The right not to know - One Woman's Ordeal with Texas' New Sonogram Law

[twitchy2.0]

Abortion description law worries doctors, politicians

By Letitia Stein, Times staff writer
Thursday, May 6, 2010


Requiring doctors to describe fetal development to women seeking abortions may make good politics. But physicians say it isn't good medicine.

"It's such a third-party intervention in the doctor-patient relationship," said Dr. Shayne Plosker, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida. "It's impinging on our rights and freedoms as Americans. There are very few things as personal to people as their health care and their relationship with their doctor."

As director of USF's in vitro fertilization program, Plosker spends his days helping couples conceive. He often uses ultrasound to monitor early fetal development, and usually can see a heart beat by around six weeks gestation. By eight weeks, a head is visible. The liver, stomach and bladder may be seen at weeks nine through 13.

Still, Plosker noted, the earliest a baby has a chance of surviving outside the womb, with medical assistance, is at 23 to 24 weeks.

Plosker does not perform abortions. But the legislation is so vague, he doesn't know what he is obligated to say, and he worries for parents whose fetus shows abnormalities. "To force that person who's already hurting and who's already having to make a difficult situation to look and hear a graphic explanation of what's going on, I find it repulsive and cruel," Plosker said.

Dr. Joshua Copel, a professor at Yale medical school and prenatal diagnostician who doesn't do abortions, opposes this kind of legislation. "The theme to these laws is either, doctors are convincing women to have abortions, or that women are not thinking seriously about the decision before they come to see us," he said. "Having counseled many women over many years, I really find that's not the case."

Rep. Ed Homan, R-Tampa, a physician and abortion opponent, voted against the measure, saying its purpose "wasn't to practice better medicine. It's an ideology issue.'' Some day, he said, liberals might be in charge and could impose their ideology.

"The bottom line is, don't go there,'' said Homan, an orthopedic surgeon at USF. "Just let doctors Practice medicine."

Abortion description law worries doctors, politicians - Tampa Bay Times


Same shit different state. Still wrong.

[sluce]

I am not up on the law but I don't understand why a law is passed to humiliate women. I thought the law was designed to protect women who did not have prenatal care prior to having an abortion.

I guess, like I said I'm not too informed about it. I just didn't like the way the woman wrote the original article. It seemed manipulative to me. Both sides of the debate resort to emotional arguments when they are making their case. To me it's more offensive, as you say, for women to be treated as if they can't make a decision. I don't mind the option of having the information given to the woman. But she should be able to decline. The part where the law says the woman is forced to hear it is wrong. I thought the doctor was just required to "say it." That would be a different law IMO But forcing a woman to hear it is bullshit.

Yet you insist on arguing your point when in fact it is an uneducated point.
Please don't feed it anymore guys. Do not give it attention for being ill-informed.

[lurkur]

This is what I found. It seems that this woman was not legally required to hear the description due to the exception made for "fetal abnormality"




Court allows Texas law on ultrasound before abortion | Reuters

In other words, you didn't even read the article that you are criticizing as too emotional. Maybe I should provide you with a sonogram of the article so you can make an informed choice.

You don't even know the law, and you don't even know the article, but here you are telling us what we should think about it. lolz

[sluce]

Monk has been this way before. Please do not give it any attention.

[greysfang]

[sluce]

I'd like a piece of that.

[Mel1973]

no cake for YOU!

[sluce]

Did someone say something? All I see is:

[Mel1973]

whore!

[MontanaMama]

Because of your beetafesto yesterday, I had to go out and buy some nice sunny yellow beets to roast for my salad last night. Thank you. Delightful!

[greysfang]

Dislike.

[Mel1973]

Because of your beetafesto yesterday, I had to go out and buy some nice sunny yellow beets to roast for my salad last night. Thank you. Delightful!

boooooooooooo

[twitchy2.0]

Boo-urns!

I love beets.

[sluce]

I would never abort a beet - no matter deformed it may be.

[greysfang]

Unvouch.