This article was in the Washington Post a few days ago. It reminded me a little too much of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale."
New federal guidelines ask all females capable of conceiving a baby to treat themselves -- and to be treated by the health care system -- as pre-pregnant, regardless of whether they plan to get pregnant anytime soon.
Among other things, this means all women between first menstrual period and menopause should take folic acid supplements, refrain from smoking, maintain a healthy weight and keep chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes under control.(RS note: And the rest of you don't need to worry about it since you barren hags aren't any good to anyone.)
...
The U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than those of most other industrialized nations -- it's three times that of Japan and 2.5 times those of Norway, Finland and Iceland, according to a report released last week by Save the Children, an advocacy group. (RS note: perhaps because they have better health care?)
...
Women should also make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date and avoid contact with lead-based paints and cat feces, Biermann said.
The report recommends that women stop smoking and discuss with their doctor the danger alcohol poses to a developing fetus.
...
Experts acknowledge that women with no plans to get pregnant in the near future may resist preconception care.
You think? Perhaps because I was thinking of myself as a human, separate from my reproductive capacity. I'm all for healthy babies, but this seems the wrong direction to go. I'd start with health care for all.
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17 comments:
I'll second that!
I had no idea I was just a "breeder"...how about discouraging women from having kids just because they "can"???
or is this article a lobby for the crappy foster care/adoption system?? yeah, like they need more business =)
good post!
Jesus christ. And is the government going to pay for all women of reproductive age to have the care they need? What's next are they going to start arresting women who don't follow these guidelines?
And what about the fact that women should be taking care of themselves and current on vaccinations regardless of whether they plan to have children?
You know, over the years I have seen many things that remind me of Atwood's dystopian vision of the future for women, but you're right, this takes the cake.
First they are listening to our calls, then they are telling us we have no choices regarding our bodies and now they are telling us that they should be in control of our reproductive systems. Do you think they read Brave New World and thought it was a guide?
I should be careful, I'm sure Big Brother is watching. Wait, I'm not entirely convinced they can read, maybe we are safe.
You're right, apparently women are nothing but potential preggos to the government.
Whatever happened to promoting using birth control reliably? That seems like the better answer rather than continuous prenatal care.
Even if they meant well, it's an insulting statement. How about just promoting women's health, and not making us feel like nothing more than a walking talking womb.
what happens after we give birth? are our daughters to be neglected until puberty? are our sons to be neglected forever?
and, government, we breeding machines are autonomous and don't need a healthy partner, right?
Dang, I have to avoid contact with cat feces? How am I supposed to spend my Saturday nights????
Well, it's far easier to blame it all on women, especially poor and minority ones, than blame our horrific infant mortality rate on the doctors, who's fault it really is. They have money and lobbyists....we don't.
Yeah, universal healthcare. I'm with ya, woman? Why does the richest nation in the world fail to provide this basic service for people??
Sadly I can't help but believe this is a step closer to limiting our reproductive rights as well
Mrs Fortune, you're friggin hilarious.
I like your blog! Just thought I'd stop in and say hello
"Experts acknowledge that women with no plans to get pregnant in the near future may resist preconception care."
I picture a legion of white-coated zombie republican doctors murmuring RESISTANCE IS FUTILE ...
God, this shit really freaks me out.
May I suggest that we all start clothing ourselves in lead paint-containing substances, throw together some wigs made from cat stool, and prance around in the resulting costumes, while smoking *and* drinking simultaneously?
'Cause who the frick are they to tell us whether we can/can't do whatever we want, child-bearing age or no? It's a fre- a fr- um, nevermind.
Ahh..lemme spark up, drink this martini and eat this eclair before I type out my comment.
Much better. I hope they don't come arrest me in the middle of the night!!!! lol
While I can't get fully behind universal healthcare, I do think that the current way things are being handled are improper and need a lot of change.
Why do I get the idea that the government cares more about where our country falls in the global rank and file and cares less about how healthy its citizens are?
I do like the idea of asking women of childbearing age whether they are planning to become pregnant and if not, what type of birth control they are using. The problem is that the women who are most at risk are probably not seeing doctors for regular checkups, especially if they're not already pregnant.
Seriously. It's like when prenatal care is offered to low income women, but once the baby is born, there is no insurance for the kid or the mom available. Living in our wannabe theocracy is getting very depressing.
I read that novel and was intrigued by the premise. I'm not a big Atwood fan but I was impressed.
the Handmaid's Tale actually reminded me of "The Giver"
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