What Are the Methods of Abortion?

1. A medical abortion is when a drug is given to the mother that causes the body to terminate the pregnancy.
2. A surgical abortion is when a surgical procedure is performed to remove the fetus.

Types of Medical Abortion

1. Methotrexate and Misoprostol (MTX) is a drug that can be given to women in the first seven weeks of pregnancy.  The first drug, Methotrexate, can be taken orally or given by injection. Then the second drug, Misoprostol, is given 3-7 days after the first drug is given. The drug causes the body to contract, expelling the fetus.

Side effects: The side effects are typical of a miscarriage: cramping, bleeding, nausea, diarrhea.

This is unsuccessful in 5% of cases, requiring surgery to terminate the pregnancy.

1. Mifepristone and Misoprostol. The first drug Mifepristone is given to the mother which causes the uterine lining to break down. Then Misoprostol is given 36-72 hours later to cause contractions and cause the body to expel the fetus.

Side effects: The side effects are typical of a miscarriage: cramping, bleeding, nausea, diarrhea.

This is unsuccessful in 8-10% of cases, requiring surgery to terminate the pregnancy.

Types of Surgical Abortion

1. Saline abortion: A saline solution is inserted into the uterus. The fetus swallows this saline solution which causes the fetus to die by “dehydration, brain hemorrhage and convulsions” according to prolifeaction.org. There have been cases where babies have survived this abortion and the babies were delivered with scalded skin and lungs. This procedure is rarely performed because of the risks to the mother.
2. Dilation and Extraction: This type of procedure is called a partial-birth abortion because it is performed late in a pregnancy. The doctor uses forceps to grab the baby’s legs, delivering the legs while the head remains inside the uterus. Scissors are then used to pierce the baby’s brain and a suction is used to remove the baby’s brain. The baby is then delivered. United States laws prohibit doctors from performing partial-birth abortions due to the barbaric nature of the procedure. However, doctors can get around this law by first injecting the fetus with a drug that stops the heart.
3. Dilation and Evacuation: This type of procedure is usually performed 13-20 weeks of pregnancy but can be used up to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Forceps are used to rip apart the limbs from the baby and the parts are removed. Sometimes the baby’s head is crushed to allow it to be removed more easily.
4. Intracardiac injection abortion: In this type of abortion, a needle is placed directly into the baby’s heart and an injection of either potassium chloride or digoxin is given to the fetus to stop the heart from beating. The injection essentially causes a heart attack. This type of abortion is typically used in the case of multiple fetuses to reduce the number of babies in on pregnancy. This is typically performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.
5. Dilation and curettage: This procedure is used in the first trimester to remove the fetus by scraping the walls of the uterus. The arms and limbs are dismembered from the body. This type of abortion should not be confused with a dilation and curettage that is performed after a natural miscarriage to remove the dead fetus if the body has not properly expelled the fetus and placenta.
6. Suction aspiration (vacuum): This is the most common type of abortion performed, between 6 and 12 weeks, but up to 16 weeks. The body of the fetus is torn apart when a sharp-tipped tube is inserted into the uterus. The fetal parts are then suctioned out.

Abortion websites leave out what actually happens to the fetus during an abortion. These websites claim that the fetus cannot feel pain, however, scientists now know that a fetus can feel pain in utero. Sonograms performed during abortions have shown that babies curl up and flinch and will try to move away from the instruments used during abortions. The nervous system and brain structures necessary to feel pain are in place by the time an abortion is done.  There have also been cases were abortions were unsuccessful and babies were delivered alive and left to die on a table, cold and alone.

Abortion is not painless, to the mother or to the fetus. There is always physical pain and many times emotional scars as well. I personally know of several women who have had abortions and regret killing their child.  There are reasons why women cannot raise their children, and that is understandable, but being an adoptive mother myself, I can attest to the fact that there are many people who would love to adopt these babies.

Another argument that is brought up by fathers is that they have no say in what happens to their unborn child. Laws in the United States protect the mother, but not the father. Always consult the father of your unborn baby before considering an abortion. And mostly, please consider the amount of pain abortion has on your unborn baby. Can you imagine having your skin and lungs scalded from saline, or a massive needle piercing from your skin to your heart, or what about having your brain pierced and sucked out, or your limbs torn from your body? All of this without pain medication? A baby’s heart begins to beat before a mother even knows that she’s pregnant. That living, breathing baby deserves to be treated as a human being.

If you are unexpectedly pregnant, please consider adoption. Visit Adoption.com to view adoption profiles from hopeful adoptive parents. Visit Adoption.com/unplanned-pregnancy to find guidance with your unplanned pregnancy.

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The Web of Life

Remember the old movie classic It’s a Wonderful Life? In it, an angel saves George Bailey’s life. George Bailey was contemplating suicide, and an angel showed him what others’ lives would be like without him and how one person’s life touches so many others. We don’t know how many people one person will touch. We don’t know if the person being aborted will find the cure for cancer, be the first person to colonize Mars, or will be the next president of the United States. When a child is aborted, he is denied the opportunity to reach his full potential. We deny that life to touch so many other lives.

A Blessing in Disguise

Too many times, we look at the stark reality of an unplanned pregnancy as a crisis, a curse, and an obstacle to our dreams. But have you considered that what you may think of as a disaster, may actually be a blessing for someone else?  There are about 1 million abortions a year in the U.S. There are also about 1 million people waiting to adopt in the U.S. It may be a perfect match to place your child in a loving family who has been waiting for a precious child just like yours. Your child is not unwanted. The pregnancy may be unplanned, but rest assured, your child will be a blessing to someone else. 

She’s Alive!

Scientifically, an unborn baby has brain waves at seven weeks, a heartbeat at seven weeks, and can feel pain at 20 weeks. Most abortions occur at 7-20 weeks. My question is this: if a person is considered dead with no brain waves and no heartbeat, why isn’t she considered alive with a brainwave and a heartbeat? Your baby is alive! Your baby is not a part of your body. Your baby has her own fingerprints, her own DNA, and her own blood type. You have been given the awesome task of carrying her to term and nurturing and caring for her, should you choose to do so. What an awesome task. She may not be born, but she has been alive since conception.  

Unplanned pregnancies interfere with our lives like no other crisis can. But life is precious! And the joy life can bring outweighs all other concerns. Consider all other options.

Consider life.

Consider adoption.

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I dreamed of being a parent for as long as I can remember, but when my husband and I decided to try for a family, we faced numerous infertility battles and opted to adopt. Not only because we were unable to have biological children, but also because we have a heart for adoption. We have twelve adopted members of our extended family; it is simply part of who we are. If you choose to place this baby with a loving family, you will be giving him or her a dream only hoped for. To me, our son’s birth mom answered one of my biggest prayers in life and made me a mom. I hold her in the highest regard and have the most respect for her and her decision. I know it wasn’t an easy decision for her. We have even talked that she thought about abortion at first. Oh how thankful I am that she chose adoption. I cannot imagine my life without our son. To think she could have easily made a different decision, and I wouldn’t be a mom, just blows my mind. I thank God every day she made the decision she did. 

You also will be giving this child a chance at life. No matter what your stance on abortion is, it ends a child’s life. Knowing you placed your child with a family, you won’t have to question what happened to her life. You will know she lived. I can only write this article from the perspective of an adoptive parent because I have never been in your shoes. But I am hoping that if you gave your child the gift of life and chose to place him with a loving family, you wouldn’t spend the rest of your life questioning if you did the “right” thing or not. I am not passing judgment, and I am not putting myself in your shoes. I am simply making an observation of how I think I would feel. You may question what his life is like if you don’t have an open relationship with him, but I hope you don’t question whether it was the right decision for the rest of your life. You may at some point question if you should have raised the baby yourself, but I am hoping you don’t question whether you should have given him or her life or not.

For us, we have an open adoption with our son’s birth mom and her family. It has become one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced or seen in my life. I am not saying every situation is going to lead to an open adoption, but I suggest being open to the idea of it. That way you can know how much your decision to place the baby with a loving family has affected the child and his or her adoptive family. It also is an opportunity to continue an open dialog for the child when she is old enough to start “questioning” her adoption. The way we look at it is we not only adopted our son, but we also adopted his whole birth family to be part of our family. We embrace it; we cherish it; and we love it!  

If you are unexpectedly pregnant and considering adoption, visit Adoption.com to view adoption profiles from hopeful adoptive parents.

