This is a very unusual post for me to write here on my blog, but I feel I have to write about this. For Christmas my sister-in-law gave Den and I a subscription to World magazine. We have really enjoyed reading the articles each month and discussing the crazy things going on in our world today. This month the magazine was featuring the issue of abortion in recognition of 40 years since Roe vs Wade. There were two particular articles that were life changing for me, and I think Den too.
Before I get to those articles I want to mention that earlier in the week we had heard a program on the radio station while driving to a friends house about gender selection. It had never occurred to me that someone would abort a baby based on gender. I was shocked and a little appalled that anyone would do that, which brings up the question “why is it wrong to abort a baby based on gender, but it is okay to abort for any other reason?”
One night I was sitting in bed reading the articles below and I started crying (totally unlike me!). It is so easy to go about life and have no emotional connection to issues happening in our world today. These articles made me so very aware of that…
The articles are graphic, so stop reading if you would rather stay unaware.
The first article Lately Dead talked about a particular physician who performs abortions as well as late term abortions. These paragraphs in particular shook me:
The second article Death by Webcam discusses a new practice in some clinics where a woman can get an abortion via communication through a webcam with a physician.
I realize I need to figure out what I think about all of these issues before I start PA school this summer, and what my approach will be in the clinic setting. I realize there are a lot of different thoughts and opinions about abortion in America and that there are two sides to every argument, but I can’t stop thinking about these stories…
It’s a tough subject! The texts parts you stated are terrible. I could not get myself to have an abortion… or maybe I could in very special cases? Luckily I have never been in a situation where I had to think about it for real. What I do know is, that there’s a lot of social and cultural pressure behind every decision. I am sure if the surrounding would be more accepting and supporting, people would most probably less consider an abortion if “something” is wrong with the baby or if a single woman got pregnant or a teenager…
I can see it in my surrounding that it is almost a “must” to have dozens of test made during early (and not so early) pregnancy to determine any kind of sickness and abnormality. It puts pressure on you to have the “perfect” baby and if you don’t you are in a great dilemma without much support (financially and mentally)….
I know two women who had an abortion in the 8th month (!!!!)- Now imagine this- it is not a lump- it is a real baby and you need to really give birth to it… Both babies had a sickness. One of the families has already a child with this severe sickness and somehow I can understand it… but still- it must have been very hard…
I don’t think that anyone has an abortion “just like that”. I think it is always a tough decision and each case should be looked at separately. And most importantly- each one needs a lot of support during the decision making and afterwards- whatever the decision is…
Of course you were shaken! That is the normal, right and appropriate human response to such barbarism. I’m not sure there is much for you to sort through. It is pretty black and white. There is no reason to try to rationalize away why it might be okay. It is barbaric. I think that if I were in your shoes I would try to find out if your PA education requires assisting with abortion or prescribing abortifacients. Ask a pro-life doctor or lawyer about the laws in your area and if you can legally decline from such activities without penalty.
I am a new reader. Found your blog through a blossoming life. But I felt a tug on my heart to respond to this post. I hope this helps. I just wanted you to know that you are not off base in your reaction.
Thanks for your reply Sarah! I know my gyn will not perform abortions, but I never thought about asking her more about her stance. That is a great idea. I realize I left my opinion kind of open above, but I do feel strongly about this issue personally. I am just trying to navigate how to execute that in the clinic setting.
So glad you are a new reader!