(128) ABORTION AND THE MYTH OF THE HARM-FREE PREGNANCY

Abstract

Abstract Introduction A comprehensive description of the impact of pregnancy and childbirth on the human body has never been published. All pregnancies pose an unquantifiable threat to one's health and childbirth has permanent, irreversible effects that are cumulative and often late-manifesting. This reality refutes the anti-abortion, pro-natalist claim that there is any such thing as an elective abortion. Objective Abortion access supports the fundamental human right to bodily autonomy and sexual self-determination, hence every abortion is performed in the service of the pregnant person's health. The neglect of these principles has allowed politically-motivated legislatures to introduce imprecise health exception language that does not acknowledge the actual impact of pregnancy and childbirth. Affirming that abortion is life-saving healthcare refutes the health exception fallacy. Methods Maternal mortality and morbidity statistics are flawed and incomplete. None of the standard measures adequately captures the effects of pregnancy, whether voluntary or forced, upon the health of the parturient or her community. This report elucidates the unpredictable and often unattributed morbidity associated with pregnancy and childbirth, and argues for a human rights approach to abortion policy. Results Abortion bans have downstream effects that negatively impact the care of all pregnancy-capable people and their communities. Allowing non-experts to legislate against evidence-based care creates confusion and leads to mistrust of the healthcare system. Gendered disinformation, gag rules, and criminalization of pregnancy all result in stigma and harm. Conclusions The cultural reluctance to seriously study the effects of pregnancy on health is linked to gender inequality and is correlated with restrictive abortion laws that violate ethical principles of beneficence and patient autonomy. Involuntary pregnancy is a major and preventable cause of human suffering that can be relieved with permissive abortion policies based on ethical and scientific standards of care. Disclosure No.