Abortion is healthcare. It takes a lot of time, energy, and luck to carry a baby to term, and then raising it and being responsible for said infant is a whole other matter. Not only does abortion need to be legalized to give women full control over their bodies, but greater support, care, and funding is essential for existing children. With both, more women can make the choice that feels right to them and not be pressured into a decision either way.
The key here, of course, is choice.
The Current State
The repeal of Roe v. Wade in the United States did only one thing; it made abortion a state issue, not a federal one. This means that several hardline (and red) states have repealed the already limited abortion care access to the point of putting women’s lives in danger. Near-total bans mean that women are forced into dangerous situations that even put their lives at risk. The critical aspect of these repeals, of course, is that they target low-income families the most.
If things continued as they were, with all states implementing their own positive approach to abortion care access, there would be no issue. This is the case in Australia. In that country, there is no federal mandate demanding abortion care access. Instead, each state has its own laws that enable women to end their pregnancy up to 24 weeks for any reason and after the fact for health reasons. This means that women can go to their gcaus.com.au center for any reason, from getting pregnancy care to abortion care, without fear or restriction.
How Abortion Is Healthcare
Abortion is healthcare, but first and foremost, it is about agency. A fetus cannot come into the world on its own. When states put the fetus first, they immediately set a woman as an incubator.
The United States already has one of the highest mortality rates for birthing patients in the Global North. In fact, the United States is currently at number four for mortality rates. This systemic displacement of women’s health in favor of live birth has put women everywhere in the country at risk.
It Saves The Mother’s Life
The most extreme and acute example of how abortion can be healthcare is with ectopic pregnancies. What ectopic means is that the fetus grows outside of the uterus. There is no possibility of that baby coming to term, and in most cases, the mother will die trying to deliver such a baby. Abortion here is absolutely essential.
It Spares The Pregnant Patient From Carrying Unviable Fetuses To Term
Not every fetus is healthy. Aborting fetuses that do not develop essential organs like lungs or a brain is far better for a pregnant patient than being forced to carry a fetus to term. Doing so only puts the mother in danger since their fetus will either come out as a stillborn or die shortly after the fact. Forcing a woman to carry such a fetus can lead to health issues and trauma.
It Prevents “Coat-Hanger” Abortions
The only thing that strict abortion laws or near-total bans do is prevent safe abortions. Restricting such abortions will only put women’s lives at risk, either due to “coat-hanger abortions” or due to domestic violence. This is especially true when there is no or little support for new mothers financially, emotionally, or practically.
How Women In Abortion-Aggressive States Can Get The Healthcare They Need
Women who are in abortion-aggressive states will need to leave their state to go to a safe haven to get an abortion. This is, of course, easier if you have the funds to do it.
With funds, you can even go to countries like Australia for your abortion care. Without funds, your options may seem limited. The good news is that safe haven states are working to help. New York, for example, is looking into creating a travel fund for those coming to the state for abortion care.
