Page 63 - Tracy Anderson Magazine - Fall 2021

weeks; for that matter, at this juncture of the pregnancy, it’s for the baby/child and mother. The baby would have to be the only option was to have an abortion. If this were Texas, I es where these facilities were the target of violence, such as
difficult to medically determine whether the embryo will institutionalized. Horrible. When both prospective mother wouldn’t be permitted to choose to have an abortion. bombings, vandalism, and arson. In October 1998, a physi-
survive full-term. and father test positive for Tay-Sachs, there’s a one-in-four cian who performed abortions was specifically targeted and
chance the baby will be born with the disease. To be clear, We all concurred it would be cruel and inhumane for this murdered at his home in upstate New York. Clearly, these
Quite the contrary, this legislation limits health care to for each pregnancy, there is a 25 percent chance the baby innocent child to suffer from Tay-Sachs. were turbulent times.
women and the unborn child. The legislation doesn’t take could be born with the disease.
into consideration the health of the woman, nor the health The Late-Term Abortion My doctor scheduled this procedure at a clinic, and not in
of the fetus. In truth, despite the fact we were both carriers, I didn’t be- I was now 18 weeks pregnant with a fetus that had a fatal a hospital, for the sole reason that the clinic had up-to-date
lieve there was a chance that we could possibly have a child genetic illness. Upon my consent, my doctor immediately medical equipment to perform a late-term abortion. My
Misconception of Conception diagnosed with that terrible disease. The odds seemed so made an appointment for me to see another doctor to per- health was a priority, and my doctors wanted me to be able
There is a misconception as to how women view an abortion. remote at the time to me. You know, the “that will never form the late-term abortion. If this were Texas, I wouldn’t to conceive future children. Again, if this were Texas, this
1. I have never met a woman who was “eager” to have an happen to us” scenario. be permitted to choose to have an abortion, nor would a wouldn’t be an option.
abortion. doctor be permitted to schedule an abortion.
2. I have never met a woman who used abortion as a form So, 23 years ago, I learned I was pregnant with my second After the procedure, I awoke in a large room that must have
of birth control. child. My pregnancy was confirmed approximately in the To make matters worse, we were about to celebrate my first- had at least 12 beds for women to recover postoperative.
eighth week. If this were Texas, I wouldn’t be permitted to born child’s second birthday. One by one, we woke up. As I lie in my bed, I looked to the
Walk In My Shoes choose to have an abortion. When my doctor confirmed my left, I looked to the right. Women of all colors, national-
How do I know this? Walk in my shoes. I had an abortion 23 pregnancy, he discussed two tests I could take to determine Literally, the next day, I met the doctor who would perform ities, and religions were just like me. The only difference
years ago, almost to the day of writing this article. There. I whether the baby had Tay-Sachs. the abortion. In truth, all I can remember is his smile. Oh, was we came from different neighborhoods.
said it out loud. and he promised me that in the future, I will be able to con-
Test #1 was a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) performed no ceive 50 babies. Apparently, late-term abortions are not so When we were still in our respective beds, we all started
I have finally decided to share my life experience, because earlier than the 10th week of pregnancy. CVS is a prenatal easy, and a skilled physician is required to to talk to one another. This proved to be a
I believe it unequivocally provides clarity as to why the test in which a sample of chorionic villi is removed from the perform this procedure. life-altering moment for me. First of all, ev-
Texas Statute doesn’t protect a pregnant woman or the placenta for testing. eryone was sad. Not one person was happy.
unborn child. I considered myself to be blessed. Even Second, everyone was honest. Of course we
Test #2 was an amniocentesis (amnio) performed no earlier then, despite my heartache and despair, were, we had no choice, we were coming out
Quite the contrary. The Heartbeat Act is cruel and inhu- than the 16th week of pregnancy. The amnio is a procedure I wondered what less fortunate women of anesthesia. Third, everyone had an incred-
mane because it sets forth specific dates that define in-utero in which amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus for test- would do in my situation. ible reason for choosing to have an abortion.
developmental milestones not rooted in medical science and ing or treatment. And not one reason was for birth control.
