Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible Moms. To the women yearning to be mothers, my heart goes out to and I’m sending you virtual hugs. Just becoming a Mom, no matter the process, is extremely challenging. For many women it’s excessively difficult to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and give birth.
After hearing four little heartbeats and losing two of them to miscarriage, I’m incredibly thankful for my two very healthy babies. I’m also thankful for modern technology, surgies such as D&C (dilation and curettage), and drugs such as Misoprostol. Without these taking this drug or having the surgery, the tissue from my missed miscarriages could have caused serious infections or much worse – prevented me from getting pregnant with my kiddos.
After my first missed miscarriage I took Misoprostol as my body was not removing the tissue on its own. Once I miscarried a second time, I wanted the entire process to be over and done with as quickly as possible. I requested a D&C immediately following an ultrasound that confirmed the heartbeat had stopped. Genetic testing later confirmed a female with trisomy.
These types of drugs and surgeries are also used in abortions so lately I’ve been thinking about this issue. According to global surveys and studies, restricting access to abortions does NOT reduce the number of abortions. Making health care accessible and affordable to all does. I worry about restricting abortions and limiting access to D&Cs and Misoprostol – for many women like myself, they are vital. If we truly support women and families, these surgeries and drugs need to be accessible and affordable for all.
CAROLYN LACOLOMBE 