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I do think there could be a happy medium for both sides of the abortion debate. I could see a lot of people appreciating the banning of some more violent methods of abortion. More common and safe methods that are performed earlier in the pregnancy are much more accepted than the methods used later in pregnancies.

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I do not believe there could ever be a happy medium between pro choice and pro life, im pro life and no abortion will ever be okay in my eyes no matter how young the fetus

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1) Cinco de Mayo is more celebrated in the U.S. than anywhere else.

2) It isn't Mexico's Independence Day.

3) It actually isn't related to Americans at all, but celebrates when the Mexico won a very challenging battle with France.

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I think abortion should ALWAYS be allowed in rape cases. I think it is far too cruel to make someone have a baby that is linked to such a traumatic, terrible experience. I think a lot of people that are pro life are influenced by their religion, but it Isnt necessarily the only reason that they choose to be pro life.

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Is this a case where the clear answer should be to allow legal access to abortion? Does most of the controversy which stems from this debate lead back to people's religion? Should this be kept separate from government regulations

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Could there be a happy medium for both sides of the abortion debate? Would it be effective to try and ban some of the more violent abortions occurring later in pregnancies while still providing safe and legal access to the more common and safe methods?

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I think the other side of this debate makes a few good points. I do feel that it is incorrect and not humane to abort a fetus after it has developed functioning organs. But one common argument made is that the baby, which it isn't even a baby yet, has a heartbeat on day 1. I don't know why this argument is so common when the fetus does not develop a heart/heartbeat until 3-4 weeks into the pregnancy. Abortion can be wrong but when it is necessary I do not see an issue with aborting a fetus when it has barely even started to develop

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“Reproductive freedom is critical to a whole range of issues. If we can’t take charge of this most personal aspect of our lives, we can’t take care of anything. It should not be seen as a privilege or as a benefit, but a fundamental human right.” -Faye Wattleton

To me this quote stood out because of its emphasis on human rights. I think it is important in a country built on freedom that we continue to work to ensure everyone has said freedom. By allowing the woman to make her own choice, you are allowing the freedom she deserves. Faye even refers to at as a "fundamental human right", this is a very powerful way to word it and really shows what access to legal abortion really means.

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I chose this picture to make a point. I personally think that the most important part in keeping abortion legal and safe is that it allows women to make a choice. Everyday every single person makes tons of choices which is what makes them who they are. Legal access to abortion is not forcing anyone to get an abortion, it is allowing the choice to be made for those who want and need it. Similar to how people who choose to eat a lot of unhealthy food end up overweight, that food is not chasing them down and forcing its way in. These people choose to do what they do, but hey good for them it is THIER choice to be made.

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I found myself very surprised in how common the negative psychological affects of abortion appear further down the road. I still stand in the same view because I still think that is the women's own choice to make, after all she is the one who would be living with the reprecussions.

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This article didn't really give me much information that I wasn't already aware of. The focus of the article is about how traumatizing of an experience having an abortion can be, but that isn't the point. The point is that the choice should be available to all women. That is like banning all fast food because if you CHOOSE to eat it you might become overweight.

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A common criticism of pro-lifers is that their arguments are steeped in emotionalism, not facts. Women have abortions all the time, they insist, and they aren't depressed or traumatized. However, solid academic research proves this isn't true. The findings show that "fetal loss is traumatic" and that this may have serious impact on our national health care system.

In a review of scientific studies on post-abortive women, published on July 16 in Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience s, entitled "Abortion and subsequent mental health: Review of the literature," Carlo V. Bellieni MDand Giuseppe Buonocore MD, PhD (Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproduction Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy) show objectively that the likelihood of women who have abortions suffering from metal illness as a result is significantly increased.

The physicians reviewed all of the research between 1995-2011 that related to abortion and its correlation to mental problems in order to asses the connection. Of the 36 scientific studies that exist in that period, 30 were used; the eliminated studies were primarily due to "methodological bias," such as invalid questionnaires or control groups.

Ultimately, the researchers discovered that in "Abortion versus childbirth: 13 studies showed a clear risk for at least one of the reported mental problems [Depression, anxiety disorders (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder) and substance abuse disorders] in the abortion group versus childbirth,... and only one paper reported a worse mental outcome for childbearing" (Bellieni & Buonocore, 2013).

The researchers examined the differences reported between abortion, childbearing and also miscarriage because it is known as "fetal loss." The results are statistically significant.

