Unplanned pregnancies have solutions

6/2/2007

Many Blade readers undoubtedly read with disbelief and sadness that a new mother had left her day-old baby in a bathroom because she didn t know what else to do.

The media were quick to tell the public that the baby could have been taken to fire station, a police station, or a hospital within 72 hours of his birth and no questions would have been asked of the mother because of the Safe Haven for Newborns law.

That is one option, but think of the long months of stress for the pregnant woman that could have been avoided if she had acted sooner.

Heartbeat of Toledo has another suggestion for young women faced with unexpected pregnancies.

As early as three weeks into a pregnancy, a woman can call Heartbeat, 419-242-9131, for help in this situation. Volunteers will do a pregnancy test, discuss her options if she is pregnant, direct her thinking regarding family or friends support, offer assistance in informing her parents or father of the child, and link her to the many social-service organizations and medical facilities that can see her through a healthful pregnancy and successful birth with the knowledge that she has done the best for her child.

Through the pregnancy she can use the time to decide if parenting or adoption is the right choice for her.

Her schooling, whatever her age, does not have to stop nor does her career path come to a halt.

If you know someone with an unplanned pregnancy, please be supportive in her dilemma and tell her to call Heartbeat of Toledo or a similar organization, Pregnancy Center of Toledo. You may save her baby s life as well as her own.

Joyce Meyer

Avonhurst Court

An Ohio HMO has open enrollment starting June 1. In my age group (50-59) for a family it will cost quarterly $20,095.47. That figures out to $80,381.88 a year, $6,698.49 a month, or $1,674.62 a week.

These people need to come out of their fantasy world.

Linda Shade

Perrysburg

Maybe it s time for The Blade to go after the oil companies like it did Brush Wellman.

Jim Witty

Williston, Ohio

In April, 31 students were killed at Virginia Tech. The country was shocked and outraged. There was national mourning by flying the flag at half-staff. Also in April, 100 American troops were killed. There was no shock and outrage. There was no national mourning by flying the flag at half-staff. Why?

Henry Stateczny

Whitehouse