A New Perspective on Late-Term Abortions

To this day I don’t get palpitations of emotion over any abortion. It’s almost “an idea,” not even a reality. But the idea of it, to be sure, is getting more and more barbaric, unethical–and less and less about anyone’s “body” or “choice.”

To this day I don’t get palpitations of emotion over any abortion. It’s almost “an idea,” not even a reality. But the idea of it, to be sure, is getting more and more barbaric, unethical–and less and less about anyone’s “body” or “choice.”

I found some irony in the comments at The Fox Nation (sorry, I can’t help reading it when the crazies think with their keyboards) a few days ago.It seems that the far right knows exactly how emotional this type of decision must be. After Dr. Tiller’s murder, there was a persistent meme among the comments at Fox claiming the killer was not an anti-abortion advocate, but the father of a child whose mother had decided to abort it on a whim so far along in the pregnancy.I can not understand why the far right’s imagination sees a man having empathy capable of driving him to murder while seeing a woman as a murderous maniac.

I found some irony in the comments at The Fox Nation (sorry, I can’t help reading it when the crazies think with their keyboards) a few days ago.It seems that the far right knows exactly how emotional this type of decision must be. After Dr. Tiller’s murder, there was a persistent meme among the comments at Fox claiming the killer was not an anti-abortion advocate, but the father of a child whose mother had decided to abort it on a whim so far along in the pregnancy.I can not understand why the far right’s imagination sees a man having empathy capable of driving him to murder while seeing a woman as a murderous maniac.

That is so far off base.. the ex wife is still alive and well and was so afraid of him when they divorced she filed for full custody of their son because he got to be such a whack job she was fearful of what he would do to their son. I thought I still had the paper here, but I guess I have already taken it out.He has 2 kids, a son and a daughter, neither of whom were ever aborted or attempted or anything of the sort.. they are just trying to make crap up to justify him.

That is so far off base.. the ex wife is still alive and well and was so afraid of him when they divorced she filed for full custody of their son because he got to be such a whack job she was fearful of what he would do to their son. I thought I still had the paper here, but I guess I have already taken it out.He has 2 kids, a son and a daughter, neither of whom were ever aborted or attempted or anything of the sort.. they are just trying to make crap up to justify him.

@AnnetteOh, of course. We all know that to be off-base, but you should have seen them clinging to it. Scary.

@AnnetteOh, of course. We all know that to be off-base, but you should have seen them clinging to it. Scary.

So after years of vocally opposing abortion, Sullivan is reconsidering his position because he’s finally taken the time to think about it? To listen to stories of – God forbid – women?Glad he can take a few minutes out of his busy schedule to actually weigh the merits of an issue he chose a side on decades ago.

So after years of vocally opposing abortion, Sullivan is reconsidering his position because he’s finally taken the time to think about it? To listen to stories of – God forbid – women?Glad he can take a few minutes out of his busy schedule to actually weigh the merits of an issue he chose a side on decades ago.

I don’t really understand how these sorts of stories can be new to Sullivan – there were plenty of them being told during hearings related to the various attempts to ban “partial birth abortion.” Anyone paying attention heard plenty of them.

I don’t really understand how these sorts of stories can be new to Sullivan – there were plenty of them being told during hearings related to the various attempts to ban “partial birth abortion.” Anyone paying attention heard plenty of them.

Just like a long string of other social issues, when someone actually takes the time to think about it their mind is changed.

Just like a long string of other social issues, when someone actually takes the time to think about it their mind is changed.

88% of abortions are done in the first term.10% Second.2% third.Your talking about a very small % of abortions.Like you said. The late terms have to be medically approved.So if Sarah Palin wanted to have an abortion after she knew her baby would be born with problems then she would have to go see one of these doctors with an approval from her own doctor.So as usual the right are totally confused on the issue.MoeLarryAndJesus:They believe the lies they have told themselvesor like most Republicans they are just ignorant to the facts.You can’t find a doctor to perform a third term abortion just because the woman doesn’t want to have a baby without it being an extenuating circumstance. Like Rape.

