When we hear the phrase “late term abortion”, what exactly comes to mind? Probably not a story like this one.
by Mauve Maude
October 15, 2020
Michigan Senator Gary Peters made news this week when he became the first U.S. Senator to share a personal abortion story, detailing the impossible decisions he and his wife were forced to make when suffering a life-threatening miscarriage.
His story then inspired a young Texas mother to share hers as well. On Facebook, Haylie Grammer detailed the complicated and immensely painful decision process she and her husband went through, after their first child developed a devastating tumor in utero.
To summarize, though doctors were almost certain that their fetus would not survive, the Grammers continued with the pregnancy, hoping some medical intervention would save their daughter. But by the time they reached the age of fetal viability, at twenty-five weeks, their medical team decided that, due to their daughter’s condition, a post-birth intervention would not be successful. At this point, Haylie was also developing a life-threatening condition. And at twenty-seven weeks, when she would reach her third trimester, an elective Cesarean birth without subsequent medical intervention, considered a late term abortion, would not be allowed.
According to my research of current Texas law, it appears this would have been allowed “only if necessary to prevent death or substantial risk of serious impairment to woman’s physical or mental health, or if fetus has severe and irreversible abnormality.” Of course, this story is a few years old, and Mrs. Grammer’s life was in danger at twenty-five weeks. But also, a “private hospital or facility is not required to make their facilities available for an abortion unless M.D. determines mother’s life is immediately endangered.” It’s not clear here what the hospital’s policies were.
Nevertheless, at twenty-five weeks, with the proper paperwork signed and legal procedures followed, the Grammers were legally allowed the late term abortion they needed to be able to hold their daughter for the limited time she had.
Their story of late term abortion is one that can only be described as heartbreaking. And yet, it’s as medically unique as any other parent’s, and as any other pregnancy. It does not, however, fit the connotation most people have with late term abortion, or what’s more recently being called post-birth abortion. It seems worth asking why that is.
What do you think? I would like to hear from you, but you won’t find the typical Comments section here. If you have given the issue some thought or have an experience to share, please enter it here, or send your response to Maude@mauvereport.com. I would like to share viewpoints from all sides.
Photo originally posted by Haylie Grammer