Sixteen precious babies are alive today because their mothers received the right care at the right moment. These little ones are laughing, growing, and deeply loved. But their lives might have been cut short if Colorado had its way.
Two years ago, the state tried to stop our healthcare clinic, Bella Health and Wellness, from providing pregnant women progesterone to reverse the effects of the first drug in the two-step abortion pill regimen. That drug, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone—a natural hormone essential to maintaining a healthy pregnancy—causing the uterine lining to break down and cutting off the vital nutrients to the developing baby. By providing supplemental progesterone, we can sometimes reverse these effects, giving the baby a second chance at life. This treatment, often called “abortion pill reversal,” is rooted in basic obstetric care: supporting a pregnancy that is in jeopardy.
Even though progesterone is commonly given to women who are at risk of miscarriage, Colorado passed a law banning the use of progesterone in abortion pill reversal. The state threatened to revoke our medical licenses and told us we could not help the women seeking this treatment. With the help of our attorneys at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, we challenged the state in court.
Bella Health and Wellness was born over a decade ago, inspired by a medical mission trip to the Andes Mountains. On that trip, we were reminded of a profound truth: Every person carries a unique story, and every life—no matter how small—deserves protection and care. When we returned to Denver, we felt called to create a place in our own community where women could receive compassionate, life-affirming healthcare. What began as a small OB-GYN clinic has now grown into a full-service practice serving over 28,000 patients.
As Catholic nurse practitioners, we are committed to using good science to protect the dignity of every human life. That’s why we offer progesterone to any woman whose pregnancy is at risk—whether the threat is natural or caused by the abortion pill. When a woman comes to us seeking hope for her pregnancy, we believe she deserves access to every ethical and sound option available. Anything less would betray our values and our vocation as medical professionals.
Early in the case, a federal court temporarily blocked Colorado’s ban on abortion pill reversal. Under the court’s protection, we were able to help numerous women continue their at-risk pregnancies, resulting in the birth of sixteen healthy babies since the case began.
Earlier this month, the court made that protection permanent. This decision ensures that Bella can continue offering this care without fear of punishment. More importantly, the decision affirms that women in Colorado deserve the freedom to seek help when they choose to continue their pregnancies.
This ruling is a victory not just for Bella Health and Wellness, but for every woman in Colorado who might one day need a second chance. In a state that prides itself on protecting choice, this decision ensures that women can choose life.
Somewhere in Colorado, an expecting mother is searching for a way to keep her baby. Because of this legal protection, she can walk through our doors at Bella and find people who will listen, care, and fight for her and her child. That’s what we’ve always been here to do—and now, we can keep doing it.
