Comments I have received regarding the abortion issue are in italics. I have researched some statistics and drawn some conclusions regarding the comments.
REASONS FOR ABORTION
Baby’s health:
Comment One: “My daughter was a premature baby of 28 weeks gestation…” She is now a beautiful lady who recently got married.
Comment Two: When I was in labor, the ob/gyn said he could give me a shot (experimental at that time) to strengthen her lungs so she could breathe on her own sooner, but it would be a risk for me if something happened to my spine. I said I wanted to take it. She was on respirator for 12 hours then breathed on her own!!
About 3% of babies are born with a birth defect.
Mother’s health: –
Comment One. I agree keep the mother alive, she gets precedence. This is such a tough one – babies having babies.
Comment Two. (regarding doctor at a Catholic hospital) “…if crisis came and decisions had to be made he told me once he had to choose …..give both lives every chance. but nurture and encourage that life which had the most change of ‘thriving” not simply existing.”
A study published in Guttmacher’s International Family Planning Perspectives in 1998 said risk to a woman’s health was the main reason for 2.8% of U.S. abortions in 1987-88.
Other Reasons:
Pregnancy by rape or incest, foetus in the tube … sadly there are too many examples where some people do need to have one. So please don’t judge those who still bear the cross of having one, they seldom recover emotionally as Nobody takes a life lightly
……..humanity dictates circumstances where absolutes will never apply. My own mother had an abortion (Japanese planes were flying over Australia. My mother was frightened like everyone else. My father was fighting in the middle-east after the briefest of stays with (me – a little baby and my mum)and was not allowed to come home. Mum was pregnant, terrified. Worried she could not run and save me if bombing occurred. Her whole life she grieved for the child that should have been. Knowing God forgave her but the ‘loss’ was raw.
The following statement and chart are from Guttmacher Institute.
In 2004, the Guttmacher Institute anonymously surveyed 1,209 post-abortive womenfrom nine different abortion clinics across the country. Of the women surveyed, 957 provided a main reason for having an abortion. This table lists each reason and the percentage of respondents who chose it.
| <0.5% | Victim of rape |
| 3% | Fetal health problems |
| 4% | Physical health problems |
| 4% | Would interfere with education or career |
| 7% | Not mature enough to raise a child |
| 8% | Don’t want to be a single mother |
| 19% | Done having children |
| 23% | Can’t afford a baby |
| 25% | Not ready for a child |
| 6% | Other |
My Opinion: I have acknowledged that I believe there are situations in which I would choose an abortion as the lesser of two evils, particularly in the case of the very young. There are only 0.2% of abortions to girls below 15. (Guttmacher Institute) I know of one instance where the parents were convinced their daughter would commit suicide if they did not allow an abortion. They chose abortion as the lesser of two evils.
The after effects of abortion can cause so much guilt, ill health, anxiety and other negative reactions, I believe even in the ages of 15-17 (3%) the girl would be better off emotionally to have good support through her pregnancy then give the baby for adoption. Obviously those 18 and older do know what behavior causes pregnancy and almost without exception they make a choice to take the chance. The baby should not be sacrificed as a result of a poor choice.
The average age of a woman seeking abortion is 24, well into adulthood and capable of being responsible for her actions.
Sweet aroma 
Every case is different. Every circumstance is different. However I know of one case (I worked with a gynaecologist who worked for a catholic hospital BUT he was always honest and prayerful) Lenore (not her real name) was told there was no hope for both her and her baby to survive a very difficult and dangerous pregnancy. My doctor suggested to husband and wife that the child be ‘aborted’ to give the ‘mother’ the best chance possible. They refused. She carried this child the delivery was apparently ‘frightening’ . At any moment both could have been lost…yet, yet in the hospital where nurses prayed and absolutely believed in the WILL OF GOD. Both mother and child survived. Their odds were 1000’s to 1 against either one surviving if she did not abort at five months.. This creative and talented boy has grown up to be a man whose life has influenced thousands for the better. He is today a frontline care person among the suffering in Algeria.
Abortion on DEMAND.(some woman’s whim or desire)…is an absolute crime in my opinion. BUT there are circumstances and only with information and proper understanding of all options should anyone be forced down the path of termination. (Just a thought) Thanks for blog.
Thanks, Faye, for you first hand knowledge and experience. Wonderful story that seems to happen a lot. When one gives God a chance many times the outcome is to the good.
Hi Oneta,
Thought you might be interested in this article written by an Anglican priest …
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-05/church-culture-of-shame-promoting-abortion-michael-paget-opinion/8314170
Would appreciate your opinion as I know this is a topic you are interested in? ta Ginger
Ginger, thank you for linking an interesting article. He does a round about discussion but ends with exactly what I have found the church and other community “Pro-life” centers to be.
He concludes: “I hope the church will celebrate the courage of every pregnant woman, married or unmarried, and that the church will sacrificially make possible the birth of every child.” I find churches to be very caring for young unmarried women who are pregnant. And there is always encouragement for those who have had abortions to know that God forgives. That seems to be just what this writer is denying. I remember one time meeting one of the youmg women in a church I attended in the hall. She was carrying a baby. I greeted her, looked at the sweet baby and asked whose it was. She said it was hers. I of course told her how sweet it was and gave her the same love I had always given to her. And I was so proud of my church peers to have never made that issue a point of gossip. I have known several others who gave birth before marriage or several months into her pregnancy (my granddaughter for one). I have never witnessed anything less than love for them. The charge that church members are judgmental prudes does not fly according to my experience. However, I know as a whole we would all advise against abortion and in favor of adoption. Thank you for the link.
I worked with adoption for years, it causes massive suffering from the stigma of rejection! Contraception is prevention …
Oh, my. How sad. I have several young friends who have adopted children in recent years. They are so delighted with them. Hope your experience is not too prevalent. You are right about the contraception. It is not fool proof, but I don’t think it is as bad as abortion rights people indicate. How about this headline “Report Shows Contraception Failure, 54% Used Before Abortion.” I have my doubts but that does not indicate a hugh success. I think a lot claim the contraceptive failed because they don’t want to admit they didn’t use one. What do you think?
My professional experience with the trauma of adoption for adoptees is well documented. Adopting parents have very different issues and relinquishing mothers suffer severely.
I totally doubt that 54%, where did you get the headline from? I successfully avoided unwanted pregnancy for decades by using contraception. But also supported a housemate whose contraception wasn’t successful and she was considered an expert in that field.
I join you with having success with contraceptives. I guess that is why I doubt the headline. I don’t remember where it was. I was googling to fine success rate of contraceptives, I think I guess it would be easily found by typing in that title. I didn’t read the article. Thanks for the comment. (After our second child my husband took full responsibility and went the vas’ route. Nice of him.)
Yes, quick, easy and painless for men! Plus easily reversible … all of that is opposite for women! Here men can get the snip in ten minutes in a GPs surgery a women needs a man’s permission, goes into hospital, etc. They don’t make it easy, especially for those whose partners are not cooperative or if the lady is single.
I don’t think reversal would have been practical in our day within our budget. We had to be sure. My husband is hugh on population control. I’ve enjoyed our chat. 😀