Abortion

      On this sight, we have made available a description of  abortion procedures in each trimester.  It is always important to know as much as possible before making a decision that will effect your life the way abortion has been shown to effect many women. 

THE ABORTION PROCEDURE

 1^st, 2^nd AND 3^rd

TRIMESTER ABORTIONS

First Trimester Abortions (1-3 months)

     An abortion is a medical procedure.  With any medical procedure, there are risks.  Therefore, the facts must be known to make an informed decision. 

      We begin with  first trimester abortions.   In a suction abortion, the patient is placed in stirrups.  The doctor begins by opening the cervix, the muscle group forming the passageway from the vagina to the uterus.  When pregnancy occurs, the cervix closes up tightly to protect the fetus from infection, and hold the fetus securely in the uterus until labor begins.  The cervix must be opened to perform the abortion.  The doctor uses a series of metal rods to force the cervix open, working from smallest to largest.  Occasionally women experience over-stretching or tearing of the cervix during this process, causing what is called an “incompetent cervix”.  If this occurs, the cervix may not be able to close tightly in future pregnancies, and a miscarriage may occur.

      Once the cervix is opened, the doctor uses a long, straw-like tube, inserting it through the cervix into the uterus.  The tube, connected to a hose, is attached to a vacuum-like machine. The suction is quite strong,  pulling the placenta from the wall of the uterus, cleaning the uterus out, and pulling the fetus and placenta into small pieces that will pass through the tube.  The force of the procedure can cause the woman’s entire body to shake.  This portion of the procedure lasts 4-10 minutes.  Some women find it painful, requesting anesthetic at an added cost.

      The inserted end of the tube has a scraping edge.  The doctor must scrape the wall of the uterus after suctioning to remove all pieces of the placenta.  This can leave scar tissue in the uterus, making it difficult for some women to conceive later on, since a living embryo cannot implant in scar tissue.  Women have also experienced tears and perforations in the wall of the uterus.  This is a serious complication, requiring emergency medical attention. 

      At the end of the hose attached to the vacuum is a large jar which collects the contents of the uterus.  At the neck of this jar is a screen that catches all solid parts of the placenta and fetus.  The doctor must check the screen making sure nothing is left in the uterus in order to avoid infection. This type of infection requires treatment by a physician.    Once the doctor has determined that all the pieces are there, the abortion is complete.  The entire procedure usually takes 10-15 minutes.

      Women who have abortions are also more susceptible to tubal, or ectopic pregnancies, as scar tissue can partially block the tube.  This  leaves enough room for the sperm to enter, but not enough room for the living human embryo to exit the tube into the uterus.  As this embryo grows in the fallopian tube, it becomes very painful, and if not removed surgically, will cause the tube to burst.  This could result in hemorrhaging or possibly death.

The RU486 Abortion

       The RU486 abortion is also a first trimester abortion which must be done before the 9^th week of pregnancy, due to a decrease in effectiveness.  First, the RU486 pill is taken at an abortionist’s office.  This pill works in the body to cut off progesterone function, the hormone that sustains pregnancy and develops the uterine lining.  This lining provides nourishment to the living human embryo, and as the progesterone’s function is short-circuited, the nourishment is cut off from the uterine lining.  This causes the starvation of the embryo.  Three days later she will return for a second pill called misoprostol.  This medication will cause the contractions that will expel the contents of the uterus.  Fourteen days later she will return to the abortionist to see if the abortion was complete.  If not, he will recommend a surgical abortion.

      The use of RU486 affects not only a woman’s reproductive system, but the cardiovascular, digestive, and central nervous systems as well.  Because of this, RU486 can prove dangerous, if not deadly, to those with certain health risks.  The physical effects of RU486 may include severe pain, infection, hemorrhaging and surgical intervention, hospitalization, and blood transfusion.  Some have experienced cramping for days or weeks until the abortion is complete.  Some have bled for two months or more.  The blood lost by women using RU486 averaged to four times the amount lost during a surgical abortion.

      Most women remain at the doctor’s office 3-4 hours after the second medication is administered.    If she has not aborted during this time (50% or more do not), she is sent home.  Thus, for some there is no medical supervision while expelling the fetus.  This, coupled with the possibility of recognition of detailed parts of the embryo or fetus, have caused some women emotional trauma.  Also, because 8-23% of women do not completely abort or do not abort at all, a surgical abortion will be suggested, increasing both physical risk and the risk of Post-Abortion Syndrome.   RU486 info obtained at www.nrlc.org/RU486.

Second Trimester Abortions (4-6 months)

      In a second trimester abortion, several “laminaria”, a seaweed-type substance, are inserted into the cervix for dilation instead of using metal rods.  This laminaria gathers moisture from the body, slowly swelling and opening the cervix overnight. The dilation often causes moderate to severe cramping. Sedation is available for the dilation period. When dilation is completed, a sharp cutting instrument is inserted into the uterus, cutting the fetus into small pieces that are removed through the cervix.  Suction is then used to remove all of the placenta, amniotic sac, blood, and fetal parts. This procedure lasts about 30 minutes. All complications of abortion are heightened the later an abortion is performed, due to thinning of the uterine walls, prolonged dilation and larger size of the fetus.  Also increased are the risk of blood clots, hemorrhaging, and death.

