To some, January 22 is just another day...but to others, it signifies a life-changing moment.
Barely anyone recognizes the significance of this day; It's January 22nd. This is the anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in 1973. I watch the news stories every year and there is hardly anything ever said about it. This is why it is my belief that voluntary pregnancy termination ("VPT") is now a household word in our culture. It is as normal and natural as apple pie was to the WWII era group.
Will there be uproar as ex-Episcopalian priests are allowed to forgo Catholicism's celibacy code?
A number of Episcopalians have been unhappy with the denomination's recent liberal changes, things like a shift toward pro-choice views and acceptance of gay marriage, even ordaining openly homosexual bishops. In response, the Catholic Church is opening up a nationwide diocese to ex-Episcopalians who would like to join Catholicism as a group; a priest and congregation, so church leaders and members who are already comfortable with one another will have a chance to stick together. They will be expected to abide by the Catholic Church's governance, support their conservative views and acknowledge the pope. But since priests in the Episcopal Church have never had to practice celibacy, and many are already married with children, the Catholic Church is granting an exemption to their long-practiced celibacy code... but is it fair? And should it even be allowed in the faith?
xoJane blogger gets pummeled by the Internet for decrying every single other birth control option.
xoJane's "Health Editor," a term we're going to use very loosely, wrote a piece about why she prefers the Plan B method of birth control to all others. Why? Well, in her words, the Pill will make her "fat," make her "spot," and according to her, will not prevent her from getting preggers because she's in that teeny-tiny minority who got knocked up on it.
It can be hard to "check the box" when it says "therapeutic abortion" but here are reasons to do so
Facing grief is a difficult process. There are some events in life where there is just
nowhere to go with our pain. One of those situations is when a person chooses to
terminate a pregnancy. I refer to this as “voluntary pregnancy termination” or “vpt”
rather than the common term abortion.
After an abortion, it's normal to be relieved and sad, all at the same time.
Some women are surprised after an abortion that they have waves of crying spells, depression and sadness. This can last several weeks, months or even years. It is normal to grieve after an abortion, but the strange combination of relief and sadness can be very confusing.
One of the biggest reasons women suffer after abortion is because of the unwritten rule: don't talk.
Women who have abortions do not feel like they should be allowed to grieve the loss of a child there is no evidence of. And after all, you shouldn’t be permitted to grieve over a loss that you have chosen to create. Putting the missing pieces together can be confusing and overwhelming.
Grieving is a necessary process of letting go and receiving closure. Our culture does women a great disfavor when we do not allow them to grieve their abortion losses. The answer seems to be not to talk about “it.”
Boyfriends/husbands often don't understand why their partners don't show more relief afterwards.
"It's over, it's done, now let's get on with our lives. We won't ever talk about this again!" Well, this was my boyfriends' response to my abortion. Guess what we never did talk about it again.
I would catch myself crying at odd times. He would roll his eyes and be so frustrated. "C'mon you're not thinking about that again are you?"
Couples who choose abortion can be surpised when afterwards their marriage takes a hit. What's that?
"I don't understand why we are feeling so disconnected after an abortion. I thought this would be the best plan for our future, but now I am wondering..."
Couples are often surprised that their abortion did not bring them the closure they were expecting. This is because there is a lot of emotion involved during the decision-making process. The initial reaction is usually for sure relief. What catches people off guard though can be a deep sadness some times afterward.
How to deal with the aftermath of your painful decision.
A recent client, JoAnne, has given me permission to share some of her journal notes. She is a sweetheart to open up to the whole world. She writes so that others will know they are not alone if they are feeling pain after an abortion. Journalling her pain was a way JoAnne began a journey to peace.
Many women who have had an abortion wonder if they should share their secret with their children.
Should I tell My Children I’ve had an Abortion?
Many women who have voluntarily terminated a pregnancy wonder if they should share their abortion history with their children. There are a few things to consider before you make this decision. Here are a few suggestions to think about.
1).Is there a reason to share this information with your children?
Women don't talk for fear of risking rejection, condemnation or invalidation over a past abortion.
Is it OK to talk about my abortion?
Glamour Magazine offered an article (February '09) that almost knocked me off my feet. I was really shocked when the magazine actually had a piece that has been my own personal soapbox for years.
You can read the article titled, "Abortion: The Serious Health Decision Women Aren't Talking About Until Now" by typing in this url:
