Coping With an Unintended Pregnancy
Facing an unintended pregnancy can be emotional and stressful, even if you have adequate support. It’s important that you approach decision-making with a clear mind, as you explore your options and discuss the future of your unborn child. Here are a few tips for coping with an unintended pregnancy. You’ve taken a pregnancy test and it’s positive—what now? While at-home pregnancy tests are accurate the majority of the time, it is important to get confirmation with a blood test. Before panicking and making any impulsive decisions, schedule an appointment with your doctor to confirm your pregnancy. It is common to feel angry, sad, stressed, or ashamed when faced with an unintended pregnancy. You may even be fearful of sharing the news with others. These are normal human emotions to experience as you navigate sudden life transitions. Therefore, it’s important to give yourself grace as you process this news. During this time, speak with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor who can help you process your emotions. Your mental health can affect your physical health, so prioritize your mental well-being.
The History of Safe Haven Baby Boxes
For women facing unintended pregnancies, fear and urgency may cause them to make impulsive decisions. In 2016, Safe Haven Baby Boxes was established to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborn babies and assist women in crisis. Here’s a brief history on Safe Haven Baby Boxes and its founder Monica Kelsey: How It All Began As an infant, Monica Kelsey was adopted by a couple in Ohio—but that’s not where her story began! Monica’s birth mother was 17 when she was brutally attacked, raped, and left to die on the side of the road. After becoming pregnant by her perpetrator, she was convinced an abortion was the best option due to her circumstances and trauma. When it was time to have the procedure, she began having second thoughts and fled the facility. Out of shame and fear, she lived the remainder of her pregnancy in seclusion before abandoning Monica just two hours after delivery.
Explaining the “Spark of Life” at Conception
In recent years, scientists have discovered there is a flash of light at the moment of conception. Many people believe this is a “spark of life.” Why does this occur? We explain the science behind this “spark of life” at conception and what it could mean for fetal rights: What is this spark? For many years, scientists had only observed a spark of light at conception in animal reproduction. In 2011, scientists at Northwestern University discovered a spark at fertilization in mice eggs. They later observed human eggs and found that the same reaction occurred. So, what caused this spark of light? With new fluorescent sensors, scientists were able to identify the cause of this reaction: zinc. These sensors showed thousands of zinc compartments within the eggs. Upon fertilization, the sperm enzyme activated the egg, causing calcium levels to rise which triggered the release of zinc. This explosion of sorts lasted for up to two hours after fertilization.
Resources for New Parents
Becoming a parent is already a little scary and intimidating without the financial burdens of supporting a new life. However, there is emotional and financial support out there for new and expecting parents. We’ve compiled a list of healthcare, housing, food, and material assistance for those in need. Here are a few incredible resources for new parents: Healthcare Assistance Pregnant women and babies require extensive medical attention. Without insurance, the cost of healthcare is burdensome. Fortunately, our federal and state governments offer Medicaid. This program provides healthcare coverage to low-income families and qualified pregnant women and children. In addition to general healthcare, Medicaid also covers mental health services. This is especially beneficial for parents struggling to adjust to their new normal or postpartum women dealing with depression and anxiety.