Some results:
Abortion versus childbirth
Researchers noted that "Thirteen studies supported the presence of a risk of mental disorder in the groups of women who had had an abortion versus those who gave birth. Only five papers showed no risk in the abortion group." This is an important finding to note. Scientific unbiased research found there was a presence of mental disorder resulting from abortion. Most often, abortion advocates insist that it's in a woman's best interest to have an abortion if she feels unprepared to parent; it is presented as a positive metal health decision; however, almost 20 years of research proves that assertion incorrect.
Abortion versus unplanned pregnancy
Researchers found, "When comparing abortion and unplanned pregnancies that ended in delivery, four studies found a higher risk for loss of self-esteem, anxiety disorders, depression, suicide ideation, and substance abuse disorder or substance abuse rate in the abortion groups" (Bellieni & Buonocore, 2013). This finding was the majority of this category, further showing abortion affects mental health, and for most in a negative way-more negative than if the woman has an unplanned birth.
Some other findings from the research review, all from (Bellieni & Buonocore, 2013):
Clinical depression - present in 17% of women who give birth to a living baby and in 26% of those who abort.

Depression and bipolar disorder- present in 43.2% of women who miscarried, in 45.5% of those who had an abortion, in 28.7% of those who gave birth and in 25.1% of never pregnant women.

Anxiety- One study showed that 10 days after the event, 47.5% of the women who had a miscarriage had high Impact of Event Scale [ self-report measure that assesses subjective distress caused by traumatic events] scores, compared with 30% for women who had an induced abortion. After two years this became "2.6% and 18.1%, respectively. [And] Another study that compared term childbirth and abortion found that after 14 months, relevant psychiatric diagnoses were present in 0% and in 16.7% of women, respectively."

These findings fly in the face of what abortion advocates say is truth. And it would be beneficial for them to review these findings regardless of their view on abortion-assuming they actually care about women and not a cause. The final discussion of the article notes two important implications of the fact that these articles support that "abortion is a risk factor for subsequent mental illness when compared with childbirth" (Bellieni & Buonocore, 2013). The authors note:

"The first is that fetal loss is traumatic. It is a risk factor for mental illness - both in the case of abortion and in miscarriage - and its impact on a woman's life can erroneously be underestimated. Most studies show that abortion has a greater impact on women's mental health than childbearing; all remaining studies show similar mental consequences and only one seems to have noted a worse outcome for childbearing. Even the birth of an unplanned child is often traumatic, but abortion seems to be even more traumatic, or similar with regard to the psychological outcomes; this should be taken into account when counseling women scared by a non-desired pregnancy. Making their choices, women should be clearly informed." (Bellieni & Buonocore, 2013)

There is no pro or anti to this statement. The facts are the facts. In every objective study for almost 20 years, which followed internationally accepted research guidelines, abortion is shown as a risk factor for mental illness. To ignore this fact in the name of "choice" is evidence that the abortion advocates actually care more about the issue than the women they claim to defend. Academically and scientifically speaking, there isn't a much better standard by which all sides can agree than solid academic research. The pro-life community has asserted this for years and one of the reasons abortion is so bad for women. Countless post-abortive women tell stories of the trauma they endured. Now we see that scientific research also upholds their cause. It is time for abortion advocates to listen to what the facts say.

And finally, it is time for our action to listen to the last conclusion the authors make:

"These data show that a greater involvement of the national health system in clinical follow up of women who have had a fetal loss is desirable.... In particular, elective abortion is one of the most common medical interventions in the world: 1.29 million were performed in the USA in 2008. Thus it is important to monitor mothers who have undergone abortion, to prevent negative mental consequences: although the discussion in this field is limited to ethics and morality, we emphasize that there is also a serious public health problem. The discussion in this field does not currently trespass on the moral boundaries; now, it is important to consider the hypothesis that abortion is an independent risk factor for mental health, and carry out more research accordingly." (Bellieni & Buonocore, 2013)

This news should be a startling wake-up call for our nation and our health care system which will have mandated abortive birth control coverage and even has an " abortion surcharge." We continue to fund Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, and while that money is technically not allowed to cover abortion, it is fungible money that frees up the clinics to provide abortions with money coded otherwise.

Virtually all that abortion advocates argue for-women's rights, women's health, women's access to abortion, women's funding of abortion-is shown, factually, to be bad for those same women. This research wasn't from a couple of pro-life guys plugging out a blog. It was conducted the same way all academic research must be conducted and met the same standards.

When will the abortion industry listen to what's actually best for women? Perhaps when they are mandated to pay for the counseling of the damaged women who were lied to about how abortion was no big deal psychologically. Only the ignorant could argue abortion is harmless to women.

