Life Vs. Choice

Today is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. I saw online through a friend that it's also (according to NARAL) Blog For Choice. While I myself am not a pro-choice person, I am blogging about it. And just let me say first and foremost, I am not attempting to sway any of you - just stating my personal views and opinions.

Blog for Choice wants to know what "Trust Women" means to you. As you probably know, I am a strong supporter of natural childbirth and midwifery. I feel the women knows what's best for her & her child. Where she wants to birth, how she wants to birth, what provider she feels is best for her - I think those are her choices. But I also think that there are certain situations where the mother might not know what's best. Let's say you have a known medical condition that would make birth extremely difficult and you refuse to go to a hospital or be seen by a doctor, you just want to do it all yourself - I don't think that's very responsible.
Oftentimes, I don't think teenagers that get pregnant are very responsible. (Not all, but some.) As a person who got pregnant at a relatively young age by a guy I hadn't dated very long, abortion seemed to be a quick fix to some people. I was honestly shocked when I told someone I was pregnant and they flippantly responded, "You're getting an abortion, aren't you?" I got told SO many things about it - that it would be over with quickly, my parents would never have to know I was pregnant, that I could go back to my regular life, etc. It all just seemed like a cop-out to me and very irresponsible. I was careless so I was just supposed to go fix the problem and get back to regular old life, like nothing that happened. I just couldn't picture that.
I don't think at eighteen years old, fresh out of High School that I knew exactly what was best for me. But I weighed the pros and cons of the situation. I discussed it with the father-to-be. I listened to what family and friends had to say. I prayed. I don't think abortion was ever really an option (for me, personally) but it was there. And I'm glad I didn't choose it.
Since then I've had people tell me that I've ruined my life and that having a child young destroyed any options that I had. I don't agree. My life has taken some different twists and turns but I wouldn't have it any other way. That guy I mentioned earlier? He turned out to be pretty darn awesome. We'll have been married for five years in March. I see us growing old together and celebrating a lot more anniversaries. He's a good husband and father. My children have given me a new perspective and a different take on life. They're a challenge and a joy. I always wanted to be a writer and I do write, almost every day, in this blog. And people actually read it! I still have friends from High School and I've met new friends along the way. I had a job for awhile. I live in a nice house and I have a vehicle to drive. I don't see anything that would indicate that my life has been ruined. I always wanted to be happy and I am.
I don't feel that I have the right to make decisions for others but for me, abortion is not and never will be an option. I don't want to blow up abortion clinics and I'm not going to shun you if you've had one. I hate to see women who abuse abortion and use it as birth control. I also hate to see women and young girls who are scared or pressured into it or just choose it because it's quick & easy. Choosing to have a baby is not always the end of your life, as I mentioned before. And adoption is a great option that I fully support. There are so many families that would love to welcome a baby into their homes. My final thought is that I hope that women out there that are faced with that monumental decision of whether or not to keep their baby will take a moment, think about it and be responsible.