Pro-Choice Eric Andrews and Paul Davidsen

History In 1973, the Supreme Court guaranteed American women the right to choose abortion in In 1973, the Supreme Court guaranteed American women the right to choose abortion in Roe v. Wade. Since Roe v. Wade there have been restrictions put on abortions Since Roe v. Wade there have been restrictions put on abortions

Current Restrictions State governments can restrict abortion access after the first trimester with laws intended to protect the woman's health. State governments can restrict abortion access after the first trimester with laws intended to protect the woman's health. Abortions after fetal viability (when the fetus would be capable of surviving outside the uterus) are available if the woman's health or life are at risk, but state governments can prohibit other abortions. Abortions after fetal viability (when the fetus would be capable of surviving outside the uterus) are available if the woman's health or life are at risk, but state governments can prohibit other abortions.

Other Influential Cases (1989) – Declared Missouri law constitutional stating Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1989) – Declared Missouri law constitutional stating Human life begins at conception Human life begins at conception Ohio v Akron Ctr. (1990) Ohio v Akron Ctr. (1990) A state can require a parent or guardian to be notified before an under-aged woman receives an abortion A state can require a parent or guardian to be notified before an under-aged woman receives an abortion There is a provision in place for a judge to by-pass this law if it is in the best interest of the woman. There is a provision in place for a judge to by-pass this law if it is in the best interest of the woman. ) Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (1992) A 24 hour waiting period before an abortion is performed The woman must give informed consent to the abortion Parent/Guardian must be notified before a woman under the age of 18 has an abortion

What is an abortion? There are two different kinds of abortions There are two different kinds of abortions Medical Abortion Medical Abortion Taking certain medications to end a pregnancy Taking certain medications to end a pregnancy mifepristone or methotrexate mixed with misoprostol induce an abortion mifepristone or methotrexate mixed with misoprostol induce an abortion The abortion can be completed in anywhere between one day and 3-4 weeks, depending on which medications are taken and when they react. The abortion can be completed in anywhere between one day and 3-4 weeks, depending on which medications are taken and when they react. Surgical Abortion Surgical Abortion The uterus is surgically emptied using special instruments The uterus is surgically emptied using special instruments Once a pregnancy reaches 9 weeks, medical abortion becomes ineffective and surgical abortion becomes the safest option. Once a pregnancy reaches 9 weeks, medical abortion becomes ineffective and surgical abortion becomes the safest option.

Safety When abortion was illegal in the U.S. between the 1800s and 1973, many women died from getting illegal abortions When abortion was illegal in the U.S. between the 1800s and 1973, many women died from getting illegal abortions There are an estimated 68,000 deaths a year from illegal abortions in countries where abortion is outlawed. There are an estimated 68,000 deaths a year from illegal abortions in countries where abortion is outlawed. The earlier a pregnancy is aborted the higher the success rate is. The earlier a pregnancy is aborted the higher the success rate is. Death occurs in % or one in every 160,000 surgical abortions Death occurs in % or one in every 160,000 surgical abortions

Complications Medical Abortion Medical Abortion Failure of medication to terminate pregnancy Failure of medication to terminate pregnancy Less than 2% of cases Less than 2% of cases Excessive bleeding requiring a suction procedure or in rare cases a blood transfusion Excessive bleeding requiring a suction procedure or in rare cases a blood transfusion Less than 1% of cases Less than 1% of cases Uterine Infection requiring use of antibiotics Uterine Infection requiring use of antibiotics Less than 0.6% of cases Less than 0.6% of cases Surgical Abortion Surgical Abortion Missed abortion, which fails to end the pregnancy and requires an abortion to be repeated Less than 0.3% of cases Blot clots accumulating in the uterus requiring a suction procedure Less than 0.2% of cases Perforation of the wall of the uterus Less than 0.4% of cases

What does it mean to be “pro- choice” XJISiFc XJISiFc XJISiFc XJISiFc

Woman’s Rights The right of someone to their own body is the most basic freedom The right of someone to their own body is the most basic freedom Making abortion illegal would deny women their right to choose what is best for their bodies Making abortion illegal would deny women their right to choose what is best for their bodies The fetus is part of the woman’s body The fetus is part of the woman’s body The fetus is a mass of cells created from the meeting of sperm and egg The fetus is a mass of cells created from the meeting of sperm and egg The fetus grows and develops in the uterus The fetus grows and develops in the uterus Women are allowed to receive medical treatment on other growths of tissue in other organs Women are allowed to receive medical treatment on other growths of tissue in other organs With pregnancy comes many risks associated with child birth With pregnancy comes many risks associated with child birth Although childbirth has become more safe with current technology, it should still be up to the woman to determine if childbirth is something she wants to put her body through Although childbirth has become more safe with current technology, it should still be up to the woman to determine if childbirth is something she wants to put her body through

By the Numbers Nearly half of all pregnancies among American women are unintended Nearly half of all pregnancies among American women are unintended 4 out of 10 of these unintended pregnancies end in abortion 4 out of 10 of these unintended pregnancies end in abortion 22% of all pregnancies end in abortion (excluding miscarriages) 22% of all pregnancies end in abortion (excluding miscarriages) Number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44, by year Number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44, by year

Why People Choose Abortion Lack of money or readiness to start or expand a family Lack of money or readiness to start or expand a family Not being able to provide necessities Not being able to provide necessities Not having a supportive relationship and being able to raise a child with two parents Not having a supportive relationship and being able to raise a child with two parents 42% of woman who have abortions have incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level 42% of woman who have abortions have incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level 27% of woman who have abortions have incomes between 100%-199% below the federal poverty level 27% of woman who have abortions have incomes between 100%-199% below the federal poverty level Developing medical conditions causing the fetus to have severe abnormalities Developing medical conditions causing the fetus to have severe abnormalities Cases of rape or incest Cases of rape or incest Account for 13,000 abortions a year Account for 13,000 abortions a year Essentially, abortion helps eliminate unwanted children that could be indirectly responsible for many family problems, such as child abuse Essentially, abortion helps eliminate unwanted children that could be indirectly responsible for many family problems, such as child abuse

When does life start? Technically an unborn human organism is not a fetus until the 4 th month of development Technically an unborn human organism is not a fetus until the 4 th month of development 95.2% of abortions take place before the 16 week mark is reached 95.2% of abortions take place before the 16 week mark is reached According to U.S. law, life is started at conception (when the egg is fertilized by the sperm) According to U.S. law, life is started at conception (when the egg is fertilized by the sperm) However, this life is part of the mother’s body and has no rights independent of the mother until its birth However, this life is part of the mother’s body and has no rights independent of the mother until its birth

Abortion Debate Hits Home Okwo Okwo Okwo Okwo