Sorry, The Ryan, I have to say that I don’t really understand where it is that you’re finding inconsistencies in Scylla’s posts. His opinions don’t seem that difficult to understand, as far as I can tell. And, FWIW, it’s probably the most logical and open-minded opinion on the matter I’ve heard.
I am vehemently pro-choice (during the first trimester). When I discovered I was pregnant, there was no question in my mind about whether or not I wanted to/was able to give birth. I chose to bear and raise my son. Another person, for whatever reason, is entitled to have the same right to choose, whatever their choice may be.
The reasons for limiting options to the first trimester are simple; after the first 12 weeks, the procedure is riskier, and poses a even greater threat to the mother (and hence, also a risk to the doctor and his clinic/hospital). Also, to reiterate what Scylla said, the fetus is fully formed by the 12th week(note that “formed” and “developed” are two entirely different creatures). This makes it less “a group of cells” and more “a baby.” I realize that this is basically semantics, but there is a true difference in the emotions behind the two.
AFAIC, a partial-birth abortion is only justified if there is a serious medical difficulty (with either the mother or the child). An early-pregnancy abortion is, IMHO, not up for debate. It is the woman’s right to choose.
[Mostly-unrelated personal rant follows]
I tend to disbelieve anyone who claims she “doesn’t know” she’s pregnant till after the twelfth week. I realize that all pregnancies are different, but let’s be honest…if you’re SO out of touch with your body that, for three months, you can’t tell that there’s something new in it, you really ought not to be practicing unsafe sex (unless you’re ok with getting pregnant.)
Many women don’t instantly experience amenorrhea (absence of menses), which is the most common signal that one might be pregnant, however, one might notice if:
–she has morning sickness
–she has to pee a lot
–her breasts are swollen/tingly/tender
–her nipples/areolae begin to appear darker
–the glands around her nipples begin to elevate
–she notices blue and/or pink lines under the skin on her breasts (and possibly her abdomen)
–she begins having uncommon food cravings (such as a constant desire for fruits and veggies, particularly oranges or tomatoes, as the early pregnancy often desires vitamin C)
–and so on
–emotional and psychological symptoms, such as shorter temper, easy upset, absentmindedness, etc.
Perhaps the obvious sign of absent periods may not be present, but at least one of the others will be. Perhaps her period is there, but it’s less voluminous or shorter in duration than normal. In any case, if it takes three months for a woman to realize that there is something different about her body, then said woman really needs to defer to her physician to help her learn how to take care of it.
[/JMO…obviously not really relevant to OP, but had to get it out anyway. Sorry, Magdelene.]
