Prof. Barbara Luke and the 'Preemie' risk of Abortion 
                     Brent Rooney                (March 2003)

   Professor Barbara Luke in her classic book wrote,  "If you have
had one or more induced  abortions, your risk of  prematurity with
this  pregnancy  increases  by about 30 percent."  (Every Pregnant
Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth, 1995, p 32). How well
qualified  is Luke to have  written this  239 page book?  Consider
the following quotes from highly respected medical doctors:

 1. "This compete and accurate book should have great appeal to
    the discriminating woman who is pregnant or planning preg-
    nancy, as a means of maximizing her chances for a success-
    ful pregnancy."
          -Roy M. Pitkin, M.D., editor, Obstetrics and Gynecology

 2. "Every Pregnant Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth
    is an important contemporary book that should be recommended
    for today's pregnant women, women considering pregnancy, and
    all those professionals who attend the health care of women."
          -George D. Wilbanks, Jr. M.D., president, American
           College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

 3. "Based upon scientific  data which have been shown to be
    associated with a reduction  in preterm births and  very
    user-friendly  in its  approach,  this book is ideal for
    women with a history of preterm deliveries, and even for
    medical providers."
          -E. Albert Reece, M.D. professor OB/GYN and internal
           medicine, director, Division of Maternal-Fetal
           Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine

 4. "Based on her extensive clinical experience and her vast
    scientific knowledge, Dr. Luke presents practical infor-
    mation to women. As women increasingly recognize the im-
    portance of self-education  and self-help,  this book is
    timely. As one who has contributed to our  understanding
    about the risk factors, prematurity and especially, work
    in pregnancy, Luke has an authoritative and clear voice."
           -Timothy R.B. Johnson, M.D., chairman, Department
           of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Bates Professor
           of Diseases of Women and Children, University of
           Michigan Medical School

[the prior 4 quotes are from the back cover of Every Pregnant
Woman's Guide to  Preventing Premature Birth (1995)  [preface
by Emile Papiernik], New York: Times Books]

   There is no more respected person in the field of prematurity
risk factors than Dr. Emile Papiernik of France.  Dr. Papiernik
lead a French national program that reduced preterm birth rates
by over 30%.  Papiernik wrote the  preface to  Luke's 1995 book
and stated:
   "I wholeheartedly recommend  Dr. Luke's book  [EPWG..] to
   every pregnant woman and her family as the "best medicine"
   to help ensure a healthy pregnancy."

Professor Barbara Luke's credentials and memberships

   "Barbara Luke,  Sc.D., M.P.H., R.D., R.N.,  received her
nursing and  public health degrees from  Columbia University
, her degree in nutrition from  New York University, and her
doctorate in science from John Hopkins University. Currently
she is  associate professor of  obstetrics and gynecology at
the  University of Michigan Medical School.  She is a member
of the  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
the American Dietetic Association, the American Public Health
Association, and the  Society  of Perinatal  Obstetricians,
Barbara Luke is the author of eight medical textbooks as well
as research and review articles on obstetrics, nutrition, and
public health.  She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan." (EPWG..,
"About the Author", after page 239)

 Over 45 references supporting the 
    abortion-'preemie' risk 
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