South Dakota may get stricter abortion law

[Judi Lynn]

Last update: March 11, 2005 at 10:39 PM
South Dakota may get stricter abortion law
Rene Sanchez, Star Tribune
March 12, 2005


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Once a week, women with unwanted pregnancies file through the fortified doors of a clinic here that is the only place in the state where they can choose to have an abortion.

Before they arrive, most comply with South Dakota law by calling a recorded message from a physician telling them that the procedure rarely causes medical complications.

But the clinic's doctors, all of whom fly in from the Twin Cities, soon may be forced to read a new script from the state.

They would be required to tell women in person that abortion terminates the life of a "whole, separate, unique, living human being." They would have to say the procedure can lead to depression and suicide, and give women a list of adoption agencies -- all less than two hours before their appointments.
(snip/...)

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5287959.html

[Frances]

1. There is no easy solution for an unwanted pregnancy

Having an abortion may cause depression. Giving up a child for adoption may cause depression. Keeping the child under difficult circumstances may mean that the child will grow up with major problems that he/she passes on to his/her children.

Each person has to make the best decision they can.

[yo-yo-ma]

3. there is no association between depression and abortion

find the study

[dflprincess]

5. The hormonal changes after a pregnancy ends

whether it be by abortion, miscarriage or full term birth can cause depression. But I have seen no reliable study that says abortion causes depression for any reason other than the physical changes.

Perhaps the recording should warn women that giving birth may also cause depression.

[yo-yo-ma]

6. hormonal changes cause mood changes

but not necessarily depression (as a clinically defined entity)

for post partum there is what's called the "maternal blues" which is basically considered normal, a mood change from both hormonal and the social life change of giving birth. there are is also psot partum derpession - rarer by far and a risk factor for which is previous depression, and considered an illness.

although the circulating hormones in early pregnancy (when the majority of abortions take place) is different from the non pregnant state, it is still quite different from a pregnancy at term.

[Frances]

8. That's what I was trying to say

A person can get depression whether she has an abortion or gives up a child for adoption or has an unwanted child or a wanted child or never gets pregnant at all.

[yo-yo-ma]

2. ARGHHH

This is being called (in the wonderful double speak we have become so familiar with) "The Positive Alternatives Act."

There is no evidence behind the claim that abortion is assiciated with depression or suicide. This is the new reality - Roe v Wade is a totally irrelavent argument - legality doesn't matter - women just aren't going to have the option of abortion anywhere outside of a few urban centers.

Fact is -- the mortality/morbidity of pregancy/delivery is higher than that of abortion (at any gestational age) -- not that that's a reason for abortion but this false sentiment of "caring for women's health" -- arghh -- abortion is part of women's health.

And all of the research (that I am familiar with) demonstrates the fact that it is a difficult decision - that women enter it already with knowledge (the paternalistic assumption that the state must supply this . . . from such butt heads especially . . .)

Good quite in the article - "this is state ideology, not science."

[Samurai_Writer]

4. I think they should also give them this information...

If they're going to tout adoption as some wonderful alternative, the pregnant women should also have to read this website:

http://www.exiledmothers.com/adoption_facts/adoption_industry.html

Facts that they will NEVER hear from the pro-adoption, anti-choice crowd.

Bella, a birthmother who believes in CHOICE

[daleo]

7. This is a stupid law, and factually incorrect.

If a fetus was a "whole, separate, unique, living human being" it could survive outside the mother's body (they key words here are whole and separate). This twists the meaning of everyday words.

I don't know about the depression and suicide claims - they may be true in a strict sense, but childbirth also leads to depression and suicide, and probably much more often. So, that should be mentioned in the disclaimer as well. Going to church can also lead to depression and suicide, although it can lead to recovery from depression as well. This is all just scare-mongering of vulnerable women.

[Erika]

9. Ah, do the men play any role, any time, any where?

Or does the court hold him harmless with no responsibility?