How much is a baby’s life worth? That was the question theoretically raised while dealing with a young woman this week. She was turned away from the abortuary a few weeks ago and thereafter assisted by three friends of the Partners. Then I got a call a few nights ago in which I was told that Brit had decided she wasn’t getting enough help; she had, in fact, already begun a second trimester abortion–which means that she had had laminaria inserted in order to dilate the cervix. I called Brit to learn the source of her discontent, what it was that she wanted. She was friendly, but exact. She said that she suffered from frequent migraines during which she was not able to handle her one year-old child; and if she was having problems with one child, what would it be like with two…. She said she needed some kind of day care arrangement for her one year-old son. I talked to her again about the long-term affects of abortion and why it was not a solution for any situation. While she didn’t disagree with anything I said, she insisted that she would nevertheless be forced to continue the abortion if she didn’t have some kind of day care. She added that she had used rent money to pay for the second trimester abortion and would need a full refund. How much? $530.00. We made our agreement, but there was more to be done. She still had the laminaria. Alicia consulted with a physician about the urgency of having the laminaria removed as soon as possible, that Jennifer and Tara went into Detroit, picked her up, and took her to the emergency room to have the laminaria removed. I was later told they didn’t get home until something like 4 a.m.
Brit began bleeding heavily the next day. Now, intent on preventing miscarriage, she again went to the hospital. The ultrasound and vital signs looked good, though, and she again came home, the bleeding having slowed. The rblem now, though, was to make sure she got the bed rest she needed. Alicia and I went to her home and spoke with her grandmother about having a cousin of Brit’s come in daily to nurse her. She would be paid by the Partners. Later that day, though, I got a call from Brit’s mother, who lives in Grand Rapids. First, the mother thanked us for all we had done for her daughter. She then advised against hiring the cousin, whom she described as immature and irresponsible. She said that she herself would come to Detroit on the bus and take Brit home with her. A three hour ride on the bus was not the kind of bed rest I was envisioning for Brit, so I offered to drive her out to Grand Rapids the next day. The offer was gratefully accepted–and that’s the way it happened. Two of my teenage children went along as assistants and the drive went very smoothly. A whole household was there to greet Brit–her mother, a brother, a sister and two little nieces. Brit’s litle boy wore a big grin as he was hugged by his cousin.
I am sure that’s not the end of the story, but a happy close to the first act.
