Why would someone have a third trimester abortion?

In this conversation, Dr. Shelley Sella discusses her book “Beyond Limits: Stories of Third-Trimester Abortion Care” and her experiences in providing third trimester abortion care. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the circumstances that lead individuals to seek such care, the emotional and psychological aspects involved, and the need for compassionate support. The discussion also touches on the legal implications surrounding abortion, the safety of the procedures, and the necessity for empathy and understanding in the healthcare system.

Key Takeaways:

• Third-trimester abortion care is often stigmatized and misunderstood.
• The emotional and spiritual aspects of care are integral to the process.
• Legal restrictions are increasing, making access to care more difficult.
• Support systems are crucial for patients undergoing these procedures.
• Abortion is far safer than continuing a pregnancy in many cases due to the high maternal mortality rate in the United States
• The stories of patients can help demystify and destigmatize the procedure.

Dr. Shelley Sella is a retired Board Certified Ob-Gyn and the first woman to openly provide third trimester abortion care in the United States. For 20 years Dr. Shelley Sella – an OB-GYN and the first woman to openly provide third-trimester abortion care in the United States – saw patients whose diverse backgrounds and circumstances led them to the same difficult decision: to end their pregnancies. Now, in her beautifully written and compassionate first book BEYOND LIMITS: Stories of Third-Trimester Abortion Care (June 3, 2025; Beacon Press; $27.95), Dr. Sella shares deeply intimate, profoundly human stories of this widely misunderstood experience. Combining candid memoir with expert account, Sella interweaves her patients’ stories with her own personal and professional journey (including her mentorship under Dr. George Tiller) to reveal why she dedicated her life to this work.

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Here are more resources related to today’s topic:.

• Purchase book at bookstore.org
• Remembering Dr. George Tiller
• Los Angeles Times piece from 2015 on Dr. Susan Robinson
• Information on midwifery from WHO
• Overturning of Roe v Wade from NPR
• Southwestern Women’s Options
• Website to share stories about abortion from the National Abortion Federation
• Article on the high maternal mortality rate in US
• The Turnaway Study that describes the mental health, physical health, and socioeconomic consequences of receiving an abortion compared to carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term

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Note that this podcast is for entertainment and education and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician with any questions you may have regarding your health.

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