This explains exactly how I view this subject. It comes from this thread:
http://alldrama.bigforumpro.com/abortion-debate-f3/pro-choice-is-the-real-pro-life-t114.htm

This was written by Dr. Leonard Peikoff:

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Thirty years after Roe V. Wade, no one defends the right to abortion in fundamental, moral terms, which is why the pro-abortion rights forces are on the defensive. Abortion-rights advocates should not cede the terms "pro-life" and "right to life" to the anti-abortionists. It is a woman's right to her life that gives her the right to terminate her pregnancy. The status of the embryo in the first trimester is the basic issue that cannot be sidestepped. The embryo is clearly pre-human; only the mystical notions of religious dogma treat this clump of cells as constituting a person. We must not confuse potentiality with actuality. An embryo is a potential human being. It can, granted the woman's choice, develop into an infant. But what it actually is during the first trimester is a mass of relatively undifferentiated cells that exist as a part of a woman's body. If we consider what it is - rather than what it might become, we must acknowledge that the embryo under three months is something far more primitive than a frog or a fish. To compare a fetus to a child is ludicrous. If we are to accept the equation of the potential with the actual and call the embryo an "unborn child," we could, with equal logic, call any adult an "undead corpse" and bury him alive or vivisect him for the instruction of medical students. That tiny growth, that mass of protoplasm, exists as a part of a woman's body. It is not an independently existing, biologically formed organism, let alone a person. That which lives within the body of another can claim no right against its host. Rights belong only to individuals, not to collectives or to parts of an individual. ("Independent" does not mean self-supporting--a child who depends on its parents for food, shelter, and clothing, has rights because it is an actual, separate human being.) "Rights," in Ayn Rand's words, "do not pertain to a potential, only to an actual being. A fetus cannot acquire any rights until it is born." It is only on this base that we can support the woman's political right to do what she chooses in this issue. No other person--not even her husband--has the right to dictate what she may do with her own body. That is a fundamental principle of freedom. There are many legitimate reasons why a rational woman might have an abortion--accidental pregnancy, rape, birth defects, danger to her health. The issue here is the proper role for government. If a pregnant woman acts wantonly or capriciously, then she should be condemned morally--but not treated as a murderer. If someone capriciously puts to death his cat or dog, that can well be reprehensible, even immoral, but it is not the province of the state to interfere. The same is true of an abortion which puts to death a far less-developed growth in a woman's body. If anti-abortionists object that an embryo has the genetic equipment of a human being, remember: so does every cell in the human body. Abortions are private affairs and often involve painfully difficult decisions with life-long consequences. But, tragically, the lives of the parents are completely ignored by the anti-abortionists. Yet that is the essential issue. In any conflict it's the actual, living persons who count, not the mere potential of the embryo. Being a parent is a profound responsibility--financial, psychological, moral--across decades. Raising a child demands time, effort, thought and money. It's a full-time job for the first three years, consuming thousands of hours after that--as caretaker, supervisor, educator and mentor. To a woman who does not want it, this is an unfair death sentence. The anti-abortionists' attitude, however, is: "The actual life of the parents be damned! Give up your life, liberty, property and the pursuit of your own happiness." Sentencing a woman to sacrifice her life to an embryo is not upholding the "right-to-life." The anti-abortionists' claim to being "pro-life" is a classic Big Lie. You cannot be in favor of life and yet demand the sacrifice of an actual, living individual to a clump of tissue. Anti-abortionists are not lovers of life--lovers of tissue, maybe. But their stand marks them as haters of real human beings.

http://www.prochoicetalk.com/message-board-forum/viewtopic.php?t=6672[/quote]

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There is no such thing as "your medical record" in the civilian world. In fact, that lack of records can present a problem, when you have to tell each doctor and specialist your entire history over and over again, just from memory.

An abortion is something that is natural to the the female body. We abort far more pregnancies and "pre-pregnancies" (fertilized eggs which have not implanted) than we ever carry to term.

There is no difference to our bodies physically between an abortion performed by a physician or one performed by our bodies. They both involve the emptying out of our uteruses (uteri?) with embryos attached. I was filling out forms for a new gynocologist and one of the questions said, "How many pregnancies?" I asked my doctor to clarify if she meant carried to term, abortion, spontaneous abortion (also known as miscarriage), etc.

Since the next question was "How many born children do you have?", it was clear that she would be able to differentiate between number of pregnancies and number carried to term. I asked her how to differentiate on the form between abortions as in going to a clinic and having it done, and miscarriages. She said they are the one and the same. She didn't care how they happened, it was all the same medically.

The reason they ask the question in the first place is for those women who have a hard time conceiving, and have many miscarriages. That's a warning sign for endometriosis and a symptom of a few other things, and that's what she cared about.

An abortion, whether it was spontaneous or done in a clinic, leaves NO lasting marks to the body, no scars, nothing. It has no future effect on anything, including fertility. Something would have to go horribly wrong for that to happen, and any procedure can go wrong, including pregnancy and childbirth. Just by using your own intuition and logic, you can understand why childbirth is so much more dangerous than abortion.

Here are COMMON complications that can arise just from being pregnant:

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Common Complications Gestational diabetes Extreme thirst, hunger, or fatigue (but usually no symptoms). Also, a blood sugar value of 140 mg/DL or greater on a diabetes test. This is a form of diabetes that usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy. High-blood Pressure/Pre-eclampsia High-blood pressure (usually around 140/90); protein in the urine; swelling of the hands and face; sudden weight gain (1 pound a day or more); blurred vision; severe headaches, dizziness; intense stomach pain. High-blood Pressure/Pre-eclampsia: This is pregnancy-related high blood pressure. It can also be called toxemia. Pre-eclampsia usually occurs after about 30 weeks of pregnancy. Blood pressure test; urine test; evaluation by a doctor. The only cure is delivery, which may not be best for the baby. Labor will probably be induced if condition is mild and woman is near term (37 to 40 weeks of pregnancy). If a woman is not yet ready for labor, her doctor may monitor her and her baby closely. May require bed rest at home or in hospital, until blood pressure stabilizes or until delivery. Hyperemesis gravidarum Severe constant nausea and/or vomiting several times every day for the first three or four months of pregnancy. This is severe nausea in the first trimester that can cause malnourishment and dehydration in some women. HG keeps pregnant women from drinking enough fluids and eating enough food to stay healthy. Many women with HG lose more than 5 percent of their pre-pregnancy weight, have nutritional problems, and have problems with the balance of electrolytes in their bodies. If you think you might be vomiting excessively, call your doctor. Your doctor will check you to see if you are dehydrated, which can be dangerous for you and the baby. Many women with HG have to be hospitalized so they can be fed fluids and nutrients through a tube in their veins. Usually, women with HG begin to feel better by the 20th week of pregnancy. But some women vomit and feel nauseated throughout all three trimesters. Placental Abruption Vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy; cramping, abdominal pain, and uterine tenderness. This is a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. This can deprive the fetus of oxygen. Severe cases (when more than half of the placenta separates) can require immediate medical attention and delivery of the baby. Placenta Previa In this condition, the placenta (temporary organ joining mother and fetus) covers part or the entire cervix. Placental previa can cause severe bleeding usually at the end of the second trimester or later. If diagnosed after the 20th week of pregnancy, but with no bleeding, requires to cut back on activity level and increase bed rest. If bleeding is heavy, requires hospitalization until mother and baby are stable. If the bleeding stops or is light, requires continued bed rest until baby is ready for delivery. If bleeding doesn't stop or if pre-term labor starts, baby will be delivered by cesarean. Premature or Pre-term Labor Contractions, either painful or painless, anytime during pregnancy, that occur more than four times an hour, or are less than 15 minutes apart; menstrual like cramps that come and go; abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea; dull backache that may radiate around to the abdomen; increase in or change in color in vaginal discharge; constant or intermittent pelvic pressure. This is when a woman goes into labor after 20 weeks, but before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis This is a parasitic infection that can be passed on to the baby. The parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is sometimes found in cat feces, soil, and raw or undercooked meat. Listeriosos Flu-like illness with fever, muscle aches, chills, and sometimes diarrhea or nausea that can progress to severe headache and stiff neck. This infection is cause by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium can be found in soft cheeses and ready-to-eat deli meats. Urinary Tract Infection Pain or burning when urinating; pain in lower pelvis, lower back, stomach or side; shaking, chills; fever; sweats; nausea, vomiting; frequent or uncontrollable urge to urinate; strong-smelling urine; change in amount of urine; blood or pus in urine; pain during sex. If this infection is left untreated it can spread to the kidneys. This can cause premature, or early, labor. Ectopic Pregnancy Slight, irregular vaginal bleeding that often is brownish; pain in the lower abdomen, often on one side, and can be followed by severe pelvic pain; shoulder pain; faintness or dizziness; nausea or vomiting. In this condition, the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. Because the embryo of an ectopic pregnancy cannot survive, it is removed surgically; or the woman is treated with a cancer drug, methotrexate, which dissolves the pregnancy. Post-partum Depression: Intense feelings of sadness, guilt, despair, helplessness, anxiety, irritability, which may disrupt your ability to function; appetite changes; thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby; "baby blues" haven't gone away after 2 weeks. This is when women become depressed in the first year after giving birth. This serious problem needs medical attention and treatment. Mastitis: Soreness or a lump in the breast accompanied by a fever and/or flu-like symptoms; possibly nausea and vomiting; yellowish discharge from the nipple; breasts feel warm or hot to the touch; pus or blood in the milk; red streaks near the area; symptoms could come on severely and suddenly. This is an infection in the breast. Fifth Disease: A low-grade fever and tiredness followed by a facial rash that looks like "slapped cheeks." The rash also can look lace-like and be on the trunk, legs, and arms. Some adults do not have the rash, but may have painful and swollen joints. This is a viral infection caused by the human parvovirus B19. Most pregnant women who are infected with this virus do not have serious problems. But, there is a small danger that the virus can infect the fetus. This raises the risk of miscarriage during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Fifth Disease can cause severe anemia in women who have red blood cell disorders like sickle-cell disease or immune system problems. http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/complications/

