Transcript
Understanding Abortion
Quinn Gosselin
HE 210 OL
After Deciding to After Deciding to have an Abortion, have an Abortion,
What’s Next?What’s Next?
Finding a Provider Accessibility depends on the state you live in, how far
away you are from a clinic, financial situation, and how far along you are in the pregnancy
Planned Parenthood- clinics in almost every state; some provide
abortions
The National Abortion Federation hotline- provides referrals (1-800-772-9100)
Search for clinics online- www.gynpages.com
Search Yellow Pages- “Abortion Providers” or “Abortion Services”
What to look for when Choosing a Facility:
Ask Questions Concerning the Following Issues:
Medical Issues (ex: What methods are available?)
Financial Issues (ex: What does it cost? Will insurance cover the costs?)
State Laws (ex: What are the requirements? Do I need parental consent?)
Clinical Procedures (ex: How long will I be at the clinic? How will my privacy be
protected?)
What to Expect at the Clinic: Protesters may be present!
Providers will be prepared to properly handle any situation, such as escorting the patient into the facility if need be
Call ahead to ask about what you might encounter
Inside the Clinic: Medical history form will need to be filled out Vital signs will be taken Repeat urine pregnancy test Blood will be drawn to check for anemia and Rh factor Ultrasound may be performed to confirm how far along
the pregnancy is Counseling session may take place to discuss the choice
of having an abortion
What are the Different What are the Different Methods of Abortion Methods of Abortion that I can Choose that I can Choose
From?From?
Medication Abortion“Medical Abortion”
Two drugs administered
Mifepristone (most common; “abortion pill”) Taken orally Blocks progesterone; causes embryo to detach from uterine lining
Misoprostol (taken within 2 days of Mifepristone) Taken orally or inserted vaginally Prostaglandin; causes cervix to soften and uterus to cramp Embryo is expelled in the form of a “heavy period”
Method terminates pregnancy within first 9 weeks
(Medication Abortion Continued)
Safe; 95-98% Effective
Between September 2000 and fall 2004, 350,000 U.S. women used this type of abortion (FDA)
Possible side effects: bleeding, nausea, fatigue, cramping, diarrhea, chills
Discharge of blood clots is normal
Follow-up visit is necessary to ensure completion of abortion
My OpinionMy Opinion
I think that abortions I think that abortions should be legal, should be legal, especially in the first especially in the first trimester. Some people trimester. Some people do not have the financial do not have the financial support, personal support, personal support, or access to support, or access to health care that is health care that is necessary to having a necessary to having a child. I believe that an child. I believe that an individual should have the individual should have the ability to make the right ability to make the right choice according to their choice according to their personal situation and personal situation and beliefs.beliefs.
Vacuum Aspiration Abortion Uterine contents removed by suction (aspiration) Procedure:
Pelvic exam performed Speculum inserted into vagina to separate vaginal walls Cervix is washed with antiseptic solution Tenaculum placed on cervix (thin instrument with long
handle; lets clinician hold cervix in place) Anesthetic solution injected to numb cervix; cervix is
dilated Thin tube (cannula) inserted into uterus through cervix Cannula is connected to source of suction (electric
pump or handheld device) Cannula is moved back and forth to draw out
pregnancy tissue
(vacuum aspiration continued)
Used for most first-trimester abortions
Low risk of infection/injury
Risk of death is 1 in 160,000
May feel mild to intense cramping from uterus contracting and emptying
Cramps should lessen after cannula is removed
Second-Trimester Abortion 12% of abortions take place at 13 weeks or later
for many reasons Cost more Require longer period of recovery May need to travel farther distance to find
provider Carry greater risks; still low complication rate Two methods:
Dilation and Evacuation Induction Abortion
My Opinion
Although I do have reservations, I still believe second-trimester abortions should be allowed because some women do not even realize they are pregnant until this time. However, I do think that there should be a cut-off as to the number of weeks the woman is into the second-trimester.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Most common method of second trimester
abortion Removal of fetal and placental tissue with
combination of suction and instruments Quicker method Does not require hospitalization Do not have to go through labor (physically
and emotionally stressful)
(Dilation and Evacuation Continued)
Procedure:Cervix dilated in process similar to vacuum
aspiration, but done in advance because pregnancy is farther along
Osmotic Dilators (thin rods inserted in cervical opening that absorb moisture and expands, stretching cervix) or Misoprostol is used
May be given pain medication or sedativesAfter dilation, clinician removes fetal and
placental tissue using vacuum aspiration, forceps, and a curette (small, spoonlike tool)
Strong cramping as uterus is emptied
Induction Abortion Medications used to cause uterus to contract and
expel pregnancy
Each woman’s experience is different
Painful contractions can last hours to days
May have to have it done in ward where other women are giving birth; bring support system
Preparation similar to D&E
Plan for overnight hospital stay
(Induction Abortion Continued)
Procedure:Medications used to induce labor given in
various ways: Prostaglandin suppositories/Misoprostol tablets
inserted vaginally every few hours Oxytocin given through IV line Prostaglandins may be injected into arm Saline and Urea may be injected in abdomen into
amniotic sac
May be given medication afterwards to manage pain
What Happens after the What Happens after the Abortion is Complete?Abortion is Complete?
