Shawn Frank-Forbes

Melissa Sipin
English 211
February 12, 2015
An Unimaginable Decision
The beginning of a new life should always be a joyous and monumental occasion.
Often these moments that begin with such bright optimism can end with cruel
circumstances. Susan Ito became pregnant with her first child rather unexpectedly but
became excited by her new future. Unfortunately the ending Ito envisioned diminished
when she was forced to choose between her own life and her unborn child. The decision
ended with a mother having to end her childs life. Susan Itos story and final decision
was successfully defended through her own emotional recount and the undeniable
medical fact, which made any choice besides the termination of the pregnancy, just sheer
insanity.
The strongest argument present in this recount was logos or the argument of
reason. While many people argue over the responsibility of a mothers role in a
dangerous pregnancy, the simple truth is the mothers life succeeds the child. The woman
is who must endure the consequences of accepting or refusing medical treatment, thus no
other individual should be involved in the decision. While her husband was incredibly
influential in her decision, the ultimate act was still dependent on her acceptance or not.
She struggled and tormented herself over this decision, but she made a medical choice
that is defended by her own husband who is a medical professional. Guilt should not be
relevant in this decision; someone should not be persecuted for choosing life.

In the recount the medical evidence in favor outweighed the slight possibility that
the child could survive outside the womb. Susan Ito early in her pregnancy began to
exhibit symptoms associated with Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a complication of
pregnancy that results with increased blood pressure, which can cause further
complications including kidney failure and an increased likelihood of stroke. The only
treatment for Preeclampsia is the termination or delivery of the pregnancy, and to
continue the pregnancy only escalates your symptoms. Once Preeclampsia has progressed
to Eclampsia there are no treatment options. Most cases that are left untreated result in
the death of the mother. The Preeclampsia Foundation in 2005 estimated that Worldwide
about 76,000 pregnant women die each year from Preeclampsia and related hypertensive
disorders. (Estimates developed by WHO, UNICEF, UNIFPA and the World Bank,
Geneva, World Health Organization) With Susan Itos pregnancy still early there was no
viable chance that her son would survive outside the womb. If she delayed the delivery
the two weeks necessary for any chance of survival her choice would result in her own
death.
The wellness of Ito is not the only being to be considered in this situation. If her
son were to be born the health complications related to preterm babies can be debilitating.
At just five months pregnant several of the babys organ systems are not yet fully
developed. Complications include many long term ailments that would considerably alter
the quality of life of a child. Often this result in specialty care being required for the
duration of the childs life. Not only would this provide a difficult life if the child was
able to survive but as a physical therapist herself she understood the strain placed on a
disabled childs support system.

The other strong argument in favor of Susans Ito decision is that of pathos or the
argument of emotion. Her story is an extremely emotional situation and all human beings
are able to comprehend the feeling of loss and despair. While she tries to downplay her
own health issues her husband who is in the medical field understands her health
complications and how dire they are. The joy of a first child blinded Ito to severity of her
own condition. Even after she signed the patient consent form she still was emotionally
unready to let her child go. Susan was forced to go through the stages of grief in an
unreasonably quick period. While her husband understood the severity of her condition
and was immediately able to conclude that both his wife and child were not to survive,
Susan held onto hope and until her pregnancy ended she still prayed for a positive
conclusion.
The experience of losing her first child Samuel left Ito scared of considering
another pregnancy. She feared her bodys betrayal during her first pregnancy; she
associated that pain with the experience of giving birth. Susan Ito suffered greatly from a
tragedy that was completely out of her control. Nature cannot be justified and it is a fact
of life that sometimes terrible things happen to good people. In the emotional story of
Itos first pregnancy she blames herself for her failure in being unable to complete her
first pregnancy. Women often take the blame in having to end their pregnancy as many
feel that they somehow caused these medical conditions.
Susan Itos reflection on her first pregnancy leaves her with the ability to come to
peace with her decision. She was able later to have two biological children and was
grateful she took the emotional risk. In her own conclusion of her story, she had to face
difficult questions. Did she choose the wrong decision or could her actions be considered

selfish. While the public finds it necessary to weigh in on difficult decisions, only one
opinion ultimately matters in Susan Itos story. If she can find acceptance in her own
decisions, who are we to judge. Susan Itos recount of her first pregnancy and the
resulting decisions were justified through medical fact and human emotion. The author
found peace with her own decisions and hope others in similar circumstances no matter
the outcome can find that same peace.

Works Cited
Ito, Susan. I Had To End My Pregnancy To Save My Life. MSN: Health and Fitness.
MSN, 23 January 2015. 11 February 2015.
Mayo Clinic Staff. Diseases and Conditions: Preeclampsia. The Mayo Clinic. 3 July
2014. 11 February 2015.
The Preeclampsia Foundation. Preeclampsia and Maternal Mortality: a Global Burden.
The Preeclampsia Foundation Website. 1 May 2013. 18 February 2015.