Late Line
reported that a woman is in a critical condition in Box Hill (Melbourne), following a late term abortion of her 24 week old unborn baby. The patient is in intensive care after experiencing organ failure.
According to the report, the owner and physician of the clinic, Dr. Mark Schulberg, who is known as "Australia's late term abortion specialist", has faced the Medical Board of Australia. He told Late Line that "the patient had a serious previous existing condition and that the abortion had nothing to do with her current state of health. "
Late Line also revealed that it was at Dr. Schulberg's clinic that an anaethetist allegedly infected some 40 patients with Hepatitis C, between 2008 and 2009.
Pro life organisations argue that abortion hurts women, and although it is the most common female procedure, it is also the most under-regulated. The current abortion legislation does not require physicians, such as Dr. Schulberg, to warn of such risks to women, nor is there any requirement to explain just what the procedure entails.
Well known for her support of abortion, Dr. Caroline De Costa conceded that late term procedures are risky, with the possibility of hemorrhaging, admission to hospital and the requirement of pain relief. Dr. De Costa also said that late term abortions are done because of a "Diagnosis of a severe abnormality in the child, often incompatible with life or incompatible with the quality of life that is acceptable to the parents" and "sometimes because the mother has developed a medical condition during pregnancy, which is being exacerbated by the pregnancy continuing. It is usually done for a major medical indication".
In defending the practice, some doctors argue that these are rare cases and usually done for extreme abnormalities. Doctor Lachlan De Crespigny also made these
claims, but they were shown by a Victorian Health Department Report to be inaccurate - the report revealed that over half of the babies aborted late term were in fact, healthy babies. The most recent Victorian Health Department report (2008) reveals that some 178 of the 328 late term abortions were performed for 'psycho social' reasons - see information following this article.
It is alarming that doctors appear to be more willing to expose women to the risks of late term abortion, rather than referring women for support. Many of us, including those with disabilities, take exception to the notion that a babies life is measured by the "quality of life acceptable to the parents". Dr. De Costa has effectively admitted that the practice of eugenics is 'alive and well' in Australia.
For babies who are "incompatible with life", it seems bizarre that doctors would add the trauma of a barbaric abortion procedure, to a baby who is already terminal and to his/ her parents.
It is questionable just what "Medical conditions exacerbated during pregnancy" warrant an abortion?
Surely excellent medical care (and practical support) for the mother and the baby (rather than abortion) is a priority?
A young pregnant friend attended a hospital in Melbourne for extreme morning sickness, but eventually had an abortion. She was informed by her doctor that if she wanted to have another baby, she should get private medical cover to receive the care she needed.
This statement by Dr. De Costa (and the experience of my friend) raises serious questions about abortion being offered as second rate 'treatment' for medical conditions.
The greatest injustice of this whole tragic situation is that in this instance it is possible that there will be two fatalities. The twenty four week old baby, like all other late term babies who are aborted, endured two days of excruciating pain (no anaesthetic required by Victorian law). While Victorian law recognises the rights of the mother - who is receiving excellent hospital care, her dead baby remains ignored by law, discarded by our society and another victim of our violent abortion industry.
While refusing to go into the details of the case, Victorian Health Minister, David Davis stated that the public would be concerned. Surely the public has the right to know the grizzly details of such horrific late term abortion procedures, which have
increased by 600% at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne (since the Victorian abortion law reform in 2008), with staff reportedly traumatised.
A doctor friend described role playing as part of her medical training some years ago. The assignment was to warn a patient of the risks of any procedure. She began to describe the many possible and serious side affects of an abortion procedure - she was abruptly interrupted by her mentor and advised that "You do not warn of the risks of abortion".
Dr. David Grundman was interviewed some years ago on 60 Minutes and refused to describe a late term abortion procedure to the public. Surely, with one mother's life in the balance - and yet another dead baby, the media will now describe just what this procedure entails.
Late Line stated that "The Medical Board of Australia is investigating the case and is yet to reach a conclusion." Life Network Australia concludes that abortion continues to hurt babies, women and families.
Related Information:
The
Herald Sun (Aug 26, 2011) reported that
- " The Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity 2008 annual report released last week shows there were 328 late term abortions that year, 178 of which were performed on women for ''psychosocial'' reasons.
- "The other abortions were performed because of congenital abnormalities. "
- "Sixty-five of the psychosocial abortions were performed on women under 20 years of age."
- "One hundred and eight women who had psychosocial abortions travelled from interstate or overseas, where few doctors are willing to perform the procedure."
- "At least two of the psychosocial abortions were performed on women more than 7 months pregnant."
- "The figures were slightly down on 2007, which recorded 345 late term abortions, 164 for psychosocial reasons".
(This last statistic seems inconsistent with Channel Seven's Report of the 600% increase in late term abortions at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne).
