Likely, imminent, severe injury or death, untreatable by medical arts...

Michigan's Governor Whitmer is up for re-election this year.

Her opponent, Tudor Dixon is on record opposing access to abortions even when "the health of the mother" is at stake.

Predictably, the Whitmer ads hammer this point without ceasing since there is almost nothing positive she can point to during her four years in office.

"The health of the mother"

Let me spin out a bit of dialog:

Pro-Whitmer campaigner: "Surely you must allow abortions 'for the health of the mother'!!!"

Pro-life apologist: "No. Not so fast."

PWC: "But then you are condemning the mother to death if she has high-blood pressure or one of several other conditions!!!!"

Apologist: "Then why don't you say '...allow abortions in cases where continuing the pregnancy is likely to result in imminent, severe injury or death to the mother if untreated by other medical arts...?"

PWC: "But that was implied in the language I used."

Apologist: "The language you used also gives the green-light to abortions if the mother displays any signs of anxiety* or depression** since your language makes no allowances for the overlap between normal, biological symptoms of pregnancy and symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of emotional-health issues."

PWC: "But mental-health issues are real."

Apologist: "I agree that mental-health issues are real. I also believe that most mental illnesses can be treated so they do not threaten the life or health of the mother. They can be treated with medications and therapy."

PWC: "What about depression. People commit suicide all the time. That is a problem for me."

Apologist: "But suicide is not likely and depression is treatable. 

The problem with your scenario is that hormonal changes in the mother make her hungry and tired and anxious for the future. That is how our bodies are wired. We are preparing a nest for a new life. Your language would allow any provider-of-abortions to see normal, healthy changes in the mother and make a diagnoses of depression and use that as an excuse to abort the baby.

That is just wrong."

*  Symptoms of anxiety disorder

• Feeling nervous, restless or tense
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Having an increased heart rate
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or tired
• Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
• Having trouble sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Having difficulty controlling worry
• Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

 **Symptoms of depression

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches