Sperry: Do men have any idea what pregnancy involves?

As a “postmenopausal” woman, I have a lot to say about the current attempts of the government to control the “messy” issue of women’s menstrual cycles and other issues related to reproduction, especially laws prohibiting abortion at any time for any reason. This is personal for me, as I have had lots of issues, having had an ovary removed as a result of endometriosis, painfully heavy periods (for which I was given birth control pills), three unexplained late miscarriages and, somewhat later, a lifesaving medical abortion.

Pregnancy is not a walk in the park under the best of circumstances. There are so many complicating factors. Women who have high blood pressure can develop preeclampsia, which can affect the heart, kidney and other organs. Studies indicate that these women, in later life, can have higher rates of diabetes and elevated cholesterol, not to mention postpartum depression. In addition, infertility, miscarriages and stillbirths can be associated with greater risk of stroke in later life (Harvard Women’s Health Watch, September 2023).

There are many reasons why a pregnant woman might not desire to carry her fetus to term. She has her life to live, and becoming pregnant might not have been planned, or the fetus might not be viable. In any event, she should not be forced to become a mother before she is emotionally ready. Termination should not be taken lightly, but it certainly should not be a decision made by politicians. The woman’s freedom and well-being must be taken into account.

A recent study from the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard compared those who were able to have abortions with those who were not. Those who were able to terminate unplanned and/or unviable pregnancies were mentally healthier and had better domestic relationships than those who had no other option but to carry to term.

Both our reproductive freedom and our general well-being are on the line when we go to the polling place this year.

Julia Sperry

Hockessin

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org .