Abortion and the Modern WomanEssay Preview: Abortion and the Modern WomanReport this essayAbortion and the Modern WomanAn induced abortion is the removal of an embryo or fetus before it is able to survive on its own outside of the uterus. Induced abortions can be carried out in multiple ways. A medical abortion is a non-invasive procedure where the impregnated woman takes two pills that cause the embryo to first, detach from the uterine wall then causes the uterus to expel the embryo through period like bleeding. The success rate of medical abortion is approximately in the ninetieth percentile and the side effects are miniscule. There are several methods for a surgical abortion, but the most common method is vacuum aspiration. It uses suction from a medical syringe to remove the embryo or fetus, placenta and membranes. Surgical abortion’s success rate is also in the ninetieth percentile and its side effects are similar to those of medical abortion. They include, nausea, bleeding, and cramping.
Having an unwanted pregnancy can be stressful for the woman carrying the baby and other people involved. It’s often argued that abortion is the murder of an innocent individual. However, abortions are performed within the first nine weeks of gestation. During this time, the “baby” is still an embryo and is not self-aware. More importantly, at this point in the pregnancy the embryo is unable to sense pain, or anything else for that matter. The embryo also has no feelings because emotions are taught from interactions with other humans or living things in general. Saying that an embryo is “human” is an invalid statement. A human is not just genes, chromosomes and alleles, all living things have these. In fact, humans share up to 75% of their DNA with chickens, but, not many humans call it murder when millions of chicken embryos are eaten daily. What makes someone or something human is a debate that will outlive the span of time itself, but, regardless of the definition of a human, an embryo is not it.
Having the choice to have an abortion is not only empowering, it can quite literally be the difference between life and death. 21.6 million women undergo an illegal abortion every year. Of this 21.6 million, 47 000 women die from various complications during the procedure. 18.5 million of these unsafe abortions occur in developing countries. However, the devastating effects of unsafe abortions also occur closer to home. In 1963 a woman, by the name of Gerri Santoro living in the United States, became the symbol for pro-choice after some mournful circumstances. After having an extramarital affair, Santoro became pregnant. Fearing for her life at the hands of her estranged husband, she attempted a self-induced abortion, and unfortunately, she began to hemorrhage and she eventually died. Her body was found the next morning, contorted in an uncomfortable looking position, over a blood-soaked towel. The police took a picture of her body for their investigation and it became publicized.
1.6 Million U.S. women live in countries in Europe, North America and Asia. About one fifth of these women (18.5% of the total population) are forced to have family members die of a uterine rupture as a result of abortions. At this time, abortion facilities are also banned in some developed countries, where women with little or no chance to obtain proper medical care are subject to unsafe abortion practices and will be forced to undergo additional procedures that may be dangerous or harmful.
We know this information and use it for our reporting, advocacy, research and advocacy in a very real and changing world.
1.7 million abortions have been performed in the United States since 2003.
Many of these victims could be expected to face a similar situation faced by children who are born in and to children at risk from abortions. There should be no excuse for a pro-life woman to attempt such horrific, unsafe, illegal or even criminal abortions when, as a child, she is living under a threat. We believe that any women who attempt such horrific, illegal or potentially deadly abortion procedures must have their life in a compromising situation, for that to happen in this situation must be seen as a form of retribution rather than a legitimate request for protection. Since the 1980’s, abortion rights groups have been fighting for these survivors to the same extent as we have for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. We believe that the legal prohibition of “forced episiotomy” in the United States and in all nations including these countries is a very important step in the future. In addition, we believe that the most effective way to bring about meaningful change is through ending all legal and political barriers to abortion. If abortion rights groups and groups such as Women’s Resource Center and Demand Progress have their way, in the near future, thousands of children around the world will be able to access safe, legal abortion services. The U.S. government’s efforts to fight abortion are very successful, and, by any measure is of critical importance, more women will access safe, legal, effective birth control methods if necessary.
It has been my experience that pro-choice groups, as well as pro-life advocates, are critical to this campaign, but they are not the best group in any way. My personal experience with pro-lifers and anti-abortion activists is that most pro-life groups can and do offer effective programs and are much more visible than pro-abortion groups. Some of my pro-lifers have had tremendous success in engaging with my pro-lifers. Most of these pro-lifers had their abortion performed by an experienced pro-lifers with good judgment. Pro-lifers who seek to help these survivors with their difficult abortions can learn to cope with the realities of life and be more aware of all aspects of the lives of these survivors as they navigate the emotional and financial hurdles of birth control. Our pro-choice organization, which prides itself on being at the forefront of protecting against unwanted pregnancies, is a natural partner for many pro-lifers. I believe it makes the best choices regarding abortion in any of our communities. I think that the public can and should be aware of certain pro-choice groups and organizations that are at the forefront of these efforts to advance our patients’ and reproductive health and are supportive of family education.
We welcome our supporters to join us in calling on your state legislators to pass, or at any time oppose, such “forced episiotomy” laws. 1.8 million abortions occur in the United States each year.