Local Obstetrician Takes On Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum’s Claims About Pre-Natal Testing.

Local Obstetrician Takes On Santorum’s Claims About Pre-Natal Testing

February 20, 2012 12:48 PM

(Dr. Jane Porcelan) (credit: The Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia / obphila.org)

Reporting Pat Loeb

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By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Some Philadelphia area obstetricians are disturbed by statements about pre-natal testing made over the weekend by presidential candidate Rick Santorum. Santorum said that amniocentesis results in abortion “more often than not.” But physicians say otherwise.

“Amniocentesis is offered for a variety of reasons,” said Doctor Jane Porcelan, president of the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, the country’s oldest ob-gyn professional group.

She found Santorum’s remarks about pre-natal testing, ill-informed, to say the least.

“I think Mr. Santorum is sorely misguided when he makes such generalizations,” she said. “It’s really an ignorant thing to say.”

According to Porcelan, amniocentesis may actually improve infant health. It detects conditions that can be treated in utero or immediately upon delivery. But more often than not, she said, it detects a perfectly normal pregnancy.

“For many couples based on age they want additional reassurance and amnio is the only way they’re going to get that reassurance,” she added.

Porcelan said there are many factors to consider when getting amnio but it’s a decision best left to doctor and patient.

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Local Obstetrician Takes On Santorums Claims About Pre Natal Testing

http://thednaexchange.com/2012/02/26/a-culture-warrior-takes-on-amniocentesis/ A Culture Warrior Takes on Amniocentesis | The DNA Exchange

[...] — but where to start? It’s tempting to focus on the low-hanging fruit. Like, NO, Rick: most amnios do not, in fact, “lead to abortion”. Most amnios are normal and lead to reassured parents-to-be. And sometimes, when there is a [...]
pro life

WE WERE PRESENTED WITH THIS TESTING SO THAT WE COULD MAKE AN “INFORMED” CHOICE……we were horrified that the nurse alluded to the option of “abortion”…seems like some health care people relish the fact they can refer you to have an abortion…..to decide who lives and dies….these people are the true neo nazis…they dont respect life they want to be like God…. i hope rick santorum wins nomination so that a real frend of the unborn has a chance to become president …all you who have had abortions and support abortions are baby killers!!.
jsp

“But more often than not, she said, it detects a perfectly normal pregnancy.”

Ahhhhh . . . . so you can determine whether it’s worth keeping around, huh?

I’m always amazed at how many are completely unaware of their sick worldview.

Dee

After many years as a nurse practitioner in women’s health, I can assure you that most people only want reassurance so that they can enjoy the pregnancy. Many couples have had miscarriages or stillbirths related to abnormalities and need reassurance that the pregnancy will come to term. Others know that it is likely that they may have a child with problems based on family history and such and want to be able to prepare so that they can take the best care of the baby. People in these positions need our support and good wishes….

Monica

I’m not a big Santorum fan, but I am a fan of the truth. What he said was: “there are all sorts of prenatal testing which should be provided free,” such as sonograms, if the insurance companies wanted to cover them, but that insurance companies should not be required to cover amniocentesis.

Given that Dr. Porcelan seems to be describing the benefits that come from ultrasound detection and not actually amnio (which detects genetic syndromes, not defects), it’s not really clear what the point of this article was – except to thinly veil a partisan attack in a poor discussion of actual facts.
egnj

Santurum is talking about bring back the factor job and start making thinks in USA again. This will give moms and pops jobs so they can take care of their babies and have a great life. Yes, life.

egnj

sorry, factory jobs

BeenThereDoneThat

Amnio is more often than not offered to confirm a suspected issue with the baby which will enbolden doctors to put more pressure on the parents to abort. It is untrue and misleading to state that amnio offers options such as prenatal treatment. Prenatal treatments are rare and extremely difficult to obtain when they do exist. And as far as care after birth, it is more common that a condition confirmed by amnio will result in an inability of parents to secure certain medical treatments or even basic care for babies with genetic conditions. This doctor is just advancing the typical pro choice propaganda talking points. Its time to be honest people. Stop hiding behind your rhetoric. The only “reassurance” you want to give is that you can eliminate the imperfect baby before its too late and get a do over.

fgsfds

You’re completely wrong. Without Amniocentesis we would be unable to treat many pre-birth illnesses that are much more common than you seem to think, many of which would result in the baby’s death otherwise. The procedure results in saving babies far more often than it would lead to an abortion. Rick Santorum is just looking for ways to push his beliefs onto everyone else.

jsp

“The procedure results in saving babies far more often than it would lead to an abortion”

You wouldn’t have any facts to support what you just posted — would you?
BeenThereDoneThat

You are misinformed. I have worked with dozens of families who have been given adverse diagnoses for their babies. Most were pushed to abort before they even had an amnio. The amnio just gives the docs more ammo in the push for abortion. Babies are not “saved” by amnio – they are saved by their parents refusing to bow to the pressure from the docs and genetics counselors to abort. I don’t agree with alot of what Mr Santorum says. I do however applaud his willingness to stand up for what he believes. Too many politicians stand for what’s popular at the moment so you don’t know what to expect. Like him or not, you know what he believes.