RUNNING HEAD: ABORTION

Abortions Technical Report Lyndsay Paradise August 13, 2012 Brain Jean Stats 1510 Online

RUNNING HEAD: ABORTION Abstract Abortion is one of the most common medical procedures performed in the United States each year. More than 40% of all women will end a pregnancy by abortion. Of these unplanned pregnancies, about half end in abortion. Before the 19th century, most US states had no specific abortion laws. Women were able to end a pregnancy prior to viability with the assistance of medical personnel. The next 20 years saw the passing of a series of laws restricting abortion. Introduction

Most abortions are performed after your doctor or health care provider takes a medical report. The provider will ask whether you have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, anemia, bleeding disorders, or surgery. A brief physical examination is usually performed before an abortion also. The main goal is to figure out when your pregnancy began and whether you are healthy enough to go through the procedure.

Participants /Methods /Materials

Women living below the federal poverty line abort at a higher rate than women living above the poverty line (Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html).

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Providers of abortions are generally specialists in women's health such as obstetricians and gynecologists. However, many studies have shown the safety of allowing a variety of other health care providers (physicians, physician assistants, midwives, and nurse practitioners) to perform these procedures. According to the Guttmacher Institute abortion breaks down along racial/ethnic lines as follows:

White: 34%

Black: 37%

Hispanic: 22%

Other: 7%

Procedure

Some of the procedures done are as follows:

Dilation and Curettage (D&C) In a D&C (dilation and curettage) abortion, typically performed in the first trimester, a curette (a sharp looped knife) is inserted into the uterus to scrape its walls.

RUNNING HEAD: ABORTION The curette is then used to dismember the fetus and placenta (Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke).

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) A D&E (dilation and evacuation) abortion is typically performed in the first half of the second trimester (13-20 weeks), but can be used up to approximately 28 weeks. At this stage of pregnancy, the fetus tendons, muscles, and bones are more developed. In a D&E abortion, forceps are inserted into the uterus to forcibly dismember the fetus, and the pieces are removed one by one. Larger fetuses must also have their skulls crushed so the pieces can pass through the cervix. Typically, the cervix must be dilated for a period of one to three days prior to a D&E abortion. This is most often done by inserting laminaria (dried seaweed sticks) into the cervix. Therefore, a D&E abortion usually requires two visits to the abortion facility. (Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke).

Dilation and Extraction (D&X or Partial-birth Abortion) A D&X (dilation and extraction) or partial-birth abortion is typically performed in the late second or third trimester. As with a D&E abortion (see above), the cervix must first be dilated, usually with laminaria (dried seaweed sticks). Forceps are then inserted into the uterus to grasp the fetus legs. The fetus is delivered breech while the head remains inside the birth canal. Using blunt-tipped surgical scissors, the base of the skull is pierced, and a suction catheter is inserted to extract the contents of the skull. This causes the skull to collapse, and the dead fetus is then fully delivered. Despite the fact that the United States Supreme Court upheld the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2007, D&X abortions are still being performed. An abortionist can avoid violating the law by first injecting the fetus with a lethal intracardiac injection to ensure that the fetus will already be dead when it is partially delivered (Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke).

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Instillation (Saline) Abortion In a saline abortion, amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus and replaced with a saline solution, which the fetus swallows. The fetus is killed by salt poisoning, dehydration, brain hemorrhage and convulsions. Saline abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the risk of particularly serious health complications to the woman.

Prostaglandin Abortion In a prostaglandin abortion, a dose of prostaglandin hormones is injected into the uterine muscle, which induces violent labor resulting in the death of the fetus. Prostaglandin abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the relatively high chance that the fetus will survive the abortion and be born alive.

Results

Gestational Age Percentage Yearly total

< 9 weeks 61.8%

9-10 weeks 17.1%

11-12 weeks 9.1%

13-15 weeks 6.6%

16-20 weeks 3.8%

RUNNING HEAD: ABORTION 21+ weeks 1.5%

All abortions (100%) 1.2 million

This means that approximately 89% of abortions occur in the first trimester (first 12 weeks) of pregnancy.

The age breakdown of women having abortions, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is as follows:

Less than 15 years: < 0.5%

Age 15-19: 16.4%

Age 20-24: 32.6%

Age 25-29: 23.4%

Age 30-34: 14.5%

RUNNING HEAD: ABORTION Age 35-39: 8.7%

Age 40+: 3.2%

This means that half of all abortions are performed on women 24 years old or younger.

Discussion Laws address a variety of controversial questions including:

Should spouses be notified before a woman has an abortion? Should public funds be used for abortions? What regulations if any should apply to abortion providers? What provisions might be made against specific abortion techniques? Should emergency contraception be allowed? Should the rules be different in cases of sexual assault and rape?

RUNNING HEAD: ABORTION References Trupin, Suzanne R, MD. (6/20/2007). Abortion. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/abortion/article_em.htm

Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company. The Guttmacher Institute. http://www.whyprolife.com/abortion-facts/