one life, one choice, one chance…..
reflections April 26th, 2009i was at friend’s house a couple of weeks ago and in the course of exchanging views on different matters, an issue of abortion came up.
i am pro-life.i consider it sacred and honor its sanctity.i do not pass judgement on those who favors it for whatever reason.it is a matter of choice.i respect it as i hope they do mine.
i am also a person of science.it is my professional and ethical obligation to see to it that i treated patients under my care equally.i see past beyond the color of skin, religious or political affiliation and sexual orientation and yes, a choice one’s made for themselves which may differ from mine.i do not excused myself of that duty unless it go against my moral/personal conviction, abortion is one of those.i made it known at work that i wont take any part in the process of terminating a pregnancy,in any shape and form.i am obliged as a professional member of staff to make sure that the place is safe for such procedure, that’s how far or close i can go.the moment a patient get inside the theatre/operating room i go out of it.
i was 36 when i got pregnant with ysabelle, an elderly primigravida (first pregnancy) by any standard.due to my age,i was offered an amniocentesis (extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities), a risky diagnostic procedure as it might cause a miscarriage.i was told to think it over.i didn’t have to think it over, i refused it point blank.what good will it do if the test proved that my unborn child has chromosomal defect, a down syndrome. will i opt for abortion? NO. i told the midwife i do not see any point at all.
at the end of the day,it is a decision one has to make.we are only given one life to live and a chance to lived it and the choice is in your hand.
April 26th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
eng, i, too, turned down the amniocentesis when it was offered to me few months ago (i am at week 32 now). however, i took 2 screening tests earlier — a blood test and an ultrasound — to check for certain fetal abnormalities such as down’s syndrome, spina bifida. both tests yielded normal results (that’s why we saw no need to do the amnio; you are right- it is a risky procedure). rog and i opted to take these more simple, less invasive tests so that in the event the tests showed our baby had a high probability of being born with down’s or some other abnormality, we would be able to get ready ahead of time (instead of freaking out and going into a state of panic if it was born with a disability that we totally did not expect). we wanted to be able to take classes, read books, get training and prepare ourselves emotionally on how to deal with the disability the best way we could, if we had to. we are still hoping tiny turns out fine, but if she is born less perfect, we will love her just the same. it turns out not all pregnant women who take these diagnostic tests do so to terminate the pregnancy if results show the possibility of an abnormality. some take the tests so they can equip themselves with skills and knowledge on how to take care of their special child. it’s great to see that your little angel is growing so fast and is so healthy. she’s definitely blessed to have a mom who is such a skilled and decided nurse:) thanks for sharing this post, eng..
April 27th, 2009 at 4:04 am
there is something magical about the site of a baby newly born…i like the picture kuracha…haunting!
you’ve gone through your piece concisely and precisely…neat and crisp discussion girlfriend…nice one!
i admire the way you have stood up on your convictions on the issue of abortion and medical procedures undertaken to pregnant women…ano pa nga ba ang magagawa kung may “conditions” ang ipinagbubuntis…wala din naman corrective measures kung chromosomal na ang level ng defects…haaay…napakahirap hulaan kung ano o pano pinagdadaanan ng mga preganant women na may ganuong kundisyon…i cannot imagine the agony…
ako naman po ay pro-choice…believing that keeping the baby…even while there are difficult conditions that prevail…is also a choice…kahit pa nga mukha lang itong “suntok sa buwan”…
d2 lang ako lagi kuracha…nakaantabay…
April 27th, 2009 at 5:03 am
i witnessed something so bizarre hours ago while on duty but it is not ethical to talk about it…for respect of the patient’s rights and yah, life itself…i salute you too sis for the stand against abortion…i am on your side…but then again, to each his own..
i have just viewed Ysa’s photos…she is simply one beautiful choice..and i join you in thanking God for that one chance to have her in your life!
love yah Kuracha!
April 27th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
hi eng,
like you, i turned down the option for amniocentesis when i was pregnant with my two kids. there is no reason for us to find out whether they have this or that. we would love them just the same and even more. my husband and i thought that God gave us this special chance of bearing new life in my womb and whatever the outcome is we are still blessed…He has his reasons…and we would be an advocate to these children till they can manage on their own. good post.
April 27th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Eng,
if there is one cause I would go out to the streets for, it is the cause to defend the defenseless fetuses/embryos/babies. i find abortion so terribly inhuman and violent.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Here is a quote on abortion from Mother Teresa
“But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child - a direct killing of the innocent child - murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion?”
I am saddened that mothers would come to a point when they believe they have no other option but abortion…