The Late-Term Abortion I Didn't Want

[MontanaMama]

1. After two 2nd trimester miscarriages in my late 30's

I got pregnant for a 3rd time when I was 41. I was thrilled and terrified at the same time. My obstetrician recommended genetic counseling and testing which my husband and I decided to go ahead with. The tests that were recommended had to be performed after 8 weeks gestation. We traveled 3 hours to see a doctor that could do the tests...taking a sample of the placenta which presented its own risks by itself and then had to wait at least two weeks for the results. It was agonizing. We had many heart wrenching conversations about what we would do if the tests came back positive for something terrible. 18 days after the genetic tests, I got a call that I could expect a genetically healthy baby. We did not find out the sex. I felt I had dodged a bullet and whether the baby was a boy or girl did not matter to me. It was not an easy pregnancy. I was on bed rest for the final 10 weeks but gave birth to a healthy 7lb baby boy who is now 13 and the love of my life. If my tests had come back differently I don’t know what decision I would have made in that moment. Regardless, any woman in that position should have the right to make that decision.