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Here are some more, follow the link at the end to find out more about each one:

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Discomforts During Pregnancy * The Basics * Aches and Pains * Back Pain * Breast Changes * Constipation * Cravings * Fatigue * Headaches * Hemorrhoids * Incontinence * Mood Swings * Morning Sickness * Mouth / Dental Issues * Nosebleeds * Shortness of Breath * Skin and Hair Changes * Sleep Issues * Swelling (Edema), Varicose Veins and Leg Cramps * Urination Problems Disorders During Pregnancy * The Basics * AIDS/HIV * Amniotic Fluid Disorders * Bed Rest * Bleeding * Blighted Ovum * Chickenpox (Varicella) * Cholestasis of Pregnancy * Deep Vein Thrombosis * Fibroids of the Uterus * Group B Strep Infection * Incompetent Cervix * Infectious Diseases * Intrauterine Growth Restriction * Molar Pregnancy * Multiples Pregnancy Issues * Pica * Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) * Rubella http://www.noah-health.org/en/pregnancy/problems/

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Here's even more information:

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So Many US Women Die During Pregnancy -- Many Poor Countries Do Better The United States has a sharply higher rate of women dying during or just after pregnancy than European countries, even some relatively poor countries such as Macedonia and Bosnia, according to the first estimates in five years on maternal deaths worldwide. http://v.mercola.com/blogs/post.aspx?App=public_blog&PostID=39620&Subscribed=1

