Posted on 02/12/2005 7:13:32 PM PST by aculeus
A BABY survived at least three attempts to abort it from the womb and was born alive at 24 weeks old.
The boy was delivered in hospital after his 24- year-old mother changed her mind about wanting the child after feeling it move on the way home from an abortion clinic.
Although the clinic had told her an ultrasound scan had confirmed the child was dead, she went into labour that afternoon and the boy was born alive.
Now two years old and healthy, he is the first long-term abortion survivor to have been born so prematurely. His remarkable entrance into the world is documented in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The mother had not realised she was going to have a baby until 22 weeks into the pregnancy and felt that she could not cope with a second child. She was given a series of abortion drugs over four days at a private clinic.
After birth the child was rushed to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit where he was on a ventilator for 7Å weeks. He fought off several life-threatening infections and suffered from severe lung disease for his first six months. He was allowed home after seven months of treatment.
Dr Paul Clarke, one of the report’s authors and the baby’s doctor at Hope hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester, said: “This mother went through extreme hardship waiting to see if her baby was going to make it. She was told to expect him to die so many times. I am full of admiration for her.”
The attempted abortions had been carried out at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service’s Blackdown clinic in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
Clarke reveals that paediatricians often intervene to save babies who have survived abortions.
He writes: “Late abortion raises serious practical, ethical and professional concerns. The dilemma of being telephoned about an infant born showing signs of life following termination of pregnancy is one that many paediatricians have faced. If viable, and resuscitated, those infants who survive may suffer significant illness.”
The paper calls for a review of late abortions at private clinics where there are no staff qualified to give emergency treatment if babies are born alive.
Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: “It sounds highly unusual. Usually we would keep a woman at the clinic until she delivered the foetus. When women are having a late medical abortion they are normally attended in the clinic by nursing staff with specialist midwifery training.
“It would never be the case that a woman would be discharged with the expectation that she would deliver at home.”
Copyright 2005 Times Newspapers Ltd.
My husband blanched and had to turn away to hide his tears. I wept for days. We hoped, to the very end, that our baby would make it.
I can't imagine anyone willingly bringing this about.
Our civilization is on the wrong track. Almost all of our priorities are out of whack, starting first with God, then Parents, Nation, then Family, then Neighbors, etc.
There is no moral excuse for exterminating the innocent unborn and those who are being born. I hope Congress gets tough, soon.
Sickening. The very Heavens cry out.
This Nation needs to Repent.
Sad, shaking my head, sad.
Glad to hear you're doing well. I just got some new tires on my Camry, so I know the sublime feeling of restored traction!
It has been really warm around here lately. I don't remember when we last had a day below 55 or so.
As the dad of three incredible young men, my heart goes out to you guys.
HUH??
HUH?? again. Why would a midwife be needed to deliver a non-baby?
I only pray that this child and mother develop an especially strong, loving realtionship, and that she thank God for him every day.
The kid is a fighter.
That was kind of an unintentional point, just as Jesus still knew and loved Peter, this child will love his mother regardless. Luckily, this woman has a chance to raise her son and he knows nothing of her prior indescretions. (not that you can say attempted murder is an indescretion)
The feeling is quite mutual, but I don't have the need to run to daddy, Mr. Kerry.
Why are you so intent on starting a flame war with me? Is your life really so empty?
So take him off. Problem solved.
And by the way, I don't think it's a good idea to compare someone who risks his life to protect you and your family to John Kerry. Long Cut deserves a lot better than that sort of cheap shot.
Oh please, many of us have served in the military, and most of us aren't forced to use it as a shield against any criticism of us. I'll take your advice and file it under "T" for trash.
'Ol Hack's got issues. Serious ones.
They don't bother me, 'Cut - but I what I won't do is sit here and let someone say that to you without calling them on it.
In Christian love, no doubt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.