Third Trimester Abortions (7-9 months)

      A procedure used in both a second and third trimester abortion is the Partial Birth Abortion.  Several laminaria are inserted into the cervix the day before the abortion is to be performed to dilate the cervix.  As the abortion begins, after removing the laminaria, ultrasound is used to guide the doctor as he finds and grasps the fetal legs with forceps.  The legs and body are then slowly pulled through the cervix (thereby birthing a part of the baby), leaving the head remaining in the uterus.  In some cases, the fetus’s back is cut open and the organs are “harvested” for experimental use.  Then sharp, pointed scissors are used to puncture the base of the baby’s skull, and a suction tube is inserted to suction out the brains of the infant.  The skull collapses, and the remainder of the deceased infant is removed.

Post Abortion Syndrome

      Post-abortion syndrome is common in women who have experienced any form of abortion.  Symptoms may include anger, grief, guilt, regret, anxiety, suicidal impulses, drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders, nightmares, flashbacks of abortion episode, depression, etc.  Any of these symptoms may be experienced from a mild to severe degree, sometimes lasting for years. (For more information on Post-Abortion Syndrome, please see Post Abortion Support Group).

      Should you be considering an abortion, it is important to us that you receive the best information possible in order to make an informed decision.  This decision is one you will live with for the remainder of your life, and being a lifetime decision, it is important to take time to truly consider the long term effects this decision will have upon you.  Abortion is a surgical procedure, which like any other surgery carries its own risks.  In order to safeguard you against even greater physical and emotional risks, we make available to you this seven point Health & Safety Checklist.

1.  Get a laboratory quality urine test.

        You may not be pregnant after all.  We offer a laboratory, quality test free of charge as a service to women.  Before putting your emotional energy into making such a difficult decision, it is best to be sure you are pregnant.  If the test would be positive, you should have that pregnancy verified or confirmed by a physician. 

2.  Do not allow anyone to sell you an abortion prior to the 8^th week of pregnancy.

One clinic we contacted stated they would not perform abortions prior to the 8^th week because the fetus is too small.  This is true.  Abortion is a blind procedure, and if done prior to the 8^th week can lead to severe internal damage.  The suction tube may perforate the uterus and bowel.  More commonly though, if done before the 8^th week, the abortion may be incomplete meaning tissue has been left behind causing severe infection possibly leading to infertility, or in rare cases toxic poisoning and death.  For your safety don’t allow a clinic to sell you an abortion before the 8^th week.

 3.  Ask for the name of the doctor performing the abortion.

If you were going in for any other surgery, you would want to know the doctor’s name in case of injury.  A surgical abortion is no different, and unless you insist on knowing the name of the doctor they most likely will not tell you.  In order to protect yourself in the case of injury, know your doctor’s name.

 4.  Check to see if the abortion center is a licensed medical clinic.

While abortion providers are required by the State of Ohio to be a licensed medical clinic, many have chosen to remain un-licensed.  Seeking attention from an un-licensed clinic is a risk to your health.  Make sure that the clinic you choose is a licensed medical facility.

 5.  Understand medically what an abortion is and that it carries particular health risks just as any other medical procedure does.

 Medical Description of Abortion - For a factual, verbal description of a suction abortion or to view a non-biased, 15 minute video describing all six abortion procedures as well as the risks involved with each, contact us.

 Immediate Complication - Approximately 10% of women who have an elective abortion will experience an immediate complication.  Those complications range from infection and excessive bleeding to perforation of the uterine wall and bowel and cervical injury (1).

 Incompetent Cervix - An incompetent cervix is caused by tearing or stretching of the cervical muscle during the insertion of the medal rods or laminaria.  The damage caused by the tearing or stretching may weaken the muscle leading to miscarriages or premature deliveries in future pregnancies.

 Scar Tissue - Scar tissue may form on the lining of the uterine wall as a result of the scraping process.  This can lead to miscarriages in future pregnancies, and depending upon the location of the scar tissue can lead to tubal (ectopic) pregnancies or infertility.

 Breast Cancer - An analysis of all reputable studies done to date suggests that women who abort their first pregnancy in the first trimester have a risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer that is 50% higher than women who do not abort (2).

 Psychological/Emotional Trauma - Many post-abortive women report experiencing emotional and psychological disturbances lasting for months.  This includes acute feelings of grief, depression, and anger; fear of others finding out, preoccupation with babies, nightmares, sexual inhibition, termination of relationships, emotional coldness, increased alcohol use and thoughts of suicide.  Many go into the clinic thinking, “this is my only choice!” but come out saying, “What have I done?”  You need to be prepared.

 6.  Understand your legal rights following your abortion.

         Some abortion providers insist that all patients sign a statement saying they will not hold the clinic or the doctor liable for damages which might occur because of the abortion.  However, this document has virtually no legal authority.  If you are physically or emotionally injured, you always retain your constitutional right to seek financial compensation in a court of law, no matter what you signed.  Call the American Rights Coalition @1-800-634-2224 for legal and medical help.

 7.  Understand why the decision of abortion is a difficult and painful one.