What can you do if you are pregnant? Pregnancy Options What can you do if you are pregnant?

Abortion Abortion – The termination of a pregnancy Roe vs. Wade – Case that provided women with abortion rights The decision is always the woman’s final choice !!!

Abortion You can have an abortion at any age What are the requirements for an abortion in NJ? You can have an abortion at any age No parent permission or notification required No waiting period required

Statistics Nearly half of pregnancies among American women are unintended, and 4 in 10 of these are abortions 52% of American women obtaining abortions are younger than 25: Women 20-24 obtain 33% and teenagers obtain 19%. At least 80% of all abortions are performed on unmarried women

Abortion Options Medical Abortion – up to 9 weeks Surgical Abortion - Abortion Pill Surgical Abortion - Manual or machine vacuum aspiration – up to 12 weeks Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) – 2nd trimester- up to 24 weeks Non-Surgical Abortion Induction Abortion – 3rd trimester Partial Birth Abortion – 3rd trimester

Abortion Pill Abortion Pill - medicine used to end the pregnancy Available at planned parenthood Costs $350-$650 Can be taken up until 9 weeks

Abortion Pill How does the abortion pill work exactly? Pill #1 - Mifepristone - Blocks progesterone (will cause the lining of the uterus to break down & pregnancy cannot continue) Inducing Menstruation Pill #2 - Misprostol - Causes uterus to empty. The embryo is expelled

Surgical Abortions Manual or Machine Vacuum Aspiration – a tube is inserted into the dilated vagina with an manual or electric pump that draws tissue out of the uterus 1st trimester (Up to 12 weeks) Cervix is numbed and stretched Insertion of forceps into the uterus Fetus is removed using a manual or electric pump Curette is used to scape the uterine lining

Surgical Abortions Dilation and Evacuation – Cervix is dilated, tube is inserted, forceps are used, curette is used to scrape uterine lining, and vacuum aspiration is used to draw tissue out of the uterus 2nd trimester (Up to 24 weeks) Cervix is dilated Forceps inserted into the uterus Vacuum aspiration draws out tissue Curette scrapes the uterine lining

Dilation and Evacuation

Non Surgical Abortion Induction Abortion - 3rd trimester Medication is given to induce labor: Lethal does of heart medication (Digoxin) is injected into the heart of the fetus or.. “Salt-Poisoning” abortion – needle inserted through the amniotic sac Cervix is dilated Labor is induced with oxytocin Woman goes through stages of labor and delivery with pain medicine provided to deliver dead fetus Can be done b/c of a medical problem or illness present in the pregnant woman or fetus

Partial Birth Abortion 3rd trimester Cervix dilated Baby is pulled through the birth canal feet first, leaving only the head inside. The base of the skull is punctured using surgical scissors A tube is inserted and brain tissue is sucked out causing the skull to collapse

Partial Birth Abortion

Adoption Adoption – Some women may choose to have the baby and then give it someone else to raise Open adoption – The adopting parents can choose the family they want. They also meet and know each other the family. Full identification is provided. Depending on the agency, future contact may be available. Closed adoption – Records of the adoption are kept sealed. Birth parents are not involved.

Safe Haven Law Law created that allows the mother or father of a newborn, 7 days old or less to leave the baby at a safe haven facility Totally anonymous No questions asked Prevents baby abandonment

Adoption Pros If you don’t believe in abortion, but parenting is also not a good or realistic option Can help people who wish to have a baby, but cannot conceive one Possibly can provide the child with a better life

Adoption Cons Going through the pregnancy for 9 months and then having to give the baby up (attachment) Do not always know if the people adopting the baby are going to be good parents Can have emotional effects