Six things I wish I had learned in medical school
Faith Today Blog May 23, 2017 By Laura Lewis, MD I wish I had learned… That science can only describe the magnificence of life, not explain it. Despite learning about oocytes, spermatozoa, cell division and embryology, I failed to appreciate the complex blueprint of life established in the early moments of conception. That in the name of “choice,” many women have no choice regarding their unplanned pregnancy. That many men and women live with great regret about their children lost to abortion. That despite our ability to treat a diseased heart, we have no cure for a broken one. That a microscope, while magnifying an image, can actually dull our focus. A chromosome count cannot measure value. Prenatal testing cannot predict love or the impact and purpose of a life. That when it comes to unplanned pregnancy, we often fail our patients. That is my word for it, failure. Our patients come to us for guidance, education and unbiased help during the chaos of an unplanned pregnancy. Yet, in our society and medical circles, abortion provision, accessibility and availability are given a greater platform and emphasis than supportive alternatives such as adoption and pregnancy care support. It is my hope there will be a change in our society and in the medical profession. It is time for a new response to those facing an unplanned pregnancy, one where we look beyond the scientific process, and we enter into a new conversation, one where all life is valued and protected. Dr. Laura Lewis is a family physician and executive director of Pregnancy Care Canada (PCC). PCC is dedicated to establishing, equipping and encouraging local pregnancy care centres. During the course of her work as a frontline medical doctor, she saw the need for education, support and practical options for women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. |