Abortion bans enacted after the fall of Roe really did reduce the number of abortions in the United States—despite what pro-abortion advocates said. According to a new report summarized by the New York Times, “In the first two months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, legal abortions nationwide declined by more than 10,000, a drop of about 6 percent, according to the first attempt at a nationwide count of abortions since the decision.”

This is incredible news, especially considering that pro-abortion advocates have long said that outlawing abortions will not end them, but simply relegate them to back alleys. While the actual drop in abortions is likely smaller than the estimate—because it did not account for medication-induced abortions or other abortions outside of the law—this is still promising news, which that should inspire pro-lifers to keep working to preserve life in their own states.

“We are celebrating the fact that at least 10,000 babies have a chance at life,” Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, told the New York Times. “It’s a sign of course correction and of ordinary Americans finally having a say in how many lives are tragically lost to the tragedy of abortion.”

In states where abortion was banned or nearly banned, instances of the procedure fell to nearly zero, while states where it was severely restricted saw it drop by a third. But states with more lax laws saw an 11 percent uptick in abortions, as women traveled out of state to obtain them.

Unfortunately, even as states increase abortion restrictions, women are finding other ways around them. Even the Biden administration’s pro-abortion FDA, which last year made it easier for women to have at-home abortions, is worried that doctors are prescribing abortion pills to women who aren’t even pregnant yet. Pro-abortion activists are also smuggling abortion pills over the Mexican border to states where abortion is illegal.

Of course, many abortion advocates saw the national abortion data as a sign that women are becoming more oppressed. The pro-abortion Society of Family Planning, which compiled the data through an effort called WeCount, hinted as much. “In July and August of 2022 there were 5,270 and 5,400 fewer abortions, respectively, than in April,” the Society of Family Planning tweeted. “That’s 10,600 people’s lives turned upside down by abortion bans.”

Put another way, that’s 10,600 pre-born people’s lives saved by abortion bans. This isn’t a story just about women; every pro-lifer knows there are two people involved in every pregnancy. And now we know that despite the best efforts of abortion activists, more women than before are giving their babies a chance at life.