Poland bans almost all abortions

[ArabellaScott]

Frightening,

'Poland's top court has ruled that abortions in cases of foetal defects are unconstitutional.

...

Once the decision comes into effect, terminations will only be allowed in cases of rape or incest, or if the mother's health is at risk.'

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54642108

Gabcsika, I'm really sorry. That sounds so terrifying and grim.

It’s funny how all these “pro-lifers” are all about the unborn child but doesn’t give a fuck about it once it’s born.

I bet many of them agree with the not giving children food during the holidays either

Such lucky babies .... a short life of excruciating pain. Yeah it’s great news for them.

FFS... Where is the humanity. I despair, I truly do.

The mothers in these situations are the only ones qualified to make the most loving and compassionate choice for their (often very wanted) babies.

@ArabellaScott

Gabcsika, I'm really sorry. That sounds so terrifying and grim.

It's doubly grim because I myself was thinking about having a baby. At age 38 I don't think it is safe now. I have a horrible fear of it (stemming from a long battle with dysphoria) and I thought I'd be able to manage, but with the current situation no way. It would be too traumatic.

@Gabcsika

I'm so sorry. Hoping you find a way through.

Thanks, @Gabcsika. I have a list for "spadework"...

Does anyone remember Women on the Waves? The termination clinic moored just outside of Polish waters? I hope they still exist. I loathe forced birthers.

and I missed your cross-post!

Honestly, fuck all these so-called pro-lifers. Fuck the handmaidens that support these regressive laws. If we women cannot terminate for whatever reason she needs to, then all fertile women have to live in fear of an unwanted pregnancy or a pregnancy where something goes wrong. Women are not mere vessels and are not less important than the foetuses they are not just carrying, but creating with the very cells of their own bodies. Every woman deserves to decide for herself if she will proceed with a pregnancy and the way to reduce the number of abortions of disabled foetuses is not to ban abortion but to ensure every family can access adequate support if they need it.

i agree with you. This is good news for babies. Life is precious.

Life is precious, unless it's a woman's life we're talking about, yeah?

You think forcing a woman to bring a child into the world that she knows will have a lifetime of suffering, whether that be from pain, fighting for every breath they take, organ failure because of defects, etc, is good news? What do you think that's going to do to her physical and mental health?

I think it's sadistic. You must really hate women if you want to deliberately put them (and babies) through that. If you really believe life is precious, why not try extending that sentiment to women. Their reproductive choices are none of your business.

So abortion for rape is still legal, because rape bad.... and yet enforcing continued pregnancies on women is tantamount to rape IMO...

There is just SO much wrong with all of this that I can't begin to fathom how 'pro lifers' think they have some sort of moral highground.

Human life is so precious, yet they're willing to inflict untold amounts of suffering on both parents and babies. We treat our animals with more kindness, and would never tolerate the amount of suffering they want to inflict on humans. And yes, I am absolutely talking about the 'precious babies'.

Have these people EVER had a conversation with someone carrying a baby with life limiting abnormalities?

Who wins with this constitutional change? Please someone explain that to me. Because it's not the parents, and it's certainly not the babies. And the notion that it's somehow compassionate is utterly indefensible.

If you agree with this abortion ban, please take a very long, hard look at yourself.

Anyone who thinks "life is precious" irrespective of the child's medical needs and quality of life, needs to look up Claire and Lola Hartley. Claire was born before her parents had any idea of genetic issues, but Lola's life was chosen deliberately.

I'm living in Poland and this has really hit me hard. The government have pushed this through by replacing all the judges in the top court (which was opposed by the EU) in a time when people are struggling with a global pandemic. This is not democracy, this is old white men trying to take control of women's choices and bodies. No woman ive spoken to so far has supported this. I'm seriously considering moving back home to the UK because it seems that this is a pathway to banning all abortions, in all cases. This country claims to be Catholic but I don't know how any religion could force a woman and mother to go through a birth that could result in them having to watch their baby die. I know if it ever happened to me and I didn't have my son I have now, I would not survive it. I'm so grateful that I have a son and not a daughter because this world we are living in right now is not one I would want to raise a girl in.

My heart and head are very heavy right now for all the women that will have to deal with the consequences of this.

Life is precious. Sure.

Doesn't matter if its agonising, short, leaves you with an unfit parent or one who can't afford to feed you. Some sperm mixed with an egg, so it's precious, what a miracle.

One of my mum's friends was very religious (and in fairness very kind). She took time to tell me that my miscarriages were now with god, that life was transformed not ended, they'd never suffered from the worse bits of life, never knew fear or hunger or coldness or loneliness etc etc.

But you know what, if I'd swallowed a pill to make that happen, it would all have been different wouldn't it.

It's the privilege of ignorance, Coffee. I sincerely hope none of the people supporting this ban are ever affected by any of the issues that they so blithely dismiss.

Oxyiz

it seems that this is a pathway to banning all abortions, in all cases

That's always the beginning and end of it isn't it. No changes to the welfare system to support women with the children they can't support/don't want, no packages to invest in the healthcare system to support children (who grow into adults) with disabilities, no extra psychological support for those women who will have to carry unviable pregnancies to full term, no investment in maternal health care for those women whose own health will be put at risk. Ban abortion, limit access to contraception and keep women at home so the old white men can keep making the decisions.

@HecatesCats

it seems that this is a pathway to banning all abortions, in all cases

That's always the beginning and end of it isn't it. No changes to the welfare system to support women with the children they can't support/don't want, no packages to invest in the healthcare system to support children (who grow into adults) with disabilities, no extra psychological support for those women who will have to carry unviable pregnancies to full term, no investment in maternal health care for those women whose own health will be put at risk. Ban abortion, limit access to contraception and keep women at home so the old white men can keep making the decisions.

Hear hear

This is really bad.

It's only going to drive women to have illegal and dangerous abortions.

In the name of life. Madness.

And not that 5his would make banning abortion ok but do any of these old bastards ever campaign for childcare, flexible hours, more pension rights for women, inducing employers to employ mothers, no no and no.

These bastards are all comfortable with women footing the bill for the continuation of the species.

It is a willful selfishness on the part of these men to take all the freedom, independence, opportunities and disposable income.

Disgusting. Laws should protect women from being subjected to this abnegation of responsibility .

It is so d3pressing.

Luckily in Ireland we have got through this but i am furious on behalf of polish women

This is unbelievably awful. Women die for lack of safe legal accessible abortion.
Who can I write to, to protest about this?

Cant the EU regulate for this kind of thing? They should be able to instruct members to prov8de women with access to abortion.

God lif3 is tough for women it is so sad and depressing

No one, NO ONE, should be made to have a baby they don't want or can't look after.

This. I'm another wondering what the fuck will now happen to all of these unwanted babies?

Well women and girls shouldn't.

Men don't get a look in.

As for the unwanted babies, women and girls will continue travelling to different countries for abortions if they can afford it ie same as happens now.