Dilation and Curettage is similar to the suction procedure except a curette is used (a loop shaped steel knife) and is inserted into the uterus. The baby and placenta are cut into pieces and scraped into a basin. There is usually heavy bleeding after this method.
Dilation and Evacuation is done after the third month of pregnancy. Usually Laminaria sticks are inserted into the cervix, as the cervix must be dilated before the abortion. They are made of sterilized seaweed, which is compressed into thin sticks. When they are inserted they expand and enlarge the cervix. An instrument, which looks like a pair of pliers, is then inserted into the uterus. Parts of the body are torn off with a twisting motion by the pliers until there is only the head left. The skull of the head is then crushed and pulled from the uterus. The nurses must check that all the body parts have been removed and none have been left in the uterus.
Prostaglandin Abortion involves the hormone prostaglandin, which induces labor. The trauma of the birth usually kills the baby, however, if the baby is born alive it is called a ‘complication’. Some abortionists inject the unborn baby’s heart with a feticide (a drug which kills the baby) before prostaglandin is used and the dead baby is born. This type of abortion is used in mid and late term pregnancies.
Dilation and Extraction is also used in mid and late term pregnancy (4 months upwards). An ultrasound scan is done so that the abortionist knows which way the baby is facing in the womb. After this forceps are inserted into the uterus and the baby is grasped by the legs. It is then pulled out of the birth canal except for its head, which is too big to pass through the cervix. The baby is alive and probably kicking and moving its arms. The abortionist hooks his/her fingers over the baby’s shoulders and holds the woman’s cervix away from the baby’s neck. A pair of blunt tipped surgical scissors are jammed into the baby’s skull and the tips are spread apart enlarging the hole. A suction catheter is inserted into the hole and the baby’s brain is sucked out so the skull collapses and the head passes through the cervix easily.
Selective abortion is when a mother of twins or more than 2 babies she is carrying in the womb chooses she would like to get rid of a baby (maybe more than 1) because she feels it would be endangering her life or the life of the other fetus(s) into the womb. This procedure involves an injection into the baby’s heart and it removed from the uterus. It can endanger the lives of all the fetuses she is carrying but if the procedure is successful she gives birth to a healthy baby(s).
Abortion can only be carried out if 2 doctors agree with the mother’s argument of why she needs an abortion. Doctors must consider if the life or mental health of the mother is at risk, an existing family will suffer if the pregnancy continues, there is a reasonable chance the child will be handicapped or the mother has a good personal reason not to keep her baby.
There is no writing in the bible which specifically says Abortion is wrong but there is evidence that god doesn’t want Christians to go through with the procedure. Exodus 20:13 states “You shall not murder.” Abortion is classed by many people to be murder. Christians believe it violates the 6th command which prohibits any murderous acts. The only time Christians accept abortion is if the life of the mother is in danger as a result of being pregnant with her fetus.
