One of the frequent criticisms of the Pro-Life position on abortion is expressed as either “the need to keep government out of the bedroom” or “the decision should be between the woman and her doctor.” Of course, no one seems to be concerned about the underlying logic problems created by invoking these arguments, given that very few abortions occur in the bedroom and most woman never see the doctor before he begins the abortion.

Should we assume that pro-abortion politicians are committed at all costs to preventing government interference when it comes to the doctor/patient relationship? Apparently, that commitment only applies to abortion. The Illinois Legislature has unanimously passed a bill called the Postpartum Mood Disorders Prevention Act (SB 15). That bill outlines in great detail specific steps that doctors are to take to assess their postpartum patients for signs of postpartum mood disorders. The bill directs that new mothers be “invited” to take a test for postpartum depression at each doctor visit for their child during the first year.

Passage of this bill means the government nanny is ready and willing to interfere in the doctor/patient relationship. Doctors would also be required to provide education about postpartum mood disorders to their prenatal patients, and “with permission,” to family members as well.

Abortion advocates want to blame recent tragedies where mothers killed one or more of their children on postpartum depression. Bills such as SB 15 put the focus on postpartum depression as the source of such violent behavior. But is that focus justified? Maybe an investigation is needed into whether the mothers who killed their children had an abortion in their past. According to a study published in the Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology in March 2007, a history of abortion is associated with more frequent acts of physical aggression toward subsequent children. Might these violent, irrational acts be related to post-abortion trauma rather than postpartum depression?

Bill Beckman