As the parent to a child with a fatal genetic condition (unknown before birth) I want to shout from the rooftops how cruel this is. The agony of watching your child slowly die and listening to them scream in pain compounded by the exhaustion of managing the facets of complex medical care is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. We have a DNR for our son. He is going to die. That is the reality. I would have preferred he didn't have to suffer in the process. On a logistical note, complex medical care is EXPENSIVE. Even with the best insurance there are things that aren't covered. Decisions have to be made about caregiving and employment. Getting qualified for and onto Medicaid is an onerous and inefficient process. Forcing someone to be born with an abnormality isn't protecting them it's forcing them to suffer. Those born with even with relatively minor disabilities are born into a world that does not support them, limited infrastructure for wheelchairs or other adaptive equipment, limited or nonexistent services, on top of all that no lingering concern for medically fragile individuals following a deadly pandemic. These people who want these babies to be born are the same ones who don't want to fund the services that could make disabled lives livable.
Great work! Our genetic counselors work so hard to present unbiased, comprehensive information to families faced with abnormal ultrasound findings and blood test results. This inane, deceptive drivel is a slap in the face to their masters and doctoral level training. Wolves in sheep's clothing, pretending to care for anything but their own agenda. Sickening.
Has there been any movement towards pro-choice activists setting up shop outside these crisis pregnancy centers in order to hand out literature or direct women to clinics that would actually help them?
There are no words to describe what I felt as I read the legal disclaimer the PrenatalDiagnosis.org website:
“PrenatalDiagnosis.org accepts no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This website is not intended to be direct medical, legal, or ethical advice for your specific situation. Please contact your physician, lawyer, or pastor for additional help.”
The misuse of the term "trauma" and the idea that women's decision-making abilities are impaired because of the "trauma" of news of a fetal abnormality to justify waiting periods, is sickening. Receiving news of a fetal abnormality is stressful, but not a psychological trauma that would impair a person's ability to make decisions. However, having to give birth to a child with fetal abnormalities and watching that child die, is horribly traumatic.
The good old patriarchal pat on the head “There, there, little woman; don’t fret your pretty little head over these decisions. Let us unemotional men make them for you.”
No shade intended toward the men on here who ARE allies for us. We love & appreciate you, but we sure need more men to step up & speak
Oh, unemotional my a$$. When women are raped, it's their fault. They dressed/acted inappropriately; AND THE UNEMOTIONAL MAN couldn't control himself?
I still get mad when I remember a friend telling me she found out her 9 year old was being abused by the girl's uncle; the mother in law said the 9 year old should have known better. It is never the man's fault. 😡
"Now, any OBGYN will tell you that pregnancy in itself is a health risk—not being pregnant is always safer than being pregnant. But the health risks associated with pregnancy can be even greater when you’re talking about a complicated pregnancy, or a fetus with a severe or fatal condition. The longer you remain pregnant, the more dangerous it can become. The anti-abortion movement doesn’t want women to know that."
Of course they don't. They have never valued the work, time, energy that women give for free to build a human. You are so right. They literally don't care about women.
As hard as this was to read, I really appreciate your reporting, Jessica. You consistently break news on this subject and the MSM should be ashamed.
One question I had is: Are reputable (as in nonCatholic) hospitals aware of this push to implant people who would spread disinformation? Are hospitals working to make sure science and medicine aren’t undermined in their own institutions?
There was one aspect upon which you did not touch, Jessica: what about non-binary people and men who can get pregnant? For them, it’s the worst of both worlds; they’re targeted by the state for being both trans and pregnant, and far too often they don’t get the care they need.
You are right, trans persons who present as male but have not have surgery can & do get pregnant. It certainly would be terrible to be doubly marginalized in that situation
Thank you for publishing this, Jessica. Kind of makes me sick how badly the anti-choice side wants to force their preference on everyone. I'm ok with waiting periods but only if that's what the woman wants and they aren't part of legislation.
Thank you so much for your work on this critical piece, Jessica. As a person who ended a pregnancy due to a complex poor fetal prognosis, this is absolutely maddening. Reading through the tactics they are utilizing to force parents into continuing doomed pregnancies brings back so many terrible memories for me living in a ultra conservative area with evangelical family and friends. Lots of familiar messaging that was so cruel when we were going through a truly dark time with little support. My heart breaks for the parents who will stumble on these “resources” in desperation and be convinced to continue a pregnancy against their best judgment only to find the “support” offered from these groups non-existent. I’m forever grateful for the true support I received through Ending A Wanted Pregnancy.
Handmaid's tale. Remember the doctors, who weren't allowed to doctor?