Reference:

Bellieni , C., & Buonocore, G. (2013). Abortion and subsequent mental health: Review of the literature. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 67(5), 301-310. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pcn.12067/full

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Academic research shows abortion's negative mental health impact on women - Live Action News

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A common criticism of pro-lifers is that their arguments are steeped in emotionalism, not facts. Women have abortions all the time, they insist, and they aren't depressed or traumatized. However, solid academic research proves this isn't true. The findings show that "fetal loss is traumatic" and that this may have serious impact on our national ...

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I really found the second article to be very interesting. You never really hear of women that want to go through with the pregnancy after being raped. I believe that pro choice side would still be best for women that are raped that way you can choose to have an abortion if you want to or not.

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This article is interesting to me because it takes more of a pro life side than any positive article I had in mind. I still chose to use this article because it touches on how the rare case of pregnancy from rape, the victim should be entitled to make their own choice.

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A group called the Ad Hoc Committee of Women Pregnant by Sexual Assault (WPSA) is responding to the national debate about rape and abortion. The debate re-started thanks to controversial comments Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin made about "forcible rape."

Heather Wilson, Deana Schroeder and other members of The Ad Hoc Committee of Women Pregnant By Sexual Assault have penned a column in response. They are demanding that their voices be heard and upset that many assume women who became pregnant after rape want an abortion.

Their column follows:

We are members of the Ad Hoc Committee of Women Pregnant by Sexual Assault (WPSA). This group was formed eight years ago to petition Congress to hold hearings on the issue of abortion in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest. So far, however, this petition has not been heard by political leaders on either side of the aisle, or by most in the pro-choice or pro-life communities.

Many people have strong opinions about abortion in cases of pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. However, the real experiences and needs of women who have actually experienced pregnancies from sexual assault are often ignored, even though our experiences are frequently used to promote abortion on demand.

Recently, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding remarks made by Congressman Todd Akin about abortion and rape. From the perspective of those of us who have actually been through a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, people on both sides of the abortion debate, and the media fanning the flames of this controversy, are getting it wrong.

On one side are those who argue that pregnancies resulting from rape and incest occur so rarely that we shouldn't let it impact public policy on abortion. This is hurtful to women who do become pregnant from rape or incest and who need support. It can also lead to questioning as to whether a woman or girl is telling the truth about being raped.

On the other side are those who perpetuate the myth that women and girls who become pregnant from sexual assault overwhelmingly want, need and benefit from having abortions. This also hurts women and fans the flames of prejudice toward those who do not want to have an abortion, even leading some to question whether a woman or girl who wishes not to abort has "really" been raped. And it can lead to strong pressure to abort by those who think the woman or girl does not know what is really best for her.

Despite the belief that most women in such circumstances would want an abortion, a national study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that only half of those who became pregnant from rape had an abortion. Another survey of pregnant sexual assault victims found that only 30 percent had abortions.

Whether the true number is closer to 30 or 50 percent doesn't matter. What matters is that women and girls who become pregnant from rape or incest need real support and resources that meet their needs. In many cases, however, these needs are not met because most people assume that abortion will solve the problem.

In fact, there are no studies proving that this claimed psychological benefit occurs in general, or even for certain groups of women pregnant by sexual assault. And from personal experience, many of us discovered that abortion only added to our trauma and created additional obstacles to finding healing.

Many people naturally fear themselves or someone they love being raped, or becoming pregnant as a result of rape. We have been on the other side of that fear. From our perspective the issues and emotions involved are not as straightforward as most people presume. This is why those of us who have actually been in this situation need and deserve to be heard.

Delving into these issues properly requires more than time and space that can be given to it here. And that is exactly why we are calling for Congressional hearings to give us a chance to finally be heard.
CLICK LIKE IF YOU'RE PRO-LIFE!
It is our hope that the media attention given to this controversy over Rep. Akin's comments will present an opportunity to break through the barricades preventing us from being heard.

Women who have had pregnancies resulting from sexual assault should be given a leadership role in discussing this important issue. However, most of the debate surrounding this issue has taken place without input from us or other women like us.

We are especially concerned - and offended - when our circumstances are exploited to promote abortion on demand, especially when there is no platform being offered for us to voice our real needs and concerns.

Our situation is not uncommon, and our needs are worthy of public notice and discussion in terms of public policy and health care directives.

