You Carried Me

A Daughter’s Memoir

By: Melissa Ohden

Narrated by: Melissa Ohden

Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

What happens when an abortion survivor finds her birth mother, who never knew her daughter was alive?

Winner, 2018 Christianity Today Book Award, CT Women

Silver Medal Winner, 2018 Illumination Book Awards, Biography and Memoir

Melissa Ohden is 14 when she learns she is the survivor of a botched abortion. In this intimate memoir, she details for the first time her search for her biological parents, and her own journey from anger and shame to faith and empowerment.

After a decade-long search, Melissa finally locates her birth father and writes to extend forgiveness, only to learn that he has died without answering her burning questions. Melissa becomes a mother herself in the very hospital where she was aborted. This experience transforms her attitude toward women who have had abortions, as does the miscarriage of her only son and the birth of a second daughter with complex health issues. But could anything prepare her for the day she finally meets her birth mother and hears her side of their story?

This intensely personal story of love and redemption illumines the powerful bond between mother and child that can overcome all odds.

©2017 Melissa Ohden (P)2021 Plough Publishing House

Critic reviews

After learning of her biological mother’s unsuccessful attempt to abort her, Melissa Ohden embarks on a decades-long search for answers. Despite the stable love of two adoptive parents, she wrestles with despair and the overwhelming belief that she is unwanted. The harsh ambiguity surrounding her origins haunts her; she knows nothing about the couple that wanted her gone. But as she is pursued by God, Ohden uses her testimony to comfort others, from clients at the domestic violence shelter where she works, for whom betrayal is all too familiar, to other abortion survivors. The wounds of abortion run deep—for victims, siblings, spouses, and even would-be mothers. But ultimately, Ohden shows that Christ can redeem any relationship, no matter what.—Christianity Today

A memoir of mothers, daughters, adoption, and abortion. . . . Ohden’s story is complicated, and she has impressively overcome significant emotional challenges. . . . [Her] perseverance is inspiring.—Kirkus Reviews

Ohden’s straightforward and courageous memoir revolves around her efforts to find her birth parents and understand her identity after discovering at age 14 that she survived a late-term abortion. … Her beautifully open book is unlikely to change minds on either side of the abortion debate, but it does personalize that debate in a unique way.—Publishers Weekly

‼️WOW‼️

There’s no words about this TRUE story that I can say except it’s a must READ. Unbelievable, heartbreaking, courageous, loving!,,

Inspiring and True

I didn’t know anyone survived abortions. This story awakened me to a new world of opportunity and motivates me to get involved. A great book.

Powerful and Moving!

Once I started listening to the true and miraculous story of Melissa's survival from a saline abortion procedure, I couldn't stop listening as I sat on the edge of my seat in anticipation. If you love true stories, this book is a must. Melissa's story will inspire you and move you to tears.

Couldn’t stop listening!!

I cried, rejoiced, marveled…at this beautifully written story of the author’s journey from finding out she was the product of an abortion to finding her faith and family. Truly inspiring and hard to stop listening once I started.

❤️❤️❤️

I was worried this may be super sad but it was very uplifting and positive.
We need more Melissas and Ruths sharing their stories. Thank you ladies!