I believe that a woman should have the choice, whether that choice is to end a pregnancy or to carry the fetus/infant to term. All the old arguments are there, for justification, for rationalization. The bottom line is that it should be the woman's choice, and no one should be able to make that choice for her. That includes the law. It is unfortunate that legislation like Roe v Wade even needs to be on the books, let alone that it is still disputed to this day.
I don't have a preference for the practice of abortion, and view it as a pretty horrific event in a woman's life. Until relatively recently history gave us abortion as the only alternative for termination of a pregnancy. Now there is the "morning after" pill and another "pill" (formerly known as RU-486) that can end pregnancy up to 49 weeks. It is now available in the US under the name of Mifeprex and requires a prescription.
Decades ago it was a rusty hanger, a back woods "doctor" and a prayer that not too much damage was done and you would live to see the light of day.
We have come a long way for women's rights, the right to choose. Abortions will be sought out, no matter what is 'legal', no matter your personal opinion, either in a clinic or through a back door.
It is my belief that if there is a 'safe' technology in existence, then make it available.
My mother died when I was 7. She was six months pregnant so I lost a little sister too. She had ulcerative colitis and the doctor had told her if she got pregnant again it might kill her. But things happen and she did get pregnant again. In those days (early 60s) you had to have an abortion approved by a board. My mother's doctor was Catholic and advised the board against her having the abortion, so her request was rejected.
ReplyDeleteLater, when it became obvious she was going to die, they changed their minds and said she could have it, but by then they said the procedure would kill her.
I can't even imagine the pain, the burden that must have caused you.
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