I am a supporter of choice. Not because I would ever have an abortion, but because I view choice from the other end of the spectrum – the choice of the mother in where, how, and with whom she gives birth.

If we limit the choice  to very black and white – you’re pregnant and therefore you must have the baby, we also limit the choices later. Who decides where is safest? Home or hospital? Who decides which care provider is best? Midwife or OB? Who decides how she gives birth? Vaginally? Induced? Naturally? Medicated? Cesarean??

What happens if you completely disagree with the arbitrary choices assigned to you? What if the treatment your provider *advises* isn’t medically supported such as with Samantha Burton ? Since the woman’s rights to self determination have been superseded by the rights of the fetus – who gets the final say?

Our courts have already ruled that you aren’t required to give up a kidney to save your own child’s life. Even if you’re the only match. In pregnancy do women get the same consideration?

The Abortion Debate opens doors to a very slippery slope later in pregnancy. One that I would personally prefer to see remain locked. I am a mother of 7. I’ve given birth 3 times “against medical advise” – to healthy babies. I am very interested in maintaining women’s rights to sovereignty if not for myself, but for my daughters.