Beginning her pregnancy center work as a volunteer in Alabama, Tracie has led teams in Texas and Tennessee, allowing her a unique perspective in comprehending the issues pregnancy centers of all shapes and sizes face. Her willingness to follow God’s calling on her life has taken her around the country and now back to Ohio where she will relocate to join Heartbeat headquarters.

“Tracie is a familiar face around Heartbeat as she has tapped into our leadership trainings for years,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International. “When the search began for such a critical role, Tracie was on our radar immediately.”

“I’ve known Tracie for over 10 years. I have watched her grow, wearing many different hats and growing in her leadership. I had the privilege of being part of her first New Director’s training here at Heartbeat International and we developed a friendship,” said Betty McDowell, who is retiring from the role after nearly 19 years. “She is well respected, and she cares deeply about people, which for me was really key as I was thinking about somebody taking the place where I have been. That care for people is a hallmark of what Heartbeat is and how we care for our people on our teams -- and Tracie has that.”

“I am excited to start a new season of service in the pregnancy help movement. I am committed to the mission of Heartbeat International and its legacy of saving lives. Learning from the unique experiences and diverse perspectives of people all over the world who share the goal of making abortion undesirable today and unthinkable tomorrow is humbling and exciting,” said Tracie Shellhouse, Vice President of Ministry Services. “It is an incredible blessing to join such a passionate and dedicated team in this vitally important work. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”

From the experts at Extend Web Services

By now you've heard the news of Google changing its policies (again) in an effort to appease politicians and suppress the great work of pregnancy help.

While this may cause uncertainty in many of our hearts and minds, we know this is not the first time Google and Big Tech have come after us. We continue to pivot and seek out new and innovative ways to reach women searching for help.

In this most recent case, some of the Google changes are minor and will not impact your marketing efforts while others will require more strategic thinking. 

What changes do I need to know about? 

Change 1: One of the main changes Google has implemented is the disclaimer that accompanies ads for organizations that do not provide abortion. Since 2019, this disclaimer has shown up at the bottom of ads and it will now appear at the top (see picture below). 

How will this impact my center: While this may seem like a major change, we do not anticipate it affecting your marketing efforts and results. In fact, when this disclaimer was first implemented three years ago, we did not see a negative impact on our ad campaigns and we have not seen an impact on ad results in the past couple of weeks.

Change 2: Another change from Google will have a greater impact on your marketing efforts is Local Search. Google has changed the default for local search results for abortion services to only show those verified to provide abortion procedures. Women will be able to see more results if they choose to, including from organizations that don't provide abortions, such as pregnancy help centers.

How will this impact my center: When a woman searches abortion-related terms pregnancy centers will most likely not show up on Google Maps unless the user expands their search. It could be very difficult for a pregnancy help center to be found through local search relying solely on organic SEO.

Remember, at times like these it is easy to become overwhelmed and lose heart but please do not give up! The Extend team is here for you and will work to give you the best web presence possible at an affordable price.

We know that no matter what politicians, Google and Big Tech do to try to suppress us, women will continue to be reached, lives will continue to be saved and the great work of pregnancy help will continue to advance.

It's an honor to partner with you! God bless.

Check Out More Innovative Products from Extend Web Services!

This summer, we have noticed various suspicious activities implemented by Google. The latest has been the inability for some pregnancy help organizations to have people write reviews on their Google Business Page. We know the value of clients sharing their pregnancy help experiences to help combat the negative claims put forth by abortion advocates. 

As this has been a bit inconsistent from state to state, we thought it best to go straight to the source - the pregnancy help network. 

Please take 2 minutes to complete the survey below and help us have a better understanding of how broad Google's review ban is. 

The Life Launch Grant was designed to intentionally inspire a new season of growth for pregnancy help centers in underserved communities in need of more life-saving outreach as an alternative to Big Abortion, and to help start-ups open their doors and advance pregnancy help to new communities in the U.S.

