Statistics:
Abortions are very common. In fact, more than 1 out of 3 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old.
-eighteen percent of U.S. women obtaining abortions are teenagers; those aged 15-17 obtain 6% of all abortions, teens aged 18-19 obtain 11%, and teens under age 15 obtain 0.4%.
Women in their twenties [[#|account]] for more than half of all abortions; women aged 20–24 obtain 33% of all abortions, and women aged 25-29 obtain 24%
Twenty-two percent of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion.
47% of women who have abortions had at least one previous abortion
One baby is aborted every 26 seconds
137 babies are aborted every hour
3,304 babies are aborted every day
23,196 babies are aborted every week
100,516 babies are aborted every month
The heartbeat begins on the 21st day after conception. Electrical brain waves have been recorded as early as forty days
Safety/Risks: "The Morning After Pill" (Emergency Contraception Pill) - If taken within 72 hours of intercourse it prevents pregnancy 75% of the time. Medical problems would be similar to birth control pills, however effects could be more pronounced.
Methotrexate - (given prior to 8 weeks) Doctors don't like to prescribe this chemical because of its high toxicity and unpredictable side effects. Those side effects include but are not limited to:
nausea
pain
diarrhea
bone marrow [[#|depression]]
anemia
liver damage
[[#|lung disease]]lungs disease
heavy bleeding for as long as 40 days
abortion may occur anywhere
This chemical may not work and a [[#|surgical abortion]] may still be required.
Psychological/ Emotional Trauma: In addition to the risks listed above, women having chemical abortions often see the [[#|complete]] tiny bodies of their unborn child and are even able to see the child's developing hands, eyes, etc. So traumatic is this for some women that it is recommended that women unprepared for the experience not take the drugs
Future Ectopic Pregnancies:
Studies point out that the risk of an ectopic or tubal (not in the uterus but in the tubes that lead to the uterus) ;pregnancy is 30% higher for women who have had one abortion, and up to four times higher for women with two or more abortions.
When a woman has an Ectopic pregnancy she has a 12% risk of dying in a future pregnancy.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):
5% of women suffer PID following induced (or surgical) abortion. PID can lead to fever and infertility (not being able to get pregnant again).
There is a 23% higher risk of infection if you have an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease).
40% of the sexually active are suspected carriers of STDs.
Breast Cancer: Reputable studies suggests that women who abort face a 50% increase in breast cancer. If the woman has a [[#|family history]] of breast cancer, this rate doubles with each successive abortion, if the woman is under 18 or over 30 years of age when the abortion takes place. Abruptio Placenta: Abruptio Placenta is a condition in pregnancy where the sac holding the baby (the placenta) tears away from the uterine lining. This can result in extreme and severe life-threatening bleeding. Women who have experienced abortion have a 600% increase in their risk for Abruptio Placenta in future pregnancies. Infertility: Infertility and sterility mean that a woman cannot get pregnant. Abortion causes sterility in 2-5% of the women who have an abortion.
History:
In the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court ruled that women, in consultation with their physician, have a constitutionally protected right to have an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy—that is, before viability—free from government interference.
Current Laws:
Congress has barred the use of federal Medicaid funds to pay for abortions, except when the woman’s life would be endangered by a full-term pregnancy or in cases of rape or incest. US:
If you are under 18, your state may require one or both of your parents to give permission for your abortion or be told of your decision prior to the abortion. However, in most states you can ask a judge to excuse you from these requirements.
-If you are under 18, your state may require one or both of your parents to give permission for your abortion or be told of your decision prior to the abortion. However, in most states you can ask a judge to excuse you from these requirements.
Other countries:
How and when is it done?:
There are two types of abortion, in-clinic and the abortion pill.
Types of abortions (In-clinic):
--The most common is called aspiration. It is also known as vacuum aspiration. Aspiration is usually used up to 16 weeks after a woman’s last period.
--D&E — dilation and evacuation — is another kind of in-clinic abortion. D&E is usually performed later than 16 weeks after a woman's last period.
88% of all abortions happen during the first trimester, prior to the 13th week
Where do you go?
Alternatives: ADOPTION:there is both open and closed adoptions. Open can give you a chance to be in your child's life as they are growing up. then there is a closed adoption which cuts off all immediate connection with the child. they are not allowed to have contact with their child until they are allowed to (when the parents allow it or when the law allows it [which is usually 18 yrs.]).
Cost: about $350-950 in the first trimester
Perspectives: both sides just want to reduce the amount of unwanted pregnancies
Pro-Choice:
they believe that woman should have a choice on what to do with their body Pro-Life:
they believe that abortion is equivalent to murder. they don't want you to kill the baby! Rights of the Mother:
Rights of the Father:
Rights of the Fetus:
Various situations that may consider abortions:
I don't want more children or I'm done with childbearing
I'm not ready to become a mother or not ready for another child
I don't want others to know about my pregnancy or that I'm having sex
My husband/partner wants me to have an abortion
There are problems with the health of fetus
There are problems with my own health
My parents want me to have an abortion
Relationship Problems and/or Unwillingness To Be a Single Mother
Negative Impact on the Mother's Life
Financial Instability
Effects of having an abortion:
Emotional Effects:
50% of women who have had abortions report experiencing emotional and psychological problems lasting for months or years. These emotions include, but aren't limited to:
acute feeling of grief
depression
anger
fear of disclosure
preoccupation with babies or getting pregnant again
nightmares
sexual dysfunction
termination of relationships
emotional coldness
increased alcohol and drug abuse
eating disorders
anxiety
flashbacks of the abortion procedure
anniversary syndrome
repeat abortions
suicide
Many of these women go on to report that they regret their choice and would do anything to go back and undo the decision that resulted in so much pain
Abortion
Abortion Google Doc
Statistics:
Abortions are very common. In fact, more than 1 out of 3 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old.
