Quote:
Originally Posted by Sophiasmommy
Abortion is murder. Anyone who is "pro choice" supports murder as a choice.
|
I respect your position that a fetus is the beginning of life, and the taking of that life is morally offensive to you. I might even be persuaded that a fetus is the beginning of a life, even if it's not viable. And I empathize with the heartbreak you must feel in believing that thousands of potential children are being legally killed in this country every year. It actually breaks my heart, too, that not all potential children are wanted. It would be a wonderful world if every pregnancy was looked upon as a joyous occasion.
But our laws recognize that there are, indeed, times when a person can lawfully take the life of another, including a fully living, breathing, walking, talking human being. One of the exceptions to the killing of another not being murder, is self-defense. I trust you agree with that exception. No one who is defending their own life or safety should be found guilty of the crime of murder.
Pregnancy at any age, even in these medically technological times, can actually pose many serious health risks, all the way up to and including death of the woman (I happen to have a personal experience with this, as my first cousin nearly died from an amniotic fluid embolism during childbirth, then spent over a week in a coma. The baby did die, btw.).
Here is a list of some of the more serious potential side affects and risks of pregnancy:
High blood pressure
Hypothyroidism
Cholestasis of Pregnancy (a common liver disease that
only happens in pregnancy)
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hysterectomy
Molar Pregnancy
Placenta Accreta
Placental Abruption
Toxoplasmosis
Listeria (pregnant women are 20 times more likely to become infected than non-pregnant healthy adults)
Pelvic floor disorder
HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), Elevated liver enzymes, Low platelets counts (platelets help the blood clot))
Loss of dental and bone calcium
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Temporary and permanent injury to back
Dropped (prolapsed) uterus
Pre-eclampsia
Eclampsia (convulsions, coma during pregnancy or labor, high risk of death)
Gestational diabetes
Placenta previa
Anemia
Thrombocytopenic purpura
Embolism (blood clots - can lead to death)
Diastasis recti, also torn abdominal muscles
Mitral valve stenosis
Ectopic pregnancy (risk of death)
Broken bones (ribcage, "tail bone")
Hemorrhage
Severe post-partum depression and psychosis
Coronary and cardiovascular disease
Magnesium toxicity
Severe hypoxemia/acidosis
Increased intracranial pressure, brainstem infarction
Malignant Arrhythmia
Circulatory collapse
Placental abruption
Obstetric fistula
Miscarriage
Future infertility
Permanent disability
Heart attack
Stroke
Death
When a person seeks medical attention for any condition, their doctor will (or should) explain all the risks associated with that condition.
I believe that, armed with a list of these potential complications of carrying a fetus to full term, a pregnant woman, like anyone else whose life is potentially being threatened, should be able to make a decision to protect herself from potential harm. Sadly, this results in some potential future humans from being able to have a future life, just as it does those living, breathing, walking, talking humans who are putting a person's life at risk.
Now, you may say that the living, breathing, walking, talking person is obviously committing some bad act, whereas the fetus is an "innocent," and while there is some degree of truth to that distinction, that truth doesn't negate the fact that a fetus, even if only by virtue of its mere existence, does potentially put the woman's life at risk.
Those of us who are Pro-Women's Choice, aren't advocating murder. We're saying that the government should not be allowed to force women to endure the very serious potential risks associated with pregnancy. Those risks must be weighed by the woman herself, in conjunction with her doctor, and possibly her family and/or support system.
Edited to add: In case you doubt the prevalence of such occurrences that can lead to the death of the woman during pregnancy, I give you the following statistics:
A total of 1.7 million women a year, one-third of all pregnant women in the [United States], suffer from pregnancy-related complications.
The report also revealed that severe pregnancy-related complications that nearly cause death -- known as "near misses" -- are rising at an alarming rate, increasing by 25 percent since 1998.
. . .
With a lifetime risk of maternal deaths that is greater than in 40 other countries, including virtually all industrialized nations, the USA has failed to reverse the two-decade upward trend in preventable maternal deaths, despite pledges to do so.
USA urged to confront shocking maternal mortality rate | Amnesty International
I do see your perspective. I'm hoping you can see mine, as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifelongMOgal
I really don't think that arguement has applied in recent years. There is a vast difference between the parties as to what qualifies as "proper" sex education. Is teaching first and second graders how to appy condoms to a banana proper sex ed. or pushing the homosexual agenda in elementary school proper sex ed.? I don't think so, YMMV.
|
The things you allege aren't actually happening. At best, they're blown-out-of-proportion, at worst, they're outright lies.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
