Ward's miraculous first year

The video of this little guy who was born 15 weeks early has gone viral.  It is featured on the liberal Huffington Post, which uses the word "miraculous".  The text points out some of the many serious dangers faced by a baby who is premature.  November is Prematurity Awareness Month.  Eva Murphy has written an excellent, well-documented paper showing that the incidence of prematurity is way up and much of the increase is caused by the mother's previous abortions.

"This issue interests Massachusetts Citizens for Life because of our concern for mothers and their babies. We have learned that prior induced abortion increases the risk of premature births. In 2007 the Institute of Medicine, a unit of the National Academy of Sciences (U. S.), published a textbook on premature birth, in which were listed fourteen "immutable medical risk factors associated with preterm birth." Third on that list is "Prior first trimester induced abortion." See http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11622&page=625 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Academy_of_Sciences

In 2009 two major studies (see below) confirmed added risk of premature birth among women who had undergone prior induced abortions. Both of these studies represent "settled science" because they are systematic reviews with meta-analysis.

Studies have also been conducted on the increased incidence of cerebral palsy among children born prematurely. Soon to be published (in December) is Complications: abortion's impact on women (Toronto, ON: de Veber Institute, 2013) by Dr. Angela Lanfranchi. The conclusions were based upon estimates of 15,000 very low birth weight newborn babies later diagnosed with cerebral palsy annually due to their mothers' prior induced abortions. (See http://www.deveber.org)

Another cause of premature births is incomplete cervix or cervix insufficiency. Abortion, especially the dilation and curettage method, can damage the cervix and make subsequent pregnancies at risk for prematurity. The statistics for cervix insufficiency among blacks have increased to higher rates than among other ethnic groups. See for example the Massachusetts report card from the March of Dimes (http://www.marchofdimes.com/glue/files/premature-birth-report-card-massachusetts.pdf). Black women are known to experience higher abortion rates than other ethnic groups, which would help explain the higher rate of cervix insufficiency. (See http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.)

We urge you to become informed on this issue. If you would like more information about premature births and abortion, feel free to contact us. "

Article by Eva Murphy, MCFL Legislative Director

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SOURCES:

Swingle HM, Colaizy TT, Zimmerman MB, Moriss FH. Abortion and the risk of subsequent preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Reproductive Medicine 2009; 54: 95-108.

Shah PS, Zao J. Induced termination of pregnancy and low birthweight and preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG [British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology] 2009; 116:1425-1442.

http://www.aaplog.org/media website of the American Association of ProLife Obsetricians and Gynecologists, with videos of current issues

http://www.deveber.org

'Fear mongering & brain damaged babies in Justice for Kids News Bulletin, 13 November 2013, by Brent Rooney (Msc) (http://www.justiceforkids.webs.com) Brent Rooney is Research Director, Reduce Preterm Risk Coalition (Vancouver, Canada