Isn't the viable woman more important than the viable fetus?

[Kath1]

I think so, and I think any rational person should think so, also.

Abortion is a a medical procedure. It terminates an unwanted pregnancy. It has been legal in this country since 1973 with Roe v. Wade.

Get into 2015 and out of 1957, all of you pro-life (as they call themselves) idiots. This is 2015.

Don't want to rant, but a friend of mine who had an abortion (1984) called me, very upset, because some "pro-life" relative brought up her abortion at, of all things, the table at a wedding reception today! By her account, she left embarrassed, humiliated and in tears.

She has calmed down but I haven't. I think that sucks! Really pisses me off.

[SusanCalvin]

1. In a historical sense,

there's no way to tell which is more "important" other than knowledge of the future. (Thinking of some conservative arguments I have seen.)

In a rational sense, it's the woman's choice. Period. Up to the completion of the birth. Period.

Yes, I'm radical on this. Who in their right mind would choose to become pregnant if there was a large chance it would put them under the control of others? I, for one, wouldn't.

Might I disapprove of others' choices? Oh yeah. Might I not have all the facts? Oh yeah. Might others' choices in this matter be considered wrong by many? Yep. Might I try to persuade people? Possibly.

Still, my body is my body. And at this point in my life I'm happy for many reasons never to have been pregnant.

Want a next generation? I see it as a choice between people willing to become pregnant and Handmaid's Tale.

[Kath1]

3. Excellent, SusanCalvin!

That says it all so beautifully!

Peace & Love to you!

[SusanCalvin]

4. And to you.

[3catwoman3]

2. She certainly should be.

The rights of those already here should take precedence (IMO).

Your friend's relative is a heartless creep and was completely out of line.

[Kath1]

5. I agree.

That made me so angry.

She should have told the asshole off and stood up for herself, but she is a quiet and kind person by nature and just couldn't do it.

I'm sorry, but I an really sick and tired of this kind of nonsense.

[handmade34]

6. what we need

is for all of us who have had an abortion to not make excuses, or be ashamed/humiliated... anti-abortion folks have no authority over us or the issue.

I have, and will continue to, willingly talk about my 2 abortions (1 illegal, 1 legal) with anyone at anytime... I have beautiful children that I love more than life itself, I had a miscarriage and the 2 abortions... no woman at any place or time should be ashamed of being in control of her own body

[SusanCalvin]

7. Exactly.

Thank you for speaking out or up or whatever the appropriate idiom is.

Thank you for vocalizing your decisions both for yourself and to help others.

[Kath1]

8. Thank you so much for sharing that.

Thought I was pregnant at 19. Thank god I wasn't, but I made up my mind then and there that I would have an abortion.

I have an adult daughter I love. But my childbirth was my choice.

I commend you on your willingness to speak out about abortion. We need control of our own bodies.

There should be NO shame.

[SusanCalvin]

9. Same here.

Thought I was pregnant, and my fam doc, bless his heart, gave me the equivalent of, I now realize, an "abortion pill."

Bless him, even though a) I'm an atheist and b) The waiting room was segregated.

(Yeah, I'm that old....)

And he didn't tell my parents, either. And treated all races. Man, I wish I remembered his name. Bless him.

[Kath1]

10. Wonderful doctor!

My family doc gave me antibiotics to cure chlamydia when I was 17 and never told my parents. I could tell he was wasn't very happy with me, but he kept it confidential. Very nice man. I'm 57 now. Yes, I am that old!

[SusanCalvin]

11. Mine wasn't very happy with me either,

But he did the right thing. Children are not property.

[Kath1]

12. Right on.

That would have killed my parents. It was 1975. We are both lucky to have had caring doctors.

[SusanCalvin]

13. Love to 5 (at least) for this OP? nt