My miracles.....who were born at 35 weeks and one day (8 months). Babies that almost came at 22 weeks, 26 weeks, 28 weeks and 34 weeks. Babies who I was told would definitely make it if we could just get to 28 weeks, would probably make it if we got to 26 and could possibly even make it at 24 weeks gestation.
However, if somewhere between 22 weeks and their birth I had become ill due to high blood pressure or some other life threatening issue or they had been diagnosed with a genetic disorder---these pictures would look almost exactly the same.
The NICU staff would still be standing close by. The doctors still would have carefully preformed an emergency C-section and pulled out my twins within 10 seconds of each other. I still would have had pictures of my precious children and the opportunity to hold them.
So, why do some people believe the lie that partial birth abortion is sometimes necessary? I asked this question on my facebook site and this is the answer I received from a high school classmate. The article tells of a young woman who was devastated when, in her 8th month, she was told that her much wanted baby had Trisomy 13. Because the "fetus" was not going to live (and this would supposedly endanger her health) a dilation and extraction was performed.
I am so, so sad that some Americans really believe that this is sometimes a necessary procedure. And, I immediately thought of Audrey Caroline, Isaac and Copeland---whose brave mommies chose life.
I was angered when I heard Obama say in tonight's debate that partial-birth abortion should be used when a woman's health is in jeopardy. So I got some facts:
First, to doctors who perform abortions, "health" can be referred to as social, emotional or even financial (not just physical)
But, perhaps the most emotionally charged argument used by President Clinton to justify his veto of the partial-birth abortion ban is the claim that a health exception is necessary to protect women from (in the President's words of May 23, 1996) being "eviscerated" or "ripped to shreds" -- and "losing the ability to ever bear further children."
· This claim is roundly refuted by four specialists in OB/GYN and fetal medicine representing PHACT (Physicians' Ad Hoc Coalition for Truth), a group of over 500 doctors, mostly specialists in OB/GYN, maternal and fetal medicine, and pediatrics, including former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop: "Contrary to what abortion activists would have us believe, partial-birth abortion is never medically indicated to protect a woman's health or her fertility. In fact, the opposite is true: The procedure can pose a significant and immediate threat to both the pregnant woman's health and fertility." ["Partial-Birth Abortion Is Bad Medicine," The Wall Street Journal, 9/19/96; original emphasis]
· The four PHACT physicians detail the nature of that threat, including forcible dilation of the cervix over several days -- which illustrates that this is not a procedure used in emergency circumstances relating to the mother's life or health. The result is "incompetent cervix," the leading cause of premature deliveries; intentionally and dangerously causing a breech delivery during the procedure; and risking injury to the mother by forcing the scissors into the child's head while it is still in her body.
· They also deny that fetal abnormality would ever indicate partial-birth abortion to safeguard maternal health or fertility: "In some cases, when vaginal delivery is not possible, a doctor performs a Cesarean section. But in no case is it necessary to partially deliver an infant through the vagina and then kill the infant." That is, despite the claims of Obama or President Clinton and their supporters, ending a pregnancy does not translate into the need to kill a partially delivered fetus -- as opposed to completing the delivery of a live, and possibly viable, infant.
I am so looking forward to our Lord's return......not only his return for his church, but also for his Second Coming when he will reign on the earth and the father of lies will no longer be able to deceive and destroy.
" But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13
2 comments:
I stumbled upon your blog and have never been so touched - the topic of abortion at any stage, for any reason is beyond me. People can justify their actions now, but it won't stand in the world to come. I have a blog now too... www.ourhillfamilyblog.com. Thank you for your posting!
What a wonderful post! And beautiful pictures of your babies! Kristen, I don't remember how I stumbled on your blog (maybe through Nicole?) Anyway, our Dads worked together at Eastman (my Dad is Keith J) and I remember when you were expecting the twins bc we were expecting at the same time. I have enjoyed following your beautiful kiddos on your blog (I had Anna-Claire about 5 weeks after you had the twins)-they are just too cute! I also attended C-N! But, I am a little bit older than you! ;) Well, I didn't mean to write a novel! Thanks for sharing your heart here!
Anne Pierce
www.piercefamilyof4.blogspot.com
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