Survival of premature baby of 23 weeks calls UK abortion laws into question

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Comments: 15

Lexie Slater (Photo: Cavendish Press)

London, England, Jan 7, 2009 / 06:25 am (CNA).- A premature baby born in Britain 23 weeks into pregnancy has been allowed to return home six months after her birth, prompting her parents to question the British laws which permit unborn children like her to be aborted.

Lexie Slater-Folksman weighed only 1 lb, 8 oz. at delivery. She was put on life support, her parents being warned that she might not survive, the Daily Mail reports.

Her eyes not having developed fully, Lexie required laser surgery when she was just one month-old. She also suffered collapsed lungs and spent weeks on ventilator equipment.

Lexie’s parents, the 20-year-old Sarah Slater and her 25-year-old fiancé Richard Folksman, said their daughter’s case proves that abortion laws are outdated and should be changed.

“We're so glad to have Lexie home with us at last and it just shows how outmoded our laws on abortion are,” Slater told the Daily Mail.

“Some mothers-to-be would be able to legally terminate their pregnancy at 23 weeks - yet my Lexie is living proof babies can survive being born so prematurely.

“I never realized a baby would be so well developed at 23 weeks and they do have a chance of life.”

In May British MPs voted to preserve the legal limit for abortions at 24 weeks into pregnancy.

Lexie’s mother was 22 weeks pregnant when her water broke. Doctors attempted to halt labor, fearing the baby wouldn’t survive.

Lexie was born a week later.

Comments: 15

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Ellen Almasy
Washington, DC 03/03/2010 09:08 PM EST

I was a cesarian section at 22-24 weeks. Had jaundice, cross-eyes, a huge head...hospitalized in an incubator for many months and then had a private nurse for a year after that. My mother too was hospitalized, although I've never known what was wrong with her. They called my survival a miracle. As an adult, have learning disabilities, many vision/depth perception problems, short arms and legs. But I've been happy, healthy, successful and am grateful for the miracle...you see, the year I was born was 1944. The English couple is right to question their abortion laws, as we should in the United States.

Published by: jenn
boston,massachusetts 12/12/2009 11:57 AM EST

i would agree that the abortion law shoul be outdated. i was 23 weeks pregnant when my son was born he was 1 pound 6 oz i had very hard time at the begining. He is now 7 years old doing great healthy and very happy kid.i beleive that my son is here for reason.good luck with your daughter.

Published by: Melissa
Chalmette USA 07/22/2009 01:37 PM EST

I agree with the statment that a woman makes the choice when she has sex! I was 15 when i got pregnant for my first baby! I am now 21 and he is a healthy 5 yr old! at 17 i got pregnant for my daughter a few weeks after i lost everything in hurricane katrina. DO U THINK I WAS READY? She is a healthy 3 yr. old and I just gave birth to my 3rd. a little boy and all along i've stayed in school and worked and supported all 3 by myself because their father is deseased. i look at them an think how much easier life would be if i would have then i get sick to my stomach to think about it. their beautiful babies, innocent and pure. so many girls down here use abortion as birth control. my best friend has gotten 3 and is pregnant right now. if you dont want any babies dont get pregnant! stop killing precious little angels bc if you chose not to they would be here and that baby would love you with everything it has. i could never imagine being without my kids' love its amazing!.. i dont hate anyone for it truth be told its thier life and it doesnt effect me. i have my babies my life is awesom.. hard but awesom i wouldnt trade it.. just, women need to think more before making the choice to sleep with someone and leave yourself volnerable to get prego.

Published by: Psalm
detroit/Mi 01/10/2009 06:31 PM EST

Maxine,

"It is the mothers choice"

Why didn't you finish the statement. A mothers choice to what? It's NOT about choice. That's what the pro-abortion lobby has tricked many into believing because they can't argue against the facts of abortion. The facts are that an innocent human person is killed during an abortion. If you disagree with this, keep in mind that science, reason, common sense, and good philosophy prove you wrong. "choice"? Is killing an innocent human person morally acceptable simply by the act of choosing to do it? Think before you respond.

Published by: Jeremy
Memphis, TN, USA 01/09/2009 03:52 AM EST

Abortion doesn't make you unpregnant,it makes you the mother of DEAD BABY.

The woman made her choice when she decided to have unprotected sex. Why should an innocent baby be tortured and murdered so you can have sex with whomever and whenever you want?

Published by: casey
Cincinnati Oh 01/08/2009 04:17 PM EST

"IT IS A POVERTY THAT A CHILD MUST DIE SO THAT A WOMEN MAY LIVE AS SHE WISHES" — Mother Theresa

Published by: Caesy
Cincinnati Oh 01/08/2009 04:12 PM EST

Maxine — What an ugly shallow comment... You have the audacity to value taxpayers money over saving a baby's life. Yet, exorbitant amounts of taxpayers money goes to fund the abortion mills in our country. Call your mother today and thank her for not having you slaughtered in her womb.
"IT IS A POVERTY THAT A CHILD MUST DIE SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE AS YOU WISH" — Mother Theresa

Published by: Carmen
San Diego, CA USA 01/08/2009 02:59 PM EST

Maxine is wrong. Over 50 million babies killed in the US alone is not choice. Choice ends when you decide to have sex! A baby's chromosomes are fully formed at conception, heartbeat is heard at 6-10 weeks, brain waves detected as well. It's a life, not a choice.
You talk about taxes spent to save the baby? How many MORE taxes are spent to KILL babies? Call it what it is, and "choice" is a fallacy that hurts babies AND women. If you care about women at all then fight for alternatives. Abortion is not the answer.

Published by: shirley
albany ny 01/08/2009 02:29 PM EST

Lexi lived for a reason
and her parents get the drift0 as does God. I will keep this family in my prayers.

Published by: Terry Miller
Durand il USA 01/08/2009 02:24 PM EST

God is the author of Life you pro death people,most women do not make the choice to abort they are often pressured into the abortion. Look at stats on abortion, it is used as birth control. The pepole in this country are not replacing themsleves and birth controlling and aborting ourselves out of existance. THINK FOLKS !

Published by: Maxine
Ft Lauderdale,FL USA 01/08/2009 10:06 AM EST

Rate: Bad

It is the mothers choice. Just look at how much you taxpayers paid for this baby...outrageous!

Women must continue to have the right to abortion even at this state of pregnancy.

Published by: Jeff
Greenville/ohio/USA 01/08/2009 08:42 AM EST

As the parent of a premature baby myself I would agree that the abortion laws are outdated. My daughter was born between her 25-26 week. She weighed 1 lb and 10.5 oz. She is now a happy healthy 17 year old. Good luck with your daughter. May God Bless You.

Published by: www.organicbabe.com.au
Australia 01/07/2009 07:32 PM EST

Such a happy ending to this story and we pray that all goes well for the future.

Published by: JLD
Northridge/Ca/USA 01/07/2009 06:45 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Here in California bleeding heart liberals pass laws to protect Condor eggs from being destroyed and dogs from being abused, and trees from being cut, yet they have no compassion for the babies in the womb. These babies are being decapitated and mutilated in their mothers wombs! And worst of all their pain is unimaginable and their screams go unheard. Every human baby deserves a chance like you and I.

Published by: John
USA 01/07/2009 06:34 PM EST

I am the father of a 25 week infant who also survived and is now thriving. These stories do call into question when a "late-term" abortion is too late. The viability of a fetus has been consistantly documented after the 24th week of gestation, though by no means an easy viability. One would hope, that an alternative to abortion at these later stages would be explored and recommended to the parents.

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