Role of the Abortion Doula


Recently a woman who helps women before and after their abortions, call an abortion doula, wrote a book and sat for an interview. What she does on behalf of women who need abortions but have been told all of their lives they are sinful murderers is wonderful. 

She points our the obvious. While abortion is a taboo subject in many circles there are so many of them they happen in these circles where no one dares discuss it. She insists, "You or someone you love will have an abortion."

The abortion doula gives advice and assistance when there is the usual physical pain. Sometimes practical help is needed with other children, laundry and grocery shopping. They help round up money when that is necessary for travel and abortion fees.

Because they are neither an abortion provider nor a woman seeking an abortion they are good sources of testimony at legislative hearings in states. Male legislators often generalize about women seeking abortion, mostly concluding they are bad people who need to be punished. The abortion doula knows much about the lives of women who get abortions and can challenge male legislators who want to punish them.

Some abortion clinic staff are wary of doulas because their presence implies staff are not taking adequate care of patients. The doula writer worked at an abortion clinic and knows staff care about patients but have limited time to follow each one of them for a few weeks. 

She points out the absurdity of conditions conservatives set on access to abortion. That is, abortions may be available in cases of rape or to save the life of the mother. These are absurd because they also require paperwork and investigation that may be out of reach during the time available. They also tell women they must suffer to qualify for an abortion. It is like the game religious conservatives played in gay marriage. Only official marriages could be recognized for its tax benefits. If gays had official marriages they could have the benefits of marriage. Then conservatives smiled and said no to licenses of marriage to those of the same gender. 

Abortion doulas and the rest of us need to speak out in favor of abortion rights for women.

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