If a baby is born 2 months premature, is that considered a life?

[WoIIie]

The answer seems obvious. Yes, that baby IS considered a life. However if the mother wanted to get an abortion 2 months before birth (which is typically 9 months) that baby would NOT be considered a life. Correct? Why is that? Why does one baby have a right to life while the other gets thrown away like useless tissue?

[zygi128]

Most places you can't get an abortion after the 1st trimester (about 12 weeks). That's about the time vital organs start developing thus constituting it a "baby". Although you can "loose it"/ mis-carry (having the baby die in the womb) at any time during a pregnancy it is rare after 20 weeks. Also you can carry the baby a full 40 weeks and still have it be "born" dead (not breathing). So are those all lives? But none of them got to choose, nor did the mother choose to end a life either-Nature just happens that way.

some people argue that once the sperm has fertilized the egg during conception that it is now a "life" because it has a new genetic code. Views on "when is a baby a BABY?" vary greatly from one person to another, usually because of religious or social views.

as to why would a mother want an abortion? There are many answers. Maybe she feels she can't handle it, possible rape victim, sexual abuse/incest, etc.

Why does one baby have a right to a life when another doesn't? That is the choice of the mother. . . . . . . .

[PinkPenguin]

Different people have different opinions. Some believe that that thing which you have been carrying for the past three months inside your belly is considered a life. It is fully developed and only needs to grow in size. (which is the reason why 12 weeks is the limit for abortions, at least in my country) Others believe that it's only a life when you have given birth to it. Then again there are those who believe that once those two cells have connected successfully, that is the start of the life of a child and that you are killing it if you take it out at all.

I was 5 weeks premature, and my liver was failing when I was born..My second cousin on the other hand was born 3 months premature. He was the size of half a kilo butter. You could hold him in your hand. Today he is 180cm tall though.. My point is.. What if his parents decided a week before.. I don't want this baby.. And then just threw it away?

It's an ethical question which have no right or wrong answer. It is all up to yourself. What do you think is right?

[WoIIie]

Not sure why you got a down-vote. You pretty much covered all bases and avoided bad logic.

[OpenArmsAlice]

I don't know what the regulations are in the country you are from but I am Canadian, and yes abortion is allowed, however you can only get an abortion upto a certain point in your pregnancy (5months is the max I believe).

After that you better be committed because the doctors won't allow you the option for abortion anymore.

I am not against abortion, but I do agree with our laws in stopping abortion once the fetus is developed to a certain point. At that point it is dangerous to the mother, and not right to the baby.

If you are going to get an abortion done get it done early before the fetus is 'more' developed.

[WoIIie]

That law makes sense to me. In America it's so black and white.

[DodgersGM]

It all boils down to when you believe that a human "life" has actually begun.

I can't say for sure where I personally stand. I don't think it's OK for a late stage pregnancy to be terminated (except for cases of rape/incest/danger to the mother's life/etc.). And then there's the issue of legislating women's bodies, the depth of which us men can never fully understand.

The flip side of the coin is that (I think) it's ridiculous that some religions vilify birth control because it prevents reproduction. Taken to that extreme, does this mean that I shouldn't use the pull-out method (as ineffective as that can be)? Also, if I blow my load into a Kleenex does that mean that I've killed a human life?

[cavmanier]

Some christians believe withdrawl is murder according to the sixth commandment. Destroying sperm would be losing potential human life I would think. I don't see how one could argue they are human but they are alive.

[TrailOfTears]

First of all you need to realize that the fetus for much of its growth is just another part of the female body and thus not considered as an independant life. That means the female in question has the right to remove it since ITS HER BODY.

The potential of life does not mean it is human just yet. Abortion becomes illegal once the fetus starts to show signs of becoming an indevidual as well as can theoretically survive outside of the female.

[WoIIie]

So the premature baby is not a life based on what you just said.

[TrailOfTears]

Its a life but is it human? I have personally not botered to form an oppinion on exactly when to consider a fetus "human" but can you remove something that is "not human" and then have it grow into a human? YES.

[WoIIie]

Lol, I hope it's a human. There's no reason why a human fetus would grow into a gorilla, or a Ford F-150.

[TrailOfTears]

If you want to have a serious exchange refrain from being an idiot. Or perhaps you do believe that every single DNA is a separate human? No "Human" in this case is more of a philosophical question which is why science has problems pinpointing a single instant where a life becomes a human.