disregards the health, safety, and welfare of both mother and I had no fear. I put my life in the hands
unborn child. I elected to take the CVS test because I could get the results of this experienced physician, who, along In truth, I loved each and every one of those
earlier in the pregnancy. The sooner to know whether the with my regular ob-gyn, guided me women. This experience is something that I
The consequences of this ban on abortion are, in truth, far baby had this fatal disease, the better. Right? through this dramatic life experience. have carried with me for 23 years.
more emotionally and physically detrimental than the actual
abortion. In the 10th week of my pregnancy, I took the CVS test. The To understand this timeline of events, it Fortunately, my wonderful doctors gave
test proved to be extremely painful. I actually thought I is the 18th week of my pregnancy. Within me the best medical care. And as my doc-
In simple terms, the Heartbeat Act is a wolf dressed as a would pass out during the test. After two failed attempts to two days of learning the fetus I was carry- Gay Snow tor promised, once I was fully recovered,
lamb. Governor Abbott and the Texas State Legislature get a sample, we had to end the test. I physically could not ing had the fatal genetic illness Tay-Sachs, I learned I was pregnant. This time, after
have no interest in protecting the health, safety, and wel- endure the pain. I was scheduled for an abortion at an abortion clinic in waiting for the amnio results at 18 weeks, my doctor happily
fare of both the woman and unborn child. Rather, this Act NYC. If this were Texas, my doctors would be precluded congratulated me that the baby was healthy.
promotes their own agenda to ban abortion at the behest Thus, I had to wait to take the amnio. I can assure you, from scheduling an abortion.
of all people. there’s a big difference from the 10th to the 16th week of No Badge of Honor
pregnancy. I was now in my second trimester and was sport- In truth, never in my life did I ever entertain the idea of Abortion is a personal, private choice. There’s no badge of
If I lived in Texas now and chose to have a baby, my preg- ing a little “belly.” Even had a bit of that pregnancy “glow.” having an abortion. However, never in my life did I ever honor awarded for choosing to have an abortion. Alterna-
nancy would be subjected to the Heartbeat Act. know that my husband and I would be carriers of a fatal tively, a woman shouldn’t be shamed to wear a Scarlet letter
In the 16th week of that pregnancy, my doctor performed genetic illness. If this were Texas, my husband would have for choosing to have an abortion.
My Story the amnio. It takes two weeks to get the test results. been accused of “aiding and abetting” an abortion and be
My husband and I are carriers of the Tay-Sachs gene, which fined $10,000 for taking me to the clinic. I know. So hard to In truth, no one understands what it means to have an
is a fatal genetic illness that emerges when a baby is 6 In the 18th week of that pregnancy, my doctor personally believe, but that is the Texas law. abortion. Unless, of course, you chose to have one.
months old. As my doctor told me, babies born with Tay- called and told me the baby did have Tay-Sachs. It was as
Sachs are beautiful, have piercing blue eyes, and blond hair. if the world stopped. My doctor was sensitive to my disap- Behind the facade of a very tall NYC building, a nonde- Please don’t limit, restrict, or ban my right to an abortion
At 6 months of age, all the motor skills a baby has devel- pointment, shock, and sadness. He proved to be my guard- script abortion clinic was tucked away. Hidden from the unless you have walked in my shoes. ■
oped up to that point, such as sitting up, rolling over, and ian angel for the next few weeks, months, and years. world. No signage, no labels. It looked like a business office
crawling, come to an absolute sudden halt. The baby will from the hallway. Why so clandestine? Gay Snow is a no-nonsense straight talker, forward thinker, and
go blind, deaf, and experience severe mental retardation. In addition to my doctor, a counselor from the genetic cen-
Typically, a Tay-Sachs baby lives between the ages of 4 to ter at the hospital immediately phoned me to also give me The year was 1998. At that time, it was common to see writer. A former assistant district attorney, she is the author of The
7. However, due to modern medicine, the child could “live” emotional support and guidance as to “next steps.” Accord- anti-abortion activists protest in front of medical facilities Admissions Game: The Official College Acceptance Play-
longer. Clearly, this would be no “life.” It would be torture ing to several of my physicians, including religious advisors, where abortions were performed. There were a few instanc- book, 2020–2021. You can find her online at GayToday.Blog.

60 61