If women were given financial, educational, work, social and medical support, most would probably keep their babies. It’s a question of fairness and equity.
“This Thanksgiving Weekend is a good time to reflect on our gratitude for our lives and the lives of our friends, family and neighbors and this includes mothers who have faced different challenges in pregancy.”
A 2005 study published by the Guttmacher Institute, asked American women to list the different reasons they decided to abort their pre-born baby. Most provided more than one response. 73 % listed financial concerns whether married or single. 74% we’re concerned that having a baby would significantly change their life including loss of education and career opportunities. Almost half had relationship challenges. 14% of their partners wanted the abortion. 13% in the survey expressed concerns about the possible health of the future baby. 1% we’re concerned about their own health. https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/pubs/psrh/full/3711005.pdf
Dr. Saba states the following: “One of my patients, a single woman in her 30s with a low paying job discovered she was pregnant. Some of her friends encouraged her to abort because of her limited financial resources and another young child she was already caring for. Her boyfriend threatened to leave the relationship if she didn’t proceed with the abortion. Despite financial pressures, the father’s refusal to help and risk of losing the relationship, she decided to continue her pregnancy and recently delivered a beautiful daughter who is her joy.”
In the book ” Made to Live” madetolivel.com, the story of Dr. Saba’s daughter Jessica highlights the challenges parents face bringing into the world children with possible health disabilities. Prior to her birth at 20 and 24 weeks, ultrasounds demonstrated that Jessica had a severe cardiac abnormality. Dr. Saba and his wife Marisa were also informed that Jessica was probably a Down’s baby. They were encouraged to consider abortion which they refused. Marisa stated that if God allowed them a child with a disability, He would also equip them to take care of our child. She was even asked how aggressively the medical team should intervene after the birth of Jessica if there were problems regarding her survival. His wife courageously answered “I’ve done everything to bring the baby to this point, I expect you to do everything to save my baby.” madetolive.com
Because of amazing medical care and support at the Montreal Children’s hospital, today Jessica is a beautiful, bright, and articulate 13 year old teenager, according to Dr. Saba.
Abortion goes against the Judeo-Christian ethics of medicine based on the Good Samaritan model. This has been the bedrock of modern medicine for centuries. The Good Samaritan model ensures medical care and support for life no matter what the cost. This was enshrined in the teachings of Sir William Osler who is considered as the father of modern medicine and medical ethics. He was a graduate and Professor of Medicine of McGill University and the Montreal General Hospital. He also helped found Johns Hopkins Medical School. Dr. Osler’s story and medical philosophy is further detailed in Dr. Saba’s book “Made to Live.”
One of the arguments utilized by abortion advocates are the financial costs that poorer women cannot afford during or after birthing their babies and the extra economic costs to governments.
