My OB requires all anatomy scans to be done at 18 weeks, and I think that's because in SC abortions are banned after 20 weeks, so I'm grateful for their foresight.
Along the religion thread, I am religious and like going to church for the community, and I grew up in the church. DH isn't as religious and didn't go to church growing up because his mom was a hard-working single mother who couldn't take him even though she wanted to, and his dad was an atheist so he didn't go on the weekends he spent with him. When we lived in the city, our church was 2 blocks away and I'd walk to it on Sundays and meet my parents there. Now that we live 45 minutes away from that church in the country, I haven't found a new church because most likely I'd have to go alone. DH works weekends but goes in late on Sundays (1 pm). He likes to sleep in because Sunday is sort of like the start of his weekend. We only get Mondays off together, and I cherish the time we spend together so I haven't been going to church alone or dragging him unwillingly with me. However I want to raise this baby in the church so I think I'm just going to have to start going alone or driving 45 minutes to and from Church on Sundays.
edited to add: I'm also going to have a conversation with DH about it, but I've been holding back for the above reasons.
I think if you find a church you really love, it will be less intimidating! DH doesn't go with me but I have acquired a church family in a rather large church. So even though I go alone, most the time I end up sitting with people I know.
@PleaseSendPicklesNow and @mamaof5already, thank you for sharing your stories. I've always been pro-choice but have never had an experience like yours to share. I think most people who are not pro-choice are only thinking of someone who doesn't want to be a parent and they don't realize the heartbreaking medical reasons that may not be evident early in a pregnancy. I hope you will continue to share your stories to help change opinions and laws. No one having to make that decision should have to travel a great distance and cross picket lines.
On the religious front, I agree with being respectful of others' beliefs and raising children who are open to it and understanding of differences. I'm an atheist and DH is agnostic, both were raised and confirmed Catholic. Before getting married we discussed what we would do if one of us wanted to start practicing a religion again. We agreed that we would both go, even if still an unbeliever, to support the other. Also, we discussed that if our children are ever interested that we would take them. We want our children to be raised aware of different beliefs so they may choose. I try to be respectful of others' beliefs unless they are judgemental or try to force their beliefs on me...then I might make a comment on how un-christ like their behavior is (I've only ever had Christians try to force their religion on me).
My confession: I had a nightmare a few weeks ago that is an actual secret fear I haven't shared with DH yet. In my dream DH's parents arranged a baptism for the baby without us knowing it and when we went to Christmas Eve Mass with them (we attend with them when back for Christmas out of respect for their desire to have the whole family attend) we were ambushed by the priest trying to baptise our child against our wishes and without knowing the child's future beliefs. I ran out into the snow with my baby trying to find a ride with a car seat because we had ridden with his parents who wouldn't leave until the baby was baptized.
Re: FFFC
On the religious front, I agree with being respectful of others' beliefs and raising children who are open to it and understanding of differences. I'm an atheist and DH is agnostic, both were raised and confirmed Catholic. Before getting married we discussed what we would do if one of us wanted to start practicing a religion again. We agreed that we would both go, even if still an unbeliever, to support the other. Also, we discussed that if our children are ever interested that we would take them. We want our children to be raised aware of different beliefs so they may choose. I try to be respectful of others' beliefs unless they are judgemental or try to force their beliefs on me...then I might make a comment on how un-christ like their behavior is (I've only ever had Christians try to force their religion on me).
My confession: I had a nightmare a few weeks ago that is an actual secret fear I haven't shared with DH yet. In my dream DH's parents arranged a baptism for the baby without us knowing it and when we went to Christmas Eve Mass with them (we attend with them when back for Christmas out of respect for their desire to have the whole family attend) we were ambushed by the priest trying to baptise our child against our wishes and without knowing the child's future beliefs. I ran out into the snow with my baby trying to find a ride with a car seat because we had ridden with his parents who wouldn't leave until the baby was baptized.