This concerns the film “Unplanned,” the story of Abby Jonson, an anti-abortion “celebrity.” Abby not only had an abortion herself, but also worked for many years at an abortion clinic, including as its director. The film uses a narrative appealing to everyone about a sinner who found redemption. However, as an investigative report by Texas Montly demonstrated, Abby is not an example of conversion, but a frustrated employee taking revenge on employers who failed to appreciate her “sacrifice” at the abortion clinic. As Oko.press reported:

In Poland, the film can already be seen by 15-year-olds, although in the USA it is restricted to adults. The distributor encourages schools to show it to students—even preparing lesson plans.

At Kino Forum, screenings of “Unplanned” were held in the small auditorium. We asked the cinema manager, Ewa Chrobot, twice by email, using her private email address, whether any schools had arranged to attend the screening in Bolesławiec, but we received no answer.

Update 2019-11-29

We present the manager’s response:

The film was ordered because people interested in it had been asking well before its premiere whether we would show it. There were no inquiries from schools.

More details about anti-abortion lies on cinema screens can be found in an article by Krytyka Polityczna: “Unplanned”—anti-abortion lies on cinema screens.

In connection with this film, the most important thing is to verify information about abortion appearing in Catholic media. And we must remember that, although we do not wish abortion on anyone (it is better to use contraception) or recommend it, it is, as confirmed by statistics and World Health Organization guidelines, a very safe medical procedure.

Verified facts about abortion

Abortion pills are on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of essential medicines. The WHO guidelines from 2015 state that self-managed medication abortion during the first trimester and checking its effectiveness independently, without medical supervision, are possible when appropriate information and healthcare are available if needed.

In 2019, the WHO removed the requirement for “strict medical supervision” on the basis of medical evidence confirming the safety of using medication abortion. Only 2% of women experience complications requiring hospitalization. The probability of death after childbirth is 14 times higher than after an abortion.

Abdominal pain, vomiting and bleeding stronger than during menstruation are normal symptoms of abortion. Most women, accustomed to menstruation and the discomfort associated with it, tolerate abortion very well, as confirmed by practice and the accounts of women who have experienced it.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology states:

  • We consider the claim that a fetus feels pain in the early stages of pregnancy to be scientifically unfounded. At this stage of pregnancy (12 weeks), the brain and nervous system are still at a very early stage of development. Most brain cells have not yet developed. Without a cerebral cortex, it is impossible to receive or feel pain stimuli. Moreover, experts have found that even premature babies born at 24–25 weeks of pregnancy react to pain much less strongly than full-term newborns.
  • At this stage of pregnancy (12 weeks), every movement of the fetus is a motor reflex, not a conscious movement. For consciousness to exist, there must be a cerebral cortex and spinal-cord myelin, neither of which is present in this case.
  • A 12-week-old fetus cannot in any way be compared with a fully formed human being. At this stage, there are only developing organ structures. The fetus cannot live outside the mother’s body; it is incapable of conscious thought.”
  • Serious psychological problems associated with terminating a pregnancy are rare. Most women report experiencing relief, although some experience temporary depression. Serious psychological disorders occur more frequently after childbirth than after terminating a pregnancy.