"If you read about it online or in medical journals, you will find children like me called the 'red skinned,' or 'candy-apple babies,' because that toxic solution would turn the skin bright red, as it peeled it away and moved internally into the organs."
Ohden said that her medical records state that "a saline infusion for an abortion was done, but was unsuccessful," meaning that she was born alive. A nurse noticed her breathing, she explained, and brought her to the neonatal intensive care unit. Only then was any effort made to reduce the amount of pain she was in.
"I can only imagine how my pain finally began to subside as medical treatment was provided to me," she said.
Due to the effects of the abortion and premature birth, Ohden had numerous medical issues, including jaundice, seizures, and respiratory issues. She has since recovered, and says her life is "a set of many miracles."
Ohden, the founder of the Abortion Survivors Network, said she has connected with 281 abortion survivors. She suspects there are many more abortion survivors, as proper statistics on aboriton survival are not kept.
"Every child deserves better than to suffer the pain of an abortion," she said.
Archbishop Naumann said in a statement circulated by the U.S. Bishops Conference Tuesday that such procedures are dangerous to the woman, and noted that the vast majority of Americans are opposed to late-term abortions.
"It is time for Congress to pass this bill," he said.
"I also pray that consideration of this bill moves our country closer to recognizing all unborn babies as legal persons worthy of our love and respect," said Naumann.
The other six countries that permit late-term abortion are Canada, China, Netherlands, North Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam.