Abortion in the Media

 

By Babette Francis - Used with permission.

On 12 July 2012 The Drum Opinion (ABC online) published an article by Jane Gleeson-White titled "My womb is not terra nullius". Jane is an author with degrees in literature and economics. In her article Jane lauded the actions of a woman known as "Anonymous" who took photos of her own abortion and published them on the internet to show the world how safe and easy it was. Jane also praised Caitlin Moran, British broadcaster, who had an abortion after having two daughters and who claimed she had no regrets.

This was my rejoinder to these feminist outpourings, which I titled "A Woman's Best Friend":

I like the title of Jane Gleeson-White's article, "My womb is not terra nullius". Pregnancy imposes a "Mabo"-type decision - the womb is occupied and no one has a right to eject its primitive inhabitant any more than Europeans had a right to eject Aborigines because they regarded them as "primitive".

I wish "Anonymous" who took photos of her abortion had taken photos of her "product of conception" and displayed for all to see how the nurses examined this "product" to ensure it was complete with limbs, skull, spine etc. so that no part was retained and likely to cause a problem.

If only "Anonymous" and Jane would show us the ultrasounds of their not-terra-nullius wombs and its primitive inhabitants" beating hearts - like our non-primitive hearts.... But they are reluctant to view - or let us view - such pictures. Come on, Jane, let's see an ultrasound of your fetus - let us say "Goodbye", as we will not get to say "Hello".

Well the deeds are done and "Anonymous" and Jane have shown they are indeed masters (or is it "mistresses"?) of their wombs, uncontrolled by God, guys or the Government. But Iwould like to know what Caitlin Moran, who Jane quotes as calmly having two abortions after having two daughters, will tell these daughters about their missing sibling. Will she show them the photos taken by "Anonymous" and say 'see? That's how "calm" it was"? She can't keep secret from her daughters the disposal of their primitive sibling as this information is in the public domain. I am curious how they will react - polls in the USA show young people are more pro-life than the preceding generation - perhaps awareness of their missing siblings has influenced their views.

But the past is not another country - it affects the future. Studies in countries as different as Finland and California, show that women who have abortions are more likely to die in the years immediately following the abortions than women who give birth or were never pregnant. Accidents, suicide and homicide are potential causes of mortality.

And the studies linking abortion with breast cancer keep piling up even though our Cancer Councils prefer to look the other way. Here are four recent studies - from Turkey, China, the USA and Armenia:

1. Ozmen V, Ozcinar B, Karanlik H, Cabioglu N, Tukenmez M, et al. Breast cancer risk factors in Turkish women – a University Hospital based nested case control study. World J of Surg Oncol 2009;7:37. Available at: http://wjso.com/content/7/1/37.

2. Xing P, Li J, Jin F. A case-control study of reproductive factors associated with sub-types of breast cancer in Northeast China. Medical Oncology, e-publication online September2009. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19771534.

3. Dolle J, Daling J, White E, Brinton L, Doody D, et al. Risk factors for triple-negative breast cancer in women under the age of 45 years. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev

2009;18(4)1157-1166. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/download/Abortion_Breast_Cancer_Epid_Bio_Prev_2009.pdf

4. Khachatryan L, et al. Influence of diabetes mellitus type 2 and prolonged estrogen exposure on risk of breast cancer among women in Armenia. Health Care for Women Intl, no. 32 2011:953-971.

I hope "Anonymous", Caitlin and Jane have regular mammograms because they are at increased risk. What the Cancer Councils do not dispute is that the younger a woman is at her first full-term pregnancy, the more children a woman has, and the longer she breastfeeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer.

Then there is the mental health after abortion study by Dr. Priscilla Coleman in the British Journal of Psychiatry, a meta-analysis of previous publications involving the experiences of over a three quarters of a million women. She showed abortion significantly increases the risk of mental health problems particularly in the area of substance abuse, depression, and suicide and estimates that 10% of the mental health budget can be directly attributed to the treatment of complications of abortion.

The good news is research published in Age and Ageing, the scientific journal of the British Geriatrics Society, based on a community study of the inhabitants of Dubbo, NSW.

Researchers found there was an increase in mortality of all causes in later life in childless women while the more children women had, the more likely the women were to live for longer.

The study involved 1571 women aged 60 and over, who were followed for 16 years. The more children a woman had, the less likely she was to die during this time. Compared with women who were childless, death rates in women with two children were 17% lower. Death rates were 30% lower among women with five children, and 40% lower in those with six or more children. A baby can be a woman's best friend.

Moyra Shields has written an article calling for greater abortion services in Wagga, NSW. (ABC -'Women's group 'lifts lid' on abortion restrictions', Nov 4, 2011). 

The president of the management committee of the Wagga Wagga Women's Health Centre, Jan Roberts, said that girls and women having to travel for abortions was "costing individuals and the wider community". 

Ms Roberts also said that "Unless you've got financial backing, a support person to take a trip somewhere else away from town, have the knowledge, know where to go, know who to contact, you end up letting it go and then it becomes too late and that is the bulk of situations."  Although she has not provided any evidence that this is indeed true, Ms Roberts has 'hit the nail on the head' in talking about the lack of information and support made available. If women and girls struggle to find someone to drive them to an abortion clinic, how difficult must it be for them to find ongoing practical and emotional support to continue unplanned and challenging pregnancies! How many of the women/girls who do travel for abortions would keep their babies if Wagga offered excellent support services? 

Ms Roberts says "the reality is many young women are being landed with unwanted pregnancies" - but she should be saying "unsupported pregnancies", which is closer to the mark. A phrase from Feminists for Life comes to mind ..that "Abortion is a reflection that the needs of women are not being met." 

The New South Wales Minister for Women, Pru Goward, said that "if the community wants more terminations offered locally, it needs to speak up because there should be a choice". She then goes on to describe the "pretty obvious answers" for the Wagga community: "Talk to them about options, about contraception, their right to say no"; "Talk to them about the wonderful opportunities that are available for young women and the fact that you can leave parenthood until you're in your 20s"; and "If there's no termination service in Wagga, that's something the community's really got to take ownership of and demand a change in". Interestingly, she does not make a single mention of offering pregnancy or parenting support to these girls, nor does she even mention the option of adoption. It is pretty clear what "choice" Ms Goward is all about. One would imagine that if offering "choice", Ms Goward would include a range of options.

In her statement that "teen pregnancies are particularly sad as the girls have many more years to choose to have children", Ms Goward reinforces the myth that girls become 'un-pregnant' and can put off having their babies until later. In fact, if they abort, they are still mothers - but of dead babies! 

Ms Goward also reinforces negative stereotypes surrounding "unacceptable" pregnancies, in this case teenage pregnancies. The following statements made by her (and others) are discriminating, dis-empowering and simply untrue! She said: that "To have them (babies) as teenagers when they get robbed of their own childhood"; "they deny themselves educational opportunities"; "when they often really struggle to be good mums, although many of them are good mums" (which is it?!!); "It is a very sad indictment of a community that can't offer those girls a better choice." ("Better "choice" for whom?!). She also said that "Life is not a dress rehearsal, you only get one chance at being young." Seriously, could Ms Goward be any more miserable and negative if she tried!??

One young Mum from the Riverina, Taylor, who was pregnant at seventeen said that it is unfair to make generalisations about teen Mums. She said that if Mums are to be judged, it should be on their individual merits...not that judging mothers is helpful anyway. "It is about who you are as a person". Taylor added that "My little boy has made my life amazing  - I love watching him grow and the little milestones he has. It makes me feel I have achieved so much."

Ms Roberts also discriminates against those who, for religious (or other) reasons exercise their right to practice medicine according to their conscience. She made the following statements: "A large percentage of our medical practitioners are of various Christian persuasions who will not perform these operations"; "In our public system we have the same issue. Even nursing staff are given an option on whether to participate if a termination were to happen";and "So to me it is a stranglehold of the Catholic Church on our services in Wagga."

Interestingly, according to Ms Roberts, the right to "choice" only applies if you are her side of the abortion debate. 

As can be seen from yet another pro abortion article, the rhetoric has not changed. "Choice" being discussed, but with only abortion being promoted, reference to religion and the "stranglehold" of the Catholic Church,  more negative stereotypes about teenagers wasting their youth and again...no mention what abortion procedures entail or of babies. 

Life Network Australia maintains that "Women (babies and families) deserve better than abortion" (Feminists for Life, U.S), that "Abortion hurts women" and that girls/women are strong and courageous and are capable of great things, even under challenging circumstances. 

I sent the following letter to the ABC, to Ms. Goward, to the Attorney General of NSW and to my local and federal Members of Parliament:

"Hi,
As the 'Women's Council' representative for the Liberal Party of the
Deniliquin Branch (Riverina), I wish to respond to the ABC's recent article
in which there is a call for abortion services in Wagga, and insist that Ms
Goward's pro abortion comments do not represent the view of the local Liberal
Party members, or of the Riverina community. In fact, there is a very strong
pro life movement within the Riverina, with active pro life groups based in
Deniliquin and Albury.

As a Liberal Party member and a mother of five, I find Ms Goward's comment 
about teenagers "only having one shot at being young", to be grossly
discriminatory and inappropriate - supporting negative stereotypes around
"unacceptable pregnancies." In fact, I am extremely proud of the outstanding
job teen mothers do in our own community of Deniliquin.  All of the teenage
mothers I know personally do not regret their decision to have their
babies... and are fantastic mums!

I was disappointed to not read of Ms Goward calling for more pregnancy and
parenting support services, like Zoe Foundation Australia, which is based in
Mildura. This new initiative does not engage in the life/choice debate, but
recognises a strong need within the Sunraysia district, for girls to have
access to support, which simply is not available.

Indeed it is a lack of support in many regions of Australia, with girls
having to choose between their education, careers, partners, parents etc and
their babies that leaves these teens with no "choice" but to abort.

The article supported the myth that girls can put off becoming mothers until
a more convenient time, when in fact if they choose to abort, they are still
mothers - but of dead babies!

Wagga and the Riverina do not need greater access to abortion services, they
need state and local governments to acknowledge the courageous and
outstanding job teens (and other mums) do in having and raising their babies
and to support them to continue their education and employment
opportunities, should they choose to remain at school or get a job. Zoe
Foundation Australia, amongst other things, provides teen mums with
transport, baby and maternity items, support during labour - whatever they
need.

A study in Tasmania showed that the outcomes for teenage mums improved, 

as they adopted an attitude of responsibility and a drive to do well in life. Another recent collation of studies (meta
analysis) recently published in the British Journal of Psychiatry (Dr Priscilla Coleman) of some 900,000 women showed that abortion (compared to giving birth) dramatically increased problems of suicide, drug and alcohol
abuse, relationship breakdown, depression, self harm etc.

On behalf of the girls, women, families and babies of the Riverina, I reject
the call for greater abortion services in the Riverina and insist that our
teens (I have two) deserve better than abortion. I also call on Ms Gower to
keep her negative opinions about teenage motherhood to herself - a teen
pregnancy is not the end of a life, but the beginning of a new life (albeit
with challenges) with a baby.

Sonja Couroupis (address and phone number supplied).

Emily's Voice has created another beautiful 'Not Born Yet' advertisement. In the ad, Robin tells of her experience as a young university student who discovers she is pregnant and thinks her life is over... View here: http://notbornyet.com/ 

Channel 7 News has reported that there has been a backlash against anti abortion billboards on display in the western suburbs of Adelaide. The billboards were created by an unidentified individual and sponsored by a group 'Howgoodisthat'.
Gerda Jezuchowski reported that one of the billboards was removed because it "sensationalised the consequences of a medical procedure". 
South Australian Minister for the Status of Women, Gail Gago "took off her political hat" and offered her opinion, saying "I personally find the billboards to be offensive and most unhelpful to women" and that they are "arrogant and patronising to women".

Chelsea Lewis, policy officer of YWCA said "There's a whole range of circumstances why women choose to have abortions and they don't need this in their faces when they are making a decision that is their legal right".

With one in three Australian women having abortions in Australia, it is the most common female procedure. Therefore, it is important there is an ongoing conversation about abortion - why women have abortions, influences and the difficult circumstances women find themselves in. There is a lack of information about statistics, possible side effects, available support and about the procedure of abortion, that women are entitled to know. The pro abortion lobby are certainly not forthcoming with accurate information and need to be challenged. Burying our heads in the sand and not exploring these issues for women is what is "most unhelpful" to women. For this reason, Life Network Australia welcomes campaigns that put abortion 'back on the table' for discussion.

Both Ms Lewis and Ms Gago claim to advocate for women,(which they may genuinely believe they do with abortion) and run programs to fight domestic violence. American evidence shows that abortion goes hand in hand with domestic violence and that many women go through abortion feeling they have "no choice". The research also shows that for some, abortion is devastating, with long term consequences. Failure to acknowledge post abortion pain makes recovery near impossible.

Psychologist,  Dr Priscilla Coleman, has articles published in medical journals, about the impact of abortion on women and families. Dr. Coleman will be in Australia at the Real Choices Conference in Sydney in May 14 - 16. It would be advantageous for anyone working in women's health, mental health and politics to attend and get informed about abortion. Improved knowledge will inevitably result in better services and outcomes for women, families and communities.

Disturbingly, both Chelsea Lewis and Gail Gago fail to make any mention of those most affected by abortion, the unborn babies, and only refer to abortion in terms of a 'legal right' (which is incorrect as abortion is illegal in S.A) and in reference to the feelings of the mother.

Well known South Australian Pro life campaigner, Trevor Grace, offered his support to those running the billboard campaign, saying that they were entitled to express their concern about abortion.

Independent think tank Women’s Forum Australia welcomed Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s comments on abortion in the controversial Australian Women’s Weekly interview.

“I would like to see fewer abortions,” Mr Abbott said in the interview published yesterday.

Women’s Forum Australia Chairperson Katrina George said: “An estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in abortion”, according to Anglican Media, Melbourne. “Tony Abbott’s view about abortion is in line with most of the Australian community. Research shows that between 64 %-73% of Australians believe that the rate of abortion is too high. Tony Abbott is simply stating publicly what most Australians believe privately.”

Ms George welcomed renewed public debate about abortion: “Research shows that for many women abortion is not about choice. Financial pressures, uncaring or violent relationships, unsupportive work places, schools and universities drive many women to the abortion clinic.

Australian women need better information and support to freely make decisions about their pregnancies. The recent abolition of the National Pregnancy Support Helpline was disappointing.

 Women’s Forum Australia supports the new family-centred helpline due to be launched in July. But there’s an urgent need for access to independent and professionally trained pregnancy support counsellors who can give women real choices.”

Women's Forum Australia has a strong evidence-based approach to issues that have special impact on women. WFA believes that no woman should ever have to choose between her own welfare and that of her unborn child.  Their focus is on social policy initiatives that offer women genuine choices and restore their freedom to be mothers. Their research paper, Women and Abortion: an evidence based review, brings together research on the reasons why women seek abortion, and the effects of abortion on their lives.

Go to their website to join Women's Forum Australia, or to get your copy of Women and Abortion.

Tory Shepherd ('Abortion is an entirely legal right', The Advertiser, Sunday Mail, November 3, 2009) has demonstrated a lack of knowledge and research in the article (poorly) aimed at promoting the availability of abortion.
 
She makes the gross understatement that "ABORTION is not a good thing". In fact, abortion is a terrible, destructive, heart wrenching thing that leaves a fatality (baby), and often a grieving mother and sometimes family.

A health nurse from a NSW country town (who wishes to stay anonymous) stated that "With barely an exception, just about every  woman or girl who has had an abortion, comes out from anaesthetic sobbing".

This scenario does not come close to the description of  abortion being "an entirely legal right that, on balance increases the sum of happiness in the world by allowing choice" made by Ms. Shepherd.

She strongly argues for the concept of "choice" for women, then in the very next sentence shoots down the option of adoption stating that "it is not the role of women to produce babies for other people." Shows such as 'Find my Family' have shown us the benefits of adoption, where parents and their offspring have the opportunity to reconnect when situations change and improve - so much better than the abortion of a baby.

Ms Shepherd also states that "Women - and girls - come to abortion usually as a last resort." However she seems to be unaware that abortion is often the 'choice' of a significant other, such as a boyfriend or parent -many women and girls feel they have insufficient information or options presented to them to make an informed decision. In 1992, feminist Germaine Greer described abortion as "the last in a long line of non-choices."

In one sense (but not intended) Ms Shepherd's statement that "More often it (abortion) has psychological implications because it takes place in a judgmental society" is true. Sadly our society has adopted negative stereotypes that label women as being "too old", "too young", "have too many children already", "wrong partner" etc. These judgements are unhelpful, adding pressure for women/girls in difficult situations, facing unplanned pregnancies.
 
At no time has Ms. Shepherd even mentioned the need for greater emotional and practical support for women.
 
Bizarrely, Ms Shepherd compares the loss of a baby with "treading on ants"!! Any mother, father and family who has experienced the grief of a miscarriage does mourn a tragic death, as do their supportive friends. Is it so surprising that post abortive women also describe feelings of grief and depression? It is "the end of a possibility of a life".
 
Ms. Shepherd goes on to say that "Most abortions happen because of poor timing" - women are strong, capable and often underestimate their ability to thrive despite difficult circumstances. Unexpected timing (negative stereotyping would call it "poor timing" ) does not have to end in the tragedy of abortion. Many, many women describe the joy of having children that were "unplanned". The abortion industry worldwide has thrived on women (and men) underestimating their parenting abilities.

Unhelpful, negative stereotyping continues in the article... "Abortions are not the exclusive domain of reckless teenagers" and  "Mistakes happen at any age". Women of all ages deserve support and better options than abortion.
 
Statements such as "A significant number also happen because the pregnancy is a result of violence, or mental health problems" and "Some women - particularly young women and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds - just do not know enough about contraception" are also degrading to women, showing harsh judgement and a lack of compassion. 

Feminists for Life conducted research showing that in many cases of rape, women felt abortion was like a "second rape" and was often more traumatic than the original rape. Women in these challenging circumstances deserve better.
 
From there, Ms Shepherd begins speculating ...."They may live in a country town where it's embarrassing to buy condoms. They may not feel confident talking to parents or doctors about contraception." and "They may not be getting the information they need at school".  School programs such as 'Choices, Decisions, Outcomes' and 'Choices of Life' encourage wholesome values and principles (based on self respect), but are not as supported by various Australian Education Departments, who seem to prefer programs run by groups such as Family Planning, Marie Stopes and Children by Choice, all of whom are profitable abortion providers. Perhaps that is why it is "the very same people who squeal about comprehensive sex education in schools who are outraged by terminations".
 
The article seems to change tone from arguing for abortion and making harsh judgements, to stating that "our international students are having far too many abortions" and "This cannot be a pleasant experience for them. We need to work out how to bring that rate down" . ..."What rabid hypocrisy" ??
 
Ms Shepherd speculates again, stating that "many of whom are from countries where sex education is practically non-existent, that (abortion) rate could start to rise again".

"The rates of abortion have been decreasing in South Australia for the past decade. It's unlikely that people are having less sex. Chances are there are fewer abortions because there is better education" or could it be because abortions are not accurately recorded? The lack of transparency of Health Departments regarding abortion statistics makes it hard to draw any conclusions. We do know that the (surgical) abortion rate of Australia is equivalent to aborting the population of Adelaide in 10 years!

Ms. Shepherd's 'CONCEPTIONS AND MIS- CONCEPTIONS'  .

Q: Does abortion cause future fertility problems?
A: Very rarely. Most women immediately return to their pre-pregnancy fertility level.
The Truth about abortion is here.
A comprehensive evaluation of over 160 recently published research papers on aspects of abortion relating to women’s health and wellbeing revealed a long list of abortion-related physical and psychological risks.

Physical risks:

• There appear to be more deaths from all causes, including suicide and homicide, after abortion, compared with childbirth.
• Abortion is associated with a variety of significant physical risks, including premature delivery, infection (which may lead to infertility, particularly in the presence of genital infection), uterine perforation, placenta previa, and possibly miscarriage and low birth weight in future pregnancies.

Q: Does abortion cause emotional harm?
A: In some women, but most women have no long-lasting psychological consequences. Most women experience either benign or positive emotional consequences.
Truth:  Psychological harm:
Abortion results in short-term relief for most women, usually accompanied by negative emotions. Such relief tends to be transient.

• Ten to twenty percent of women suffer from severe negative psychological complications after abortion.
• Many more women experience emotional distress shortly after an abortion including sadness, loneliness, shame, guilt, grief, doubt and regret.
• Depression and anxiety are experienced by substantial numbers of women after abortion.
• Abortion triggers Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a small proportion of women.
• After abortion women have an increased risk of psychiatric problems.
• Women who have experienced abortion have an increased risk of substance abuse and self-harm particularly during a subsequent pregnancy.
• Abortion for foetal disability is particularly traumatic and can be psychologically damaging for women.
• Chemical abortion may have additional impacts on women’s psychological wellbeing.
 
The report also identified factors that put women at increased risk of psychological harm from abortion: for example, a lack of emotional and social support, ambivalence and difficulty making the decision to abort, relationship violence, and a history of psychiatric illness. This report can be purchased through Women’s Forum Australia.
 
Further information about the after affects of abortion can be found here.

Q: Does abortion cause breast cancer?
A: No. Some groups have tried to promote a link, but there is no evidence for this and the claim can cause unnecessary distress.
Truth:
MaterCare International state that: 
"Women have a basic right to know of this increased risk of breast cancer and it is unacceptable that the information should be denied to them by the medical and cancer research  establishments. MaterCare International as an organisation of women's health specialists  recognies its responsibilities in this matter and will do all it can to publish this evidence."

Medical Groups Recognizing Link

A list of medical organizations recognizing a link between abortion and breast cancer.

Q: Is adoption better than abortion?
A: It is a matter of choice, but is not the role of women to produce babies for other people.
Truth:
"Adoption arrangements are made focusing on the child’s best interests. This means that a priority is given to the family that best suits the child" (Gov. of S.A. information about adoption here).

Adoption is a far better option for the baby, to avoid risks to the mother (as previously discussed) and for the adoptive family. There are many more couples and families wanting to adopt than babies available for adoption.

Ms Shepherd's ArticleSource: The State Government's Pregnancy Advisory Centre. 
 
Ms Shepherd has presented the  misinformation, inconsistencies, judgements and negative stereotyping that have become the trademarks of the pro abortion lobby, used to undermined the abilities and confidence of women and parents. Women, their babies and families deserve better than abortion, they require and deserve positive support, information and genuine options.

Life Network Australia Inc.
www.lifenetwork.org.au