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The following is a list of health concerns to consider before opting for the abortion pill:

1. Women who have an ectopic pregnancy need to have the fetus removed surgically and are not eligible for the abortion pill.  
2. Women who have certain medical conditions are not eligible for the abortion pill.  These conditions include, but may not be limited to
   1. Women with ovarian masses
   2. Women taking anticoagulants.
   3. Women who have an IUD.
   4. Women with adrenal gland, kidney, liver or heart problems.
   5. Women taking corticosteroids.
   6. Women with a molar pregnancy.
3. There are a few side effects of taking the abortion pill that are similar to having a miscarriage. These side effects include the following:
   1. Cramping
   2. Nausea
   3. Diarrhea
   4. Prolonged and sometimes severe bleeding
   5. Hot flashes 
4. The abortion pill will not terminate all pregnancies, and in these cases, a surgical abortion procedure will need to follow. Surgical abortions involve very painful procedures to the fetus including piercing the heart with a large needle to induce a heart attack, taking scissors to the head, and sucking out the brain and tearing limbs from the body. Even though anesthesia is given to the pregnant mother so she will not feel pain, the fetus will feel pain.
5. There is no documented evidence that using the abortion pill will impact further pregnancies. However, as with any miscarriage, fetal tissue can remain in the uterus and a dilation and curettage (D&C) may be necessary after taking the abortion pill. A D&C is an outpatient surgical procedure requiring anesthesia.
6. Many studies performed state that women generally do not regret having an abortion. However, these studies are generally done by companies that perform abortions and have a stake in making money off of abortions. Every woman I know who has had an abortion has regretted it tremendously, and she is left with guilt.  

No medicine or medical procedure is without side effects. The side effects include physical side effects as well as emotional side effects that can have lingering effects on the mother. Please consider all of your options before choosing an abortion. There are numerous other paths you could choose for your child, ones that mean life. Consider placing your baby for adoption. There are many waiting families who are willing and eager to give a baby a loving, forever home.

If you are unexpectedly pregnant and considering adoption, visit Adoption.com to view adoption profiles from hopeful adoptive parents. Visit Adoption.com/unplanned-pregnancy to find guidance with your unplanned pregnancy.

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It is a word we hear all the time. It is in the news and all over social media. People protest for it and against it. People argue about it and discuss it. Many people have strong opinions of it. But what is the technical definition of abortion? Basically, abortion is the killing of an unborn fetus and according to the authors of medicinenet.com, the medical definition of abortion is the premature exit of the products of conception that include the fetus, fetal membranes, and placenta from the uterus. It is the loss of a pregnancy. However, it does not refer to why that pregnancy was lost. An abortion can be caused purposely or happen spontaneously. When a woman has an abortion, the fetus is expelled from the womb before it is viable. Another term you might hear is spontaneous abortion. This term is the same thing as a miscarriage. A shorter definition of abortion is when a pregnancy is ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child. In other words, it is the termination of pregnancy.

In essence, the termination of a life.

Abortion is not the only option to an unplanned pregnancy. Though you may feel your life is over, it is not. There are so many paths for you to choose from. Yes, your life will be different here on out, but it will not end. You can move on. You can take a different road and heal and recover. When you choose abortion, you end a path permanently. There is no going back. Consider what that means overall. 

The choice is up to you, but there is a wonderful thing you should know about before you choose an abortion.

Adoption.

What is the definition of adoption? Adoption is to place your child into the loving arms of a forever family. It is not giving up. It is choosing life. Out of all of the most selfless acts of love a human being can show to another, the placing of a child into the home of someone who is better able to care for that child is incredible. Indescribable. Many birth mothers who have chosen this path have been forever grateful for their decision. They turned what could have been a tragedy into hope.

There are alternatives to abortion. Please consider adoption before you make a final decision.

If you are unexpectedly pregnant and considering adoption, visit Adoption.com to view adoption profiles from hopeful adoptive parents. Visit Adoption.com/unplanned-pregnancy to find guidance with your unplanned pregnancy.

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Why It Happens

Post-abortion syndrome occurs after a woman has had an abortion and she experiences the emotions that come with this act. She may feel grief and even regret for her choice, but she will often hide these feelings because it was a voluntary act and she expects to be judged for her choices. When these feelings are suppressed rather than dealt with, it leads to post-abortion syndrome, which is a type of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

When and How It Happens

Post-abortion syndrome may not occur until months after the procedure. Others may only experience it years later, often two to five years afterwards. However, it can occur even 10, 20, or more years later because the woman has been unable to resolve her emotions relating to the abortion.

The symptoms are as varied as the women who have abortions. Many of them are emotional, which allows the woman to continue hiding the condition, making it even worse. She may experience guilt, regret, and sadness for the loss of the baby. She may begin to feel anxiety or anger.

Many times, the woman will remain secretive about the abortion. She may experience nightmares and be unable to have a successful relationship with a boyfriend or husband. Post-abortion syndrome often leads to drug and alcohol abuse as well as other self-destructive behaviors, including attempted suicide. What may be surprising to some is the fact that this condition often leads to multiple abortions.

How Post-Abortion Syndrome is Treated

A woman who is experiencing these symptoms may need to seek out counseling to help her deal with the issues. She will need to talk about her emotions and the abortion to begin recovery. While she cannot undo her decision, she must learn how to forgive herself and grieve her loss so that she is able to move forward with her life.

There are many counseling programs available to help with PTSD, but a woman should find a facility or program that offers therapy for post-abortion syndrome. The unique nature of this trauma requires special treatment that is specific to the condition.

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For the first couple of weeks it is common to experience:

• Nausea/Vomiting
• Cramping
• Light bleeding
• Fatigue
• Breast tenderness

Complications include:

• Failed or incomplete abortion
• Perforated uterus
• Damage to the cervix potentially leading to cervical incompetence in subsequent pregnancies
• Blood loss
• Infection
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – an infection that has spread into the pelvic cavity leaving behind scar tissue that can lead to infertility
  • Septic Shock – an infection that spreads to the bloodstream

When to call the doctor:

• Fever greater than 100.4
• Foul smelling vaginal discharge
• Severe abdominal pain not relieved by pain medication
• Heavy bleeding (Soaking more than 2 maxi pads per hour)
• Passing large clots

From an emotional standpoint, some women do well, even feeling relief after the procedure is over. For others, it is an emotionally traumatic event. It often depends on a variety of factors. Those more likely to struggle include women who have a history of mental illness; women who are pressured into having the abortion; the spiritual beliefs the woman has about abortion; and those who believe life begins at conception.

The emotions that a woman may struggle with include:

• Guilt
• Regret
• Sadness
• Anger
• Grief
• Depression

The emotional toll can become severe enough to impact the woman’s daily life. It is important for those who are struggling to talk with their healthcare provider and seek further help.

The choice to pursue abortion is not one to be easily made. The procedure comes with risk, not only in the immediate future but possibly long-term as well. The best you can do is educate yourself well before deciding which road to take.

If you are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and are unsure of which direction you will take, visit Adoption.com/unplanned-pregnancy to find guidance and learning materials.

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I was approximately 18 years old when I was told that I wouldn’t be able to conceive. I had severe endometriosis throughout my teens, which can cause infertility. I was heartbroken, thinking I may never have kids of my own. Don’t get me wrong, I was in no way ready to be pregnant. I was still living at home with my parents and sister. Nonetheless, the news still stung. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a mom. I loved babysitting and helping with the babies in the church nursery. Now, I might not be able to have my biological children.

However, life goes on! Girl meets boy. Boy and girl stupidly have unprotected sex (you know because she was told she couldn’t have a baby). We all see where this is going, right? PREGNANT!!!! I was 20, still living with my parents, and working at a grocery store. I was, in no way, ready to have a baby. After I got over the initial shock (and my doctor’s original diagnosis was completely wrong) I had to tell my now ex-boyfriend. I was not looking forward to that conversation.

Let’s just say it was bad. His response was for me to have an abortion. That wasn’t even something I had or was going to ever consider. I couldn’t even understand how he could say those words. He was so calm and cold about it. Needless to say he didn’t like my response. The idea of an abortion made me sick.

It’s not the child’s fault for conception. Why should they pay the price for an unplanned pregnancy? There are so many couples in the US that can’t conceive. I wasn’t ready to be a parent. My ex wasn’t ready, clearly. There were people waiting to be able to adopt a child. If placing my child for adoption meant that she would have the chance at a life that I couldn’t give her, then why shouldn’t I help a couple that would love her as much as I loved her?

