Human Rights & Abortion

All through American history, people of all kinds have fought for equality and human rights. People have fought for equality of race, marriage status, disability, gender, and more. However, I am saddened about the human rights battle going on for those who cannot speak for themselves: the unborn.

There is currently a push in this country to pass more lenient laws concerning abortion. What is so wrong with this? Why is this so controversial?

First, we must understand what abortion is.

2nd Trimester Methods

Dilation & Evacuation (D&E): About 13 to 24 Weeks After LMP ^{26 (PP. 133-56), 33} 

The majority of second trimester abortions are performed using this method. The cervix must be opened wider than in the first trimester abortion because the fetus is larger. This is done by inserting numerous thin rods made of seaweed a day or two before the abortion and/or giving other oral or vaginal medications to further soften the cervix. Up to about 16 weeks gestation, the procedure is identical to the first trimester one. After the cervix is stretched open and the uterine contents suctioned out, any remaining fetal parts are removed with a grasping tool (forceps). A curette (a loop-shaped tool) may also be used to scrape out any remaining tissue.

After about 16 weeks, much of the procedure is done with the forceps to pull fetal parts out through the cervical opening, as suction alone will not work due to the fetus’ size. The doctor keeps track of what fetal parts have been removed so that none are left inside as this can potentially cause infection. Lastly, a curette, and/or the suction machine are used to remove any remaining tissue or blood clots, which if left behind could cause infection and bleeding. 

Medication Methods for Second Trimester Induced Abortion ^{26 (PP. 178-92), 34}

This technique induces abortion by using medicines to cause labor and eventual delivery of the fetus and placenta. Like labor at term, this procedure typically involves 10-24 hours in a hospital’s labor and delivery unit. Digoxin or potassium chloride is injected into the amniotic fluid, umbilical cord or fetal heart prior to labor to avoid the delivery of a live fetus. The cervix is softened with the use of seaweed sticks and/or medications. Next, oral mifepristone and oral or vaginal misoprostol are used to induce labor. In most cases, these drugs result in the delivery of the dead fetus and placenta. The patient may receive oral or intravenous pain medications. Occasionally, scraping of the uterus is needed to remove the placenta.

Potential complications include hemorrhage and the need for a blood transfusion, retained placenta and possible uterine rupture (splits open). Source: Gateway.

What's the difference between late term and partial birth abortion?  Here are the facts:

Late Term Abortion:

D&E When Live Birth is Possible (From about 24 weeks and up)^{26 (PP. 157-77)} 

This procedure typically takes 2-3 days and is associated with increased risk to the life and health of the mother. Because a live birth is possible, injections are given to cause the fetal death. This is done in order to comply with the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 which requires that the fetus be dead before complete removal from the mother’s body. The medications (digoxin and potassium chloride) are either injected into the amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord or directly into the fetus’ heart. The remainder of the procedure is the same as the second trimester D&E. Fetal parts are reassembled after removal from the uterus to make sure nothing is left behind to cause infection.

An alternate technique, called “Intact D&E” is also used. The goal is to remove the fetus in one piece, thus reducing the risk of leaving parts behind or causing damage to the woman’s body. This procedure requires the cervix be opened wider; however, it is still often necessary to crush the fetus’ skull for removal as it is difficult to dilate the cervix wide enough to bring the head out intact. Source: Gateway 

Partial Birth Abortion:

Partial-Birth Abortion is a procedure in which the abortionist pulls a living baby feet-first out of the womb and into the birth canal (vagina), except for the head, which the abortionist purposely keeps lodged just inside the cervix (the opening to the womb).  The abortionist punctures the base of the baby’s skull with a surgical instrument, such as a long surgical scissors or a pointed hollow metal tube called a trochar.  He then inserts a catheter (tube) into the wound, and removes the baby's brain with a powerful suction machine.  This causes the skull to collapse, after which the abortionist completes the delivery of the now-dead baby.  Source: NRLC

What is post-birth abortion?  It's basically killing the baby after induced labor. The baby is born alive and then killed. This can be done in a variety of ways; sometimes the baby is simply not given medical care when born alive during the process of a failed abortion. This process is more commonly referred to infanticide.  

Please take some time to listen to this woman, Alisa Laport Snow, a lobbyist from Planned Parenthood, who stood before Florida lawmakers this month:

The abortionists are hard at work in this nation. The complete lack of value for the lives of babies is apparent from this woman's testimony. Planned Parenthood released a statement later saying that this situation is hypothetical, highly unusual, and they clarified that they would support following the current laws by providing lifesaving medical care to the infant. 

However, there is an abortionist doctor form Pennsylvania who got caught. You may have heard of him, Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who is currently on trial, charged with 8 counts of murder. Please watch this short documentary about the abortion clinic that he operated. You will find that his practices align directly with the testimony from Ms. Laport Snow and contradicts the statement released by Planned Parenthood. 

You will not find much coverage of this horrific case on most news networks. Why? Because it is incredibly damaging to the political views and leftist ideals of the media. It's important to understand how abortion is damaging not only because it's the lawful (or unlawful) murder of an innocent baby, but it is also damaging to the emotional state of the mother, her future fertility, and in some cases, her life. 

I beg you, please care about this human rights tragedy in America today. Stay informed. Figure out a way to get involved. Speak up in love. Your one voice may be all that is needed to help save the voice of an unborn child. If you are considering having an abortion, please don't. Please give your precious baby life and consider adoption.

You can find out more from the National Right to Life.

Read more:  What's Wrong With Abortion? and The Inhuman Project