For those of us in the medical world, labor is synonymous with child birth. Why? Because if you have ever been in a delivery room, you know that pushing a baby out of you is a HELL of a lot of work!
I personally have never done this sort of labor myself, but I can only imagine the energy it requires.
However, the labor doesn’t stop in the delivery room. Raising a child is, by far, the hardest job in the world. It takes time, patience, money, and unconditional love. And for some women, they are not quite ready for this type of job-they are not financially stable, they are with the wrong partner, they are not emotionally ready, they are taking care of their children.* For whatever reason, it’s not the right time for them to begin this type of labor.
Choosing to terminate a pregnancy is difficult, as is raising a child. We must learn as a society to trust women and their choices. Women know what is right for them and their lives, and it will be our job as physicians and members of the community to support a woman in whatever she decides to do with her body.
On this Labor Day, I honor the women who dedicate their lives to their children and who make difficult decisions as to whether to be a mother. I remember all the women who died unnecessarily during delivery and who died from botched, unsafe abortions.
Today, let's not forget the power of choice and how it can affect all women, everywhere!
*Most women who choose abortion are mothers already.
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