2. Therapeutic - a medical procedure needed to save the life of the mother, most commonly due to an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy which implants in the mother’s fallopian tube or other location other than the uterus

3. Elective - any one of several medical procedures chosen by the mother to terminate the pregnancy

A. Suction Curettage Abortion - up to 12 weeks;

the mother’s cervix is dilated and a hollow suction tube is inserted; a powerful machine applies suction and the baby is quickly torn from the uterus and the pieces of tissue are deposited in a glass jar to be examined by the doctor to insure that all of the body parts and placenta have been removed

B. Dilation and Evacuation - 12 to 14 weeks

the mother’s cervix is dilated, the membranes are ruptured, the baby is cut into smaller pieces because it is now to large to be removed from the uterus intact, the pieces are laid out and reassembled to try to insure that no parts of the body or placenta are left inside the mother’s body

C. Saline - 16-24 weeks

a needle is inserted into the mother’s uterus through the wall of her abdomen; some of the amniotic fluid is removed and a highly concentrated salt solution is injected; the baby swallows some of the solution and the baby’s body is surrounded by the salt solution; the salt solution helps cause the uterus to contract and the baby is expelled 12 to 48 hours after the injection

D. Prostaglandin - 12 - 24 weeks

a hormone (Prostin E2) is injected into the mother or a suppository is inserted into the mother’s vagina; the hormone caused very strong and extended contractions and the baby is delivered; depending on the age of the baby he may be killed by the severe contractions or born alive; if born alive the child usually dies due to being too young to live outside his mother’s body

E. Hysterectomy - 12 weeks to just prior to natural birth ....a procedure identical to a Caesarean section except the intention is to destroy the baby rather than deliver him.

F. Dilation and Extraction or Partial Birth - second and third trimester or 12 - 40 weeks... three day procedure; the mother’s cervix is dilated by inserting laminaria (dried seaweed) and allowing is to expand as it absorbs moisture (this is done two or more times); the mother is often given medication for the severe cramps which result; on the day of the abortion the mother is injected with Pitocin to induce contractions and the laminaria are removed; the baby is delivered except for the head; a pair of blunt scissors is forced into the base of the child’s skull and the brain is removed by suction; the skull decompresses and the head is delivered; this method is favored by those who seek the organs and tissue of the baby for research and/or transplantation; the baby’s organs (heart, kidney’s, liver) are often removed before the child dies

 

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