My first born is now 23 years old. She is happy, healthy, well-educated, beautiful, and loved dearly. She doesn’t have just her adoptive family to lean on, but she has my family as well. My family includes my husband and her four half siblings. I think about what could’ve been, if I chose to have an abortion, and it breaks my heart that anyone would even consider that as an option. While it was emotionally difficult to place her for adoption, I do not regret my decision.

I placed her for adoption in 1994. In 2002, I was pregnant with my husband’s third child. I had a devastating miscarriage. My pregnancy only went to 14 weeks. Unfortunately, my baby’s heart stopped beating at 9 weeks. I miscarried my fully intact, formed baby. The doctor referred to this as a “spontaneous abortion.” I could see his arms, legs, all 10 fingers and 10 toes, and his beautiful face. The nurse did something next that has shaken me to my core to this day. She threw him in the biohazard garbage can. The image of my baby being tossed in the garbage is an image that I cannot and will not ever get out of my head. He was planned and loved.

That horrible experience solidified my previous thoughts on abortion and that it would NEVER be anything I would consider. This is why I chose adoption over abortion.

Written by Jill Wong

If you are unexpectedly pregnant and considering adoption, visit Adoption.com to view adoption profiles from hopeful adoptive parents. Visit Adoption.com/unplanned-pregnancy to find guidance with your unplanned pregnancy.

The post Why I Choose Adoption Over Abortion appeared first on Aborting | Abortion pill, cost, definition, procedure, baby.

1. Take some time to adjust to the news.

This just simply means that you shouldn’t make any hasty decisions. You don’t want to do something that you will regret later. Thinking things through will make a world of difference in the long run.

2. Talk to someone that you can trust, will listen, and not judge you.

Most of us have that one person that you can tell all your deepest and darkest secrets. That’s who you should confide in. The last thing you need right now is someone who will look down on you and pass judgement. The person you confide in should be someone that you will be able to vent to, cry with, and just to talk to.

3. Weigh all your options.

For me personally, I only had two options. It was either raise my child myself or place her for adoption. I chose the latter of the two. Whatever you decide, make sure you’ve done your research. This goes back to making a hasty decision. You want to be well informed on all aspects of what you ultimately decide to do.

4. Don’t let someone persuade you into what they want you to do.

My child’s biological father wanted me to have an abortion. Even after I told him that I wasn’t ever going to do that, he still tried to persuade me towards that direction. Mainly because it was easier for him. Never do what is easier or best for someone else, unless that person is your child.

5. If you choose adoption, “interview” multiple adoption agencies.

Don’t go with the very first adoption agency, unless you’ve had experience with the agency. You want to choose one that not only thinks about the baby’s best interest, but yours as well. After all, you are the one carrying the child. You aren’t just a business transaction. Don’t let them treat you like one. Once you have “interviewed” them, make a pro and con list for each one. You will be able to compare them more accurately instead of trying to do it from memory. Your mind will already be filled with so much concern about this choice, writing it out will help.

6. If you choose to raise your child, figure out how you’re going to provide for him/her.

Raising a child is a huge expense. I don’t think you are truly ever aware of how expensive it is until you are already doing it, and then there are still surprise costs. List out your expenses prior to being pregnant. Now add in diapers, formula, crib, stroller, car seat, daycare, doctor visits, medicines, clothes, shoes, toys, sports activities, etc. Will you be able to afford raising a child? Of course, the answer to that will depend greatly on what (if any) help you have, whether it’s from the biological father, family, or government assistance. Personally, I knew I was not financially stable enough to raise a child. My mom raised me on welfare for a while, and I knew I didn’t want that for my child. I wanted her to have every opportunity to do and have the things that I couldn’t provide her. In no way am I saying that’s bad, it just wasn’t what I wanted.

The first four months of my unplanned pregnancy, I had no doubt that I was going to raise her myself. During those four months though, I also knew how hard it was going to be on my child if I did keep her. Following the advice above, helped me tremendously! I have never had and regrets about my decision to place her for adoption. I also think that if you asked her today, she would agree it was the right choice.

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, don’t be afraid to reach out for more information. You can click here for a free consultation about your options.

Written by Jill Wong

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, visit Adoption.com for more information and to view adoption profiles of hopeful adoptive parents.

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