More persons

[asterroc]

Sunday's twister, part of a line of thunderstorms that smashed through the region about 2 a.m. Sunday, killed at least 22 people. Four people died in neighboring Warrick County.

Authorities also are counting as a fifth death the 8-month-old fetus of one of the victims.

(CNN)

Echoing previous thoughts of mine on the subject, I find this slightly disturbing.

Comments

[rosefox]

Eight months == entirely viable, probably even without medical assistance. I think that's pretty reasonable.

I personally believe any standard abortion procedure (that is, in the absence of medical complications, where the woman simply no longer wishes to be pregnant) should go as follows: Ultrasound and other tests are done to determine size and health of the fetus. If the attending physician believes there is a greater than X% chance of viability (with X to be determined state-by-state), and the mother still chooses not to carry to term after seeing the test results and hearing the doctor's assessment, labor is induced and all possible effort is made to keep the newborn alive. If that effort succeeds, the newborn is listed with a local adoption agency and remains with the mother until adopted. As with any other birth, costs are borne by the parents (or their insurance). If the fetus isn't viable, straight-up D&C; if the mother chooses to carry to term, fine; if the newborn dies upon or after delivery, lost patient, nobody's fault.

I'm firmly in favor of discouraging abortion, and particularly in favor of discouraging later-term abortion: "If t'were done, t'were best done quickly." The viewing of test results discourages haste and denial. The cost of supporting a premature newborn's medical treatment discourages leaving it for the last minute; at that point, it's probably actually safer for both mother and child to carry to term. It wouldn't satisfy the most hard-line anti-abortion advocates, but no compromise will and I believe compromise is really what's needed here, so I don't really pay attention to them.

Lastly, of course, the woman (and her partner, if any) should receive counseling services, which will include a thorough run-down of contraceptive options. Before undergoing the procedure, she should be offered the option of a free (that is, subsidized by the state or relevant non-profit organization) IUD to be inserted immediately after the abortion is performed, and strongly encouraged to take it. Several dozen free condoms should also be provided. Prevention is absolutely key.