“Each of these stories is a snapshot of the life-affirming work that is being done in pregnancy help centers across the globe… These are the stories that remind us that every life is precious.”
- Sara Littlefield, Grant Program Specialist

Click on the presentation below to see the impact Life Launch has had on communities nationwide!

Heartbeat's Life Launch Program helps pregnancy centers through consultation, resources, and training opportunities, as well as financial and operational support to those centers qualifying for the Life Launch Grant.

75% of our Life Launch recipients and approved awardees are located in counties that had gone without pregnancy help – primed for more life-saving outreach. Using the 2019 census for numbers, 1,977,509 individuals now have access to pregnancy help through Life Launch!

Pregnancy help centers bring hope to moms and give life to their babies. Heartbeat International would truly appreciate your generous support to help build one of these centers and continue spreading our life-affirming message of Reach, Rescue, and Renewal. 

Will you partner with us today? Click here to give.

For Immediate Release
June 24, 2022
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(614) 885-7577

Heartbeat International, the nation’s largest network of pregnancy help centers, celebrates decisive Supreme Court victory

“I thank God that fifty years of injustice for the unborn and fifty years of the craven politicization of women’s health by Big Abortion activists is over.”
— Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat International

COLUMBUS, OH: The leaders of Heartbeat International respond to the overturning of Roe v. Wade with the following statements:

Danielle M. White, General Counsel for Heartbeat International: 

“Roe was wrong the day it was decided. Yet for decades, the Supreme Court has clung to the outdated notion that women need abortion in order to participate equally in the life of the nation. How utterly untrue! With the Supreme Court out of the way, states can now be much more creative in exploring how best to support and empower women as they choose life and pursue their dreams. Pregnancy help has stood beside women, walked with them, and journeyed with them through an unexpected pregnancy, so that no woman ever feels so alone or so helpless that she thinks that abortion is her only option.”

Jor-El Godsey, Heartbeat International President:

“Finally, the Supreme Court has admitted their grave error and overturned Roe, but we must never forget these fifty years. I thank God that fifty years of injustice for the unborn and fifty years of the craven politicization of women’s health by Big Abortion activists is over. Today is not just a historic day—it is a new day.”  

Cindi Boston-Bilotta, Heartbeat International’s Vice President of Mission Advancement:

“The need is not going to go away, women will still need help, and the pregnancy help movement will continue to be there for any woman who needs us.”

Betty McDowell, Vice President of Ministry Services with Heartbeat International:

“Someone asked me, ‘how does this change your work?’ The truth is that it really doesn’t. For decades we have served every mother we could and we will continue to day after day every woman who comes to us. We’re for women, and we will continue to help support them and to provide training for pregnancy help centers all over the world.”

Andrea Trudden, Heartbeat International Vice President of Communications & Marketing:

“Our work is not over, in fact, in many ways it is just beginning. Women still need compassionate care and support, and we will continue to be here to offer it to them. Abortion may not now be available in every state, but practical resources and life-affirming options are through our network of pregnancy help organizations. We will wake up tomorrow and do exactly what we have done for fifty years—help women.” 

###

Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 80 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations. 

Website - HeartbeatInternational.org

Facebook - Facebook

Twitter - Twitter

For Immediate Release
June 16, 2022
Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(614) 885-7577

Ahead of Dobbs, Heartbeat International survey sees dangerous increase in violence and threats against pregnancy centers

COLUMBUS, Oh. — An informal survey by Heartbeat International—the world’s largest network of pro-life pregnancy help organizations in the world—of its more than 1,900 U.S.-based affiliate locations reveals a disturbing trend of increasing violence against pregnancy help centers ahead of the expected decision in the Dobbs case that could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.

The survey shows that abortion activists have moved in deceptive and dangerous ways to channel their anger over the impending Supreme Court leak that showed a potential overturn of the Roe v. Wade decision. In recent days, abortion extremists groups have amplified national calls to action to attack pregnancy help organizations—places that exist to provide pregnant women with care and resources.

Of the 137 responses to the Heartbeat International survey, more than one in six organizations in over 20 states reported an increase in incidents targeting their organizations. These range from fake online reviews to vandalism, including the destruction of property, all occurring since the beginning of May.

“This anger is completely misguided. These pro-abortion vigilantes claim to be standing up for women while simultaneously obstructing women from receiving the pregnancy care they seek,” said Jor-El Godsey, Heartbeat International president.

Of the organizations reporting incidents:

• An alarming 20% reported property damage
• More than 30% have seen an increase in fake online reviews
• 20% have received angry calls
• 10% have experienced protests outside their locations
• 6% have received threats.

“The time these centers must close in order to clean up paint or replace broken windows is time now that they aren’t able to serve women and families,” Godsey said. “The women these vandals claim to care about are now being denied care due to what amounts to a temper tantrum.”

###

Heartbeat International is the largest network of pro-life pregnancy help in the world, with over 3,000 affiliated locations in more than 80 countries. Heartbeat's mission is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE in order to achieve their vision of making abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.

Website - HeartbeatInternational.org

Facebook - Facebook

Twitter - Twitter

The Life Launch Grant was designed to intentionally inspire a new season of growth for pregnancy help centers in underserved communities in need of more life-saving outreach as an alternative to Big Abortion, and to help start-ups open their doors and advance pregnancy help to new communities in the U.S.

“Each of these stories is a snapshot of the life-affirming work that is being done in pregnancy help centers across the globe… These are the stories that remind us that every life is precious.”
- Sara Littlefield, Grant Program Specialist

Click on the presentation below to see the impact Life Launch has had on communities nationwide!

Heartbeat's Life Launch Program helps pregnancy centers through consultation, resources, and training opportunities, as well as financial and operational support to those centers qualifying for the Life Launch Grant.

75% of our Life Launch recipients and approved awardees are located in counties that had gone without pregnancy help – primed for more life-saving outreach. Using the 2019 census for numbers, 1,977,509 individuals now have access to pregnancy help through Life Launch!

Pregnancy help centers bring hope to moms and give life to their babies. Heartbeat International would truly appreciate your generous support to help build one of these centers and continue spreading our life-affirming message of Reach, Rescue, and Renewal. 

Will you partner with us today? Click here to give.

Heartbeat International celebrates a decisive Supreme Court victory from Heartbeat International on Vimeo.

Announced at 10:10 am EST on June 24, 2022, Roe v. Wade is officially overturned by the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Read the complete opinion here. 

Heartbeat International works hard to equip and prepare pregnancy help organizations with the tools they need for any situation. With Roe v. Wade being overturned, it is important that they are ready for whatever situation may come their way. To help, we're addressing the topic with podcasts, webinars, articles, and other resources designed for those working in pregnancy help to prepare. Please continue to pray for these organizations who may be facing challenges in the coming days.

If you would like to help support the work of pregnancy help centers as they face new attacks from NARAL, mainstream media, big tech, and malicious legislatures, you can learn more on our Representation and Defense page! There you can find information and tools to prepare you to speak up for their vital work.

Resources

• Heartbeat International's Amicus Brief - This brief provides the individual testaments of Nikki Pinkley, Brittni Curl and Michelle Bisbee, showing how they were assisted by pregnancy help organizations as example that women do not have to choose between the life of their unborn child and taking part in society.
• Talking Points - Dobbs - These talking points cover the basic facts of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case and answer some commonly asked questions about it's impact on pregnancy help organizations.
• Interactive Map - An interactive map from Family Policy Alliance which breaks down of what will happen in each state if Roe is overturned.
• Responding to Oral Arguments - An academic paper by Charlotte Lozier Institute, which is a response to Justice Sotomayor's problematic statements on fetal pain during the Dobbs oral arguments.

Latest News

Pregnancy Help News is your source for reporting on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. Click here to view all the latest news articles revolving around this ground-breaking case.

