A fetus at six weeks is not viable outside the uterus. The reason this law was passed is because it is a woman governor. She knows better. The idea a beating heart is the definition of citizenship is nonsense. A heart that stops beating can be restarted through Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Today there are red boxes containing defibrillators everywhere. Everyday people can assist in saving a life. The country is under the oppressive regime of the right wing Evangelicals that tolerate no other religion. They do not vote with their conscience as a member of a diverse democracy, they vote with their ideology.
We already know neonatal intensive care units cannot save the life of a six-week old fetus. I have been in NICU (Nick Yous). The life of a 22 week old is possible to extend to full term and then into babyhood. But, it is a struggle to carry a 20-week old that far. The face of a 20 week old has features, but, just bearly.
The political right wing wants to make a fertilized egg a citizen. It is not possible. It is impossible. The fertilized egg is not viable outside the uterus.
This Iowa law will endanger women. A woman does not pay such close attention to her menstrual cycle that they know if they are pregnant after 4 weeks has gone by. Early Pregnancy tests do not work for everyone. There are women, like myself, that urine pregnancy tests don't work. Only blood tests will reveal the pregnancy.
I can't believe after being on message boards and blogging for 18 years I still have to tell my story. This is the year of 2018, the 21st century, people are talking about space travel and the political right wing of the USA is still practicing ideology dating back SEVEN decades.
I was in the care of an OB/GYN (my doctor of at least five years and head of the department at the hospital) when I missed a cycle and a urine test proved negative. A month later I was already at least six weeks pregnant, but, the urine tests proved negative.
I rolled over in bed one day and felt a lump in my lower abdomen and it was time for my menstrual cycle to begin. I was terrified because I thought I had a tumor. I made an emergency appointment with my doctor that day. He examined me and stated, "You're pregnant." I was already four months pregnant and not three months. I just wasn't paying attention as I was worry free all my life. Counting days on a calendar is something school girls do to be prepared even when attending school OR a mature, fully grown woman under the care of a doctor and trying to get pregnant.
The blood test came back positive and the urine test was still negative. Two weeks later I felt my first child move. So, don't tell me about pregnancy. The same thing happened with my second child, only this time the MD performed a blood test first instead.
This Iowa law is ideology and not sound science and is a test of the Governor's commitment to the ideology.
Up to 22 weeks, an abortion for a woman should be available without a doctor's note in the United States of America. After 22 weeks it is between the woman and her doctor when her life could be in the balance.
ABORTION IS ABOUT WOMEN, not the fetus.
May 4, 2018
By Brianne Plnnenstiel and William Petroski
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (click here) on Friday signed into law the most restrictive abortion ban in the nation, surrounded by toddler-toting supporters.
As Reynolds inked the bill, backers' cheers nearly drowned out the echoing chorus of “My body, my choice” shouted by protesters just outside the door.
“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred,” Reynolds said from her formal office before signing a bill that will outlaw nearly all abortions in the state. “And as governor, I have pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. And that’s what I’m doing today.”
Senate File 359 will take effect July 1, though Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa said they plan to quickly challenge the law.
Under the legislation, physicians will be barred from performing most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Experts said that heartbeat can be heard about six weeks into a pregnancy — often before a woman realizes she’s pregnant....
