5 states now require providers to perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortions, with several other states encouraging women to do so via counseling/consent provisions. Pro-life proponents of this expensive, unnecessary, and patronizing requirement hope that viewing a fetal image will dissuade women from choosing their choice. Au contraire.
The New York Times reports that out of 254 women at 2 British Columbia clinics, none reversed their decisions to terminate as a result of viewing an ultrasound. Zero. At an Alabama clinic, patients and providers report that ultrasounds helped ease the decision to abort:
In some instances, the ultrasounds have affected women in ways not intended by anti-abortion strategists. Because human features may barely be detectable during much of the first trimester, when 9 of 10 abortions are performed, some women find viewing the images reassuring.
“It just looked like a little egg, and I couldn’t see arms or legs or a face,” said Tiesha, 27, who chose to view her 8-week-old embryo before aborting it at the Birmingham clinic. “It was really the picture of the ultrasound that made me feel it was O.K.
Remember, 61% of abortions in the U.S. are obtained by women who already have one or more children:
Like other patients, Laura, who has a 17-year-old son, said she took offense at the state’s implicit suggestion that she had not fully considered her choice.
“You don’t just walk into one of these places like you’re getting your nails done,” she said. “I think we’re armed with enough information to make adult decisions without being emotionally tortured.”
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Kate is a public policy expert with a vintage dress obsession. |
Great post, Kate. I love that these statistics show that the ultrasounds are having the reverse effect.
You fail to realize that abortion clinics are located in poor areas (targeted) which usually have a large black population. 35% of the black population has been aborted since 1970. Do you know how much representation they would have now? How many of the 12 million aborted would have become doctors, lawyers or representatives? people do make it out of poverty… You claim all these babies are not wanted and wouldnt be taken care of which falls under CPS not leftist pro abortion spin.
Abortions are a womans right. No one is refuting that. But more information is always a good thing, especially when doing something as permenent as this. It shouldnt be used as birth control…which it is. That will change. Your quote of 254 women from BC isnt a good sample at all. What about the rest of the country? Why didnt they quote that? (because it wouldnt hold true to their statement….).
Abortion should be a decision that isnt made lightly nor one that is persuaded. There are psychological issues as well as physical ones which includes permenent infertility. This is a choice that will be with them until they die. They should have more information…even if it causes them to abort them more often or not.
And if you wish to visit my site…which you will disagree with 100% of it probably….
http://www.austin-michaels.com. I look forward to the debate.
~Austin