Why I Provide Second Trimester Abortions

[PeaceNikki]

http://community.feministing.com/2009/05/why-i-provide-second-trimester.html#more

By Radha Lewis, MD

Most women who choose abortion do so very early in their pregnancy (more than 90% in the first trimester ), but for a small percentage, this is not the case. I know that even some staunch supporters of abortion rights begin to have doubts about abortion in the second trimester. But as an abortion provider, I understand why some women need later procedures, and I do everything I can to support them.

I chose to be an abortion provider to prevent undue suffering for my patients, and to assist their access to safe, affordable care in a politically hostile environment. Two patients I saw this week perfectly illustrate the need for later abortions--and have reminded me why our continued efforts to ensure abortion access for all women, including those who are more than 12 weeks pregnant, is crucial.

The other day, a colleague and I cared for Rita, a 36-year-old mother of five who was nearly five and a half months pregnant. Rita had always been healthy, but was now hospitalized for more than four weeks at two different hospitals. An infection in her heart had destroyed two of Rita's heart valves, requiring open-heart surgical repair, then a second operation to install a pacemaker.

This young mother unsuccessfully requested an abortion from the dozens of doctors who treated her, but nobody was willing to provide this service until Rita's heart surgeons declared that her pregnancy threatened her life. Within 72 hours, I found myself in an operating room taking care of Rita so she could recover and return home to care for her family.

...

In my experience, every woman who comes in seeking a second trimester abortion has a compelling reason to do so. I have yet to meet a woman who makes this decision with anything but the utmost gravity. In an era where politicians, zealots, and hospital administrators are chipping away at a woman's right to abortion, we must advocate for these women's access to abortion services, and show them our sympathy, compassion, and unwavering support.

More at link

[Not Me]

1. I am a gay man who has literally no stake in this...

but I wholeheartedly support caring and compassionate providers like Dr. Lewis who are trying to provide the best care they can for their patients.

[PeaceNikki]

2. I'd contend that you do have a stake in this issue.

I have no doubt that there are women in your life that you love. In addition, I don't think we want to live in a society where anyone's health care decisions are regulated by the government. These are decisions between women and their physicians.

As a straight woman, I consider gay marriage as much my issue as yours. Equal rights for all is important to me.

:)

[Skittles]

8. well said, Nikki

yes INDEED

[iamjoy]

5. You Have A Stake

Or at least, we're on the same side. The same people who want to force women to have children want to deny your right to adopt children. They want to tell you who, or what kind of person, you should love. Life and love should be a matter of choice. It is also about personal freedom. It should not be what the government dictates under pressure from a segment of the population's narrow interpretation of the Bible.

[mainer]

3. Some devastating malformations may not be discovered till 2nd trimester

I know a woman who didn't find out she had an anencephalic fetus until the 4th month. Without ANY brain, the baby was doomed to die within a few hours to a few days after birth. It's cruel to force a woman to carry a doomed fetus for 9 months.

[Taverner]

4. That woman is a heroine on par with any great American hero

Stay safe, Dr. Lewis...

[PeaceNikki]

6. Indeed.

:thumbsup:

[uppityperson]

7. k&r with thanks

[ThomCat]

9. One of many clear stories showing why religion and political

expedience should stay away from medical decision-making. Despite the stereotyping and easy blame casting that we all are so used to (saying that women are using abortions as easy birth control and are just being irresponsible) women don't make irresponsible decisions about their health any more than men do. Poor people don't make irresponsible decisions about their health any more than rich people do.

People do the best they can with the information and resources they have available. The best thing we can do is give them the resources they need, which includes access to safe, legal abortions. And then tell people with judgmental stereotypes to STFU.

[omega minimo]

10. If it were men (aka 1st class citizens) requesting services, there would be no challenge regarding

a "compelling reason" or "utmost gravity."

That women are treated with suspicion attests to their subjugated status.

Thank you to sane, brave doctors like this one.

[knitter4democracy]

11. We need more doctors like her.

Ones who are willing to stake their professional career on their patients' needs.

I have tried to explain this to RTL friends over and over again, but they just don't get it--until they're in a similar situation or have a close friend or loved one in that situation. Then the light turns on.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PeaceNikki]

13. Go away.

[PeaceNikki]

14. Crawl back under your rock.

Your attempt at appealing to emotion by spreading lies and misinformation won't work here.

[rd_kent]

15. The only reason needed to be given : ITS LEGAL!!!

Im glad the doctor is able to justify why she does what she does, but its shouldnt be necessary. Its a legal procedure, thats reason enough for me.