Abortion By: Matt Friedland
Abortion By: Matt Friedland THIS PRESENTATION CONTAINS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. FURTHER REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS PROHIBITED. http://www.kotzot.com/news/wp-content/uploads/abortion-mauritius.jpg The Issues Is abortion considered an act of murder? When does a fetus become a child? Are there more humane ways of performing an abortion? Under what conditions, if at all, is abortion OK? Does life begin at conception, and if not, when? Should it be legal on the federal, state, or local level? All of these questions have to come into consideration in order to come to your own conclusion about abortion. Definition: Abortion Abortion refers to the induced termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo, resulting in or caused by its death. It is important to distinguish between induced and natural termination. An example of natural termination is a miscarriage. Causes for Abortion: pregnancy was not planned or wanted mother not ready to have a baby yet inconvenient time of life the child interferes with goals financial concerns pressure by parents or other family members fear of people finding out about the pregnancy the baby cannot be properly cared for rape http://www.mychildhealth.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/baby-name.jpg http://www.4abortion.net/ingles/reasons.htm History of Abortion Until the late 1800s, female “healers” in Western Europe and the U.S. provided abortions and trained other women to do so, without legal prohibitions. The first anti-abortion law was passed in 1803 in Great Britain. Abortion became a crime and a sin for several reasons. A trend of humanitarian reform in the mid- nineteenth century broadened support for criminalization, because at that time abortion was a dangerous procedure done with crude methods, few antiseptics, and high mortality rates. The world of illegal abortions throughout the mid-twentieth century emerged as a result of increasingly stricter anti-abortion laws. During the 1960s, women began to push for reform to allow abortions under certain circumstances such as, pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or being under 15 years of age, but leaving the decision up to doctors and hospitals. Costs were still high and few women actually benefited. The question of abortion had been bounced around for a long time, until the decision finally arrived to the Supreme Court in 1973………. http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html Roe v. Wade (1973) On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court, in the famous Roe v. Wade decision, stated that the “right of privacy...founded in the Fourteenth Amendment's concept of personal liberty...is broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.” The Court held that through the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, only a pregnant woman and her doctor have the legal right to make the decision about an abortion. http://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-0709-06202149_Judge_With_His_Gavel_clipart_image.jpg http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html http://www.opednews.com/populum/uploaded/filephoto-cartoon-judge-25058-20081115-8.jpg Female Reproductive System http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Female_reproductive_system_lateral.png Fertilization Following male ejaculation during sexual intercourse, the male sperm travel up to the female’s fallopian tubes, and fuse with an ovum at the corona radiata. The acrosome, a cap-like structure on the head of the spermatozoa containing enzymes, helps to break through the selectively permeable membrane on the female ovum. Cortical Reaction: Once one of the spermatozoa is able to penetrate the membrane, it causes the glyco-proteins in the zona pellucida to cross-link with each other, making the matrix hard and impermeable to additional sperm. http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/cms/library/images/reproduction/fertilization1.jpg Fetal Development When a single sperm penetrates the mother's egg cell, the resulting cell is called a zygote. The zygote contains all of the genetic information (DNA) necessary to become a child. Half of the genetic information comes from the mother’s egg and half from the father’s sperm. The zygote spends the next few days traveling down the Fallopian tube and divides to form a ball of cells called the blastocyst. The zygote continues to divide, creating an inner group of cells with an outer shell. This stage is called a blastocyst. The inner group of cells will become the embryo, while the outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect it. The blastocyst reaches the womb (uterus) around day 5. At this point in the mother's menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus has grown and is ready to support a baby. The blastocyst sticks tightly to the lining, where it receives nourishment via the mother's bloodstream. