The lack of an exception (in the South Dakota Legislation) for women whose lives are threatened by a pregnancy has a direct impact for many women with disabilities. I have no children, but, I had one miscarriage.
The miscarriage was directly related to the fact that my anti-convulsant levels were low. In other words, the rx’s that were meant to control my siezures where being absorbed by the fetus. In addition, there are warnings on the rx bottles of the anti-convulsants that control my seizures re: pregnancy.
A sudden decrease in anti-convulsant levels can cause a severe seizure (which was what happenned to me). This can, in some instances, lead to a condition called status eppileptcus, which is non-stop seiuzres that often result in death.
And, depending on the rx’s prescribed, birth control pills can be contra-indictated, as they can reduce the therapeutic levels of anti-convulsants that are necessary to prevent seizures. That would put a woman who has epilepsy (and seizures that are controlled by rx’s) at risk for an unexpected seizure. Also, others can be at risk, i.e., if the woman was driving at the time of a seizure.
The same could be true of other women who have disabilities that require a strict rx regimen. This is not to say that having a disability is dangerous to others. Rather, the obstacles that have been encacted in following medical advice are the real problem.
I did not know it earlier, but, a pregnancy could kill me. And, there are more women who are fit that description. The fact of the matter is unplanned pregnancies happen. It is true that some are thrilled about an unplanned pregnancy, some have to get used to the idea, and, for many, if not most, it is a life-alterning event. Still, for others, it is a life-threatening event.
More research has been done emphasizing the potential for harm to a woman when on a prescribed rx regimen. The increasing number of warning labels on my rx bottles bear this out. Ironically, the increased warnings are approved by the FDA.
But, in the punitive pro-life mindset, only fetal tissue is important.
People with disabilities aren’t.
