Teen Coma Awakening

CNN, April 7 — A California teen has awakened from a coma despite doctors' grim prognosis for her recovery.

Last Jan. 13, at age 17, Jessica Diaz gave birth to a son, Julio. The next day, doctors removed a fast-growing tumor from her brain. Within 10 minutes of surgery, Diaz became comatose.

Doctors said she probably emerged from the coma because her brain became accustomed to the pressure inside her skull and developed new neurological pathways to make up for ones she lost when half her brain was surgically removed. Diaz was briefly interviewed by Los Angeles television station KCBS on April 6. Asked if she had been aware of her mother at her bedside, she rolled her eyes to answer: “Yes.”

Russian Abortions Fall

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, April 2 — The number of abortions in Russia fell “dramatically” over the last five years, that country's minister of health has revealed.

In 1997, Olga Sharapova said, there were three abortions registered for every birth in Russia, compared with 1.3 abortions for every birth last year.

The infant mortality rate also fell during the same period, and the number of miscarriages dropped from 21,000 in 1997 to 12,000 in 2002. Sharapova linked the impressive improvements to Russia's gradual economic recovery.

Ultrasounds in Arkansas

ARKANSAS NEWS BUREAU, April 8 — The Arkansas House has approved legislation requiring abortionists to offer women a view of their unborn child's ultrasound image before performing an abortion.

The bill would require the abortionist to note in writing that the mother was offered a chance to see the ultrasound and what she decided. Pro-life groups know the power of an ultrasound and hope it will help change women's minds about abortion.

New Life in El Salvador

EL DIARIO DE HOY, April 4 — A nine-year old El Salvadoran girl has given birth to a healthy baby boy, and is doing well after the Caesarian section birth.

The young mother says she was repeatedly abused by her stepfather, but says the birth of her son has made her happier than she has been in a very long time. The El Salvador pro-life group Yes to Life is taking care of the young mother and her baby at a home for unwed mothers.

Julia Regina de Cardenal, president of the pro-life group said, “The healthy and happy birth of the baby is in stark contrast to the situation in Nicaragua where another

9-year-old rape victim had her baby aborted after relentless pressure by feminist groups who wished to use her case to advance the cause for legal abortion.”