Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
On the National Level
In late January, I wrote a post titled Rape Redefined and Brought to You by the US House of Representatives in which I 
talked about members of Congress—mostly Republicans—who were attempting to “redefine” what the only REAL kind of rape is—that would be “forcible rape.” (I wasn’t aware there was any other kind of rape.) These Congressmen were proposing legislation that would no longer consider the following types of sexual assault as rape: The rapes of women with limited mental capacity and rapes in which women were drugged or given excessive amounts of alcohol.
Last week, Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw) wrote a post titled The Right’s War on Women in which he discussed legislation proposed by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Indiana) that would eliminate the entire budget for Title X. Lawrence wrote: “Rep. Pence and his fellow Republicans are trying to defund Planned Parenthood because it receives millions from Title X funds to assist women in their family planning and health matters. In order to try to end abortions without testing the strength of Roe v. Wade in the courts, the sponsors and backers of this bill don’t care if low-income women suffer by not getting the health care that they so desperately need. Many of these same legislators also backed the repeal of the Affordable Health Care act which would also assist low-income women get affordable health care.”
And Now from the State of Georgia
Just yesterday, I read about State Rep. Bobby Franklin of Georgia who is introducing legislation in his state that would require proof that a miscarriage—aka a spontaneous abortion—was the result of natural causes. If this legislation passes, there would have to be proof that a woman’s miscarriage was the result of natural causes. If a woman can’t prove that—she might face felony charges!
From a piece in Daily Kos: “Franklin wants to create a Uterus Police to investigate miscarriages, and requires that any time a miscarriage occurs, whether in a hospital or without medical assistance, it must be reported and a fetal death certificate issued. If the cause of death is unknown, it must be investigated. If the woman can’t tell how it happened, then those Uterus Police can ask family members and friends how it happened. Hospitals are required to keep records of anyone who has a spontaneous abortion and report it. Yup, we’ve been waiting for someone to suggest this–and Franklin has.”
Here’s the link to Franklin’s bill:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display.aspx?Legislation=31965
There are millions and millions of American women who suffer/have suffered miscarriages through no fault of their own. Suffering a miscarriage can be an emotionally wrenching experience for a woman. Imagine losing a much wanted pregnancy–and then having to prove the miscarriage was the result of natural causes. How does a woman do that, Rep. Franklin? Can you explain to the women of Georgia how they should go about gathering evidence to prove that they haven’t committed a felony when they have a miscarriage?
By the way, Rep. Franklin also introduced a bill to change Georgia’s criminal codes so that victims of rape, stalking, and family violence could only be referred to as “accusers” until defendants have been convicted.
FYI
Here are some statistics on miscarriage for you:
From WebMed
Frequency of Miscarriages in the United States
The overall miscarriage rate is reported as 15-20%, which means 15-20% of recognized pregnancies result in miscarriage. The frequency of spontaneous miscarriage increases further with maternal age. With the development of highly sensitive assays for hCG levels, pregnancies can be detected prior to the expected next period. When these highly sensitive hCG assays are used early, the magnitude of pregnancy loss significantly increases to about 60-70%. Late implantation by the conceptus beyond the usual 8-10 days after ovulation also has an increased risk of miscarriage.
About 80% of miscarriages occur within the first trimester. The frequency of miscarriage decreases with increasing gestational age. Recurrent miscarriage, defined as 2-3 pregnancy losses, affects about 1% of all couples.
From American Pregnancy Association
Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50-75% of all miscarriages. This occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the time of her expected period. The woman may not realize that she conceived when she experiences a chemical pregnancy.
Sources
Washington Monthly (Political Animal)
HenMan,
Do you think one of the people commenting on this thread may be suffering some type of “psychological effect?”
Tootie,
You wrote: You didn’t answer the question. Now I’ll ask another one: Why is she crying? (and it is note because the hormones made her do it)
*****
I left you a link and an excerpt from the American Pregnancy site. If you can read, the answer to your question should be clear.
I’m not sure who the “she” you refer in your comment is. Can you explain?
HenMan 1, February 19, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Elaine-
If Tootie were a woman, instead of a male prison inmate, “she” might have some understanding of the psychological effects a woman would suffer after a miscarriage.
=====
Why is the woman having “psychological effects”?
“Blouise 1, February 19, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Tootie
1, February 19, 2011 at 4:07 pm
“Suffering a miscarriage can be an emotionally wrenching experience for a woman.”
Why?
============================================
TootieBy,
Any woman who has to ask that question ain’t a woman thus another small piece of the puzzle falls into place … he/she
********
My response:
Blouise, and yet you did not answer the question. Why is it emotionally wrenching and why are you avoiding a direct answer the question?
MY LAST POST WAS DIRECTED TO ELAINE@
Elaine M. 1, February 19, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Tootie
1, February 19, 2011 at 4:07 pm
“Suffering a miscarriage can be an emotionally wrenching experience for a woman.”
Why?
