Themesabortion Essay Example

be classified into three categories based on when they are performed: First-Trimester Abortions, Second-Trimester Abortions, or Late Second- and Third-Trimester Abortions. First-Trimester Abortions involve surgical and chemical methods. The most common surgical method is suction-aspiration[4], which involves dilating and numbing the cervix before expanding it.

The abortionist uses a powerful vacuum to suck the baby's body into a tube, tearing the attached placenta and ripping apart the body (Fig1). Another method called Dilation and Curettage involves dilating the cervix to insert a loop-shaped steel knife in order to cut the baby's body into pieces (Fig3) and remove it along with scraping off the placenta from the uterine wall. This method, also known as "mechanical" curettage, results in greater blood loss compared to suction aspiration and carries a higher risk of uterine perforation and infection [5]. There are currently two chemical abortion options available, one being RU 486 (Fig 4), commonly known as the "French Abortion Pill".

This treatment uses two pills - one with mifepristone and the other with misoprostol[6]. The first pill stops progesterone production, which is needed to maintain the lining of the uterus. This causes the lining to break down and deprives the fetus of nourishment[7]. After that, misoprostol is given to induce contractions in the uterus. In most cases, women will have an abortion within a few hours, although there have been instances where birth occurred several days after taking the medication. The whole process involves three visits to a medical clinic over about three weeks, with termination happening in the first week. The remaining two weeks are for follow-up appointments to ensure a successful abortion. Another method called

MethotrexateFig4 can also be used for chemical abortion. Unlike RU 486, this method doesn't involve oral pills but requires an intramuscular injection.

Originally designed to target rapidly growing cancer cells, the technique is now employed to attack the trophoblast, a crucial part of the developing fetus responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients while eliminating carbon dioxide. Second-Trimester Abortions pertain to terminating a pregnancy at a later stage when the unborn child has grown larger, necessitating different termination methods. One such method, referred to as Dilation and EvacuationFig5, is utilized for pregnancies up to 24 weeks. This procedure resembles Dilation and Curettage but involves employing forceps with sharp metal jaws to grasp and tear away sections of the developing fetus until its entire body is removed from the womb. In certain cases, compression or crushing may be necessary on the hardened skull of the baby in order to facilitate extraction. Doctors find this method distressing as one expresses: "It occurs right before one's eyes."

The forceps aid in the dismemberment feeling, similar to an electric current. Another procedure called Saline Amniocentesis is used, usually after 16 weeks of pregnancy, although it personally repulses me. At first, the abortionist removes around 50-250mL of amniotic fluid from the abdomen and replaces it with a highly concentrated saline solution made of salt and water. When the unborn baby breathes in the fluid, it becomes poisoned and subsequently dies. However, during this process, the saline solution causes the baby's skin to burnFig6 and deteriorate. When delivered approximately a day later, the baby shows shriveled skin. Late Second- and Third-Trimester Abortions are banned in many states where abortion is legal.