[WoIIie]

Premature babies that live can grow up to be healthy, strong individuals. Are they human or not?

[TrailOfTears]

Not nessaserily. The potential to become a human does not mean it IS a human at that time.

[Anon100]

I was born 2 and a half months premature. And yes I nearly died, my parents were told to say goodbye to me but somehow I pulled through. I think that any parent, regardless of wether the child was wanted or not would fall in love with the child. The way that something that is yours could be gone forever. Once that child is born the mother is immediately recognised. That kind of connection is special and can't really be ignored.

[rockcandy]

This isn't a sexuality question. Anyway, I see your point. Once a baby is born it is a human even if it is premature. However, if it is a fetus and hasn't popped out on its own yet then the view goes that it is still a "fetus" and not a baby. You may or may not agree - I'm just explaining why this is the case.

[THE_Godfather]

Exactly. That's what the Supreme court ruled.

[Betwyn]

Living things breath...

if it hasn't been born yet, it isn't breathing...

[WoIIie]

Do dead things take up nutrients and kick?

[Betwyn]

Zombie's kick :P Life begins with birth..

[rockcandy]

The only way a fetus can stay alive is to remain dependent on its mother.

[WoIIie]

So what happens to premature babies?

[rockcandy]

A zygote also needs nutrients and is dependant on the mother. Some consider it alive. Also, sperm are alive so nobody jack off into a kleenex! Lol.

[rockcandy]

Well, a lot of premature babies die. They aren't strong enough to make it. However, many can be saved with medical treatment...and even when the babies grow up they will still have some problems but its more managable.

[WoIIie]

We're not talking about zygotes and sperm. We're talking about babies that are capable of surving outside the wom

[WoIIie]

Why even bother saving them if they aren't a life?

[rockcandy]

Clearly, you aren't listening. If a baby popped out then it IS a life. But really, your sperm are alive, need nutrients, and kick..so please refrain from jacking off.

[WoIIie]

Again, we're not talking about sperms and eggs. We're talking about babies that are capable of surving outside the womb.

[Betwyn]

if it is born 2 months premature, then yes, it is a life. It is breathing. But if it is not born, then it is not yet a life.

[caligirl3]

if a doctor did an abortion on a woman that was 7 month pregnant it was an illegal one, unless the baby was "damaged". I don't aprove of abortion for myself so I wouldn't do it but everyone is allowed to deside what they want to do with their own bodies. But if you crosses you legs I would think you are old enough to deal with the conseqences. Or use the day after pills.

[msdan12]

why would the "mom" wait until 7th month that's cruel, I mean I'm not against abortion I think every woman has the right to chose weather she wants to be a mother or not but this decision must be on the first trimester...now about when something is alive I must say for me is when it has a heartbeat so after first trimester iits alive

[bunnyfrancis]

A 7 month old fetus abortion? Yeah I can't get behind that. I think abortions shouldn't be allowed after 3 months. Idc if women get them but after 3 months you have pretty made your decision.

[bunnyfrancis]

Reading other ppls answers I guess 7 month abortions don't exist? lol

[cavmanier]

Yes it is a life as in it is alive. Bugs have a life, cows have one and bacteria right? Where do they do abortions at 7 months?

[pheabs]

I believe that a fetus is a life from the time it is conceived. It's a major issue but I would say that I'm not for abortion in any case because of that belief.

Now for your question: I guess people have the feeling that before birth the baby is just a part of the woman's body. So she can control if it will stay alive or not. After birth it is considered as a human being with the right to stay alive. Therefore a life . .

But I see no logic in that . . isn't a fetus unique human already . ?

great question :)

[taster]

See...the idea of allowing abortions only in the first trimester seems like a good compromise to me...but both extremes on this issue do not want any compromise...that said, are there all that many doctors who perform late-term abortions? I know they are very rare around here...closest one I can think of is two states away in Kansas...also...doesn't the term "late-term abortion" usually refer to the 5th month rather than the 7th or 8th month?

[hannabbanana]

It depends on who you ask. Some people will argue that it's still a fetus and what not.

Personally I do acknowledge that the baby is still considered a life while its inside the mother. I do think a woman should be able to have an abortion though. The world is overpopulated as it is, and I don't think a baby should come into this world unwanted. My religious beliefs back up my stance on the situation

[rockcandy]

Yeah...sadly, we are very overpopulated.