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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSavita Had a Heartbeat, Too (re: the woman who died after being denied an abortion)
Savita Had a Heartbeat, Tooby Shivana Jorawar, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum
November 27, 2012
For days now, Ive been putting myself in Savita Halappanavars shoes. Im expecting. Seventeen weeks in, piercing pain sends me to the hospital. For three days, Im miscarrying. Theres no hope for my child and my own health is fading. For three days, Im in physical agony and doctors refuse my pleas to terminate the pregnancy to save my life. The child wont survive, but there is a "heartbeat" and doctors fear terminating will violate my countrys laws. The unthinkable happens.
The tragedy that ended Savitas life put a human face on the abortion issue. People are demonstrating in droves and even the Indian government is pressuring Ireland to change its laws. One demonstrator held a placard reading, Savita had a heartbeat, too.
For many of us, the disregard for womens human rights in the name of religion just became personal. When I see Savitas face, I cant help thinking that she looks like me and, like me, was educated and could afford health carebut she still suffered this indefensible fate. Everyone knew the child could not survive, but that Savita could with proper care.
What does it say about a society when it leaves a woman to die in the name of life?
The rest: http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/article/2012/11/27/she-had-heartbeat-too%E2%80%94remembering-savita-halappanavar
GiaGiovanni
(1,247 posts)@
GoneOffShore
(17,342 posts)pansypoo53219
(21,004 posts)PATXgirl
(192 posts)And the doctors felt it wasn't a viable pregnancy because of several issues. She had severe cramping in both her back and abdomen. They were worried that it was either ectopic or cervical pregnancy since it didn't show up on ultrasound.
However, because the growth hormone levels were still increasing, the doctor would not perform a DNC. He said that would be tantamount to an abortion and every year he has to sign an affadavit for Medicaid that he doesnt perform abortions.
And because the pregnancy did not show up on an ultrasound, the abortion clinic wouldn't perform an abortion.
So for several days, this woman had to wait, in pain and filled with anxiety, running up a hospital bill she can't afford and missing work The laws are just stupid.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Really puts the whole choice "debate" into perspective.
mysuzuki2
(3,521 posts)BadgerKid
(4,559 posts)IMO this reads as "heartbeat" supercedes triage and common sense. Guess it's one point in favor of adopting.
mainer
(12,031 posts)It makes me cry.
ismnotwasm
(42,019 posts)What poignant words "Savita had a Heartbeat, too"