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]]>The post Hill Investigation Letter first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>Dear Chair Cassidy, Chair Crapo, Chair Guthrie, and Chair Comer:
On behalf of the thousands of physicians and medical professionals we represent, AAPLOG (the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists) writes to share the results of a recent investigation we conducted into the online ordering and mail distribution of mifepristone. The findings raise significant concerns regarding patient safety, informed consent, and the lack of medical oversight in the online distribution of abortion pills.
Alarmingly, our investigation found many risks patients may not realize when accessing these drugs through online providers:
What this investigation uncovered is far from anything that could be called healthcare. In fact, it should be considered medical malpractice. The FDA removed patient safeguards during the Covid-19 pandemic, removing in-person dispensing requirements that had been in place for two decades. Yet this mail-order process for abortion pills remains in use with complete disregard for patient safety.
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]]>The post Statement on Punishing Women for Induced Abortion first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>The American Association of Pro-Life OB/GYNs does not support criminally charging women who did exactly what they were told for over 50 years: trust their doctors, embrace a choice sold as empowerment, or exercise a right granted to them, however unjust we know that “right” to be.
Our pro-abortion adversaries have already fear-mongered women into not seeking care – and doctors into not providing it – after an induced abortion, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy – even when no law prevents this. As medical professionals, we are deeply concerned that women will be even more fearful to seek care for complications from induced abortion (or even miscarriage) if punishment is a threat. As a movement, we should not finish what pro-abortion activists started.
If we are looking for someone to hold accountable, we should continue to look to those who are not coerced, not backed into a corner, and stand to lose nothing: those who provide abortions and abusers.
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]]>The post AAPLOG Files Amicus Brief in Louisiana v FDA at the Fifth Circuit first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>The post Who are the Nameless “Some Were Pregnant” first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>On June 23, 2025 – An anti-trafficking operation in Florida, dubbed Operation Dragon Eye, rescued 60 minors from sex trafficking. Their ages ranged from 9-17 years old. Forty three were girls, while 17 were boys. Surprising to me was that fact that 68% were from their local communities, 31% were from Foster care. Such a large percent being trafficked in communities where they live exposes the fact that these communities are not receiving adequate antitrafficking education. The children were referred to as “critically missing”. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children defines critically missing as having “elevated risk factors or circumstances that suggest potential harm, such as abduction, exploitation, or involvement in dangerous situations”. For many of us who work with or volunteer with minors who have been trafficked, stories like this leave us conflicted – they bring hope in the rescue and sadness that Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) is so prevalent.
I saw some things in news reports following the sting that I had rarely seen in the news before, “The operation uncovered the gut-wrenching realities of sex trafficking – including several girls who were pregnant”. Another report stated, “some were pregnant”.
The US Department of State defines sex trafficking as “a severe form of trafficking in persons in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion or in which the person induced to perform such an act is under 18 years of age”. In DMST the use of force, fraud or coercion makes consent mute. Plus they lack the mental/emotional maturity to make such critical decisions. Many have experienced Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) which may result in early interpersonal trauma interfering in brain development, leading to impaired cognitive/emotional development.
I have no doubt all of us would say that rape is horrible. In most cases rape is a one time event, yet it often leaves the victims with emotional scars like Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. When caring for victims/survivors of sex trafficking, especially minors, rape is an ongoing experience. It is important to realize they have been raped (sold) on average 6-10 times a day throughout the trajectory of their trafficking experience. As a result, they may be prone to self-harm or suicidal ideology, PTSD or a more complex form of PTSD referred to as C-PTSD, anxiety depression, Dissociative Disorder, Substance abuse, eating disorders, and others. We can rejoice that the children were rescued. Yet this should cause us to pause and examine our own understanding of human trafficking and consider the severe consequences, especially in minors, many of whom suffer from serious mental/emotional/physical trauma…”and some are pregnant”. Would you be prepared if a victim, especially a minor, were referred to you?
These minors are nameless stats in the news, but they are children, living human beings, who’ve been robbed of their childhood, freedom, identity and humanity. They have little-to-no self-worth. There are protocols that law enforcement, the FBI, victim advocates and forensic nurses follow at the point of rescue that, hopefully, are trauma-informed, child-centered, and legally compliant. But what happens when “some are pregnant”. I am sure that everyone involved would attest to following “best practices” in healthcare, social services and within the legal system. However, when “some are pregnant” who defines best practices? Is it the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a professional organization that has become very political and pro-abortion? When you have a girl, who believes she is just a commodity for someone’s profit or pleasure, that she is expendable, her life has no value …what does the culture say would be the best practice? Facing the chaos and turmoil of the rescue, forensic evaluation, emergency housing and questions surrounding placement, how is her pregnancy addressed? Is she encouraged to abort, reinforcing that life has no value and her baby is also expendable? Or is she counseled on all options? Who supports and stands with the young women who desire to parent? What are her resources?
