I don't usually write posts like this at all, but whilst scrolling through the Internet this morning I came across something which I feel very passionate about, and that I strongly believe that something needs to be done about it. This post is entirely my own opinions and something which I want to share, as I believe that in the UK the law which allows pregnant woman to abort their unborn child at 24 weeks is wrong on every level.
I came across this article about a young baby, named Walter Joshua Fretz. Walter made it to his 19th week before devastatingly being miscarried. He was a very much wanted and loved baby. There was no explanation to his death, except that it was just natural and of no fault.
As you can see from the photos that at 19 weeks, Walter was incredibly developed. Just think, that at 24 weeks Walter would have been even more developed and in fact, able to survive in this world if born prematurely. At 24 weeks a baby's tastebuds have developed. Their lungs are continuing to grow stronger, hair is starting to grow on the baby's skin and their eyelids are fully formed. They are even able to do things such as suck their thumbs as their brain continues to develop!
To me, this baby is already a living person yet a woman is able to make a choice on whether it continues to live or not, and these reasons could be from pure selfishness. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand that in some cases abortion is needed where perhaps the pregnancy is the result of rape, a child under the age of 18, or the mother has a severe medical illness which could affect the baby and their development whilst in the womb. But I cannot agree and will not agree that a woman who has been carrying a baby for 24 weeks, six months, has the right to terminate her baby's life because 'it isn't convenient' for her or 'it was a mistake, a result of a one night stand.' This I cannot agree with. This is why I believe that it should be made legal to have an abortion at the latest, of around 9-12 weeks. Personally, I believe that's enough time to find out whether you are pregnant and make a decision. Not wait 6 months to decide.
In this present day there are more and more women who are unable to conceive and have a child of their own, who try desperately but are not fortunate enough. These women then go down the route of adoption. Just because you might not want your baby, there will always be someone else who will. Someone who will provide that baby with eternal love, support and care. Someone who will raise and love that baby as if they're their own. You've already carried the baby for 6 months, another 3 isn't going to hurt really, is it?
I know that not everyone will agree with me but after reading Walter's story and seeing how beautiful he is even after just 19 weeks of development, it makes me more passionate that abortion at 24 weeks is wrong and that something needs to be done about it. There will always be exceptions to abortion but I cannot stand it when a woman choose to abort her baby at such a late stage in her pregnancy due to her own selfish reasons, and I believe it's wrong. It's a living life and something needs to be done.
If you would like to read the full article about Walter then you can read it here
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.
I do agree that 24 weeks is too late to have an abortion - like you say, it's a fully formed baby able to survive outside the womb. The pictures are heartbreaking xx
ReplyDeletewww.LaurasHaven.com
24 weeks is definitely too late!! As soon as I read the article I just knew I had to share it, I don't get how people can be so cruel! xo
DeleteWow... I'm all for abortion but I have never heard of women aborting at 24 weeks, that's insane! In my country (Slovenia, EU) you can abort up till the 12th week and then you can't any more, no one will do it. And I think that's totally fine because that gives you a whole lot of time to figure out you're pregnant and to decided weather you'd like to keep it or not. I especially find it frustrating when women say they didn't know they were pregnant for 6 months - that's simply impossible. Even if you are bleeding through your pregnancy, that is not your period and it does not look the same. Plus your breasts start to swell and many other things change in the body.
ReplyDeleteThe UK definitely needs to take on the laws from Slovenia then Maja! It's totally wrong that women can abort their baby up to 24 weeks! 12 weeks is plenty of time, and as you say, your body begins to make so many dramatic changes, the laws in the UK need to be changed. Thank you for your comment! xo
DeleteThat picture really does make you think! When I was pregnant and reading how far the baby was developed each week I was so shocked how formed it was at 24weeks! I do think abortion should be allowed, but not up until 24 weeks, you should know before then if you want the baby or not.
ReplyDeleteReally good post! Well done!
Jenn | PhotoJennic
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It truly does, it's heart breaking! Definitely, I'm not saying that abortion should be made illegal full stop, just that being allowed to legally abort your baby at 24 weeks is wrong and it needs to change to something like 12 weeks! Thank you Jenn, xo
DeleteWow I've never seen an image of a baby like that before, and now I'm wondering why I haven't seen it before. I don't have a strong opinion either way when it comes to this topic as everyone has their own reasons but I'm pretty sure that an image like this would make someone think twice before having an abortion.
ReplyDeleteIAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk
It's really upsetting when you think this baby is only 19 weeks, and at 24 weeks he'd of been even more developed! I'm not saying abortion should be made illegal fullstop, just that women shouldn't be allowed up to 24 weeks before they choose to abort their baby xo
DeleteHear hear! I have always been absolutely disgusted that a woman can still abort at 24 weeks. It makes me feel physically sick. Wendy xx
ReplyDeleteScottish Wendy | Wendy's World
I have the exact same views as you Wendy, and it's something I feel very strongly about that we need to do something about! xo
DeleteI'm 100% pro-choice but I have to say I really do side with you on this one. Yes, women should have the choice to terminate their pregnancy if they are unable to care for a child and/or the pregnancy wasn't planned, but if that's the case, 3 months is a long enough time to make those decisions!
ReplyDeleteIt's actually quite heartbreaking to think that some women would feel okay with terminating a pregnancy when the baby is already so developed.
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Thank you for your comment Albertine! 3 months is definitely long enough! At 6 months, that baby is a human being and I find it sickening! I hope that in time the laws really will change for the better! xo
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