Planned Parenthood Is Set To Open In Seaford, Locals Voice Their Concerns

SEAFORD, Del. - A community gathered in prayer and held up pro-life signs after hearing a Planned Parenthood was set to open in the Seaford area. One woman shares her story in hopes other women won't make the same decision she did years ago. 

Rebecca Jones says she never forgets the day she got an abortion in her mid 20's, and to this day regrets it and wishes she knew there were alternatives.

"If I would have had something that was an alternative someplace that said 'you can keep this child and we will help you, we'll walk beside you, we'll be with you, you can do this' sometimes all you need is somebody else just saying, you can do this," explained Jones, a pro-life advocate from Seaford.

She shares her story after hearing that a Planned Parenthood is coming back to Sussex county, after the center closed in 2011 in Rehoboth.

Planned Parenthood Delaware says that studies show that most women feel otherwise after getting an abortion.

"Almost 95 percent of women, their most immediate response is relief. Some people do experience regret and I feel bad for her that she experienced regret. I am sorry that was such a painful experience for her," said Ruth Lytle-Barnaby, Planned Parenthood Delaware President. 

Jones says she is speaking out to all pregnant women, as she held up a sign that read 'Optionline.org', to let them know that there are resources available.

"That will connect you with places that will help and walk side you and be there for you and say okay how can we help you...if you want to keep your baby adopt your baby out, they'll be there no matter what," added Jones.

Planned Parenthood Delaware says 96 percent of their services are not abortion, and that the clinic is some people's only form of health insurance.

"We do more in the state of Delaware than anyone else to help women not get pregnant or we help women get pregnant if that's what they want so we provide both sides of that service we provide prenatal care birth control, STI testing...so there's a large swab of things that we do that people are really appreciative of and consider us essential to their healthcare," explained Lytle-Barnaby.

Jones says the only service she's against is abortion. Demonstrators held up signs and united in prayer hoping their voices are heard.

Planned Parenthood tells WRDE they don't have a set date yet on when to open but they plan to open in October.

Pro-life advocates plan to continue holding prayer vigils every Thursday evening across the street from where the Planned Parenthood is set to open.