CI-128

Dear Editor,

I'm writing in support of CI-128.

In trying to have our child, I lost two very wanted pregnancies. I chose to have D&C procedures, because waiting for my body to shed the products of conception not only lengthened the time it would take until I could try again and put my physical health at risk, but the reality of having a wanted pregnancy that was no longer growing, that would never grow still inside me was emotionally agonizing. This is a regular reality for women and families as 10-20 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. It was such a relief that I was able to receive the care I needed without hesitation. The emotional toll was high enough without the fear of government intervention in my doctor's office. I wanted a healthy baby; I didn't want to have these procedures. I wanted an easy pregnancy, with the glow and the joy I've heard about my whole life, but that wasn't my reality. I saw a dark and miserable side of myself and when I finally started opening up about my pain, by sharing my experience with others, I learned how many people have been hurt by these experiences. They are real, they happen more often than anyone talks about. It is not pro-family to restrict access to abortion. Families like mine are faced with difficult decisions daily, adding fear of criminalization to an already extremely fragile situation puts an unnecessary burden on them in what is likely the already worst time in their life.

This amendment not only protects our personal freedom, but it protects treating healthcare professionals. When doctors and practitioners don't feel safe providing care, they find jobs in places where they do feel safe. This may be one of the most important implications of this amendment. The state of Idaho not only outlawed abortions, they made it possible to criminalize providers. This has caused such an exodus of OB/GYNs in their state that there is no longer a single OB/GYN in the panhandle of Idaho, putting families and pregnancies at risk. As an extremely rural area that struggles to find and retain practitioners, we do not need more reasons for them not to practice in our state.

Even when exemptions are made for the safety of the mother, the choice is not always clear. Women face threats during pregnancy beyond medical complications. Homicide is the most likely cause of death for pregnant women. Women living with domestic violence may have understandable fears about carrying a pregnancy. In fact, a pregnant woman is more likely to be murdered than to die from the next three leading causes of maternal mortality: eclampsia, hemorrhage and sepsis. This fear is a reality for women who are facing this choice. When we say we need to protect life, we can't just focus on one convenient type of life, we need to think about the whole picture. Rape and incest are often invoked as standard exemptions, but there are innumerable compelling reasons which should remain the woman's choice, and the government should not dictate.

I understand this uncomfortable feeling around abortion. I feel it more since having my baby. But it's not up to the government to decide what is right. CI-128 is about the protection of choice. Abortion may never be the right choice for you, but please protect the right for someone else who may need to make a difficult and different decision. If you or someone you love really needs it, you'll be glad the choice is there. Protect our freedom.

Please vote YES on C1-128

Sincerely,

Madelyn House

Glasgow, Mont.