The father of a young woman who died after taking the abortion pill spoke out about the dangers of the pill. Monty Patterson’s account of his daughter Holly’s death is more relevant today because there are more chemical abortions and less regulation of dangerous pills.
“I think of her blue eyes, smile, laughter, and beauty every day,” Patterson said.
In May 2006, he provided testimony before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources of the Committee on Government Reform.
“Holly’s drive and determination inspire me to fight for these issues in her name,” Monty Patterson said. “It’s natural to protect our loved ones and speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”
On September 17, 2003, seventeen-year-old Holly Patterson died of septic shock resulting from the abortion pills she had taken. Holly had been given an alternative non-FDA-approved regimen of chemical abortion at Planned Parenthood.
Following her death, her father campaigned for greater awareness of the risks associated with the abortion pill, including the creation of a website to educate the public about these risks.
Pro-life group Live Action tweeted video clips from Monty Patterson’s May 2006 testimony about Holly and the abortion pill.
Patterson asserted that there are no quick fixes or magical pills that can be taken to make an unplanned pregnancy go away. He further stated that his family, friends, and community were deeply saddened and forever marred by Holly’s preventable and tragic death. He explained that it was his vivid memory of Holly and her premature death that inspired him to make the public aware of the serious and lethal effects of the RU-486 regimen.
Patterson proceeded to recount the events surrounding his daughter’s death from a chemical abortion in a somewhat emotional manner.
On September 10, 2003, 12 days after Holly’s 18th birthday, she presented at a Planned Parenthood clinic to undergo a medical abortion regimen. By the fourth day, she was admitted to the emergency room of a local hospital. Upon examination, she was administered painkillers and diagnosed with bleeding, cramping, constipation, and pain. However, she was subsequently discharged. Seven days after taking RU-486, Holly returned to the same hospital emergency room complaining of weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, Patterson said.
“Hours later, I was summoned to the hospital, where I found her surrounded by medical personnel, barely conscious and struggling to breathe,” he said. “Holly was so weak that she could barely hold onto my hand,” said Monty Patterson. “I felt utter disbelief and desperation as I watched Holly succumb to a massive bacterial infection as a result of a drug-induced abortion with RU-486.”
Patterson expounded upon the extensive research he conducted, spending thousands of hours studying medical and scientific journals, consulting with doctors, legislators, state and federal agencies, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the drug RU-486.
Chemical abortion, or RU-486, also known as Mifeprex or mifepristone, is a two-pill process. The first pill is designed to prevent the mother’s womb from building up progesterone, a hormone essential for a pregnancy to thrive. The second pill, taken one to two days later, causes the uterus to contract and deliver the deceased fetus.
The number of chemical abortions, also known as medical or medication abortions, is on the rise and is poised to outnumber surgical abortions. Currently, chemical abortions account for 40% of all abortions performed in the United States. The abortion lobby has been advocating for greater access to the abortion pill for some time and has used the coronavirus pandemic to press for less regulation of the drugs.
In a 2006 testimony before the House Subcommittee, Monty Patterson asserted that the use of RU-486 was a significant contributing factor in Holly’s death.
At the time, he stated that the FDA had reported eight deaths associated with the drug, and that there were at least 900 cases of serious health consequences. He also questioned the continued availability of the drug, asking how many more deaths and injuries would be necessary before it was removed from the market. He further highlighted the importance of accurate information for women considering a medical abortion, noting that they often rely on the limited risk information provided by healthcare professionals.
“Yet does the average patient, a teenager like Holly, understand that she may be risking her life by taking RU-486, when she is repeatedly exposed to statements such as, ‘It’s what women have wanted for years,’ and ‘It’s the first FDA-approved pill, providing women with a safe and active non-surgical option for ending early pregnancy?'”
In 2006, Patterson predicted that the abortion pill would result in more deaths. As of the end of 2018, there had been 24 reported deaths of women in the United States associated with abortion pills. The FDA has also documented at least 4,000 cases of serious adverse events related to the abortion pill, including more than 1,000 women who required hospitalization.
Patterson had written that the health, safety, and welfare of women should never be compromised in the name of women’s rights to access abortion. He stated that women need to completely understand the health consequences of this drug regimen to properly make an informed decision that is in their own best interest.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
