By Curt_Anderson May 10, 2022 2:28 pm Category: Medical (0.0 from 0 votes) Rules of the Post Write A New Article How To Post Here Rate this article (5=best, 0=poor)

Yesterday, I had a conversation with one of my doctor pals about the Supreme Court decision that's apparently coming. He was not happy with the characterization of doctors by the anti-choice crowd which he considers calumny. My other doctor friends are equally incensed. In particular the way the anti-choice crowd tells it, many women are walking into the doctors' office and capriciously requesting abortions in their ninth month. According to them doctors are blithely obliging their request. NPR reports that the 90% of abortions are performed within the first trimester.

The implication is that doctors are an unethical bunch needing laws to rein them in. As I said, my doctor pal considers that an aspersion on his profession.

In fact, doctors will only perform late term abortions because it is deemed medically necessary--like all medical decision that doctors must make.

I once asked one of my friends what the importance of AMA guidelines are, as they are not laws but merely guidelines. He explained that when doctors don't follow AMA guidelines and something goes wrong--the patient dies or is injured somehow--they are wide open to lawsuits. Even when doctors do their job properly things happen and patients can become litigious. That the doctor followed AMA guideline is very good defense, while departing from AMA guidelines leaves doctors open to being sued or worse.

Regarding abortions, the AMA guidelines allow doctors to perform late-term abortions only when they are deemed medically necessary. Any doctor who performs an unnecessary late-term abortion is putting themselves in legal jeopardy.

Comments Start Below

by HatetheSwamp on May 10, 2022 2:57 pm You're going to have to flood me with quotes before I believe an effin word. by Donna on May 10, 2022 4:29 pm Hts, are you opposed to all abortions that are performed during fetal viability, or do you believe there can exist valid exceptions? by HatetheSwamp on May 10, 2022 4:45 pm To protect the life of the mother. The bottom line, practically speaking, in the real world, is difficult for me. by islander on May 10, 2022 5:28 pm Curt, Vermont's laws are like a number of states with no restrictions on abortion. It closely follows the WHPA rules. "Late term” abortion is a social construct introduced to create an image of an abortion that happens closer to 8-9 months, which does not happen and is not a term that is used medically. There are no third trimester abortion providers in Vermont. “Late term” abortions typically refer to abortions that take place above 20 weeks gestational age. Currently, there are only 2 providers who provide abortion services above 20 weeks in this state and they practice at a hospital which offers services up to 23 weeks. There are no abortion services available for patient’s seeking termination past 23 weeks in Vermont (with a few rare exceptions at one hospital for significant threats to maternal or fetal health)" legislature.vermont.gov by Donna on May 10, 2022 5:29 pm It's difficult for me, too, Hts. It's more difficult for women considering abortions, though. Yesterday I had a conversation with a close friend about the abortion issue. She herself underwent an abortion many years ago before I knew her. She had been taking a prescription medication before she found out that she was pregnant. Her doctor advised her to abort because that medication was known to cause birth defects. After careful consideration, she followed her doctor's advise. by HatetheSwamp on May 10, 2022 5:34 pm That's tough and, certainly, heartbreaking. Over the years, Evie and I have had hypothetical conversations about situations such as that. She would have almost certainly given birth and I would have supported her. And prayed for grace and mercy. by Donna on May 11, 2022 8:01 am I don't think anyone knows what they'd do unless they were actually in that situation. Go To Top

Find old posts & articles

Show Most Recent Articles Articles by category: Politics+ Religion+ Law & Crime Military News Media History Health Sports+ Humor Entertainment Misc.

Report spam & abuse SelectSmart.com home page