Podcasts

Tune in to the Pregnancy Help Podcast for information on how Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health could impact pregnancy help.Topics with pregnancy help and legal experts include:

• The SCOTUS Leak
• Dobbs 101
• Impact on States - Dobbs Part 2
• Impact on Centers - Dobbs Part 3
• Dobbs: What Happend and What's Next

For Immediate Release
May 2, 2021
Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(614) 885-7577

NEW REPORT: Pregnancy help organizations expand services and reach, adapting to new state laws and abortion pathways

Heartbeat releases the latest Life Trends 2022 Report

Columbus, OH: Heartbeat International released a report highlighting the findings of the services provided within their network of more than 3,000 pregnancy help locations worldwide. The Life Trends 2022 Report also underscores unique ways that the pregnancy help movement serves women through not only pregnancy centers, but also mobile medical units, maternity homes, and Abortion Pill Reversal.

“The Life Trends 2022 Report shows another phenomenal year of pregnancy help making a powerful difference through pregnancy centers and their movement partners like mobile medical units, maternity homes, not to mention critical focused outreach like Abortion Pill Reversal,” said Heartbeat International president, Jor-El Godsey. “Together pregnancy help is a broad and thriving movement making a difference for life!”

As chemical abortions now account for 54 percent of all abortions in the U.S., Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) continues to experience growth, showing a 173 percent increase in reversal starts since 2019, highlighting the fact that as use of the abortion pill expands, so does the need for reversal.

The report looks at political trends in the U.S. as well, highlighting the impact the Texas “Heartbeat Law” which prohibits abortions after a heartbeat is detected (~8 weeks) had on pregnancy centers after being enacted in September. From the report, 49 percent of the centers indicated seeing an increase of clients after the law was enacted. Abortions in Texas fell 59% from August 2021 to September 2021.[i]

“We are witnessing history being made in real-time as states enact abortion-related laws nationwide and we’ve seen how swiftly our centers can adapt to these changes. Every woman deserves love and support during an unexpected pregnancy,” Andrea Trudden, Heartbeat’s vice president of communications and marketing said. “No matter where a woman is in her pregnancy journey, the pregnancy help network provides essential care and support – often at no cost – and will continue to do so because it is the right thing to do.”

Link to Life Trends 2022 Report: heartbeatinternational.org/lifetrends

Key findings in the report include: 

• 1,977,509 people now have access to pregnancy help through Heartbeat's Pregnancy Center Life Launch program
• 173% increase in abortion pill reversal starts since 2019
• Fewer than a dozen countries in the world besides the U.S. allow abortion without any restrictions after 15 weeks
• 49% of Texas pregnancy centers reported an increase of clients after the "Heartbeat Law" was enacted
• 3,000+ lives have been saved since 2012, according to statistics

Trend: Chemical Abortion

Chemical abortions have been increasingly preferred by abortion providers for years. 54% of all abortions are now performed through the abortion pill.[ii] 

Trend: Abortion Pill Reversal

Heartbeat's Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) connects women who regret taking the first dose of the abortion pill regimen to a network of medical professionals trained to administer the reversal protocol.

• 3,000+ lives have been saved since 2012, according to statistics
• 1,091 lives were saved in 2020 through APR
• 150 women on average start the abortion pill reversal process each month
• Women in all 50 states and 65 countries contacted APRN in 2021
• 75% of women who seek reversal do so within 24 hours of taking the abortion pill
• 173% increase in reversal starts from 2019 to 2021

Trend: Option Line

Option Line's 24/7 pregnancy helpline is a resource that proved critically important in 2021, as many pregnancy centers were able to forward all phone calls to Option Line when they were forced to temporarily close their doors due to continued waves of COVID-19. 

• 52% of contact via phone
• 30% of contact via chat
• 14% use a self-service locator
• Option Line connects someone to life-saving help every 88 seconds
• More than 5 million women and men have contacted Option Line since 2003

[i] Selected Characteristics of Induced Terminations of Pregnancy by Month, by Alison Little, Texas Health and Human Services, February 2022

[ii] guttmacher.org/article/2022/02/medication-abortion-now-accounts-more-half-all-us-abortions