Before You Decide, Be Informed
Here Are Some Facts To Consider
As citizens, we have a right to be informed of about facts, prcedures, or drugs that will affect our health.
Facts About The Baby
Even before implantation, the sex of the new life can be determined
- At 17 days this new life has developed its own blood cells.
- At 18 days the baby’s heart begins to beat.
- At 20 days the foundations of the nervous system is laid down.
- At 30 days blood is flowing through the baby’s vascular system.
- At 35 days five fingers can be seen on baby’s hand.
- At 42 days, about the time the mother realizes she is pregnant, the baby’s skeleton is complete, reflexes are present, and brain wave patterns can be recorded.
- By 7 weeks (49 days) the baby appears to be a miniature doll complete with fingers, toes, and ears.
- By 8 weeks all organs are functioning:stomach,liver,kidney, and brain. All systems are intact. All future development is simply that of refining and increasing in size.
- By 10 weeks, baby moves his tongue, swallow,s makes fist, sucks his thumb.
- By 12 weeks, (3 months) finger and toenails develop; baby kicks.
- By 4 months the genital organs are clearly differentiated. The baby grasps with its hands, swims, kicks, and turns somersaults.
- By 5 months, and with special care, a baby could live outside of the womb.
- By 6 months, baby is 11-14 inches long; eye lashes are formed.
- By 7 months baby is completely developed and recognizes his mother’s voice.
Facts About Abortion
Abortions in the First Trimester:
- Morning After Pill: Plan B One Step, sometimes referred to as the Morning After Pill, is to be taken within 72 hours after intercouese. Like other birth control pills, this pill works in several ways. If ovulation has not yet occured, it can stop the release of the woman's egg from the ovary. It may also work to prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg. However, if ovulation and fertilizatin have already occured before take Plan B, this pill can work to prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall. In other words, it does not all implantation and, therefore, can act as an early abortion.
- Ella: is a pill that can be taken up to 5 days after intercourse. It acts much the same way as Plan B. For more information, see Emergency Contraception page under Be Informed drop down link.
- Suction Aspiration: A powerful suction tube with a sharp cutting edge is inserted into the uterus. The force of the suction dismembers the body of the developing baby and also removes placental tissue. This is the most commonly used procedure performed up to the 12th week of pregnancy.
- D & C: A loop-shaped knife is inserted into the uterus, and the body of the baby is scraped from the uterine wall. As a result of this procedure, the body of the baby is cut into pieces.
- Methotrexate: This is a chemical abortion administered by an intramuscular injection. Methotrexate begins the destruction of nourishing cells and as a result, the baby is deprived of food, oxygen, and fluids it needs to survive, and so it dies in utero. Three to seven days later a vaginal suppository is inserted that will trigger the expulsion of the baby.
- RU486: This procedure requires at least 3 visits with your physician or at the abortion clinic. Pills are taken that will starve the developing baby as the nutrient lining disintegrates. Several days later, more chemicals are given that will begin uterine contractions to expel the baby. Occasionally surgery is required to complete the procedure.
Abortions in the 2nd & 3rd Trimester:
- D & E: This procedure is done up to 24 weeks. The cervix is dilated, and forceps with sharp metal jaws are used to grasp the arms, legs, head, and torso of the baby which are twisted and torn away. Often the skull must be crushed to facilitate removal. Parts must carefully be removed due to sharp edges which can lacerate the uterus and cause further bleeding/complications.
- Partial-birth Abortion (D & X): This procedure is used for women who are 20-32 weeks pregnant. The doctor uses ultrasound to reach into the uterus, grab the unborn baby’s leg with forceps, and pulls the baby into the birth canal except for the head. The baby is still alive as a scissors is jammed into the back of the baby’s skull. A suction catheter is inserted into the skull through this hole, and the baby’s brains are vacuumed out; the head crushed or collapsed and baby is then totally removed from the uterus.