SC: pre-abortion ultrasound law?

[SallyMander]

This is a brief in my paper this morning... very disturbing.

"COLUMBIA, S.C. Ultrasound-before-abortion proposal gaining traction

Women seeking abortions in South Carolina would be required to view an ultrasound image of their fetus before getting the procedure under a plan gaining support among state lawmakers. If enacted, it would be the first law of its kind in the nation. Proponents say women would change their minds after seeing an ultrasound and choose to keep the child or offer it for adoption. Critics consider the proposal a tool to intimidate women who already have made an agonizing decision."

Anyone know anything more about this???

[rocktivity]

1. Harassment.

x(
rocknation

[Cerridwen]

2. As already noted - harassment - add to that attempt to apply shame

and guilt and mix in a little somebody's-gotta-pay-for-the-equipment and you've got a "nice" additional roadblock.

If they can't outlaw it, they're gonna make it as uncomfortable, unavailable, expensive as they can.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. They know that public opinion does not favor overturning

Roe v. Wade so they are trying to legislate abortion out of existence with regulations such as this. You can check the latest polling data here: http://www.pollingreport.com/abortion.htm

[SallyMander]

13. Exactly! The next step -

they'll have one of those computer programs to show you what your child would have looked like at birth... age 8... high school graduation... etc.

:yoiks:

[RB TexLa]

3. And how do you force a free human being to view anything?

Do they propose using firearms?

[Cerridwen]

6. Feet in stirrups, flat on back, partially undressed, wheel the

machine over, point. If they do it right, you don't see it coming and you automatically look.

Pretty straight forward.

[RB TexLa]

7. Then you get up tell the doctor their services are no longer being purchased

you want your medical records and leave.

[Cerridwen]

9. They do this just before you go in for the procedure...

so, you put it off for how long to find another doctor? Reschedule another appointment and time off from work? Go through yet another screening by yet another doctor who charges how much? Presuming you can find a doctor who has an opening in their schedule that isn't months away. BTW, I described an experience at a Planned Parenthood clinic.

[MountainLaurel]

12. Exactly

And when there are maybe three providers in the entire state, what are your options?

[RC]

23. Three? Try one for the whole state.

At one end of said state yet.

[MountainLaurel]

25. Oh my.

How horrible.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. Next: medical workers must shout "HARLOT" at patient.

While pushing the ultrasound into her face.

Here is the he/said she said media bullshit at work:

"Proponents say women would change their minds after seeing an ultrasound and choose to keep the child or offer it for adoption. Critics consider the proposal a tool to intimidate women who already have made an agonizing decision."

The intent is of course intimidation, but more to the point, health care practices should be regulated in the broad areas of licensing of facilities and professionals, the state simply has no business dictating the minutia of medical practices details.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. Can you even take an ultrasound of an 10-week fetus/embryo? -nt

[China_cat]

10. Yes, you can.

But I defy the average pregnant woman to be able to make anything out of it on her own. Hell, even with a technician or a doctor showing you, it's still hard (impossible) to see anything other than blobs of black and white.

[azurnoir]

11. Unfortunately

the 3D type of ultrasound is much clearer. Even 10 years ago they did one of my son at 10 weeks it was clear enough that you could tell he had 10 fingers and toes and somewhat of what he looked like.

[Warpy]

14. Yes, but it won't look like you

The problem is that it won't be lifesized, either. It'll look larger, so the woman who doesn't know any better will think "baby," which is the intent of this bullshit.

It will add another hundred bucks to the cost of the abortion, too, making the procedure out of reach for poorer women.

We'll be back to knitting needles and coat hangers in no time!

Antiabortion laws kill women.

[Greybnk48]

15. This is psychological torture

as if a woman is too stupid or "doesn't realize" what an abortion eliminates. If I write any more I am going to use the F-word and probably worse, like telling these people to "stick their Bible's up their asses" and other inappropriate comments.

[Sadie4629]

16. And if a woman changes her mind based on the image--

--what's wrong with that? It's still her choice.

[etherealtruth]

24. What if the additional cost of the ultrasound puts a legal and safe abortion

... out of her reach?

[Clark2008]

17. Let 'em.

At six weeks, an ultrasound of an embryo looks like an undigested peanut.

I'm doubting it will change any minds.

Here is what it looks like at six weeks - the average fetal age when most abortions are performed (most states won't let you have them past viability at about 21 weeks anyway):

[Katherine Brengle]

19. I had mine at about 8 weeks and I could see the heartbeat.

You can't hear it, but you can see it on an ultrasound.

[Clark2008]

20. You can if you know what you're looking at -

Do you know if this law would tell them to say, "Here's the heartbeat." or not?

[Katherine Brengle]

18. I changed my mind after seeing an ultrasound.

I'm not sure I think it should be law, but it changed my life and is not something I would ever want to go back and change.

[gollygee]

21. Ultrasounds are a cash cow for the medical industry

they're really expensive.

So it doesn't make financial sense, and it's an attempt to harass and shame women who are already in a bad place.

[LeftCoast]

22. What if the mother's blind?

Do they print it out in braile and make her touch it?

Stupid law from stupid people. :eyes: