As I sit and study I am faced with many emotions on Abortion and how I will handle this in my practice. These are my raw emotions as I try and work through this particular issue and what I wish for humanity. My intent is not to make judgment or offend ANYone. It is to spark thoughtful actions of us all.
Personal Thoughts:
There will always be a reason someone can justify abortion....rape, incest, medically dangerous for the mother, no time, no desire to have children, not ready, too young, too old.....the list continues. Are these justified? Perhaps....perhaps not. Who chooses really? The mother, father, fetus?
My thoughts are that it is case by case, for rape, incest, and medically dangerous for the mother...but even then....we should pause.
Sexually active people have the knowledge (with or without birth control interventions) what sex can lead to....a pregnancy. To me abortion is an easy way out of a selfish situation and requires little accountability (in the moment compared to what you want right now) on the people who made this pregnancy happen. Often times they don't even see the fetus (ultrasound or after procedure) and therefore become numb to the reality of killing a living being. I know there is great debate on whether a embryo, fetus, baby, is alive....it's inside of us, it's made of living cells and it's growing, beating, breathing just as we do....how is it not living?
Accountability is becoming sparse in our society with the little things like jobs, money, relationships...but this has creeped into deeper and darker area's and abortion is one of the darkest that is lit by 'women's rights', false hopes, denial, and promises made for a 'better' life without the responsibility of a child. To these excuses extinguish hope, freedom, faith, belief, and love.
My personal recommendations:
The two A's, Abstinence & Adoption. Abstinence is the most honorable and unselfish act one can do in relationship. Pregnancy isn't the only thing that can 'go wrong' with sexual activity....look at the disparities in Africa with HIV...the increased prevalence of teenage STD's....need I continue?
There are so many people that long to have a child who are unable to naturally or artificially that would care and love for a child who is WANTED & DESIRED.
As a future provider in health care, I hope to educate more fully and help guide patients to not only a healthy lifestyle, disease prevention, and effective treatment, but that I can inspire accountability for one's self and those they associate with. With this accountability, humanity would change for the better in all aspects of life. Think about it....
Thanks for sharing :) I agree. Especially with abstinence and accountability. Our entire society would be different if every individual found some accountability for their actions.
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about your own practice you did hit one big nail on the head. Ultrasound- no women should ever be granted an abortion in my belief, but statistics have shown time and time again that the opportunity to VIEW their baby and a living, heart beating tiny human dramatically reduces abortion rate. Something to think about as you clarify what your own practice will look like :)
Finally a funny (yet serious) video for you :)
Heidi, Thanks so much for your response. I am almost a year later in my program and my thoughts do not change. If anything, they are more rooted in doing the right thing. I do have empathy for women who do not CHOOSE pregnancy and believe deeply in the right to choose, but this choice should be an educated one with all other options considered. Thanks.
DeleteAmy,you brought up an interesting point about who gets to decide whether or not a woman has an abortion. I don't know the answer. But I am pretty sure the Dr. or whoever chooses to preform the procedure always has the choice. Plenty of Docs will do it, you don't need to be one of them if YOU choose not to. Good luck. :)
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