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm http://www.biocrawler.com/w/images/9/93/Blastocyst.jpg Fetal Development (cont.) The cells of the embryo now multiply and begin to take on specific functions. This process is called differentiation. It leads to the various cell types that make up a human being (such as blood cells, kidney cells, nerve cells, etc.). Rapid growth occurs, and the baby's main external features begin to take form. It is during this critical period (most of the first trimester) that the growing baby is most susceptible to damage. The following can interfere with the baby's development: Alcohol, certain prescription and recreational drugs, and other substances that cause birth defects Infection (such as rubella or cytomegalovirus) Nutritional deficiencies X-rays or radiation therapy http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm Tools Involved in Surgical Abortion Canulla: This is simply a hollow plastic tube that is attached to a suction machine by a flexible hose. In early-term abortions it is used to kill and dismember the baby, and then suck it out of the mother's uterus. In later abortions where other techniques are used to kill and dismember the baby, the cannula/suction machine is used to vacuum out the uterus and make certain that no parts of the baby are left behind. Curette: This is a metal rod with a handle on one end and a sharp loop on the other. It is used to scrape along the wall of the mother's uterus and dislodge her child. Canulla http://www.ldi.org/deathcamps/Instruments1.cfm#top Curette Tools Involved in Surgical Abortion (cont.) Forceps: This is a metal instrument that resembles a pair of scissors but functions like a pair of pliers. They come in several different styles but regardless of design they are used to grasp, pull apart, and/or remove the baby. Forceps are especially useful in collapsing the skull and making it easier to pull the skull through the mother's cervix. Syringe with Spinal Needle: This is a large capacity syringe with a long needle attached. In some abortion procedures it is used to drain off amniotic fluid from the mother's uterus and replace it with either a saline or urea solution. However, its more common use is for injecting chemical agents (digoxin, potassium chloride, etc.) into the heart of the baby. In both instances, these chemicals serve two purposes. First, their use greatly reduces the chance that the baby might be born alive. And second, these chemicals soften the child's corpse and make it easier to rip apart and/or remove. Forceps http://www.ldi.org/deathcamps/Instruments4.cfm#top Syringe Method of Abortion: Suction Aspiration The abortion provider may administer pain medication and misoprostol (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug) in preparation of the procedure. While lying on your back with your feet in stirrups, a speculum is inserted into open the vagina. A local anesthetic is administered to the cervix. Then a tenaculum (surgical tool used to hold things in place) is used to hold the cervix in place while the cervix is being dilated by cone shaped rods. When the cervix is wide enough, a cannula, the long plastic tube connected to a suction device, is inserted into the uterus to suction out the fetus and placenta. The procedure usually lasts 10-15 minutes, but recovery may require staying at the clinic for a few hours. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/surgicalabortions.html The Process http://www.abort73.com/abortion/abortion_techniques The Process (cont.) http://www.abort73.com/abortion/abortion_techniques The Process (cont.) http://www.abort73.com/abortion/abortion_techniques Method of Abortion: Dilation and Curettage Dilation and curettage is a surgical abortion procedure performed during the first 12 to 15 weeks gestation. Dilation and curettage is similar to suction aspiration, except for the introduction of a curette. A curette is a long, looped shaped knife that scrapes the lining, placenta and fetus away from the uterus. A cannula may be inserted for a final suctioning. This procedure usually lasts 10 minutes with a possible stay of 5 hours. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/surgicalabortions.html Methods of Abortion: Dilation and Evacuation Dilation and evacuation is a surgical abortion procedure performed between 15 to 21 weeks gestation. In most cases, 24 hours prior to the actual procedure, the abortion provider will insert laminaria or a synthetic dilator inside the cervix. When the procedure begins the next day, the abortion provider will clamp a tenaculum to the cervix to keep the uterus in place and cone-shaped rods of increasing size are used to continue the dilation process. The cannula is inserted to begin removing tissue away from the lining. Then using a curette, the lining is scraped to remove any residuals. If needed, forceps may be used to remove larger parts. The last step is usually a final suctioning to make sure the contents are completely removed. