Open Dialogue
As I listen to constituents that are very concerned about abortion and women’s rights, I wanted to share a discussion I had this morning that I thought would be helpful to share with others.
As I listen to constituents that are very concerned about abortion and women’s rights, I wanted to share a discussion I had this morning that I thought would be helpful to share with others.
Our conversation started out highlighting the common rhetoric that surrounds the difficult life-decision of abortion: risking women’s lives, not allowing abortion when it’s necessary to save the woman’s life, making it more difficult to receive the proper care.
So many times the facts are not shared and we don’t have the opportunity to talk to each other in a civil, open dialogue. I was extremely grateful that this conversation was different. We were able to have a conversation where we were listening to each other, not simply talking past one another.
My position starts with where we are today with our laws in Delaware: legal to abort a child up to birth. I support the two key bills that were raised in the last General Assembly:
Pain Capable, SB 347 (2022)1; limiting to 20 weeks (5 months), after which the baby has a strong chance of survival and a surgical abortion at this late term can result in even more medical risk to the mother vs. delivering the baby.
Ultrasound Bill, SB 108 (2021)2 ensuring women have the option to view their ultrasound, providing them with all of the information to make an informed consent on this life-changing decision.
We talked further about how important it was to be open and have these difficult conversations. We talked about the risks women are facing through taking the pills for a chemical abortion through tele-health, where they don’t have to see a physician and could be experiencing greater risk, especially if the pregnancy was much farther along than 10 weeks or if it was an ectopic pregnancy.
I feel we both walked away much more connected than divided. I will say it again, I am so grateful to her for taking the time to have a conversation. Let’s move past the rhetoric and work together to truly protect women’s health in Delaware.
I’m attaching some information to provide another perspective, from the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists3. I always feel we can make a much stronger decision when we’re given multiple sources of information vs. only one perspective. Empowering women with more information, not less.
Let’s have an open dialogue and do what’s best to protect women’s health.
SB 347 (2022): https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=129875
SB 108 (2021): https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=58569