**********
Suffice it to say–I know whereof I speak, Tootie! Are you really so hard-hearted that you cannot understand how a woman could suffer emotionally after the loss of a pregnancy? Maybe you think Rep. Franklin’s proposed legislation is a good idea?
[you didn’t answer my question]
*****
From American Pregnancy
After a Miscarriage: Surviving Emotionally
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyloss/mcsurvivingemotionally.html
Excerpt:
What are emotions I might feel after a miscarriage?
Women may experience a roller coaster of emotions such as numbness, disbelief, anger, guilt, sadness, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Even if the pregnancy ended very early, the sense of bonding between a mother and her baby can be strong. Some women even experience physical symptoms from their emotional distress. These symptoms include: fatigue, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, and frequent episodes of crying. The hormonal changes that occur after miscarriage may intensify these symptoms.”
=========
You didn’t answer the question. Now I’ll ask another one: Why is she crying? (and it is note because the hormones made her do it)
Anonymously Yours 1, February 19, 2011 at 4:27 pm
“Tootie,
Get a real life…”
======
You are afraid to answer the question?
eniobob,
Maybe a more accurate term might be the “religious wrong”!
Ms B.Ms B.
You are so right I had to type your name twice:=)
“Remember how the Republicans used the Christian Right and once those “leaders” within the Christian Right died off or quit, all of a sudden the rank and file began to complain about how they were used.”
Have not heard the phrase “religious right” in a very long time.
HenMan,
If Tootie were a Male Prison Inmate maybe they are hoping for one….It must be hard….to be that misdirected and misinformed….. I wonder if it chemical, organic or biological?
Elaine-
Best belly laugh of the week!!! Outstanding!!!
HenMan & Blouise,
I heard Tootie once had a starring role in the play “Guise and Dolls.”
😉
Elaine-
If Tootie were a woman, instead of a male prison inmate, “she” might have some understanding of the psychological effects a woman would suffer after a miscarriage.
Blouise,
I know about the machinations of corporations–but I feel we have to hold individuals like Rep. Franklin personally responsible for their actions and call them out in public. The corporations would not have the kind of power they do if they didn’t have dupes or water carriers to do their dirty work for them. Besides, I think some of these legislators actually believe in what they are doing.
Tootie
1, February 19, 2011 at 4:07 pm
“Suffering a miscarriage can be an emotionally wrenching experience for a woman.”
Why?
============================================
TootieBy,
Any woman who has to ask that question ain’t a woman thus another small piece of the puzzle falls into place … he/she
Lotta, Elaine et al,
As Buddha, mespo, Mike Spindell and many many others on this site have constantly pointed out … Corporations are the bad guys and it is those guys that are running the show.
We have to fight this Republican Party War on Women but be ever mindful of what is going on behind those Corporate doors as our politicians slink in and out of the rooms.
Hey, if they could reduce the status of women and thus their earning power and political clout … so much the better but I believe their main goal is to bust the only real organized group standing in the way of their greed … Unions. They co-opted the U. S. government a long time ago.
Tootie
1, February 19, 2011 at 4:07 pm
“Suffering a miscarriage can be an emotionally wrenching experience for a woman.”
Why?
**********
Suffice it to say–I know whereof I speak, Tootie! Are you really so hard-hearted that you cannot understand how a woman could suffer emotionally after the loss of a pregnancy? Maybe you think Rep. Franklin’s proposed legislation is a good idea?
*****
From American Pregnancy
After a Miscarriage: Surviving Emotionally
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyloss/mcsurvivingemotionally.html
Excerpt:
What are emotions I might feel after a miscarriage?
Women may experience a roller coaster of emotions such as numbness, disbelief, anger, guilt, sadness, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Even if the pregnancy ended very early, the sense of bonding between a mother and her baby can be strong. Some women even experience physical symptoms from their emotional distress. These symptoms include: fatigue, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, and frequent episodes of crying. The hormonal changes that occur after miscarriage may intensify these symptoms.
Blouise is absolutely right about not taking ones eye off the ball regarding the use of women’s issues (actually, health issues) to distract from the economic conflict/class war (if I may shade your statement B.) that is going on.
All of these bills that the Republicans have brought forward in the House that are not economic/jobs/budgetary in nature are too run out the clock on a buget bill and funding the government. They have the virtue of payback and pandering to the most rabid of the base but they also manufacture a continuing budgetary crisis.
It should be easier for the Republicans to force votes on a (bad) budget bill by making it an emergency to pass something to avoid a government shutdown or to re-fund a shut down government. The Republicans are probably doing exactly what they had planned to do all along.
“MADISON, Wis., Feb 19 (Reuters) – Supporters of legislation to reduce public employee union bargaining power and benefits in Wisconsin were far outnumbered by opponents on Saturday, as the two sides shouted competing slogans but did not clash.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/19/usa-wisconsin-protests-idUSN1917726920110219
Tootie,
Get a real life…