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/surgicalabortions.html Methods of Abortion: MTX & Misoprostol MTX a medical abortion procedure used up to the first seven weeks of pregnancy. Methotrexate is given orally or by injection during the first office visit. Misoprostol tablets are given orally or inserted vaginally during the second office visit which occurs 5 to 7 days later. The patient returns home where the misoprostol starts contractions and expel the fetus. This may occur within a few hours or up to a few days. A physical exam is given 7 days later to ensure that the abortion procedure is complete and that no complications are apparent. Methotrexate is primarily used in the treatment of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis because it attacks the most rapidly growing cells in the body. In the case of an abortion, it causes the fetus and placenta to separate from the lining of the uterus. The use of this drug for this purpose is not approved by the FDA. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/medicalabortions.html Methods of Abortion: RU-486 Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and Misoprostol is a medical abortion procedure used up to the first seven to nine weeks of pregnancy. It is also referred to as RU-486 or the abortion pill. A physical exam is given to determine if you are eligible for this medical abortion procedure. You are not eligible if you have any of the following: ectopic pregnancy, ovarian mass, IUD, corticosteroid use, adrenal failure, anemia, bleeding disorders or use of blood thinners, asthma, liver or kidney problems, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Mifepristone is given orally during your first office visit. Mifepristone blocks progesterone from the uterine lining, causing the fetus to die. This alone, may cause contractions to expel the fetus. Misoprostol tablets are given orally or inserted vaginally during the second office visit which occurs 36 to 48 hours later. You will return home where the misoprostol will start contractions and expel the fetus. This may occur within a few hours or in some cases up to two weeks after taking the misoprostol. A physical exam is given two weeks later to ensure the abortion was complete and that there are no immediate complications. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/medicalabortions.html Statistics: USA It is conservatively estimated that one in five Medicaid-eligible women who want an abortion cannot obtain one. In the U.S., 84% of all counties have no abortion services; of rural counties, 95% have no services. Nine in ten abortion providers are located in metropolitan areas. Only 17 states fund abortions. Only 12% of OB/GYN residency programs train in first-trimester abortions; only 7% in secondtrimester abortions. Abortion is the most common OB/GYN surgical procedure; yet, almost half of graduating OB/GYN residents have never performed a first-trimester abortion. Thirty-nine states have parental involvement laws requiring minors to notify and/or obtain the consent of their parents in order to obtain an abortion. Twenty-one states require state-directed counseling before a woman may obtain an abortion. (This is often called ``informed consent''; some critics call it a ``biased information requirement.'') Many states require women seeking abortions to receive scripted lectures on fetal development, prenatal care, and adoption. Twelve states currently enforce mandatory waiting periods following state- directed counseling; this can result in long delays and higher costs. (Seven more states have delay laws which are enjoined--i.e., not enforced due to court action at the federal or state level.) http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html Statistics: USA Statistics: Worldwide Worldwide, 20 million unsafe abortions are performed annually. This equals one unsafe abortion for every ten pregnancies and one unsafe abortion for every seven births. Ninety percent of unsafe abortions are in developing countries. One-third of all abortions worldwide are illegal. More than two-thirds of countries in the Southern Hemisphere have no access to safe, legal abortion. Estimates of the number of women who die worldwide from unsafe abortions each year range from 70,000 to 200,000. This means that between 13 and 20% of all maternal deaths are due to unsafe abortion--in some areas of the world, half of all maternal deaths. Of these deaths, 99% are in the developing world, and most are preventable. Half of all abortions take place outside the health care system. One-third of women seeking care for abortion complications are under the age of 20. About 40% of the world's population has access to legal abortion (almost all in Europe, the former Soviet Union, and North America), although laws often require the consent of parents, state committees, or physicians. Worldwide, 21% of women may obtain legal abortions for social or economic reasons. Sixteen percent of women have access only when a woman's health is at risk or in cases of rape, incest, or fetal defects. Five percent have access only in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. Eighteen percent have access only for life endangerment. http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html Pros: “Pro-Choice” Though women