Aftercare You will be brought to “recovery area” to rest
Vital signs and bleeding will be checked periodically
You will be provided with information about what toexpect next and what anysigns of complication may be
May receive antibiotics to prevent infection or excessive bleeding
Normal to feel tired and cramp for a few days
(Aftercare Continued)
Can get pregnant shortly after abortion; use of reliable birth control is important Ask provider about different forms of birth control
Follow-up appointment will be made for 2-3 weeks post-abortion
Emotions may be a mix of negative feelings and feelings of relief
May be told to avoid heavy lifting, exercise, baths, swimming, tampons and vaginal intercourse
The History of AbortionThe History of Abortion Practiced legally in U.S. until 1880Practiced legally in U.S. until 1880
Banned at this time unless necessary to save a lifeBanned at this time unless necessary to save a life Part of backlash to suffrage movement; an effort to Part of backlash to suffrage movement; an effort to
control womencontrol women Way for medical profession to control women’s health Way for medical profession to control women’s health
carecare Declining birth rate among whites concerned Declining birth rate among whites concerned
government about “race suicide”government about “race suicide”
Still widely practiced illegallyStill widely practiced illegally
Economic status, race, and location heavily Economic status, race, and location heavily effected safety of illegal abortioneffected safety of illegal abortion The poor were at the mercy of incompetent doctors or The poor were at the mercy of incompetent doctors or
dangerous self abortion methods were used (insertion of dangerous self abortion methods were used (insertion of coat hangers into the vagina, etc.)coat hangers into the vagina, etc.)
(History of Abortion Continued)
Groups formed to help women obtain abortions Jane Collective; Clergy Consultation
In the 1960’s following Civil Rights Movement, women began to organize
Abortion was major issue in movement
Activism led to several states allowing abortion New York was first state to legalize abortions up until
the 24th week of pregnancy Government allowed states to issue individual
restrictions
Legality of AbortionLegality of Abortion
Roe v. WadeRoe v. Wade decision decision Ended illegal status of clinical abortionsEnded illegal status of clinical abortions Court found it to be a woman’s decision to terminate Court found it to be a woman’s decision to terminate
pregnancy in first trimester pregnancy in first trimester Positive impact of Roe v. Wade:Positive impact of Roe v. Wade:
Fatal infections and hemorrhaging due to Fatal infections and hemorrhaging due to complications were no longer an issuecomplications were no longer an issue
Anti-abortionists still campaigned to intimidate abortion seekers and Anti-abortionists still campaigned to intimidate abortion seekers and providersproviders
Still a controversial issue todayStill a controversial issue today ““Pro-life” (label for abortion opponents)Pro-life” (label for abortion opponents) ““Pro-choice” (label for abortion supporters)Pro-choice” (label for abortion supporters)
Abortion WorldwideAbortion Worldwide
1)1) About 46 million abortions occur yearly; about half About 46 million abortions occur yearly; about half are unsafeare unsafe
2)2) 95% unsafe abortions occur in developing 95% unsafe abortions occur in developing countriescountries
3)3) 20 million unsafe abortions performed annually20 million unsafe abortions performed annually
4)4) Approximately 13% preventable maternal deaths Approximately 13% preventable maternal deaths are due to complications of unsafe abortionsare due to complications of unsafe abortions
5)5) 25% world’s population lives in countries where 25% world’s population lives in countries where abortion is highly restricted (Latin America, Asia, abortion is highly restricted (Latin America, Asia, Africa)Africa)
“’ “’I had an illegal abortion, which led to I had an illegal abortion, which led to infection, and I was close to death. I ended infection, and I was close to death. I ended up in a legal hospital with a real doctor who up in a legal hospital with a real doctor who managed to pull me through. Thank god the managed to pull me through. Thank god the pregnancy was terminated. All this rubbish pregnancy was terminated. All this rubbish about guilt feelings is just that. Ask me if I about guilt feelings is just that. Ask me if I would do it again knowing the risks- YES- would do it again knowing the risks- YES- absolutely. Thank heaven it’s legal now, so absolutely. Thank heaven it’s legal now, so women don’t have to endure life-threatening women don’t have to endure life-threatening situations,’” (Abortion 407)situations,’” (Abortion 407)
Are you pro-life or pro-choice? What is your Are you pro-life or pro-choice? What is your reasoning?reasoning?
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