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Development of your unborn child

On the basis of a menstrual period every four weeks:

1. One week after you miss your first period, your baby's developing heart begins to beat.
2. Four weeks after you miss your period, a microscope would reveal that this little baby has the characteristic 46 human chromosomes in every cell, demonstrating clearly that this is a human being.
3. Your baby's brain waves can be measured by the time you miss your second period.
4. Before you miss your third period, your baby can grasp an object placed in his hand and make a fist.
5. All your baby's body systems are working before you miss your third period.

COMPLICATIONS OF ABORTION

"In medical practice, there are few surgical procedures given so little attention and so underrated in its potential hazards as abortion. It is a commonly held view that complications are inevitable." -Abortionist Warren Hern

Immediate Complications:

• Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage)

• Using RU-486, bleeding can go on for more than a month

• Puncture and tearing of the womb (uterus) (This could also make removal of the uterus necessary, which would make you unable to have any children)

• Infection from mild to fatal (sometimes parts of the baby are left in the womb)

• Cervical laceration in 5% of women

• Hepatitis, from blood transfusions, blood clots and embolisms

• Sterility, ranging from 2% to 5% of abortions

Long-Term Complications:

• Guilt and personality disturbances

• In future desired pregnancies:

  • Miscarriage

  • Premature delivery because of damage to the cervix

  • Tubal pregnancies (increased from 8-fold to 20-fold by abortion)

Breast Cancer:

• An abortion during high estrogen levels in the early months of pregnancy pre-disposes a woman to getting breast cancer. In fact, a full-term pregnancy early in a woman's reproductive life is protective against breast cancer.

• A 1995 Harvard University study of over 2,000 woman in Greece found a significant 51 percent increased breast cancer risk among women who had any abortions.

• A 1994 National Cancer Institute study of over 1,800 women in Washington state found a significant 50 percent increased risk among women who had any abortions. The risk was more than double for women whose abortion (or first abortion) took place before age 18 or over age 30.

ABORTION METHODS

During the First Three Months of Pregnancy

Suction Curettage: The mouth (cervix) of the womb is dilated. Sometimes it is damaged because during pregnancy the cervix is closed tightly to protect the baby. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-like edged tip) is inserted into the womb. A strong suction tears them baby into pieces, drawing them into a container. Great care must be used to prevent the womb from being torn and checking body parts to ensure a complete abortion.

Dilation & Curettage (D&C): Similar to the suction method except for insertion of a loop-shaped knife (curette) which cuts the baby apart and scrapes the pieces out through the cervix.

RU-486: First, a steroid drug is taken orally which either destroys the baby's placenta or prevents it from being formed. Then, another oral drug, called a prostaglandin, is taken to induce the uterus to contract and push the baby's body out through the vagina.

During the Later Stages of Pregnancy

Dilation & Evacuation (D&E): The mouth (cervix) of the womb is dilated. A curette is then used to dismember the child, and the parts of the baby's body and its crushed head are removed by ring forceps. This method is used primarily 13-20 weeks gestation.

Saline Solution Method (Salt Poisoning): Outlawed in Japan and other countries, this procedure is becoming less popular in the U.S. due to its risk to the mother. A concentrated salt solution is injected into the sac surrounding the baby. The baby inhales and swallows the solution and dies 1-2 hours later from salt poisoning, dehydration, hemorrhages of internal organs, and convulsions. The mother then goes into labor. A dead or dying baby is delivered 24-48 hours later.

Prostaglandin Abortion: Prostaglandins are hormones that induce labor. They are injected into the sac surrounding the baby. The mother then goes into labor, giving birth to a child too young to survive. This method is falling out of favor because it is not uncommon for babies to be born alive. Performed in late section trimester and third trimester.

Hysterotomy:As in a Cesarean section, the abdomen and the womb are opened surgically, the baby is lifted out and the cord is clamped. In a hysterotomy, however, the child, usually to young to survive without immediate medical treatment, is put aside to die.

Intercardiac Injection: At about 16 weeks, ultrasound is used to pinpoint the location of the baby's heart. A needle injects a fluid into its heart, causing an immediate heart attack, killing the pre-born baby. Used commonly in "pregnancy reduction" abortions-when multiple babies are present and some are killed to give others a better chance of survival, or they are killed because of defects.

Partial Birth Abortion or Dilation & Extraction (D&X): While only the baby's head is in the uterus, the abortionist lifts the cervix and applies pressure to the baby's shoulders with the fingers of the left hand. Then a blunt, curved Metzenbaum scissors is forced into the base of the skull. The scissors are spread to enlarge the opening. A suction catheter now evacuates the skull contents. The baby is then removed. Performed up to 32 weeks or beyond.

ABORTION IS NOT THE ONLY CHOICE

You need not face this problem alone. There are people who care about you and your baby-people who will help you in this time of desperate need. Abortion is fatal-please examine the alternatives.

National Toll Free Pregnancy Hotlines:

Bethany Christian Services: (800) 238-4269

Birthright: (800) 550-4900

Catholic Charities: (800) 227-3002

Liberty Godparent Home: (800) 542-4453

National Life Center: (800) 848-5683

WARNING: It is important that you do not sign any waiver excusing or releasing the doctor and his or her assistants and the clinic from any and all claims arising out of or connected with the performance of this operation and any other actions taken by them which are incidental. Although such waivers are invalid, they may be produced later to discourage you or your next of kin from initiating legal action. You should refuse to sign such waivers. Do not permit such waivers to be signed by anyone on your behalf. If you are permanently injured by an abortion you or your family member may have sufficient grounds for filing a malpractice suit against the clinic or the doctors responsible for the damage.

TAKE AT LEAST 48 HOURS TO THINK ABOUT YOUR DECISION. IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO HAVE AN ABORTION IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY YOUR PREGNANCY? IS THERE ANOTHER WAY?

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