Perhaps the pro-lifers should consider the best anti-abortion statement of all - a message on how to truly prevent unplanned pregnancies! If only they would eschew those aborted fetus signs for free condoms, sex-education pamphlets, and information on how to acquire low-cost birth control!

Six years ago after medical complications arising from the pill, my doctors advised me to avoid any hormone-based birth control. After extensive research, I opted for a non-hormonal IUD. Because I'm married, the increased risk of PID wasn't an issue. Despite heavier and longer periods, I found it to be a near-ideal option and several friends have followed my lead. Even better, when I decided to have it remove and "start trying" it only took us two weeks to get pregnant. I won't hesitate to have another inserted as soon as I'm able after the baby is born in April.

5 months ago my first baby was born via C-section. Although it was nothing too serious, thank goodness, he had to spend a few nights in NICU. I spend that time in a drugged, exhausted, sore and worried haze - limping down to the nursery to be with him and trying desperately to pump my breasts so my milk would come in.

Although I had encouraged them to do so before his birth, I found that the constant flow of well-wishers (and even hospital personnel) just added to my stress. The ONLY people I wanted to see were my husband, parents, lactation consultant and our pediatrician.

The onslaught of visitors continued once we got home, when I really just wanted to sit around in my pajama pants and nursing bra and gaze quietly at my new little angle (while my husband and mom took care of us both, of course).

My huge family has a long-standing tradition of gathering at the hospital for any birth or illness, so I can't turn them away completely. But next time around, as a compromise, I'll ask them to visit immediately after the birth and then LEAVE US ALONE for a week or two.

When women earn comparable salaries to men, when the government mandates paternity leave alongside maternity leave, and when society finally accepts that daddies can parent as well as mommies, THEN we can have a career and a child without sacrificing either. Until then, we're stuck with a v. v. tough choice.

-(from a part-time working mom with a one-year-old)

It's worth noting that the "Baby Gender Mentor" test came out a couple of years ago (with all the same controversies about gender selection and abortion) but is now widely believed to be bogus and inaccurate. There's even a class-action lawsuit again Acu-Gen, the manufacturer. I'd like to hear from a scientist or MD about how/if the tests are related. Has the DNA Worldwide test even been proven accurate?

http://www.babygenderinvestigation.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Gender_Mentor

How is a political shirt any different than a Disney (TM) princess shirt, a Spongebob (TM) shirt or a Power Ranger (TM) shirt? The licensed charter clothing (and shoes, toys, bedding, b'fast cereal, etc.) that nearly all children sport daily are simply cute ads for these companies' shows and products. Whether we realize it or not, the clothing we buy for our children is often a direct reflection of what we, as parents, find important. At least a political party tee reflects a message other than "we love TV" or "buy more stuff." I'm far more comfortable with my child promoting our "family values" for a clean environment or universal children's healthcare than promoting a cartoon or movie.

It's all very easy to sit on our high horses and say, "we'll I would leave his ass.. hit him back.. take the kids and run.." but having watched several close friends deal with their husbands' infidelities, addictions and even abuse, I've learned that the reality is always, much, much more complicated than these easy declarations imply. While we can say what we hope we would do, none of us really has any idea what until it happens to us. To say otherwise is naive and demeaning to the women whose shoes we can't imagine standing in.

The NADS site only lists services in about 30 states, and most of those only offer service in a couple of cities. There isn't even a diaper service in Atlanta, a city of over 5 million people. Those services may be well and good, but they are far from widely available. West-cost-centric Salon writers like Pablo need to remember that MOST of us don't live in California.

The song, the church's silly response, it all makes me smile. Every day I see further evidence that the next generation is and will be more tolerant and accepting of homosexuality than any previous generation. Yes, we can criticize the silly pop song for being trite and hetero-centric, but there's no way it would ever have made it to the pop carts when I was in high school in the early 90s. It wasn't so long ago that Roseanne's kiss, Ellen's coming out and even (gasp!) homosexuals on prime time (i.e. will and Grace) was HUGE news. The social tide is turning, despite a right-wing backlash. I predict that someday my now 2-year old will look back at that silly church sign the same way I look at astonishment at the "white only" signs that hung in my hometown 40 years ago.