-eighteen percent of U.S. women obtaining abortions are teenagers; those aged 15-17 obtain 6% of all abortions, teens aged 18-19 obtain 11%, and teens under age 15 obtain 0.4%.
Women in their twenties [[#|account]] for more than half of all abortions; women aged 20–24 obtain 33% of all abortions, and women aged 25-29 obtain 24%
Twenty-two percent of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion.
47% of women who have abortions had at least one previous abortion
One baby is aborted every 26 seconds
137 babies are aborted every hour
3,304 babies are aborted every day
23,196 babies are aborted every week
100,516 babies are aborted every month
The heartbeat begins on the 21st day after conception.
Electrical brain waves have been recorded as early as forty days
Safety/Risks:
"The Morning After Pill" (Emergency Contraception Pill) - If taken within 72 hours of intercourse it prevents pregnancy 75% of the time. Medical problems would be similar to birth control pills, however effects could be more pronounced.
Methotrexate - (given prior to 8 weeks) Doctors don't like to prescribe this chemical because of its high toxicity and unpredictable side effects. Those side effects include but are not limited to:
- nausea
- pain
- diarrhea
- bone marrow [[#|depression]]
- anemia
- liver damage
- [[#|lung disease]]lungs disease
- heavy bleeding for as long as 40 days
- abortion may occur anywhere
This chemical may not work and a [[#|surgical abortion]] may still be required.Psychological/ Emotional Trauma: In addition to the risks listed above, women having chemical abortions often see the [[#|complete]] tiny bodies of their unborn child and are even able to see the child's developing hands, eyes, etc. So traumatic is this for some women that it is recommended that women unprepared for the experience not take the drugs
Future Ectopic Pregnancies:
- Studies point out that the risk of an ectopic or tubal (not in the uterus but in the tubes that lead to the uterus) ;pregnancy is 30% higher for women who have had one abortion, and up to four times higher for women with two or more abortions.
- When a woman has an Ectopic pregnancy she has a 12% risk of dying in a future pregnancy.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):- 5% of women suffer PID following induced (or surgical) abortion. PID can lead to fever and infertility (not being able to get pregnant again).
- There is a 23% higher risk of infection if you have an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease).
- 40% of the sexually active are suspected carriers of STDs.
Breast Cancer:Reputable studies suggests that women who abort face a 50% increase in breast cancer. If the woman has a [[#|family history]] of breast cancer, this rate doubles with each successive abortion, if the woman is under 18 or over 30 years of age when the abortion takes place.
Abruptio Placenta:
Abruptio Placenta is a condition in pregnancy where the sac holding the baby (the placenta) tears away from the uterine lining. This can result in extreme and severe life-threatening bleeding. Women who have experienced abortion have a 600% increase in their risk for Abruptio Placenta in future pregnancies.
Infertility:
Infertility and sterility mean that a woman cannot get pregnant. Abortion causes sterility in 2-5% of the women who have an abortion.
History:
In the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court ruled that women, in consultation with their physician, have a constitutionally protected right to have an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy—that is, before viability—free from government interference.
Current Laws:
Congress has barred the use of federal Medicaid funds to pay for abortions, except when the woman’s life would be endangered by a full-term pregnancy or in cases of rape or incest.
US:
If you are under 18, your state may require one or both of your parents to give permission for your abortion or be told of your decision prior to the abortion. However, in most states you can ask a judge to excuse you from these requirements.
-If you are under 18, your state may require one or both of your parents to give permission for your abortion or be told of your decision prior to the abortion. However, in most states you can ask a judge to excuse you from these requirements.
Other countries:
How and when is it done?:
There are two types of abortion, in-clinic and the abortion pill.
Types of abortions (In-clinic):
--The most common is called aspiration. It is also known as vacuum aspiration. Aspiration is usually used up to 16 weeks after a woman’s last period.
--D&E — dilation and evacuation — is another kind of in-clinic abortion. D&E is usually performed later than 16 weeks after a woman's last period.
88% of all abortions happen during the first trimester, prior to the 13th week
Where do you go?
Alternatives:
ADOPTION:there is both open and closed adoptions. Open can give you a chance to be in your child's life as they are growing up. then there is a closed adoption which cuts off all immediate connection with the child. they are not allowed to have contact with their child until they are allowed to (when the parents allow it or when the law allows it [which is usually 18 yrs.]).
Cost: about $350-950 in the first trimester
Perspectives: both sides just want to reduce the amount of unwanted pregnancies
Pro-Choice:
they believe that woman should have a choice on what to do with their body
Pro-Life:
they believe that abortion is equivalent to murder. they don't want you to kill the baby!
Rights of the Mother:
Rights of the Father:
Rights of the Fetus:
Various situations that may consider abortions:
Effects of having an abortion:
Emotional Effects:50% of women who have had abortions report experiencing emotional and psychological problems lasting for months or years. These emotions include, but aren't limited to:
- acute feeling of grief
- depression
- anger
- fear of disclosure
- preoccupation with babies or getting pregnant again
- nightmares
- sexual dysfunction
- termination of relationships
- emotional coldness
- increased alcohol and drug abuse
- eating disorders
- anxiety
- flashbacks of the abortion procedure
- anniversary syndrome
- repeat abortions
- suicide
Many of these women go on to report that they regret their choice and would do anything to go back and undo the decision that resulted in so much painResources:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion-4260.asp
http://www.mccl.org/Page.aspx?pid=400
http://www.abort73.com/abortion_facts/us_abortion_statistics/
http://ramahinternational.org/abortion_risks.htm