Posted by Amy K on July 12, 2003 at 01:49:36:
In Reply to: Confused and upset! posted by Karen on July 11, 2003 at 13:17:45:
Hi, Karen,
Maybe your boyfriend doesn't realize how developed his child already is. At seven weeks after conception, the baby's heart has already been beating for four weeks and he or she has tiny fingers and recordable brain waves! Here is a beautiful photo of a little one just seven weeks after conception:
http://www.peopleforlife.org/pictures.html
If you are dating your pregnancy from the first day of your last period (as doctors generally do), then you are about five weeks from conception. Even at five weeks from conception, the baby's heart is beating and his or her arms, legs, eyes, and ears have begun to show! You can see pictures of babies at this age at the following websites (as well as get more information about how your baby is growing and developing):
http://www.justthefacts.org
http://www.abortiontv.com/HowUnbornBabiesGrow.htm
Your boyfriend may also be unaware of the many ways in which an abortion may harm you, some of which include:
*Laceration of the cervix (and if your cervix is damaged, it can lead to miscarriages later)
*Punctured uterus (may necessitate removal)
*Punctured bowel or bladder
*Infections
*Hemorrhage
*Damage to the uterine lining, causing infertility
*Pelvic inflammatory disease
*Post-abortion syndrome (the severe emotional and psychological damage that comes from harming your own child)
*Higher risk of breast, cervical, and uterine cancers
*Higher risk of tubal pregnancies, miscarriages, still births, and other complications in future births
I'm so glad that your first reaction to your pregnancy was joy and delight! Your baby is no accident, and I hope with all my heart that you will do whatever it takes to protect your little one. He or she is depending on you, and I know you can rise to this challenge.
About your boyfriend...I can totally understand how hurt and confused and dismayed you must feel at his reaction. I'm going to be totally honest. I cannot imagine how he could want you to kill his child because the timing is inconvenient or not what he was planning on. This child is not unworthy to live just because he or she was conceived too early (something which is definitely not the baby's fault!). Your boyfriend seems to be very controlling and lacking in compassion. At this point, I would take Mel's suggestion and give him a little time. He may be operating in panic mode and may come to his senses. That is what we will hope for. However, if he keeps pressuring you to kill his child, I would say that he is not someone who is going to make a good husband and father, and you will have a tough decision to make regarding your relationship with him.
I want you to know that there is lots of free help available for you to have your baby. You can receive medical, financial, and legal assistance from a pregnancy care center or crisis pregnancy center in your area. They also provide free counseling, free baby and maternity clothes and supplies, and much more. They will help you work through your options and support you throughout your pregnancy. You can find a center by looking in your Yellow Pages under "Abortion Alternatives" or by going to
http://www.pregnancycenters.org/
Karen, I really feel for you. Please keep us up to date with your situation, and please contact me anytime at akendall74@yahoo.com.
Praying for you,
Amy
: I have just found out that I am 7 weeks pregnant but my BF wants me to get an abortion. We have been together for 5 years and are getting married in may next year. We had decided to wait until after we were married to try for a baby but this has just happened. I was soooo delighted but suddenly my whole world has fell apart and Im not sure hes the man I want to marry any more. I am so scared and confused, not only for myself but for my baby! Can anyone offer me any adivce?
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