How remarkably consistent

The Washington Post had an article lately that has gotten some into an uproar. With good cause, of course.

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.

-cite

What this amounts to is the federal government telling women to assume they're pregnant and just don't know it yet at all times. This does not take in to consideration the willingness of the woman in question to actually bear a child to term. This does not take into consideration the willingness of the woman in question to raise any child thus conceived. This does not take into consideration the sexual activities of the woman in question.

Schrodinger's women. You're both pregnant and not pregnant at the same time. Unless you run a test, and only then you're one or the other. But the next day you're back to the same pregnant/not-pregnant state. Since motherly health is critical in the first trimester of pregnancy, and you can't get tested for pregnancy every day, therefore treat yourself as if you were pregnant. QED.

Ahem.

Sad to say, this is a logical extension of federal and medical policy. As any woman of child-bearing age (and even most who aren't anymore) knows, any time you get medical attention beyond the poking/prodding of a check-up you get asked the question, "Are you pregnant, or is there the possibility you can be pregnant". The reason for this is very, very clear. This policy is a way to take that sort of medical care into the home.

That question is one that is the butt of jokes on college campuses world-wide. It goes like this:

Female Student: I hab a cold. I wad cough syrub.
Health Center person: Are you pregnant?
FS: I'b a lesbian. Boys are iggy. No.
HSp: Lets run the test anyway while you're here. Just a moment.
FS: But... I don't DO boys.
HSp: Won't take a minute.

Etc.

The fact of the matter is that testing to see if a medication is usable on pregnant women is mind bogglingly expensive and exceedingly hard to do. Therefore, most drugs don't get tested against pregnant women. Therefore, most drugs aren't approved for use on pregnant women. If you are a pregnant woman, your treatment options are severely limited.

While logical from a medical point of view, the above policy is abhorrent from a reproductive choice point of view. Not every woman desires to get pregnant. Not every woman would keep a pregnancy if one accidentally occurred. The CDC would do more to promote reproductive choice, but in this Administration such a stance is impossible.

If taken to silly extremes, a policy in bars to ban alcohol sales to women of childbearing age could come into being. Alcohol is a big harmer of zygotes, and if all women are potentially pregnant then you shouldn't serve alcohol to women. Bah.

Just another bad policy decision from this administration.