Mother's Day

As I reflect on the fact that my first mother's day with an outside child is later this week, I'm humbled by the movement to raise awareness about the high maternal mortality rate during child birth. 

No Mother's Day: Every 90 Seconds a Woman Dies Becoming a Mother

We are not big celebrators of "Hallmark" holidays so by default and choice I will choose not to do anything out of the ordinary to celebrate being a mother.  Sure I'll spend my day with my son and maybe my husband and I will make a special meal, but I won't expect or be hurt if I am not showered with gifts and cards. 

I feel fortunate that I had a very uncomplicated birth experience.  Yes, I had to have a little help from the vacuum, but in the end my experience was not one that, in theory, would have led to any kind of extreme danger.  However, having been through birth, I now realize just how quickly things can take a turn for the worse.  Scary.  My son and husband could have been sent home from the hospital without me.  Really scary.

My reflection on becoming a mother solidifies my position that all women in the US (and worldwide to be frank) need to have access to all methods of family planning- including safe, abortion services.  Along with access,  we need to learn to respect all women as independent thinkers and let them make the best decision for their situation and RESPECT that decision. In this presidential election year, I think it is even more important for women to stop and think where the current movement to limit women's access to safe abortions and family planning care will lead us.  This is not a political issue, even though it shouldn't be.  This is an issue of health above anything else!