As the parent to a child with a fatal genetic condition (unknown before birth) I want to shout from the rooftops how cruel this is. The agony of watching your child slowly die and listening to them scream in pain compounded by the exhaustion of managing the facets of complex medical care is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. We have a DNR for our son. He is going to die. That is the reality. I would have preferred he didn't have to suffer in the process. On a logistical note, complex medical care is EXPENSIVE. Even with the best insurance there are things that aren't covered. Decisions have to be made about caregiving and employment. Getting qualified for and onto Medicaid is an onerous and inefficient process. Forcing someone to be born with an abnormality isn't protecting them it's forcing them to suffer. Those born with even with relatively minor disabilities are born into a world that does not support them, limited infrastructure for wheelchairs or other adaptive equipment, limited or nonexistent services, on top of all that no lingering concern for medically fragile individuals following a deadly pandemic. These people who want these babies to be born are the same ones who don't want to fund the services that could make disabled lives livable.
Great work! Our genetic counselors work so hard to present unbiased, comprehensive information to families faced with abnormal ultrasound findings and blood test results. This inane, deceptive drivel is a slap in the face to their masters and doctoral level training. Wolves in sheep's clothing, pretending to care for anything but their own agenda. Sickening.
Has there been any movement towards pro-choice activists setting up shop outside these crisis pregnancy centers in order to hand out literature or direct women to clinics that would actually help them?
There are no words to describe what I felt as I read the legal disclaimer the PrenatalDiagnosis.org website:
“PrenatalDiagnosis.org accepts no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This website is not intended to be direct medical, legal, or ethical advice for your specific situation. Please contact your physician, lawyer, or pastor for additional help.”
Thank you for the incredible work you are doing.
The misuse of the term "trauma" and the idea that women's decision-making abilities are impaired because of the "trauma" of news of a fetal abnormality to justify waiting periods, is sickening. Receiving news of a fetal abnormality is stressful, but not a psychological trauma that would impair a person's ability to make decisions. However, having to give birth to a child with fetal abnormalities and watching that child die, is horribly traumatic.
It's all about infantalizing women.
The good old patriarchal pat on the head “There, there, little woman; don’t fret your pretty little head over these decisions. Let us unemotional men make them for you.”
No shade intended toward the men on here who ARE allies for us. We love & appreciate you, but we sure need more men to step up & speak
Grief, I am so angry.
Oh, unemotional my a$$. When women are raped, it's their fault. They dressed/acted inappropriately; AND THE UNEMOTIONAL MAN couldn't control himself?
I still get mad when I remember a friend telling me she found out her 9 year old was being abused by the girl's uncle; the mother in law said the 9 year old should have known better. It is never the man's fault. 😡
I want to scream.
I want to join you in that.
same
What an infuriating read. Thank you for going through this sewer and keeping us informed.
I certainly hope you got some sleep. Thanks for bearing this burden and doing the work!
These forced birth people are far more insidious and determined than I would have ever imagined!! We must prevail against them!!! Thank you Jessica!!!
"Now, any OBGYN will tell you that pregnancy in itself is a health risk—not being pregnant is always safer than being pregnant. But the health risks associated with pregnancy can be even greater when you’re talking about a complicated pregnancy, or a fetus with a severe or fatal condition. The longer you remain pregnant, the more dangerous it can become. The anti-abortion movement doesn’t want women to know that."
Of course they don't. They have never valued the work, time, energy that women give for free to build a human. You are so right. They literally don't care about women.
As hard as this was to read, I really appreciate your reporting, Jessica. You consistently break news on this subject and the MSM should be ashamed.
One question I had is: Are reputable (as in nonCatholic) hospitals aware of this push to implant people who would spread disinformation? Are hospitals working to make sure science and medicine aren’t undermined in their own institutions?
Good question. I wondered this too.
There was one aspect upon which you did not touch, Jessica: what about non-binary people and men who can get pregnant? For them, it’s the worst of both worlds; they’re targeted by the state for being both trans and pregnant, and far too often they don’t get the care they need.
You are right, trans persons who present as male but have not have surgery can & do get pregnant. It certainly would be terrible to be doubly marginalized in that situation
Thank you for publishing this, Jessica. Kind of makes me sick how badly the anti-choice side wants to force their preference on everyone. I'm ok with waiting periods but only if that's what the woman wants and they aren't part of legislation.
Thank you so much for your work on this critical piece, Jessica. As a person who ended a pregnancy due to a complex poor fetal prognosis, this is absolutely maddening. Reading through the tactics they are utilizing to force parents into continuing doomed pregnancies brings back so many terrible memories for me living in a ultra conservative area with evangelical family and friends. Lots of familiar messaging that was so cruel when we were going through a truly dark time with little support. My heart breaks for the parents who will stumble on these “resources” in desperation and be convinced to continue a pregnancy against their best judgment only to find the “support” offered from these groups non-existent. I’m forever grateful for the true support I received through Ending A Wanted Pregnancy.