Chapter 13

Caitlyn Montville

ABORTION

o One of the most common medical procedures in the United States

o 1 in 4 pregnancies (including miscarriages) end in abortions

o Approximately 1.21 million legal abortions were performed in the United States in 2008

o On basis of current abortion rates, about 1 in 3 women in the United States will have an abortion by the age of 45

ABORTION

o Women ages 20-24 obtain 33% of all abortionso Women ages 25-29 obtain 24%

o Teenagers obtain 18%o Women 35 and older have 11% of all abortions

o Non-Hispanic white women account for 36% of abortionso African-American women, 30%

o Hispanic women account for 25% o Women of other races, 9% of abortions

WHO HAS ABORTIONS?

o Fewer than 5% of abortions are done in hospitalso Planned Parenthood- enables you to search by zip code

or state for clinics that provide abortions, including those that provide abortions after the first trimester

o The National Abortion Federation- hotline provides referrals to member clinics in the US, Canada, and

Mexico Cityo The National Network of Abortion Funds- maintains

local funds in most states that can provide referrals, offer help with funding, or help identify sources of

funding

ABORTION PROVIDERS

o Most are done while you are awake, with drugs that will help you relax and ease the pain of cramps

o Because of variable temps, wear layers to your appointment

o You can bring music with you, and may even be able to listen to it during your procedure

o Make sure that you have the documentation the clinic needs (ex. Identification and insurance cards)

PREPARING FOR YOUR ABORTION

o Protestors or “sidewalk counselors”- if that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can notify the clinic and they can

escort you inside the buildingo Once you're inside, you will need to fill out medical

history formso Your vital signs will be checked

o If you are less than 9 weeks pregnant you can choose between an aspiration abortion (surgery) or a medication

abortion

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CLINIC

o First trimester abortions are performed using either a vacuum aspiration (suction to remove the pregnancy) or

medication abortion (pregnancy is interrupted and expelled over the course of a few days

o Second trimester abortions are done using dilation and evacuation (D&E) (your cervix are dilated and the use of

instruments and suction)o Women who are more than 20 weeks pregnant may choose for an induction abortion using medications that

cause the pregnancy to be expelled

ABORTION METHODS

DILATION & EVACUATION

o No tampons, sexual intercourse, or douching for up to five days after your abortion- there is a greater risk of

infectiono Rest and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exerciseo Use reliable birth control if you don’t want another pregnancy because you can get pregnant shortly after an

abortion, even before your first period

AFTER CARE

o Continued symptoms of pregnancy (nausea, bloating, breast tenderness)o Heavy bleeding

o Paino Fever

SYMPTOMS AFTER ABORTION

o Became legal in 1973o When it was illegal abortion was widely practiced

o The ability of a woman to obtain an abortion at all, let alone that was safe depended on her economic status,

her race and where she livedo Often unable to find a provider, poor women and women

of color turned to dangerous self-abortions (inserting knitting needles or coat handers into the vagina and

uterus, douching with dangerous solutions, or swallowing strong drugs or chemicals)

HISTORY OF ABORTION IN THE US

o “Laws prohibiting abortions took a heavy toll on women’s lives and health. Because many deaths were not officially

attributed to unsafe, illegal abortion, it’s impossible to know the exact number. However, thousands of women a

year were treated for health complications due to botched, unsanitary, or self-induced abortions; many died, or were left infertile or with chronic illness and

pain.” (page 339)

HISTORY CONTINUED

o I know abortion is a touchy subject for some people, but I think it’s good to hear other peoples opinions. My

question is, do you think it’s a good thing that abortion is legal today? If so, why?

DISCUSSION QUESTION