Fetal Development in the Third Trimester
By the third trimester, your baby is already so developed — but still requires a little more time and nourishment for all its organs to be fully functional. Here’s a weekly breakdown of fetal development in the third trimester: Week 27 (25 weeks following conception): The third trimester starts off strong, as the fetus can now open and blink its eyes. Eyelashes grow and frame its newly pigmented eyes! Week 28 (26 weeks following conception): The fetus is now preparing for its grand arrival, as it begins turning head-down. The fetus may be startled by loud noises and even cry within the womb. At this point, the fetus weighs 2-3 pounds. Week 29 (27 weeks following conception): As the fetus continues growing and developing, you may feel more movement within the womb. It’s a tight squeeze and they’re still kicking and grasping. Week 30 (28 weeks following concept
Fetal Development in the Second Trimester
By 12 weeks in utero, a baby has already grown so much! The fetus is 2.5 to 3 inches long — about the size of a plum. At this stage of growth, they have a detectable heartbeat and brainwaves, as well as distinguishable features, genitals, and fingernails. This is just the beginning! Here’s a weekly breakdown of fetal development in the second trimester. Please note that physicians mark “pregnancy” as beginning from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period. The woman is not actually pregnant during these first two weeks. Conception — actual pregnancy when the egg is fertilized — generally occurs sometime within the 2 weeks following the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period. Medical developmental terminology is noted in this article for easy reference to medical literature. However, the actual gestational age of the fetus from conception is then used. Week 14 (12 weeks following conception): The fetus’ external genitals are fully developed and the sex of the baby is quite apparent. Skin begins to thicken, hair grows along the body, and mobility improves as the fetus begins moving its hands and head.
Fetal Development in the First Trimester
A fetus is a human being from the moment of conception. From conception, they have already begun growing and developing! Here’s a weekly breakdown of fetal development in the first trimester: Weeks 1 & 2: During the first two weeks of a woman’s pregnancy, she’s not actually pregnant! She menstruates to prepare her uterus for a pregnancy. About two weeks later, she ovulates as her ovaries release a fertile egg into the fallopian tubes. Week 3: In week 3, the sperm travels up the fallopian tubes and fertilizes the egg. The resulting single-celled zygote is the earliest stage of growth for the developing human being. From the moment of conception until birth nothing further genetically will be added. From the moment of conception DNA will not only identify the beginning human as a human but will identify that specific human being from that point forward. Our physical characteristics — eye, skin and hair color, sex, etc — are already determined. According to research from twin and adoption studies, even our pers
Should There Be Exceptions to Abortion Bans?
Many people believe abortion should be illegal—with some exceptions. These exceptions include fetal abnormalities, rape, health/life of the mother, etc. Let’s break down each of these exceptions and whether they are valid reasons for abortion: Choice advocates believe that fetal abnormalities are justification for abortion. They believe that abortion is the best option because many birth defects can later affect the child’s quality of life. They believe abortion is a “mercy”. Who has the authority to decide if one’s life is or isn’t worth living? Our nation’s body of law is all about establishing universal, objective human rights that are not subject to the whims of bureaucrats, parents, or any other subjective decision maker. Human beings have a Right of Life. We are not entitled to interfere and we do not justify the taking of an innocent life in any other context. Babies with fatal birth defects deserve a dignified,
Is Abortion Healthcare
Choice proponents believe women have a right to abortion because it is an essential healthcare procedure. Is abortion healthcare? To answer this question, we must define “healthcare” and take a closer look at abortion’s role in healthcare: Defining “healthcare” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “healthcare” as the “efforts made to maintain, restore, or promote someone’s physical, mental, or emotional well-being especially when performed by trained and licensed professionals.” Does abortion maintain or restore one’s overall health? Let’s dissect this!
POST-ABORTIVE REGRET STATISTICS
Choice advocates assert that in the event of an unintended pregnancy, abortion is often the “right decision”. If abortion is “right”, then why do so many women struggle with severe mental health issues and post-abortive regret for years after terminating their pregnancies? Here are a few statistics that point to the despairing reality of so many post-abortive women: Post-Abortive Regret Statistics – When Does Life Begin?Post-Abortive Outcomes
Abortion is often labeled as an empowering “reproductive right” — a way for women to own their bodies and reproductive health. However, if abortion is so empowering, then why do so many women report feeling coerced into getting an abortion? In a recent study by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, 60% of post-abortive women reported feeling coerced into terminating their pregnancies and later experienced a decline in their mental health and overall quality of life. These women reported experiencing sadness and grief, intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, high levels of stress when discussing their abortions, interference in their professional and personal lives, etc.
Similar results were reported in, Women Who Suffered Emotionally from Abortion: A Qualitative Synthesis of Their Experiences. The article is published in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons Volume 22 Number 4 Winter 2017.