Let’s give pregnant women positive choices

After the article about abortion doulas being trained in western Newfoundland was published recently, it wouldn’t take a stretch of the imagination to think about the wide range of emotions that was most likely experienced by your readers — from happiness to sadness, from relief to shock, and to all kinds of uncertainties in between.

Obviously, pro-choice supporters would be pleased and pro-lifers would be upset; and, of course, many people might generally wonder how this could jibe with what one would think doulas normally do in their jobs.

As a pro-life person, I have to agree with the Status of Women that terminating a pregnancy is not an easy decision and during this time of grief and loss you should not be alone. I’m sure that women become doulas because they are compassionate and caring people, so I can see how some would view this as an extension of what they already do.

A lot of people talk about reproductive rights and freedom of choice. Having choices is a good thing, and we all make many choices during the course of a day; but when you feel that you have no choice but to end your pregnancy, is that even a choice at all? If you feel pressured or coerced by somebody, if you feel alone, or if you are dealing with financial stresses are you freely making a choice? In a truly caring society, choice should not have to involve breaking that mother/child bond, it should not involve grieving a loss that you cannot undo.

You are invited to help make a society where real choice abounds — where women are helped in a positive, life-giving way — one that both mother and child can live with. I pray that pregnant women have someone journey with them and hold their hands so they can hold their baby’s hands. Let’s work together for life!

Margaret Hynes Marystown