Request to Change Medical Terminology Associated with Miscarriage
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We, the undersigned, are appealing to the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and OB/GYN doctors around the world to change the terminology associated with miscarriage and stillbirth.
Specifically, we object to:
The word "abortion" used in any way or form related to unintentional loss of pregnancy, including medical terms such as "missed abortion" and "spontaneous abortion", and others. We believe the media attention surrounding the right-to-choose/right-to-life political debate has created an environment where the word abortion has become synonymous with a woman intentionally ending the life of an unborn child. For a woman suffering a loss not of her choice, this word implies fault, is offensive and causes a great deal of additional grief and guilt. We ask that you replace these antiquated medical terms with the simple yet accurate word "miscarriage."
Chemical pregnancy: This term implies that a woman was not really pregnant. If you MUST qualify the type of miscarriage, we ask that you replace this term with "early miscarriage."
Fetus: At what point a fetus becomes a baby may be arguable in medical circles, but to a woman suffering a miscarriage it is the loss of a BABY, no matter how long since gestation (3 weeks or 20 weeks+). When a doctor refers to the baby as a fetus, we feel like the doctor is seeking to minimize the tragic nature of the event.
While there are others, the above medical terms are the most harmful to women suffering from the loss of their baby. We respectfully ask that you make appropriate, formal changes to mitigate this harm.
Specifically, we object to:
The word "abortion" used in any way or form related to unintentional loss of pregnancy, including medical terms such as "missed abortion" and "spontaneous abortion", and others. We believe the media attention surrounding the right-to-choose/right-to-life political debate has created an environment where the word abortion has become synonymous with a woman intentionally ending the life of an unborn child. For a woman suffering a loss not of her choice, this word implies fault, is offensive and causes a great deal of additional grief and guilt. We ask that you replace these antiquated medical terms with the simple yet accurate word "miscarriage."
Chemical pregnancy: This term implies that a woman was not really pregnant. If you MUST qualify the type of miscarriage, we ask that you replace this term with "early miscarriage."
Fetus: At what point a fetus becomes a baby may be arguable in medical circles, but to a woman suffering a miscarriage it is the loss of a BABY, no matter how long since gestation (3 weeks or 20 weeks+). When a doctor refers to the baby as a fetus, we feel like the doctor is seeking to minimize the tragic nature of the event.
While there are others, the above medical terms are the most harmful to women suffering from the loss of their baby. We respectfully ask that you make appropriate, formal changes to mitigate this harm.
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250 signatures
Goal: 100
Latest Signatures
240.
Erin M
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I strongly agree. I think abortion mainly refers to women who purposely intended to terminate their pregnancy and I personally find the term "Spontanious abortion" offending as I would have done anything to have my baby here with me.
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