The members of WPSA do not claim to know all the answers to this difficult issue. But we are certain that people on both sides of the abortion debate need to listen and learn from those of us who have actually been there and struggled with these issues. Otherwise, those who do become pregnant through sexual assault will continue to be overlooked and will fail to receive the support they need.

Please listen to us and give us the opportunity to speak about this important issue.

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ad hoc committee of women pregnant by sexual assault

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Pregnant Rape Victims: Quit Assuming We Want an Abortion

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A group called the Ad Hoc Committee of Women Pregnant by Sexual Assault (WPSA) is responding to the national debate about rape and abortion. The debate re-started thanks to controversial comments Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin made about "forcible rape."

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The right to abortion could save this young girls life, and if she survives it could save her future. She can't afford the 3 doctors visits required to be approved for abortion in Senegal and because of that is on track to give birth to twins.

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A 10-year old Senegalese girl who became pregnant with twins after being raped by a neighbor is being forced to continue with her pregnancy, thanks to her country's stringent restrictions on abortion. Human rights advocates have been trying to pressure the government to allow the girl to seek abortion care, but they've been unsuccessful so far.

"She is going to have to go through with the pregnancy. The best we can do is keep up pressure on the authorities to ensure the girl gets regular scans and free medical care," Fatou Kiné Camara, the president of the Senegalese women lawyers' association, told the Guardian.

Camara explained that under Senegal's current abortion law, which is one of the harshest among African nations, requires three doctors to certify that a woman will die immediately unless she ends her pregnancy. But poor women in the country are hardly ever able to visit a doctor, let alone three in quick succession.

The country's abortion ban is based on an archaic penal code that dates back to 1810. The U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has expressed concern about the draconian law, pointing out that it's leading to a particularly high rates of illegal abortions and maternal deaths. Doctors who perform abortions, and women who seek them, can be thrown in jail for years. Hundreds of women die from unsafe abortion procedures in Senegal every year.

Camara's organization is pressuring the Senegalese government to bring its abortion law in line with the African charter on women's rights, which calls for legal abortion services in cases when a woman has been a victim of rape or incest, when a woman's life is in danger, or when a woman's mental health is in jeopardy. Although Senegal ratified that charter a decade ago, those changes to its total abortion ban haven't been implemented. That disproportionately impacts the poor residents of the country, who can't afford to seek out illegal services at a private clinic.

The 10-year-old rape victim is an example of this type of economic stratification, too. "Senegal must legalize medicalized abortion so that we never see any more cases like hers," Camara told the Guardian. "Had we had time and had the girl's parents been willing, we could have asked a judge to consider guaranteeing immunity from prosecution to an [abortion] doctor. However, the family is poor; the process is difficult enough for them. They were just pleased when the rapist was arrested."

This issue is certainly not specific to Senegal. A similar situation sparked considerable controversy in Chile last year, when an 11-year-old rape victim was not permitted to end her pregnancy. And there was a massive outcry when a dying Salvadoran woman was initially denied the abortion she needed to save her life, despite the fact that her fetus wasn't viable. Ireland was recently pressured to slightly loosen its laws in this area after a 31-year-old woman died as a result of being denied an emergency abortion. Across the entire globe, an estimated 47,000 women die each year because they lack access to safe, legal abortion care.

Harsh bans on reproductive health services are out of step with the international community's stance on women's rights. Just last week, public health and human rights leaders from over 30 countries issued a new resolution on abortion rights, calling on governments to decriminalize the procedure to prevent women from dying. And earlier this year, the United Nations encouraged countries to remove unnecessary restrictions on abortion to help safeguard women's fundamental human rights.

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A 10-Year-Old Rape Victim Who's Pregnant With Twins Is Being Denied An Abortion In Senegal

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A 10-year old Senegalese girl who became pregnant with twins after being raped by a neighbor is being forced to continue with her pregnancy, thanks to her country's stringent restrictions on abortion. Human rights advocates have been trying to pressure the government to allow the girl to seek abortion care, but they've been unsuccessful so far.

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Who: Women who are taken advantage of sexually and become pregnant.
What: Forced to give birth to and raise a child because they do not have the option of abortion.
When: Issue is of the past and the present.
Where: Many countries ban abortion outright, and others just give it a nasty stigma.
Why: Many people believe abortion is wrong and think they have the right to restrict others from making their own choice because of their personal views.

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Pregnancy is a potential result of rape. It has been studied in the context of war, particularly as a tool for genocide, as well as other unrelated contexts, such as rape by a stranger, statutory rape, incest, and underage pregnancy.