To the Editor,

Lup-dup, Lup-dup, Lup…By the end of the third week the tubular heart begins to beat

(Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, Alden, 2016, p. 273). Even prior to this amazing occurrence the

fertilization of the male sperm and female ovum establish the beginning of life itself. Based on

the accepted biological definition of life in the scientific community as, “A distinctive

characteristic of a living organism from dead organism or non-living thing, as specifically

distinguished by the capacity to grow, metabolize, respond (to stimuli), adapt, and reproduce,” it

is impossible to state that the fertilization of gametes is anything less (“biology online,” 2017).

Yet, abortions are legal in every state in America. As a future nurse, a major responsibility is

being an advocate for patients in which, I must ensure, “protection, promotion, and optimization

of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the

diagnosis and treatment of human response and advocacy in the care of individuals, families,

communities, and populations” (JU, 2017). With this understanding I ask, who is the advocate

for the fetus? Now, the question is then raised, are not women of rape and incest suffering from

carrying this child? Rape and incest is an exceptionally traumatic and stress producing event that

is not only damaging to the body but to the psychological well-being of the woman as well. I

find it illogical to assume that through killing an unborn child, displacing the stress of this event

onto the fetus, that the woman actually experiences healing. In these instances, efforts and

funding need to be provided for these women to ensure they get the necessary psychological and

emotional therapy through counseling and support groups to develop coping skills to handle this

stress and be able to regain their value as a person. With that said, according to Operation Rescue

(2017), “Less than 1% of all abortions take place because of rape and/or incest,” and “A total of

699,202 abortions were reported to CDC for 2012.” Who will be the voice for these children?
Biology online. (2017). Life. Retrieved from http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Life

Jacksonville University (2017). Nurses must be advocates for their patients. Retrieved from

https://www.jacksonvilleu.com/blog/nursing/nurses-advocating-for-patients/

Lowdermilk, D. L., Perry, S. E., Cashion, K., & Alden, K. R. (2016). Maternity & women’s

health care (11th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Operation Rescue. (2017). Abortions in america. Retrieved from

http://www.operationrescue.org/about-abortion/abortions-in-america/