Tonight, however, in an interview on the ABC program "Nightline," Ms. McCorvey said, "I still believe in a woman's right to an abortion, but only in the first trimester."

Anything after that, she said, "I consider killing."

Mr. Benham, in a telephone interview tonight, said that Ms. McCorvey's total conversion might take more time. "I think she has this whole trimester idea," he said. "I think that's something that takes a little time."

Still, he described Ms. McCorvey's change of heart as a "watershed."

"This event brings to bear the real plight of those working in the abortion industry," he said. "And Norma McCorvey has been saved out of the abortion industry. She feels very badly about what she helped usher into this nation."

"The ones she thought to be terrorists turned out to be her very best friends," he said.

Ms. McCorvey was baptized in front of 35 other people in a swimming pool at a house in Garland, a Dallas suburb, Mr. Benham said.

In the "Nightline" interview, Ms. McCorvey said she felt she had been used by abortion-rights groups. She said she would not allow herself to be used by the anti-abortion movement.