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The leading killers Fully 42 percent of all pregnancies suffer complications – in rich and poor countries alike – and in 15 percent of all pregnancies, the complications are life-threatening.1 www.womendeliver.org/fact/WD_Killers-Solutions_(SP).pdf

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There are many complications that can occur in the six to eight weeks — or even up to a year or more — following a birth. For instance, thyroid disease occurs in 5% of women in the year after giving birth. Other common problems are urinary and fecal incontinence, postpartum depression, pelvic pain, and dental problems. The CDC has also reported that most maternal deaths occur following birth, during the postpartum period. It is clear that doctors and hospital staff, especially emergency room personnel, need to focus more effort and understanding on women during the postpartum period. Here is a list of some complications many women suffer during the postpartum period: Anemia Autoimmune Conditions Back Pain Blood Transfusion Breast Mastitis (JAMA April 2003) Cesarean Complications Death Dental Problems Depression Eclampsia Fecal Incontinence Gallbladder problems Heart Problems Hemorrhage Hernia Hysterectomy Inability to Breastfeed Painful Intercourse Pelvic Trauma Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Prolapsed uterus Retained Placenta Skin Disorders Thyroid Problems Traumatic Birth Urinary Incontinence Urinary Retention Vaginal Reconstruction Vulva Pain Every day in the United States, between 2 and 3 women die of maternal complications. For every death there are thousands of other women who suffer serious postpartum complications. http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:oTP3xF8TpHoJ:www.safermaternity.org/postpartum.html +how+many+women+suffer+complications+during+pregnancy+childbirth+u.s.&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd= 14&gl=us&client=firefox-a

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U.S. women are dying from childbirth at the highest rate in decades, new government figures show. The U.S. maternal mortality rate rose to 13 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2004, according to statistics released this week by the National Center for Health Statistics. The rate was 12 per 100,000 live births in 2003 — the first time the maternal death rate rose above 10 since 1977. [T]he fact that maternal deaths are rising at all these days is shocking, said Tim Davis, a Virginia man whose wife Elizabeth died after childbirth in 2000. “The hardest thing to understand is how in this day and age, in a modern hospital with doctors and nurses, that somebody can just die like that,” he said. No explanation Sometimes, there is no clear explanation for a woman’s death. Valerie Scythes, a 35-year-old elementary schoolteacher, died in March at a hospital in New Jersey — the state with the highest Caesarean section rate. She had had a C-section, as did another teacher at the same school who died after giving birth at the same hospital two weeks later. However, Scythes died of a blocked blood vessel and the other woman died from bleeding, said John Baldante, a Philadelphia attorney investigating the death for Scythes’ family. “I’m not sure there was any connection between the two deaths,” Baldante said. Also mysterious was the death of Tim Davis’ 37-year-old wife, Elizabeth, who died a day after a vaginal delivery at a Danville, Va., hospital in September 2000. She had a heart attack after a massive blood loss, Davis said. It’s not clearly known what caused the heavy bleeding. There was no autopsy, he said, a decision he now regrets. Two previous births had gone well. “Nothing led us to believe anything was wrong with this pregnancy. She was like a picture of health,” he continued, noting she had been a YMCA fitness instructor. A lawsuit against the hospital ended in a settlement. Davis also sued the obstetrician, but a jury ruled in the doctor’s favor. The child born that day, Ethan, starts second grade next week. “He’s a happy kid,” Davis said. “He’s just never had a mom.” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20427256/

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Good question, XWOMAN. I think we scared her off, though.

EIRI, come back!

It's hard to argue when you know youare on the wrong side.

R O F L !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I looked at prolifeamerica and she is posting over there. guess the crowd is more pleasing?

i had a laugh at some of the posters. seriously, "womb child" and this one dude (i assume) talks about women who don't want children like there is something pathologically wrong with them. lot of preaching. Really awful things said to each other. What a waste of bandwidth.

Yes, that is one sick site. Did you see how they treat Eiri? Let's just say it's not good.