88% of abortions are done in the first term.10% Second.2% third.Your talking about a very small % of abortions.Like you said. The late terms have to be medically approved.So if Sarah Palin wanted to have an abortion after she knew her baby would be born with problems then she would have to go see one of these doctors with an approval from her own doctor.So as usual the right are totally confused on the issue.MoeLarryAndJesus:They believe the lies they have told themselvesor like most Republicans they are just ignorant to the facts.You can’t find a doctor to perform a third term abortion just because the woman doesn’t want to have a baby without it being an extenuating circumstance. Like Rape.

While true, something being statistically small or insignificant never stopped anything from becoming a hugely partisan political issue designed to rally the various troops.

While true, something being statistically small or insignificant never stopped anything from becoming a hugely partisan political issue designed to rally the various troops.

it’s worth noting that even in the case of rape and incest, the woman usually would’ve had the abortion way, way before the third trimester. Most women, if they find out that they’re carrying their rapist’s child, want it out of them instantly.

it’s worth noting that even in the case of rape and incest, the woman usually would’ve had the abortion way, way before the third trimester. Most women, if they find out that they’re carrying their rapist’s child, want it out of them instantly.

And I believe Sarah found out in the 2nd, not third semester. And I don’t know enough about the paramaters, but I don’t think *only* Down Syndrome would qualify. Every story I’ve heard, it’s been that the mother would die or (though often and) the child would have zero quality of life. If it even lived.Question for someone who knows more about this: if you’re in your 7th month and carrying to term would endanger your life, and the fetus was otherwise healthy, would they perform a late-term abortion, or deliver the child and hope for the best? My gut tells me the latter, but I’m curious.

And I believe Sarah found out in the 2nd, not third semester. And I don’t know enough about the paramaters, but I don’t think *only* Down Syndrome would qualify. Every story I’ve heard, it’s been that the mother would die or (though often and) the child would have zero quality of life. If it even lived.Question for someone who knows more about this: if you’re in your 7th month and carrying to term would endanger your life, and the fetus was otherwise healthy, would they perform a late-term abortion, or deliver the child and hope for the best? My gut tells me the latter, but I’m curious.

I would really love to someone to show me proof of a woman who just got bored and got a (legal) late term abortion. Given the scarcity of doctors performing them, I find it hard to believe it’s ever happened.

I would really love to someone to show me proof of a woman who just got bored and got a (legal) late term abortion. Given the scarcity of doctors performing them, I find it hard to believe it’s ever happened.

OT, and my apologies: Bob, to where did the Goddamn descriptor of your blog vanish? I have never found your work merely “awesome.” It’s rightly, proudly, GODDAMNED AWESOME!Someone please enlighten a soul fumbling in the dark!

OT, and my apologies: Bob, to where did the Goddamn descriptor of your blog vanish? I have never found your work merely “awesome.” It’s rightly, proudly, GODDAMNED AWESOME!Someone please enlighten a soul fumbling in the dark!

Having worked in a OB/GYN office I can tell you from experience there is NO such thing as a simple abortion. PERIODThird Trimester procedures are never performed for anyone without medical referal. Not to mention the fact that very few Doctors actually perfom the procedure.There is no greater tragedy than delivering a still-born fetus. I found it to be the most humbling experience I’ve ever had in life.As a male, I’ve lost a child to an ectopic pregnancy and subsequent abortion. Fortunately I now have two beautiful children that bring joy to me each and every day. I will however, never forget my families experience. Most importantly having been in the room many times as a woman underwent the D&C procedure, no one should ever get between a woman and her choice.Abortions should solely be up to the individuals personally affected by their decision. As a Minister, I’ve counseled many women that as a matter of faith, we can only help by being there to support them in their time of need. Whatever that need proves to encompass.Ultimately, the choice should only be one between the Doctor, the patient and the significant other. The only place for Religion is in whatever the outcome of that decision proves to be.

