Missouri mother who needed lifesaving abortion care speaks out on Amendment 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Alice Ledford has had three abortions. She calls them heartbreaking.

“All of them were lifesaving. None of them were because I just didn’t want the baby or something like that,” Alice said.

The first was a miscarriage which doctors advised her to have the procedure to avoid toxic shock syndrome. An ectopic pregnancy followed that also required medical care to avoid bleeding. A third miscarriage followed which required another abortion.

“I don’t think I would have survived. I don’t think I would have made it past the first miscarriage. I honestly think that they would have just let me go because they can’t perform the surgeries now,” Alice said.

Alice lives in Warrensburg- a more rural part of Missouri where women must leave the state and drive further distances for abortion care.

Alice knows Missouri law allows for doctors to perform life-saving measures. But she questions exactly how sick she would have had to become to get that care.

“It’s not always just about choice. I didn’t choose to lose any of those babies, and without having that lifesaving procedure, I wouldn’t be here. And so sometimes it’s not about being pro-choice or not. We have to make the choice to save our women out here,” said Alice.

Alice made the decision to be public saying she’s speaking out for the younger generations like her daughter who may need the care someday.

While many women keep their abortion stories private, Alice says her circle is openly discussing abortion care and plans to vote “yes” on Amendment 3. Click here to read the exact language.

“I have four or five friends who have had, actually have medical abortions as well. So, they’re, they’re right there with me and standing up for this,” said Alice

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Planned Parenthood expects Amendment 3 victory

Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains expects high turnout to support Amendment 3.

“People turn out when abortion is on the ballot, and we’re expecting that will be the same. In Missouri, I think we’ll have high turnout, high voter registration for new voters for whom this is a really deeply held personal issue, and they want to vote on it,” said Wales.

Wales says 75% of all patients are now from other states. Texas represents the highest percentage of patients followed by Missouri and Kansas. The clinic also sees patients from as far away as Florida.

Wales says she believes voters understand that abortion is health care.

Mylissa Farmer went public after her water broke at 18 weeks of pregnancy. She lived in Joplin and had to travel to three different states to get the care she needed.

“People know someone who couldn’t get care, or who had to travel multiple states, or who’ve been waiting for weeks, that has set in, and Missourians are not wanting to tolerate that world anymore. They don’t want their lives to be at risk,” said Wales.

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