suction cannula until it was finally sucked out of the uterus. Such reactions by the fetus have been scientifically documented in numerous studies.
The most moving testimony I ever heard was by a radiologist who described watching an OB/Gyn do a selective reduction on triplets on ultrasound. He watched as the doctor repeatedly tried to pierce the chest of Baby #1 who kept wriggling out of the way each time it was pricked by the needle. As the doctor gave up and tried to inject Baby #2, who then exhibited the same withdrawal behavior, the radiologist was overcome with emotion and had to leave the room. There was no doubt in his mind that these babies were experiencing pain.
I would encourage everyone to see this movie. I hope Unplanned is an eye-opener for both the pro-life and the pro-choice communities as it offers a rare, realistic glimpse into the abortion industry. I hope it helps us have compassion not only for the woman with an unwanted pregnancy but also for her baby and those damaged by their involvement in the abortion industry.
Kathi A. Aultman, MD FACOG is a retired OB/Gyn and former abortionist.
