I recently went for an early ultrasound to a local sonographer. We had no idea of the age of our impending baby, so went to find out how old it was. Hubby and kids came along too. The kids were unaware of what was happening, but both hubby and I were hoping to see a heartbeat after the last experience of emptiness.
The gel went on, the sonographer put the handpiece on my abdomen, and there it was. Well, after a slight delay, anyway. The sonographer hesitantly asked, "Do you want to see?" before turning the screen so I could see the flashing heartbeat.
We were excited, but I couldn't understand her hesitancy. Then she said,
"You always have to be careful with these ultrasounds. When they come in for a termination they don't want to see."
Even with my husband and two children present, the sonographer wasn't sure how we were going to take the news. In Australia, it seems, the most common demographic of women seeking a termination is my own demographic: married or partnered with two or three children already. A very different demographic to the disadvantaged, rape-victim or teenage pregnancy that was used to justify it in the first place.
But before I get truly rant-y about the subject (and in my emotional pregnant state that is all too possible), I found an interesting blog series by Noel Piper. She's written about her choice to adopt a child as a way of putting her pro-life views into action. It's well worth a read.
You'll find it here: Orphan Sunday
