Melissa Ohden survived an abortion, and her remarkable story is the subject of this two-part episode. In Part 1 we’ll hear the story of her survival, learn about saline abortion, and discover how tragedy turned into love.

In the summer of 1977, Melissa’s mother underwent a saline abortion at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa. But baby Melissa was delivered alive, unbeknownst to the abortionist. Other doctors and nurses finally noticed Melissa’s small movements and immediately sprang into action to save her. Having survived the abortion, she still faced a long struggle in intensive care.

Linda and Ron Cross were already the parents of one adopted daughter when they decided they were ready to adopt another child. They first saw Melissa when she was only one month old. It was love at first sight. Melissa thrived in the loving home of her new family.

Given the damage a saline abortion inflicts, Melissa’s survival is remarkable. Jonathan Taylor, a doctor of osteopathy at Creighton University who previously practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist, describes the procedure and the effects of the chemical solution on unborn children. Because so many babies initially survived the saline abortion process, abortionists discarded its use and invented other abhorrent processes to take its place.