General Discussion

This is not the right thread for venting my opinions but I've been wanting to howl this at some toupee'd fundie.

Life does not begin at conception. An embryo-fetus-baby cannot live outside the mother's body, so during pregnancy it is technically a part of her with no agency and both the fetus's and mother's health and survival depend on the mother's well-being. To the point that if a woman feels something is instinctually wrong in an emergency, I would support her reaching inside and pulling the fetus out herself manually if that's what it takes. I know that's extreme and gross and should not have to happen.

From what I understand about medication abortion, it causes the uterine wall to shed as it does in menstruation so a fertilized embryo does not implant. Planned Parenthood says this is similar to an "early miscarriage". This can happen naturally, and thus is not a viable "pregnancy". If you'll pardon my simile, it's akin to cutting down a wasp's nest as it's being built before eggs are laid so there's no place for larvae to exist and grow.

I heard one AZ rep on NPR today who is wavering and said the correct thing: "nobody wants to kill babies" which is a good step after all the Trump nonsense about "execution after birth" which is a complete MAGA fantasy. Abortions in 3rd trimester are invariably wanted pregnancies that go wrong and punishing a doctor or a mother legally or forcing her to carry a dead or inviable fetus is monstrous.

The only regulations I would tentatively support as compromise (but I'm a man so these are just suggestions):
First trimester - elective abortion for any reason including by OTC medication without doctor involvement
Second trimester - elective with doctor OB/GYN consult/cosign via medication (if possible) or surgical procedure as medically necessary
Third trimester - medically necessary abortion at doctor's call unless the mother refuses

Until a baby is born and takes a breath on its own, there should be no legal implications involved. Nobody wants to kill babies. An unborn infant is dependent upon the mother's health which is paramount and takes precedence. A mother should always have agency.