Before Roe v. Wade many women who were desperate to have abortions died because the illegality of it forced them to seek dangerous back alley abortions. In some hospitals there were more women as patients for injuries related to unsafe abortions then women who were delivering babies. That does not include all of the women and girls who died before they ever got to a hospital.
There are many reasons why women become pregnant and have abortions. Many women who get abortions used contraception and still got pregnant. Some women did not want to have sex at all but were raped. Some women get abortions because if their parents found out they would be disowned, beaten or worse. These are just a few examples. Abortion is not convenient, it is expensive, it takes time to physically recover, and it is not an enjoyable experience.
I am a Christian and a man who believes that no one should have the right to tell someone what they can and cannot do with their own body, especially not the government. To protect women we should expand access to safe legal abortions, not add restrictions. As a country we should also provide reliable information about sex, birth control and abortion to everyone.
Peter Howland
University student