'It’s Almost a Reflex Now': Actress Patricia Heaton on Why She Speaks Out Against Abortion

Actress Patricia Heaton's publicly pro-life stance is a rarity in Hollywood, especially considering the frequency with which she voices her views on abortion.

But the star of TV's "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "The Middle" said becoming a mom just made it something she feels she needs to speak out about.

Patricia Heaton visits "Extra" at Universal Studios Hollywood on Sept. 17, 2013 in Universal City, Calif. (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for Extra)

"It just bothers me so much. It’s almost a natural, it’s almost a reflex now," said Heaton, a mother of four, told TheBlaze in an interview. "Once you have kids and you know what it feels like to be pregnant and you know what it feels like to have that person growing inside of you, and the beauty of it, it’s just not a holistic thing to do."

Despite having no qualms about sharing her pro-life views, Heaton, who also speaks openly about her Christianity, said it's important to approach the issue with compassion.

"It’s tricky, because I think it’s one out of three women who have an abortion, so whoever you’re talking to you can’t assume -- and it doesn’t matter if they’re a Christian or not," she told TheBlaze. "It’s a very sensitive subject, so you want to be sensitive so that in whatever you’re saying you could be really, deeply affecting somebody within listening distance."

She added, "In the Hollywood community, I’m the only one I know who says anything about it. I feel like I’m supposed to."

The actress, who stars in the upcoming film, "Moms' Night Out," also addressed the nature of media and how an entertainer's comments about controversial issues sometimes end up becoming fodder for television news networks and commentators alike. She said these outlets end up taking something a performer says and running with it.

"It happens on every TV show. So for actors, for a minute it feels like 'I’m important. I got attention,'" Heaton explained. "Then you realize, 'No someone is just using me to get their ratings up' -- and then you’re just sitting there sort of with the aftermath of opening your big fat mouth."

For Heaton, it's all about picking and choosing when it's appropriate to speak up. She also noted that one's politics can easily be fused to his or her public persona and career -- a development that can alienate audience members.

"I think you really have to pick your battles and I think you can do so much more as an actor through your creative work than just spouting off your opinions," she added.

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Read the first part of TheBlaze's interview with Heaton here.