Forced abortion has been documented and is of growing concern, especially with easy access to the abortion pill. Forced abortion is often used by the trafficker to further abuse, a form of reproductive coercion, another tool for control. On the other hand, the trafficker can exert further control over a victim who has a baby by threatening to sell or abuse the baby if the mother doesn’t make quota or doesn’t obey the trafficker. Due to the very criminal nature of sex trafficking, it is impossible to obtain large datasets that address abortion or pregnancy. In one landmark study from the Annals of Health Law (2014) it was noted from out of 160 survivors of sex trafficking 55% reported having at least one abortion, 30% reported having multiple abortions. In a 2019 joint opinion piece for the American Association of Prolife OB/GYNs and the American College of Pediatrics results of a survey done by survivors for survivors was highlighted, where of 758 respondents:
It is well known that the later the abortion, moving into the second and third trimester, the greater the risk of complications. This is especially true in trafficked minors for multiple reasons: poor healthcare, physical immaturity of anatomy, physical sequelae or complications from sexual violence (e.g. trauma-induced gynecologic injuries), STIs, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Teen mothers are at high risk of complications such as high blood pressure and/or preeclampsia, preterm births, low weight births, anemia, and other complications associated with their trafficking. In addition, the mental health issues noted above often go undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed if not evaluated through a trauma informed lens. At a minimum, she should receive prenatal and obstetric evaluation, that is trauma informed, confidential, and respectful, in a muli-disciplinary team approach. In some situations, best practice might be to include consultation with a high-risk OB/GYN specialist. Local Pregnancy Resource Centers could also play a vital role providing support, parenting classes, information on adoption options, and other child care resources. I have known adult survivors who have told me that their pregnancy saved their lives, gave them courage to escape from their trafficker, or led them to a Pregnancy Resource Center where they were cared for and chose to parent her child.
Caring for victims/survivors of sex trafficking requires a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach. Those who are pregnant add to the complexity, recognizing there are two very vulnerable lives at stake.
Resources for anti-trafficking educational programs designed specifically for healthcare providers:
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]]>The post AAPLOG Colorado – First Half 2025 first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>We have great hope, as we see the advancement of REAL women’s healthcare services, mental health services, and outreach to men in many pregnancy centers; and increasing boldness and community amongst our life-affirming medical professionals. At AAPLOG’s annual conference (MBEC) Colorado was well-represented, with Bella Health + Wellness, Marisol Health, and (Sarah Pederson, MD) hosting booths. In one of the darkest states, medical professionals are taking a stand for women and babies. Colorado’s destiny is being a leader for LIFE.
We have the incredible privilege of hearing peoples’ stories of how abortion has impacted their lives, their practice of medicine, their families, and those around them. We knew people in the state were aware there is an effective prolife medical organization in Colorado when the Denver Post reached out to us twice for comments, and when medical professionals reached out for help with issues they were facing. THERE IS A LIFE-AFFIRMING MEDICAL PRESENCE IN COLORADO!
The annual strategic planning meeting was held in February 2025. See our goals listed below.
Membership
Zoom sessions through April focused on equipping members to understand the bills impacting Life in Colorado and providing the evidence to defend the Life position. In May 2025, John Bruchalski, MD, presented on the Tepeyac Clinic and Divine Mercy Care. In July, Jeannine Duffield shared the life-affirming care and extensive resources provided by Marisol Health.
2026 Colorado legislative session. We focused on:
We testified regarding these bills, also:
When we do not get our desired outcomes based on the evidence, we know that there is an impact on many who hear the testimonies, read the Op Eds, and who are emboldened by our evidence-based defense of both of our patients. It All Matters and leads to changing hearts and minds.
Strategy for the 2026 Legislative session is being developed with AAPLOG Action.
Public and Media Education, Support of students
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]]>Reinstating the pre-2023 requirement for an in-person evaluation before mifepristone is dispensed is a bare minimum safety standard and is best for the health and safety of both our maternal and preborn patients.
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]]>The post AAPLOG files Amicus Brief in The State of Louisiana v FDA first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>Click here to view the full document
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]]>The post Medical Organizations Letter first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Commissioner Makary and Secretary Kennedy,
As representatives of tens of thousands of pro-life obstetricians/gynecologists, pediatricians, family physicians, and other medical professionals dedicated to evidence-based care for women and their preborn children, we are deeply concerned to hear the news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be delaying its full review of the safety of mifepristone.
In congressional hearings and subsequent letters to state attorneys general and members of Congress over the past year, the FDA committed to conducting a thorough, independent review of real-world safety data for this abortion drug—data that recent papers indicate reveal serious complication rates far higher than previously disclosed on the FDA label, including hemorrhage, sepsis, and incomplete abortions requiring surgical intervention.
Two reports analyzing insurance claims for 330 million U.S. patients (2017–2023) identified more than 860,000 mifepristone prescriptions and tracked adverse events within 45 days of use. Alarmingly, 10.93% of women experienced severe complications, including infection, hemorrhage, surgical intervention, or undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy.1 This rate is consistent with what our clinicians observe and suggests the true risk may be 22 times higher than previously disclosed…
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]]>The post One Pager: Dangers of Clostridial Infection after Mifepristone Ingestion for Induced Abortion: A Public Health Concern first appeared on AAPLOG - American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
]]>Under the current dispensing regime, mifepristone is available online, with no follow up or readily available clinician to address complications. If women experience complications and go to the emergency room, they are told to lie about ingesting mifepristone and instead say they are having a miscarriage. This recklessness and deception is unnecessarily endangering women.
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