Having worked in a OB/GYN office I can tell you from experience there is NO such thing as a simple abortion. PERIODThird Trimester procedures are never performed for anyone without medical referal. Not to mention the fact that very few Doctors actually perfom the procedure.There is no greater tragedy than delivering a still-born fetus. I found it to be the most humbling experience I’ve ever had in life.As a male, I’ve lost a child to an ectopic pregnancy and subsequent abortion. Fortunately I now have two beautiful children that bring joy to me each and every day. I will however, never forget my families experience. Most importantly having been in the room many times as a woman underwent the D&C procedure, no one should ever get between a woman and her choice.Abortions should solely be up to the individuals personally affected by their decision. As a Minister, I’ve counseled many women that as a matter of faith, we can only help by being there to support them in their time of need. Whatever that need proves to encompass.Ultimately, the choice should only be one between the Doctor, the patient and the significant other. The only place for Religion is in whatever the outcome of that decision proves to be.

Sorry for ranting guy’s, but it pisses me off everytime this subject comes up. I started working for the OB when I was 15 years old(summer work program).As you get older, you realize, that no outside entity should ever have a say in this very personal decision. Somehow the Supreme court got it right, but it didn’t happen until I think 1972?37 years later the Christian Right is still trying to justify what many of them have hypocritically done themselves.

Sorry for ranting guy’s, but it pisses me off everytime this subject comes up. I started working for the OB when I was 15 years old(summer work program).As you get older, you realize, that no outside entity should ever have a say in this very personal decision. Somehow the Supreme court got it right, but it didn’t happen until I think 1972?37 years later the Christian Right is still trying to justify what many of them have hypocritically done themselves.

J: in the seventh month, I think they’d perform a c-section. I know babies can survive with relatively little difficulty from the 23rd week on.Allin: what was your job in the OB/GYN office? My mom works in a NICU ward.

J: in the seventh month, I think they’d perform a c-section. I know babies can survive with relatively little difficulty from the 23rd week on.Allin: what was your job in the OB/GYN office? My mom works in a NICU ward.

Quite simply, they are few in number because so few can afford them. Most insurance plans won’t cover it.

I can’t imagine anyone actually wanting an abortion after the baby starts moving around. It’s just not normal.And one more thing: I believe the majority of the first trimester abortions are for financial reasons. If we had a better social safety net (and most importantly, universal health care) you would see the abortion rate drop dramatically. One in seven is without health insurance. How can you expect to deliver a healthy baby without expensive medical care?

@cynicalgirl: true, but I think it’s less about the cost of pre natal care. Barring problems, you can do pretty well on your own Frankly, many women cannot afford the time off work for a doctor’s visit, or the rest time required after giving birth, even if they were to choose adoption. Six weeks of unpaid leave is untenable. One week of unpaid leave is untenable.

While I enjoy reading Sullivan, I do think he is condescending and a bit sexist regarding women. I do appreciate that he is evaluating his views on abortion now that he has new information.

Late term abortions, while horific, are done only for very specific medical reasons. It is not just something any woman can do on a whim like FOX, etc. likes to proclaim. They simply are lying and that is what makes me say that yes Bill O’Reilly you must take responsability because you are not representing the truth. And while we are on the subjest of accuracy… Pro-Choice is NOT the same thing as Pro-Abortion. Why does FOX always call it pro-abortion. I am NOT pro-abortion. I think it should only be used in extreme cases. I am for a woman who fids herself in one of those extremes cases having a choice.

I just love all these guys who agonize over how and when women should have abortions. Statistically, the chances of them having to deliberate having an abortion themselves are still pretty slim. Late term abortions are generally to save the mother’s life, as in cases of eclampsia. and/or where the child’s health is no longer an issue (death or anencephaly, etc.). Guys, get over abortion and start worrying about prostate cancer, OK?