Contact: Kristin Hansen, Care Net, 703-554-8742

LANSDOWNE, Va., July 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde applauded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit decision Friday in Planned Parenthood v. Rounds. The Court vacated a temporary injunction which had been issued by the lower court in regards to a 2005 South Dakota informed consent law on abortion. In the interest of women's health, two of Care Net's South Dakota pregnancy center affiliates joined the case.

The law requires women to be informed before an abortion that the procedure "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being," and given the contact information of a local pregnancy center, as well other information about her health risks and pregnancy support available.

"This decision is remarkable at the national level," said Melinda Delahoyde. "It affirms the work of pregnancy centers that for years have been providing critical information to women considering abortion. And, it sends a clarion call to abortion providers that providing such information to women is straight-forward, truthful, and relevant to her pregnancy decision, and if withheld, deprives her of life-saving information.

"Most recently by the Supreme Court in Gonzales v. Carhart, and now from the Eighth Circuit, courts are affirming the fact that abortion holds considerable emotional health risks for women. All women considering an abortion must be informed of the scientific truth regarding the 'whole, separate, unique, living human being' within her. In the words of Carhart, let no woman experience 'grief more anguished and sorrow more profound' because she was never told the truth about abortion.

"With gentleness, compassion, and respect, pregnancy centers share the truth with women facing unplanned pregnancies. As a result, nine and out ten women who visit a Care Net pregnancy center decide to carry their pregnancy to term. As more women are informed about the facts and directed to the support of a local pregnancy center and other local support services, we will see abortion rates continue to fall in this country."

Care Net is a Christian, non-profit organization that seeks to facilitate the delivery of valuable, life-affirming, evangelistic ministry to people facing unplanned pregnancies and related sexual issues. Care Net supports the largest network of pregnancy centers in North America and operates, in conjunction with Heartbeat International, the Option Line call center and website that assist women in need 24/7.