The birth control debate

Something that has been weighing heavily on my mind lately is birth control. Funny, since I'm not even on it anymore (my form of birth control was a vasectomy). But with all the bickering back and forth about abortion, why are pro-lifers spending more time and money and research efforts on better birth control? Wouldn't that make more sense that spending all their time and resources picketing abortion clinics and harassing the women who are utilizing these ((legal)) services? If we had better birth control, we'd be able to avoid more pregnancies, which in turn...would lower the abortion rate. C'mon guys, say it with me: lower the abortion rate.

Why is it that we choose to fight when the resolution is so simple?

Wrongful birth?

I'm sure you've heard of a wrongful death suit, but what about a wrongful birth suit?

In early March of this year, a couple in Oregon filed suit against a doctor for not disclosing that their daughter had Down Syndrome. They said that if they had known, they would have terminated. This is obviously raising a lot of eyebrows. Even some pro-choicers are saying that even if they would have terminated, why would they file such a high profile lawsuit just to have their child read when she's older that her parents would have terminated her if only they had known her fate. However, the couple is saying that they only filed the suit to secure her financial future.

Of course when a couple is faced with a diagnosis such as Down Syndrome, there are endless factors to consider. For example, will they be able to financially support a special needs child. How will it affect the life of any other existing siblings? Are they mentally prepared for such a challenge? How bad are the child's defects currently, and how bad are they likely to get? But this couple didn't get that chance. In 2006, the couple paid $2,500 out-of-pocket for a CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling), which came back normal...indicating that their daughter would be born "normal" and healthy. Two ultrasounds in the following weeks noted abnormalities, but they were reassured that their daughter did not have the trisomy. Clearly, the CVS results were misread, and not further investigated once abnormalities presented on ultrasound.

The couple in the center, the Levy's, have not said why they would have terminated the pregnancy if they had known (though I'm guessing finances would have been a factor), but they are relieved, to say the least, that they won their case. They were awarded $3M to help with the lifetime of costs that will need to be paid. Experts have told the Levy's that their daughter will never be able to support herself or live independently.

In my opinion, people are looking at this the wrong way. These people were not given the chance to properly prepare for the challenges they, as a family, or their daughter would have. Since they were not informed, they sought financial compensation to aid in the raising of their special needs daughter. It was ballsy of them to admit they would have terminated, and they're definitely reaping the backlash. But I don't for one second think they were out of line to fight for help with their daughter's care.

What do you think?

Recommended readings.

I've compiled a list of websites, as well as books, on the topic of abortion that I recommend. All of these readings really helped move me to the pro-choice side. I hope you find them helpful.

The Wichita Divide: The Murder of Dr. George Tiller and the Battle over Abortion, Stephen Singular. This is a REALLY great book that was released last year. And I have to say, I've had a little contact with Mr. Singular and he is very gracious.

This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor. Susan Wicklund. You will not find another book on the topic as moving as this one. Susan Wicklund is a provider that is not comfortable providing abortions past the 14th week, and in this book, she's written about her journey from single motherhood to an abortion provider.

Abortion and Life. Jennifer Baumgardner. This one is interesting because it is a collection of several women's stories of abortion. Some are not for the light of heart, but it's definitely a must-have if you're interested in the cause.

Our Heartbreaking Choices: Forty-six Women Share Their Stories of Interrupting a Much-Wanted Pregnancy. Christie Brooks. This book WILL make you cry, especially if you are a mother. This is where you will start to wrap your mind around the concept of late term abortions. Christie Brooks is also an author that I've had contact with, and she is VERY passionate about the cause. She also runs a website related to this book, and I'll post it as well.

http://www.ourheartbreakingchoices.com/ , The website that goes along with the book.

http://www.texasobserver.org/cover-story/the-right-not-to-know , A recent news article about the recently adopted Texas Law.

And finally, a little bit from the other side. You can type George Tiller into the search bar on Operation Rescue's website and find all of their demeaning stories on him (which will probably push you to do a little "googling" of you own....well, at least I hope...)...

http://www.operationrescue.org

I'm pretty interested in everyone's thoughts on abortion, as opposed to just pro-choicers. So, on my facebook page, I'm subscribed to several pro-life bloggers, speakers, etc. And seeing as it is April 4th...I'm expecting to start seeing postings about George Tiller in the very near future, as he was murdered on 5/31/09. All of the pro-choicers remember him on that day, and all the pro-lifers remind us that, while they don't condone what Scott Roeder (The gunman) did, it is a good thing that George Tiller isn't in business anymore (even if it means he's dead?). It seems that George Tiller is a touchy subject for even some pro-choicers, seeing as he did late term abortions. And many pro-choicers are only pro-choice in the early stages of pregnancy. But everyone seems to forget, these late term abortions....they were done out of mercy. These children were wanted. Their mothers didn't murder them, they let them go...freed them from their suffering. I can't imagine being in their shoes. I know how scary our ventricle scare with Phoenix was, and that wasn't even a life threatening issue. But these women were facing things like, T21 (Down Syndrome) with serious heart defects, Trisomy 18, and Anancephaly. How awful to know that the sweet baby you're carrying, that you want, is suffering inside of you...and that they probably won't live long (and certainly not well) once they are born. I can't imagine.

I hope that as the anniversary of George Tiller's death approaches, people will remember the GOOD that he did. I hope that people will start looking past the villain that the pro-lifers have made him out to be. I hope that people will stop judging the women who sought his services in their darkest moments. I hope that the violence against providers will STOP.

Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service

Finally! I got my copy in the mail today! I've been wanting it for about two years now, but was never able to find a copy when I had the chance to get it. Well, now it's sitting here next to me...I have a thousand other things to do, but I'm dying to dive into it. Has anyone had a chance to read this one yet? What did you think?

180

Has anyone seen this video? The 33 minute video has gone viral, and it's supposed to be able to change anyone's mind about abortion. I watched it. My beliefs didn't waiver. The man starts out talking about the holocaust. From there, he asks people if they would bury living Jews along with dead Jews. And that leads into asking how they could believe in abortion if they didn't believe in the killing of Jewish people during the holocaust. And finally, he asks people if they've done things like, take God's name in vein, if they've lusted in their hearts, etc etc....basically telling the people that they're going to hell because they've done these things.

Hm. Okay, some people have said "Just people the man is saying things that are hard to hear, doesn't mean that the video isn't great!". True...the man is saying things with truth behind them, even if they are hard to hear. But I don't believe that you can preach your beliefs to anyone by judging them, or scaring them into believing how you do. It is my opinion that you share your knowledge, and let the person decide on their own.

It really bothers me when people compare the holocaust to abortion. I do not understand how people cannot see that this is a necessary medical service. It is essential. Do they not understand that if a woman has a tubal pregnancy, the baby WILL die, and so will the mother if the baby isn't removed? And that often, this has to be done before the fetus dies on it's own? My own mother had an experience with this. She had a tubal pregnancy, the fetus was still alive, but my mother was hemorrhaging. She had 3 other children at home...was she supposed to die to let this fetus live a little longer? She didn't want the dr to take the baby, but he had to. My father gave consent. Was it a sad thing? Of course. My mother lost a child that had been planned, and almost lost her own life. But was the termination NECESSARY? Absolutely. If a 12 year old girl is raped and becomes pregnant...wouldn't a termination be necessary? A pregnancy would wreak havoc on a 12 year old's body. Why aren't these cases being acknowledged? Why are anti-choicers only focusing on women who have abortions for the sake of convenience? It makes no sense.

Think for yourself. Don't be scared into someone else's beliefs.