by Nina Hammiel Turner

Created on: June 28, 2009

The decision to have an abortion is just as difficult as the decision to have a child. Everyone has to look at their situation and make a personal decision. They have to address readiness to be a parent, mental stability, and overall love to give. In many cases, abortions are given a negative rap, yet there are cases when a woman may decide that getting an abortion is the option for her and she should have the right to choose. On the other hand, abortions can be psychologically traumatic. Also, a fetus develops a heartbeat at around 6 weeks, abortions are allowed up to 16 weeks and some doctors perform late term abortions as late as 7 months gestation. Some can argue that an aborted a fetus with a heartbeat is murder. Each woman has to choose what is best for her and for her future. A woman should have the right to choose abortion, but a woman should not be allowed to use abortion as a form of birth control.

In the United States, abortion laws first appeared in the 1820s outlawing abortions after the fourth month of pregnancy. By the end of the 1800s, all abortions were outlawed; except in the case of saving the mother's life. In 1973, a 21-year-old named Jenny Roe from Texas sued for the right to have a safe and legal abortion. Roe vs. Wade became a landmark Supreme Court case that resulted in the Supreme Court legalizing abortion. They said that Americans' right to privacy included a woman's right to decide if she wanted to have children and it was up to the woman and her doctor to decide without state interference. Prior to Roe vs. Wade, many women died trying to induce their own abortions or by having illegal back alley abortions that led to infection and some times immediate death.

Women should be allowed to choose. Women know what is best for them and for their life and everyone's circumstances are different. The option alone to have an abortion can save lives. Just because you give the option doesn't mean that limits cannot be set. There are some women who have several abortions and opt to have abortions instead of using other methods of contraception like birth control pills or condoms. Women should also consider how late they want to have an abortion. A fetus has a heartbeat very early on. Abortions are typically not allowed after 16 weeks, but there are some doctors who are willing to perform abortions late term. If the mother's life is not in severe danger, one has to consider that at the late date abortion is murder.

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