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Igor Chudov's avatar

It is highly regrettable that abortion, which is a complicated and sometimes dangerous medical procedure, a family planning tool, a population control tool (preventing some births with known fetal abnormalities), sometimes a medical tool (if the mother has certain health problems) is discussed with such fervor, toxicity and hate on both sides.

My dream is being able to discuss it with some compassion, understanding of many circumstances, and yet ALSO respect for the young life being carried, and for the complexity of intersecting interests.

Do the mother's interests matter? Yes

Is the unborn child a child? Yes

How to balance it? That's a hard question. But do NOT shy away from it.

A world with no abortions, or a world with no regard for life of the child, would be a mean world.

Unfortunately, abortion is a wedge issue, useful to exploit politically for both parties and their sponsors, so it will remain a toxic topic.

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Brandon is not your bro's avatar

Excellent paper from a spiritual, emotional and physical level. As an obstetrician, these discussions are encountered on a daily basis. I have never in my career nor as a resident done an abortion. There are so many stories from an infection from a metal clothes hanger to a woman who delivered, and 4 weeks later decided to put enough dirt down her baby’s mouth and soffocate him. To a young gal who knew she couldn’t raise the baby and I coordinated the adoption. Another incident where, during the csection the girl crying finally said her father did this to her. You try, as a physician to navigate these social issues the best you can and take them home with me , hoping and praying that God has given me (or any physician) , the wisdom to help your patients and honor the oath you took. These times we live in are so politicized that nativigating through them have been terrifying for me . I loved my job but no longer happy I picked this specialty. I pray that someday, when I am judged I always advised my patients appropriately. Thanks amidwesterndoctordoctor and Tritorch for your enlightened and heartfelt discussions.

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