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Thinking about an abortion?
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THINKING ABOUT AN ABORTION? DON'T ACT IN HASTE........
Pregnancy begins when a male sperm and a female egg cell unite to form the first, unique cell of a new human being. This special cell begins to divide within 10 days, the rapidly growing human embryo attaches to the wall of the mother's uterus and continues to grow. Within eight weeks, all body organs are present; within 12 weeks, all organs and systems are functioning. The remainder of the pregnancy is simply a time of growth and fine-tuning for this new human being.
According to our present culture, there are many alternatives available to a pregnant woman, all of which she should thoroughly consider before making a decision regarding the future of her pregnancy. The decision she makes will affect the rest of her life, so she has the right to learn all the facts.
Following are medical answers to some questions you may have regarding abortion.
How are most abortions performed?
Suction aspiration or suction abortion is the most common method of abortion in early pregnancy, up to about 12 weeks after conception. During this procedure, the cervix- a circular muscle at the base of the uterus-is forced open and a powerful vacuum device is used to suction out the human fetus in pieces. The human fetus is approximately two inches long at 12 weeks.
Abortion providers often refer to the developing human fetus as "products of conception," or "contents of the uterus." Fetus, the medical term for the developing human from eight weeks after conception, is actually a Latin word which means, "young one," or "offspring."
After 12 weeks, a painful D&E abortion may be performed. The abortion provider would force open the cervix, impose plier-like instrument, twist and pull off the human "young one's" limbs, and crush the skull and rib cage so that they may also be evacuated.
Another method used from the fourth through the ninth month of pregnancy is the D&X abortion. Guided by ultrasound, the abortion provider dilates the cervix, grabs both legs with the forceps and pulls the legs into the birth canal (vagina), and delivers the entire body of the child, except for the head. The abortionist then jams scissors into the base of the skull and opens them to enlarge the hole. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted so that the child's brain tissue may be suctioned out. This eliminates the possibility of the child being born alive.
Is abortion painful?
Unless the mother is anesthetized (put to sleep), it can be very painful.
Medical research has also shown that the "young one" feels pain.
Is abortion safe?
You may have heard people incorrectly say abortion is safer than childbirth. Actually, this "fact" is inaccurate for several reasons:
Maternal death rates used in comparison actually include all abortion-related deaths-the very data to which they are compared.
Maternal mortality figures also include deaths from ectopic pregnancies, which can result from scarring left by infection after an abortion.
Maternal mortality figures typically include deaths from care accidents, physical abuse, homicides, and other causes not related to childbirth.
Studies generally compare the surgical abortion procedure with maternal deaths that include deaths during the entire nine months of pregnancy and up to one year after delivery.
Each year, there are deaths and severe infections as a result of legal abortion procedures.
Does abortion have long-term consequences or side-effects?
There are always consequences when we choose to do something we feel is not ethically right.
Many women feel emotional consequences of the "choice" within moments or days after the abortion; others may deny and repress negative feelings for many years.
Emotional effects include unexplained depression, repressed emotions (even total denial of having had an abortion), thwarted maternal instincts, intense feelings of guilt and/or grief, increased use of alcohol, drugs, or even smoking, thoughts of suicide.
It is not uncommon that women must go to the emergency room because of hemorrhaging and/or infection caused by puncture of the uterus or by pieces of the human fetus left in the uterus. Low-grade infections often go undetected by the woman until, years later, she finds the infection has scarred her Fallopian tubes an she is unable to ever have other children.
New studies are indicating that there is a considerable connection between abortion of the first pregnancy and the development of breast cancer, possibly due to the sudden interruption of undifferentiated tissue development in the breasts.
Most importantly, abortion has permanent consequences. A life cut short which "could have been fulfilled" can be a reality difficult to face for years to come.
Is this pregnancy really human or just a "blob"?
By days 18 to 24 (about three weeks after conception), the developing embryo's heart begins to regularly pump blood through tiny blood vessels.
By six to seven weeks, brain waves are detectable on the EEG.
By eight weeks, all organs and systems are present in the body and the embryo now becomes medically termed the "fetus," or "young one," as mentioned earlier. The "young one" responds to painful stimuli and she/he can grasp objects and make a fist.
By 10 weeks, hands and feet are perfectly formed and the unique fingerprints and footprints are permanently engraved in the skin.
By 12 weeks after conception, the 'young one's" development is virtually complete: All organs and systems are functioning; she/he inhales and exhales amniotic fluid to practice breathing and build up the muscles; she/he even gets the hiccups! She/he is sensitive to touch, heat , sound, discomfort, and pain; her/his face shows features inherited from the parents.
The remainder of pregnancy is primarily a time of growth; the majority of development is already complete.
Don't act before you have all the facts about abortion.
If you or someone you love is considering abortion, Alabama Physicians for Life, Inc. wants you to ask questions, understand the risks and make and informed decision.
After some consideration, if you still believe abortion is your only solution, be sure to ask the abortion center or hospital personnel the following questions. You have a right to know.
Have people sued this abortion center because they have been injured by an abortion performed here?
Can I be permanently damaged by an abortion? Explain the possible side-effects to me.
Were all of the risks mentioned in this brochure listed by the abortion center counselor when I asked the above question? If not, ask why.
Will I be asked to sign a paper releasing the doctor and the abortion center in case I suffer physical or emotional damage because of my abortion.
If I sign a release form and then have physical problems, will the abortion center or the doctor pay the medical costs to repair the damage? Will they put that in the release form and sign it?
Does this abortion center have a malpractice insurance to protect me in case a problem arises.
Does this doctor have malpractice insurance?
If you go to a free-standing abortion center for counseling regarding your pregnancy, please keep in mind that their business depends upon the number of abortions performed.
Think carefully before you have an abortion. The decision you make in the next few weeks will affect you for the rest of your life. Are you willing to accept the fact that you may very likely suffer physical and/or emotional trauma from this procedure? If you are not sure, take more time to think about it. Do not let anyone pressure you into a decision you are not ready to make?
The continuum of life
The word "fetus" is Latin for "young one," just as "adolescent" comes from a Latin word meaning "to grow up.' We cannot devalue one stage of human life without devaluing all human life. Every time an innocent "young one" is destroyed by abortion, the dignity of every human being is lessened.
We who read this have had the opportunity to live. Abortion would deny another human being that opportunity. Human life is to be protected and promoted at every stage. As physicians, we have promised to do all in our power to uphold human life.
There are many alternatives to abortion available to pregnant mothers. Many organizations offer practical support in the form of maternity and baby clothes, prenatal and baby care education, shelter, counseling and financial help.
We encourage you to consider all these options and the information in this brochure before making a decision to terminate the human life you have within you.
Abortion is forever..........
Explore Your Options
You have the legal right to choose the outcome of your pregnancy. But real empowerment comes when you find the resources and inner strength necessary to make your best choice. Here are some other options.
Parenting
Choosing to continue your pregnancy and to parent is very challenging. But with the support of caring people, parenting classes, and other resources, many women find the help they need to make this choice.
Adoption
You may decide to place your child for adoption. Each year over 50,000 women in America make this choice. This loving decision is often made by women who first thought abortion was their only way out.
Help Is Available
Facing an unexpected pregnancy can seem overwhelming. That is why knowing where to go for help is important. Talk to someone you can trust - your partner, your parents, a pastor, a priest or perhaps a good friend. Also, the caring people at your pregnancy center are available to help you through this difficult time. To find a pregnancy center near you, call 1-800-395-HELP.