Abortion The term "abortion" actually refers to any premature expulsion of a human fetus, whether naturally spontaneous, as in a miscarriage, or artificially induced, as in a surgical or chemical abortion. Today, the most common usage of the term "abortion" applies to artificially induced abortion

The First Trimester Takes place from 1-14 weeks of gestation. Takes place from 1-14 weeks of gestation. Within this trimester you will find the most rapid rate of growth and development taking place. Within this trimester you will find the most rapid rate of growth and development taking place. By the end of the 1st trimester, your son or daughter will have grown to 3.4 inches (8.7 cm) long and weigh about 1.5 ounces (43 grams). By the end of the 1st trimester, your son or daughter will have grown to 3.4 inches (8.7 cm) long and weigh about 1.5 ounces (43 grams). Your infant will develop everything from limbs to vital organs. Your infant will develop everything from limbs to vital organs. (Photo at 7 weeks) (Photo at 7 weeks)

The abortion techniques for the first trimester Surgical: Suction Aspiration Suction Aspiration Dilatation and Curettage Dilatation and CurettageChemical: RU 486 RU 486 Methotrexate Methotrexate

The Second Trimester This takes place from weeks This takes place from weeks All of baby's major organs have formed by the 15th week of pregnancy. All of baby's major organs have formed by the 15th week of pregnancy. Eyebrows and fingernails form. Eyebrows and fingernails form. (Photo at 21 weeks)

Abortion techniques for the second trimester Surgical: 1. Dilatation and Evacuation

The Third Trimester Takes place from weeks of gestation. Takes place from weeks of gestation. Babies born this trimester have a great chance of survival with all major organs functioning. Babies born this trimester have a great chance of survival with all major organs functioning. By the end of this trimester your baby will be approximately 7 pounds in weight and about 20 inches long. By the end of this trimester your baby will be approximately 7 pounds in weight and about 20 inches long. (Photo at 33 weeks) (Photo at 33 weeks)

Abortion techniques for 2 nd -3rd trimester Chemical: 1. Salt Poisoning (photo) (photo)2.Urea3.Prostaglandins

Abortion techniques for 2 nd -3rd trimester Surgical: 1. Partial-Birth Abortion 2. Hysterotomy

Partial-Birth Abortion

Hysterotomy At 6 months of gestation. At 6 months of gestation.

Is Abortion Safe? Despite the use of local anesthesia, a full 97% of woman having abortions reported experiencing pain during the procedure. Despite the use of local anesthesia, a full 97% of woman having abortions reported experiencing pain during the procedure. Compared to other pains, researchers have rated the pain from abortion as more painful than a bone fracture, about the same as cancer pain, though not as painful as amputation. Compared to other pains, researchers have rated the pain from abortion as more painful than a bone fracture, about the same as cancer pain, though not as painful as amputation. The use of more powerful general anesthetics can reduce the pain, but significantly increases the risk of cervical injury or uterine perforation. The use of more powerful general anesthetics can reduce the pain, but significantly increases the risk of cervical injury or uterine perforation. Some other examples are bleeding, hemorrhage, inflammation of the reproductive organs, bladder or bowel perforation, and serious injury as well as permanent infertility. Some other examples are bleeding, hemorrhage, inflammation of the reproductive organs, bladder or bowel perforation, and serious injury as well as permanent infertility. Overall, woman who have abortions face an increased risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy and a more than doubled risk of future sterility. Overall, woman who have abortions face an increased risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy and a more than doubled risk of future sterility.

Increase in breast cancer For woman under 18 with no previous pregnancies, having an abortion after the 8 th week increased the risk of breast cancer 800%. For woman under 18 with no previous pregnancies, having an abortion after the 8 th week increased the risk of breast cancer 800%. Woman with a family history of breast cancer fared even worse. Woman with a family history of breast cancer fared even worse. All woman who took part in the study who had abortions before the age of 18 and had a family history of breast cancer themselves got cancer before age 45. All woman who took part in the study who had abortions before the age of 18 and had a family history of breast cancer themselves got cancer before age 45.

Psychological Consequences 56% of woman who had abortions felt guilty about it. 56% of woman who had abortions felt guilty about it. 26% mostly regretted the abortion. 26% mostly regretted the abortion.

In The United States Alone: The num. of abortions per year is 1.37 Million. The num. of abortions per year is 1.37 Million. The num. of abortions per day is ~3,700 The num. of abortions per day is ~3,700 Who’s having abortions (age)?- Who’s having abortions (age)?- 52% of woman obtaining abortions are younger than 25;woman aged obtain 32% of all abortions; teenagers obtain 20% and girls under 15 account for 1.2%.

Who’s having abortions (race)? While white woman obtain 60% of all abortions, their abortion rate is well below that of minority woman. Black woman are more than 3 times likely as white woman and Hispanic woman are roughly 2 times as likely. While white woman obtain 60% of all abortions, their abortion rate is well below that of minority woman. Black woman are more than 3 times likely as white woman and Hispanic woman are roughly 2 times as likely.

Why do woman have abortions? 1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest. 1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest. 6% of abortions occur because of potential health hazards regarding either the mother or child 6% of abortions occur because of potential health hazards regarding either the mother or child 93% of abortions occur for social reasons (i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient) 93% of abortions occur for social reasons (i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient)

At what gestational age are abortions performed? 52% of all abortions occur before the 9 th week of pregnancy. 52% of all abortions occur before the 9 th week of pregnancy. 25% happen between the 9 th and 10 th week. 25% happen between the 9 th and 10 th week. 12% happen between the 11 th and 12 th week. 12% happen between the 11 th and 12 th week. 6% between weeks 13 and 15 6% between weeks 13 and 15 4% happen between the 16 th and 20h week. 4% happen between the 16 th and 20h week. 1% of all abortions( 16, 450/yr.) happen after the 20 th week of pregnancy. 1% of all abortions( 16, 450/yr.) happen after the 20 th week of pregnancy.

Alternatives to abortion Throughout the United States there are nearly 3,000 Crisis Pregnancy Centers staffed by volunteers ready to provide real help to woman facing unplanned or untimely pregnancies. Throughout the United States there are nearly 3,000 Crisis Pregnancy Centers staffed by volunteers ready to provide real help to woman facing unplanned or untimely pregnancies. To find help you can look in the Yellow Pages under the heading “Abortion Alternatives” or you can call, toll-free, 1(800) 848-LOVE any time day or night. To find help you can look in the Yellow Pages under the heading “Abortion Alternatives” or you can call, toll-free, 1(800) 848-LOVE any time day or night.