Thinking about abortion?

Before you decide, know the facts.

Facing an unplanned pregnancy is hard.  Fear, confusion, and anger are just some of the feelings that you may be experiencing.  Before you decide, you deserve to know the facts.  The law gives you the right to be fully informed about this important decision.

REMEMBER!  No one can force you to have an abortion, no matter what!

Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure.  It is a life-changing event and most women who struggle with past abortions say they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion.

You may see this unplanned pregnancy as a major roadblock in your life.  Thankfully, there are other routes that can get you back on track.  There is help and there are resources to make positive choices and realize your dreams.

Explore your options!  You have the legal right to choose the outcome of your pregnancy.  But real empowerment comes when you find the strength and resources necessary to make your best choice.

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.

Is adoption an option?  You may decide to make an adoption plan for your child.  Each year, thousands of women in America make this choice.  This loving decision is often made by women who first thought abortion was their only way out.

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can seem overwhelming.  This 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.  The caring people here at Care Net are available to h

Abortion Procedures

Morning After Pill (MAP):
within 72 hours of sexual intercourse

Also known as “Emergency Contraception,” this procedure consists of a
pregnancy test and two doses of pills. The woman first must take a pregnancy
test and receive a negative test result before taking the pills. If a negative
test result occurs from the pregnancy test, then the woman is instructed to take
the first dose of the MAP. Note: a negative result indicates that the woman is
probably not pregnant from intercourse during her previous monthly cycle, but it
will not show whether or not she just became pregnant (from intercourse the
“night before”). She is instructed to take this first dose as soon as possible,
but not more than 72 hours after intercourse. The woman takes a second dose 12
hours after the first dose. If conception already occurred within the 72 hour
time frame (that is the “night before”), the life is expelled. This is an early
abortion.

RU486, Mifepristone: within 4 to 7 weeks after LMP
Also known as the Abortion Pill, this medical abortion is used for women who are
within 28 to 49 days after their last menstrual period. This procedure usually
requires three office visits. The RU 486 or mifepristone pills are given to the
woman who returns two days later for a second medication called misoprostol. The
combination of these medications causes the uterus to expel the fetus.

Early Vacuum Aspiration: within 7 weeks after LMP
This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the
woman’s last menstrual period. The cervical muscle is stretched with dilators
(metal rods) until the opening is wide enough to allow the abortion instruments
to pass into the uterus. A hand held syringe is attached to tubing that is
inserted into the uterus and the fetus is suctioned out.

Suction Curettage: within 6 to 14 weeks after LMP
In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a dilator (a metal rod) or
laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and inserted several hours before the
procedure). The doctor inserts tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to
a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the
uterus. One variation of this procedure is called Dilation and Curettage
(D&C). In this method, the doctor may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to
scrape the fetal parts out of the uterus.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): within 13 to 24
weeks after LMP This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of
pregnancy. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the thirteenth
and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be
broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this
procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion.
This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After
opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The
fetus’ skull is crushed to ease removal.

Dilation and Extraction (D&X): from 20 weeks
after LMP to full-term Also known as Partial-birth Abortion, this procedure
takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and
medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives
medication to start labor. After labor begins, the abortion doctor uses
ultrasound to locate the baby’s legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor
delivers the baby up to the baby’s head. Next, scissors are inserted into the
base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the
opening to remove the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is
removed.

Immediate Risks of Abortion

Some side effects may occur with induced abortion. These include abdominal
pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most abortions, no serious
complications occur. However, complications may happen in as many as 1 out of
every 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Such
complications may include:

Heavy Bleeding – Some bleeding after abortion is
normal. There is, however, a risk of hemorrhage, especially if the uterine
artery is torn. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.

Infection – Bacteria may get into the uterus from
an incomplete abortion resulting in infection. A serious infection may lead to
persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.

Incomplete Abortion – Some fetal parts may not be
removed by the abortion. Bleeding and infection may occur. RU486 may fail in up
to 1 out of every 20 cases.

Allergic Reaction to Drugs – An allergic reaction
to anesthesia used during abortion surgery may result in convulsions, heart
attack and, in extreme cases, death.

Tearing of the Cervix – The cervix may be cut or
torn by abortion instruments.

Scarring of the Uterine Lining – Suction tubing,
curettes, and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the
uterine lining.

Perforation of the Uterus – The uterus may be
punctured or torn by abortion instruments. The risk of this complication
increases with the length of the pregnancy. If this occurs, major surgery,
including a hysterectomy, may be required.

Damage to Internal Organs – When the uterus is
punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage will occur to nearby organs
such as the bowel and bladder.

Death – In extreme cases, other physical
complications from abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ
damage from a perforated uterus, and adverse reactions to anesthesia may lead to
death. This complication is very rare and occurs, on average, in less than 20
cases per year.

Other Risks of Abortion

Abortion and Breast
Cancer

Medical experts are still researching and debating the linkage between
abortion and breast cancer. However, Dr. Janet Daling’s 1994 study¹
found “among women who had been pregnant at least once, if done before 18 years,
it [breast cancer] increased by 150%.”

Here are more important facts:

• Carrying a pregnancy to full term gives protection against breast cancer
  that cannot be gained if abortion is chosen.
• Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells
  more susceptible to cancer.
• Most studies conducted so far show a significant linkage between abortion
  and breast cancer.

¹Daling, J. et al, Risk of Br. Ca. Among Women, J. Nat Ca. Inst,
Vol.86, No. 21, Nov 2,’94, Pg. 1584.

Effect on Future Pregnancy

Scarring or other injury during an abortion may prevent or place at risk
future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who
abort their first pregnancy.

Emotional Impact

Some women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this
occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological
response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that impact the
likelihood of Post-Abortion Stress include: the woman’s age, the abortion
circumstances, the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs, and the
woman’s religious beliefs. Post-Abortion Stress
Symptoms

• Guilt
• Anger/Rage
• Anxiety
• Emotional Pain
• Depression
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Anniversary Grief
• Flashbacks of Abortion
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Relationship Problems
• Eating Disorders
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Psychological Reactions

Spiritual Consequences

People have different understandings of God. Whatever your present beliefs
may be, there is a spiritual side to abortion that deserves to be considered.
Having an abortion may affect more than just your body and your mind — it may
have an impact on your relationship with God. What is God’s desire for you in
this situation? How does God see your unborn child? These are important
questions to consider.