have a hard time choosing abortion as an option for unwanted pregnancies, they have been making the choice for a long time. Ultimately, she is the one who would be going through the actual "Labor" of continuing pregnancy, delivering a baby, bringing it up, parenting it well, in addition to other obligations she has to do in her daily life. To get it done with little or no help from the partner and families needs a well-balanced body and mind. There is nothing called pro-choice and pro life. Both ideologies meet at one common point i.e. Pro-Life - Life of the baby and Life of the mother. Life of the baby ultimately depends on mother’s health and it's best to allow the mother to choose for her, WHEN she wants a baby. While we argue about the mental well being of a woman, how do others get to decide what would be more traumatic to the woman, abortion or; 'childbirth and the unending list of duties waiting to be accomplished'. An attempt to restrict the abortions would rise not only the percentage of illegal and unsafe abortions but also the expenses of the procedure. A new law would be needed to tackle the illegal abortions and further legal hassles would have no ends. Additionally, the future of the baby must be taken into account. Can it be properly cared for? Will it be given an equal opportunity to succeed? If the child has a genetic disease, will the mother be able to devote extra attention to the child? http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-abortion.html Cons: “Pro-Life” The important con that should be considered is can we choose to kill unwanted pregnancies? One shouldn’t be so irresponsible to land up in a situation where they have to be unmerciful to the unborn. Most of unplanned pregnancies if extended to childbirth may prove to be wanted later. A growing embryo is considered human with the heartbeats initiating as early as 21st day of conception. So what if we cannot see the human form, it does have the potential to gain one. Choosing adoption as an alternative to abortion would give the baby its right to life. Should people opt for abortion as last-minute contraception when preaching their kids about the consequences of casual sex? Infection, sepsis, recurrent miscarriages and rarely death could be the complications of abortions. Abortions can cause serious psychological impairment to the woman in the form of depression and guilt. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-abortion.html My View: “Pro-Choice” I respectfully disagree with those who are “Pro-Life.” Ultimately, it should be the WOMAN’s choice. There are multiple factors concerning why I am “Pro-Choice”: If a woman/girl is raped, then the girl shouldn’t have to keep the child. The child will cause untold mental distress to the mother, who then, will not be able to safely care for the child. If an unplanned pregnancy occurs, then I don’t think that the girl/woman should be forced to continue carrying the baby if it can not be cared for, or be given an equal opportunity for a successful life. If the child is born with a genetic disease, and the parents cannot properly take care of the child, then the fetus should be aborted. Although it sounds harsh, its not your place to decide the future of someone else’s child, or the future of someone else’s life. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_l6zMXjnHBJM/ShOPeHKSYXI/AAAAAAAAAFc/xWLO0v2JU-o/s400/ProChoice.jpg My View: “Pro-Choice” (cont.) I know this also sounds kind of harsh, but when the fetus is inside the mother, it acts similarly to a parasite. It takes nutrients from the mother, the mother protects the baby, and the mother experiences unfavorable metabolic and physical changes. If the mother becomes ill with disorders such as preeclampsia, or epilepsy, then she shouldn’t have to continue carrying the child if it endangers her life. If she keeps the child, then she may die, which drastically decreases the chance of survival of the child. One has to remember that abortion deals with more than one life. It affects the lives of the child, the mother, the father, and their families. The decision to abort shouldn’t be made lightly, and they may not decide to choose that path, but it should still be an option for the family/mother to choose from. Although I am pro-choice, I do not agree with certain reasons for abortion: As a method of Contraception Sex-Selective Abortion Unsafe abortion procedures The End http://media.photobucket.com/image/pro%20choice/EdGlaze/two/ProLifeProChoice1.gif Works Cited http://www.4abortion.net/ingles/reasons.htm http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/cms/library/images/reproduction/fertilization1 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm http://www.ldi.org/deathcamps/Instruments1.cfm#top http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/surgicalabortions.html http://www.abort73.com/abortion/abortion_techniques http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/medicalabortions.html http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-abortion.html
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