Gloria Greenbaum asks, "Why would Sarah Palin undergo amniocentesis or some other method to determine the health of her fetus if she had no intention of undergoing an abortion?"

Just because a woman undergoes amniocentesis does not necessarily mean that she is contemplating an abortion. When I became pregnant for the second time, my pregnancy was automatically considered high risk because I was over 35. Moreover, because I miscarried the first time, this risk was increased. Amniocentesis was considered routine for any high risk pregnancy.

I did not have this procedure done to determine whether or not I would abort my baby. I had it so my husband and I would have some idea of what to expect at the birth of our first child. Imagine the peace we felt when we found out our first baby was healthy. We also had the advantage of learning our baby's gender -- and from that moment on we were able to call her by the name we had chosen for a baby girl. She was already growing in our hearts, so how could we possibly end her life based on knowledge we received from the test?

Anyone assuming a woman is contemplating abortion merely because she has an amniocentesis test is pronouncing the mother guilty without knowing her true reasons or intent. It is not Ms. Greenbaum's place to judge Sarah Palin or any other woman. Ms. Greenbaum, I believe you have mud on your hands.

Karen S. Gross, Grovetown