40% have complications? Define complications for me, because I would consider "complications" in pregnancy normal
and 15% (is that 15% of those 40%?) have potentially life threatewomen carrying the scars of pregnancy with the percentages of men who carry the scars of battle.)
By definition, complications are NOT NORMAL.
Normal, frequent or expectable temporary side effects of pregnancy:
exhaustion (weariness common from first weeks)
altered appetite and senses of taste and smell
nausea and vomiting (50% of women, first trimester)
heartburn and indigestion
constipation
weight gain
dizziness and light-headedness
bloating, swelling, fluid retention
hemmorhoids
abdominal cramps
yeast infections
congested, bloody nose
acne and mild skin disorders
skin discoloration (chloasma, face and abdomen)
mild to severe backache and strain
increased headaches
difficulty sleeping, and discomfort while sleeping
increased urination and incontinence
bleeding gums
pica
breast pain and discharge
swelling of joints, leg cramps, joint pain
difficulty sitting, standing in later pregnancy
inability to take regular medications
shortness of breath
higher blood pressure
hair loss
tendency to anemia
curtailment of ability to participate in some sports and activities
infection including from serious and potentially fatal disease
(pregnant women are immune suppressed compared with non-pregnant women, and
are more susceptible to fungal and certain other diseases)
extreme pain on delivery
hormonal mood changes, including normal post-partum depression
continued post-partum exhaustion and recovery period (exacerbated if a c-section -- major surgery -- is required, sometimes taking up to a full year to fully recover)
Normal, expectable, or frequent PERMANENT side effects of pregnancy:
stretch marks (worse in younger women)
loose skin
permanent weight gain or redistribution
abdominal and vaginal muscle weakness
pelvic floor disorder (occurring in as many as 35% of middle-aged former child-bearers and 50% of elderly former child-bearers, associated with urinary and rectal incontinence, discomfort and reduced quality of life)
changes to breasts
varicose veins
scarring from episiotomy or c-section
other permanent aesthetic changes to the body (all of these are downplayed by women, because the culture values youth and beauty)
increased proclivity for hemmorhoids
loss of dental and bone calcium (cavities and osteoporosis)
Occasional complications and side effects:
hyperemesis gravidarum
temporary and permanent injury to back
severe scarring requiring later surgery (especially after additional pregnancies)
dropped (prolapsed) uterus (especially after additional pregnancies, and other pelvic floor weaknesses -- 11% of women, including cystocele, rectocele, and enterocele)
pre-eclampsia (edema and hypertension, the most common complication of pregnancy, associated with eclampsia, and affecting 7 - 10% of pregnancies)
eclampsia (convulsions, coma during pregnancy or labor, high risk of death)
gestational diabetes
placenta previa
anemia (which can be life-threatening)
thrombocytopenic purpura
severe cramping
embolism (blood clots)
medical disability requiring full bed rest (frequently ordered during part of many pregnancies varying from days to months for health of either mother or baby)
diastasis recti, also torn abdominal muscles
mitral valve stenosis (most common cardiac complication)
serious infection and disease (e.g. increased risk of tuberculosis)
hormonal imbalance
ectopic pregnancy (risk of death)
broken bones (ribcage, "tail bone")
hemorrhage and
numerous other complications of delivery
refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease
aggravation of pre-pregnancy diseases and conditions (e.g. epilepsy is present in .5% of pregnant women, and the pregnancy alters drug metabolism and treatment prospects all the while it increases the number and frequency of seizures)
severe post-partum depression and psychosis
research now indicates a possible link between ovarian cancer and female fertility treatments, including "egg harvesting" from infertile women and donors
research also now indicates correlations between lower breast cancer survival rates and proximity in time to onset of cancer of last pregnancy
research also indicates a correlation between having six or more pregnancies and a risk of coronary and cardiovascular disease
Less common (but serious) complications:
peripartum cardiomyopathy
cardiopulmonary arrest
magnesium toxicity
severe hypoxemia/acidosis
massive embolism
increased intracranial pressure, brainstem infarction
molar pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease (like a pregnancy-induced cancer)
malignant arrhythmia
circulatory collapse
placental abruption
obstetric fistula
More permanent side effects:
future infertility
permanent disability
death.
Life threatning conditions?
I would argue that almost everything we do is potentially life threatening by at least 15%x40% (06%)
Pregnancy is life threatening to 15% of 100% of pregnant women.
World* Health Day 1998 : Every Pregnancy Faces Risk
Oh BTW, the major cause of illness in women 15-44 is maternity?
Well One of the major causes of death to all children ages -9mo. to 0 is ABORTION!
We already have laws against causing the death of a WANTED unborn child, do we just choose not to protect the UNWANTED ones?
I realize that abortion will never be gone BUT WHY CAN'T PEOPLE AGREE WITH NO PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION!!!!!
By the 2nd trimester the fetus exhibits all signs normally associated to life! Ending that life is the same as ending anyone else's life!
Answer me this is, it so hard to go to an abortion clinic earlier?
Take a look at
this link. That is wrong, there is nothing morally ok with PBA
Women don't wait until late-term and then decide to have an abortion on a whim. Late-term abortions are medically necessary. BTW, you like pictures? Be sure to check out the pictures at the bottom of the link.
GenderGappers: PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION
"LATE TERM ABORTIONS
...are against the law in every state, except as necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.
Given that a woman's life or health is at stake, why should a her abdomen and uterus have to be sliced open in major surgery in order to remove the fetus?
Why should a woman be forced to undergo disfiguring major surgery if that's not necessary to extract a fetus that is either already dead or not going to survive anyway?
It makes no sense at all.
It makes no sense, that is, unless an ulterior concurrent political agenda is to mutilate the mother, and subject her to unnecessary additional risk.
The fact is: there is no such thing as a "partial birth abortion!"
The medical terminology (euphemism if you like, but not for "birth") is called Dilation and Extraction. Healthy, viable fetuses that don't put their mother's life and health at risk aren't being killed for frivolous political or financial reasons, and women aren't subjecting themselves to this relatively expensive and physically difficult procedure because they were too lazy to get an abortion earlier in their pregnancy!
Here's is one woman's story about her late-term abortion:
My Late-Term Abortion - The Boston Globe
Below are a few reasons for the procedure (and do keep them in mind when you view those cute anti-abortion posters of little babies and babies-to-be):"
1069 and PolySciGuy...stop the personal attacks or consequences will ensue.
