MIFEPRISTONE MEDICAL ABORTION: 11 YEARS LATER
Approved in the U.S. on September 28, 2000, the mifepristone Abortion Pill is claimed to have had an extraordinary journey by abortion providers. Supporters of medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol had hoped that it would provide a safe and non-surgical approach to rectify the inequities in abortion care.
Despite the drug’s controversies, while weaving its way through the abortion-related political hazards, medical abortion has made its impact on women. Particularly, the tragic consequences it has had on the lives of many women and their families.
Women are relying upon what they believe is factual information along with a supportive network of providers assuring them of the drug’s safety and effectiveness.
That wasn’t the case for Holly Patterson and many others like her who participated in their own medical abortion procedure.
It is critical that a patient is fully informed of the procedures, administration, and health risks involved with a medical abortion.
After my daughter’s death, 8 years later, the website Abortionpillrisks.org along with what may be the world’s first video on “Medical Abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol” has been built to help other women learn about the risk and the facts of the medical abortion pill.
HOLLY’S DEATH: 8 YEARS LATER
After trips to Washington D.C., meeting with officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the White House, countless interviews with the media, spending thousands of hours researching medical abortion and Clostridium sordellii toxic shock syndrome, much as been learned about what really happened to Holly as well as other women who have been seriously injured or have died.
Holly felt it was important to help other people in life. In her death, much has been learned from Holly’s and other women’s medical abortion experience and it deserves to be shared.
Holly used the internet as source of information to help make a decision about her medical abortion. She did not have all the information she needed to make an informed choice. If Holly had survived her experience, she may have built a website as a voice to be heard.
“No woman should risk her health or life because she lacks factual and accurate medical abortion information to make a well-informed decision when terminating an early pregnancy with Mifepristone and Misoprostol."
The website, Abortionpillrisks.org – Just the Facts, is a way for women and families to learn about the risks of medical abortion and to be able to share their experiences and stories with others.
Holly did not die in vain.
Sincerely,
Monty L. Patterson
Post Updated: 9/17/2012
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it's refreshing that even in death we can find so much life, hope and freedom. Congrats on the launch of this website!
Knowledge is power…and this site gives women the knowledge to make an informed decision about the medical abortion procedure for terminating an early pregnancy with Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Presenting only the facts, it arms women with the power to decide if this regimen is a safe alternative for an abortion. It is truly a father's tribute to his daughter who did not have enough information about the health risks associated with medical abortion to make a better decision.
God Bless
Thanks so much for your courage in the face of such a tragedy. God bless you.
lynn bateman
Monty, your website and video are so important. I know pregnant mothers searching the web for information on RU-486 will be turned away from aborting their babies by the vital information you're presenting. Thank you so much.
Thank you for all your work Monty.
Debbie – Holly's Mother
Thank you for sharing Holly's story and working so diligently to ensure the safety of women and ensuring that more information will be more readily available to them if in fact they are considering using this drug.
Great information. Thank you for your hard work in putting this together.
Mifepristone and its analogs, in addition to its abortifacient antiprogesterone actions also possess antiglucocorticoid actions. Mifepristone’s antiglucocorticoid actions not only disrupt the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis but also interfere with the functioning of the peripheral glucocorticoid receptors. Proper functioning of glucocorticoid receptors is vital for the proper functioning of the innate immune system’s role in preventing bacterial infections. Thus mifepristone results in a lack of control of the pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and the lack of control of pro-inflammatory cytokines allowed the establishment of a endometrial nidus of infection with C. sordellii and the uterine localized secretion of lethal toxin by C. sordellii. Abortifacient drugs should be screened for their toxicity toward the innate immune system and serious thought should be given to the administration of prophylactic antibiotics in medical abortions.
This web site has a wealth of information. If one life is saved, I believe you'd say all your work was worth it. Great work.
This website gives a straightforward, powerful and accurate view of RU-486 abortions. As an obgyn physician, i can affirm that ,most abortion clinics do NOT take care of their own complications and women are left to fend for themselves after taking this unsafe drug.
Thank you for this vital information so desperately needed. You have provided an excellent tool for girls and women that will save lives. God bless you.
This is a beautiful tribute from a tragic experience. I know Holly would be proud of all the effort her father has put into educating women around the world. I hope that women in Holly's situation take the time to learn about their options and make an informed decision to prevent a tragedy like this from occurring again.
As someone that knew Holly from childhood, let me just say, what a powerful and informative tribute to such a beautiful and dynamic woman. Let's get the word out, and arm women with the information they need to make an informed decision about terminating a pregnancy. This website is proof that with time, hard work, and a father's love, positive things can come from tragedy.
This website reflects an incredible amount of work and dedication to identify risks that were not previously communicated in an effective manner. The information is clear and unbiased by the politics of abortion, which is refreshing in this age of polarizing points of view.
How precious is the life of young women, our daughters, granddaughters, and nieces. All the children that will not have mothers and all the babies that will not have life due to the misleading information provided to our children in time of distress or need. God Bless Monty Patterson for sharing his loss and his dedication to bringing the correct information to those vulnerable children who need help. My prayer is that more parents take the initiative to protect and save our children.
Dear Monty,
I’m so sorry for your loss of your beautiful daughter, she looked so lovely. She would be so proud of you, with all this work you have put in for other women, parents that are in danger of losing their daughters, too.
May Holly rest in peace and many blessings and peace to you, also
Look after yourself,
Warm regards,
Sarah Churchill
Dear Monty,
Thank you for being pro-Holly!!! I know that you are also pro-knowledge because knowledge is the basis of making a best decision for our lives. I know that many women's lives will be saved because you are giving them the education that the abortion providers are failing to give them.
Thank You again, Monty!!!
Bonnie Ayscue Gatewood
I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter and your grandchild. Your website is a wonderful tribute to them both.
DEAR MONTY- THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE, INFO AND TAKING THE TIME TO EDUCATE US. I AM MEDICAL AND DID NOT KNOW THIS INFO.
YOU ARE SO BRAVE.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. GOD BLESS YOU.
Dear Mr. Patterson,
I ran across Holly's story while writing a paper for grad school on abortion. Thank you for having the courage to publish this website. It is a message that people need to hear.
Sincerely,
Leslie Shortridge, RN
when I was 16 I had this procedure done. It was right after the pill was made available in the US. I had a horrible and excruciatingly painful experience that I still to this day suffer from. Before that day when I made the choice to take the pills instead of having the surgery I was in great health. The day after my nightmare of my abortion the pain in my stomach started and has never gone away…..I am 31 now. I have seen hundreds of different doctors and have had hundreds and hundreds of tests done but no one can tell me what's wrong with me. As I got older the pain has gotten so much worse. My life revolves around my pain and still I have no answers. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has had long term affects from this pill. Any input would be appreciated more than I think anyone can understand. Thanks!