Would you assist in abortions?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I am just curious. Would you ever work in an abortion clinic? Would you give pills that would cause an abortion? Thanks

When I worked L&D many years ago, I did assist with "deliveries of non viable fetuses" that had many anomolies or had chorioamnitis(sp). It was not easy and was a very sad thing for me to do. I would not work in a clinic that did them due to my moral convictions at this point. I can still remember many of those moms and how sad an event that was for everyone involved. It is the right choice when the mom was raped, incest, mom has handicaps that prevent her from carrying the baby to term, or if she has mental defeciets that prevent her from understanding her situation(I have seen that too, it was a nightmare figuring out who was going to care for the baby). I am on the fence as it is right in many situations but I have a really hard time participating in the actual event. :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't think killing someone before they have a chance to live on the off chance they might be raped or killed is an act of kindness. On the other hand, just think of all the millions of babies in heaven who might ask, " Why did you kill me before I had a chance?" or "Why didn't you help me when you could?" I don't think most women willing choose abortion, I highly suspect that most are bullied into it by boyfriends, husbands, and parents.

Hello KMSRN,

I excuse the fact that you didn't understand the point I was trying to get across. The point I wanted to reach especially you with was the number of kids that represent sad statistics due to abuse and neglect is outstanding. Not all unwanted and abandoned children are going to be beaten and raped, but will feel the emotions that you are angry with the situation, Or where a woman was probably pushed into keeping a child while only being 14 and finds it hard to make any rational decision with her mother, grandmother, and aunts applying pressure to make the right choice....or is that the boyfriends and all the other men in the situation?

Another point, when does the soul truly enter the body. Is it at the second of consemation? In my opinion, your not interested in even considering the realm of true anatomy and science and rather protecting your argument by hiding behind your religion. You are under the assumption that you are going into heaven. The fact is, that I leave my personal prejudices at the door to help people that are in need and within their legal bounds. If all abortion were to be illegal I would not be assisting. I would however be assisting the women that are dying due to having back alley abortions due to your unwillingness to maintain a women's right to choose. I would like to talk about the nursing element surrounding abortion with you. Let me know if you would like to discuss theology?

If I am granted the opportunity to walk in heaven, I will look for the cells that were destroyed by someone else's descision and explain to them that I was just doing my job, why don't you ask the source. Let God deal with them not you. Do you believe that God will honestly punish you for doing your job? The women come to you with probably the biggest decision of their life, it's her decision and your job to assist your patients with the best available care. Use your education to help the patient with what they think is best for them, and leave your bible in your locker. God Bless America and the right to choose.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Having done SART/SANE training, I have to say that yes, I would assist with the procedure. And yes, I have given the morning after pill on more than one occasion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.

I don't know how to do it, but it would be interesing to post a poll to see just how we are split on this...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello KMSRN,

I excuse the fact that you didn't understand the point I was trying to get across. The point I wanted to reach especially you with was the number of kids that represent sad statistics due to abuse and neglect is outstanding. Not all unwanted and abandoned children are going to be beaten and raped, but will feel the emotions that you are angry with the situation, Or where a woman was probably pushed into keeping a child while only being 14 and finds it hard to make any rational decision with her mother, grandmother, and aunts applying pressure to make the right choice....or is that the boyfriends and all the other men in the situation?

I did not ask for your excuse since I completely understand the point you were making. (In your second sentence, kids don't represent statistics, statistics represent kids.) To my knowledge, there is no empirical evidence to suggest that aborted children would be unwanted or abused if they were actually born. If you have any studies I would be very interested in seeing them. Otherwise you are opining. And I suggest that most young women are not forced to keep their children against their wishes, but it is usually quite the opposite. The pressure from family and boyfriends is to abort.

Another point, when does the soul truly enter the body. Is it at the second of consemation? In my opinion, your not interested in even considering the realm of true anatomy and science and rather protecting your argument by hiding behind your religion. You are under the assumption that you are going into heaven. The fact is, that I leave my personal prejudices at the door to help people that are in need and within their legal bounds. If all abortion were to be illegal I would not be assisting. I would however be assisting the women that are dying due to having back alley abortions due to your unwillingness to maintain a women's right to choose. I would like to talk about the nursing element surrounding abortion with you. Let me know if you would like to discuss theology?

I did not mention my religious beliefs. You originally mentioned heaven and I was following your lead.

If I am granted the opportunity to walk in heaven, I will look for the cells that were destroyed by someone else's descision and explain to them that I was just doing my job, why don't you ask the source. Let God deal with them not you. Do you believe that God will honestly punish you for doing your job? The women come to you with probably the biggest decision of their life, it's her decision and your job to assist your patients with the best available care. Use your education to help the patient with what they think is best for them, and leave your bible in your locker. God Bless America and the right to choose

Your "just doing my job" statement sounds amazingly like excuses from the Nazi concentration camps! You are responsible for your actions, regardless of your job. Again, I have not brought religion into this discussion except to follow your lead in mentioning heaven.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.

hmccartn, I am so sorry for your experience! It is amazing how judgemental healthcare providers can be!

Something we should all remember...if we haven't walked in those shoes, we should not be judging...or "there but for the grace of God, go I...."

To answer the original question....yes, I would.

yes i would. after being date raped 5 years ago I went to the emergency room to get the "morning after pill". (it was the weekend and all clinics were closed). I didnt tell the truth to the nurses and doctors because i didnt want to get the police involved. anyways, to try to make a long story short. i was treated horribly by the physician, he cast judgement upon me and was very hurtful. he initially refused to provide the prescription, but then when i explained the time frame involved and that i needed it, he reluctantly provided the prescription. i have never been more humiliated. i am not a judgemental person to begin with, but after that day i vowed never to cast my judgement and beliefs onto a patient and make them feel the way i did. just my two cents.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't know how to do it, but it would be interesing to post a poll to see just how we are split on this...

I started a poll at this thread:

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=61773

Hopefully, it won't become a flame fest that has to be closed.

KM

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Posted by Kim44 "Assist in abortions? NO

Care for the patient after? YES"

DITTO!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope! Wouldn't assist. Would care for person afterward........nonjudgementally

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

Um. This is an awkward topic for me as I am one of those "I support a woman's right but would never do it myself types". I would certainly administer the morning after pill but the assist with the procedure scenario... it would depend on the gestation. As I am in the SICU/ER areas, I don't anticipate having to make the choice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am pro-choice, and I would assist in an abortion (12 weeks or less gestation). However, abortion is not something to be taken lightly, or decided on casually.

I am against late-term abortion except in the case of rape and/or incest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Yes, I have no problem with this. I use to do a lot when I first started 27 years ago, but I haven't done one in a very long time. This is not to say I wouldn't do one tomorrow if asked. Tough subject for all. To each their own. Mike

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment