Abortion
What is it? The loss of a fetus (or embryo) The loss of a fetus (or embryo) Either elected or spontaneous Either elected or spontaneous Spontaneous: Spontaneous: NATURAL death of the embryo or fetus NATURAL death of the embryo or fetus Chromosomal abnormality, other related dev. Problem Chromosomal abnormality, other related dev. Problem Before 20 wks: Spontaneous abortion Before 20 wks: Spontaneous abortion After 20 wks: Stillbirth After 20 wks: Stillbirth
Can also be INDUCED: Can also be INDUCED: Therapeutic: Therapeutic: Save the life of pregnant mother Save the life of pregnant mother Preserve woman’s physical or mental health Preserve woman’s physical or mental health Prevent the birth of a child with congenital defect(s) Prevent the birth of a child with congenital defect(s) Selectively reduce the number of embryos to lessen the risks of multiple pregnancies Selectively reduce the number of embryos to lessen the risks of multiple pregnancies All others considered ELECTIVE All others considered ELECTIVE
Types: Surgical: Surgical: MVA: Manual Vacuum Aspiration MVA: Manual Vacuum Aspiration Syringe is used Syringe is used Early in pregnancy Early in pregnancy No cervical dilation No cervical dilation EVA: Electrical Vacuum Aspiration EVA: Electrical Vacuum Aspiration 15 th week -20 th week- D & E is used 15 th week -20 th week- D & E is used Dilation and evacuation (surgical instruments) Dilation and evacuation (surgical instruments) D & C: Dilation & Curettage D & C: Dilation & Curettage Same though a curettage is used Same though a curettage is used Common in other procedures (endometriosis) Common in other procedures (endometriosis)
Other methods (2 nd tri.): Induced Miscarriage Induced Miscarriage Inject chemicals to cause death & “natural” rejection Inject chemicals to cause death & “natural” rejection IDX: Intact Dilation and Extraction IDX: Intact Dilation and Extraction Partial birth abortion Partial birth abortion Hysterotomy Abortion: Similar to Caesarian Section Hysterotomy Abortion: Similar to Caesarian Section Injection of Sodium solution to stop heart (20 th -25 th week) Injection of Sodium solution to stop heart (20 th -25 th week)
Medical Abortions: French Abortion Pill (RU-486) French Abortion Pill (RU-486) Induce (hormonally & Chemically) a miscarriage Induce (hormonally & Chemically) a miscarriage Mifepristone followed by Misoprostol (prostaglandin-> inhibitor) Mifepristone followed by Misoprostol (prostaglandin-> inhibitor) 10% of all abortions in US & Europe 10% of all abortions in US & Europe 92% Completed with NO surgical intervention 92% Completed with NO surgical intervention
Considerations in the Debate: Opinions are best described as a combination of an individual’s: Opinions are best described as a combination of an individual’s: Morality Morality Responsibility Responsibility Philosophical beliefs Philosophical beliefs Spiritual beliefs Spiritual beliefs Values Values AND responsibility, ethical scope, and proper extent of governmental authority in public policy AND responsibility, ethical scope, and proper extent of governmental authority in public policy
Societal Attitudes & Abortion Differ by region: Differ by region: Abortion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Abortion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Abortion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Abortion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Abortion Polling Report Abortion Polling Report Abortion Polling Report Abortion Polling Report