AboutJessica Elsfort, CRM Expertise Feel free and confident in inquiring about pro-choice issues both past and present. I affirm in all situations women's choice in the real world, as it relates to us and the myriad ways we can uphold it, protect it, and support each other. Birth control, IUDs (copper and hormonal), responsibilities of the male partner(s)--these topics are vital to women today, and I can synthesize recent developments across media. Don't hesitate to ask the tough questions about reproductive health concerns. I keep an updated network of resources every woman should know about. Sisters, don't forget to look out for your girls; be an advocate and speak up for your friends.
Experience On-site clinical studies/internships
Three years Women's Studies Org.
Extensive training in conference settings
Organizations College journalists
Women's Studies Org.
NAACP
Education/Credentials College (BA studies in Biology and Journalism)
Conflict Resolution Mgmt. (under licensed psychiatrist)
Question Hi. I read something a little bit gruesome.
"partial birth abortion" in which the doctor cuts open the baby's skull and removes the brains.
1) Aren't abortions performed while it is a fetus?
2) Is that actually still performed? I'm pro-choice but that seems inhumane.
My mom had an abortion, and they just.. removed the fetus.
Just wondering. I'd never heard of a partial birth abortion.
Answer Kayla,
What you read is true. The baby is brought down the birth canal feet first. The doctor eases the body of the baby out of the mother except for the head. The doctor then places Metzenbaum scissors into the base of the skull, opening the scissors. The doctor then places a suction tip into the skull and removes the brain by suction.
To your first question, number one, the baby is called a fetus from two months in the womb until he/she is born (here is a pregnancy website showing 8-10 weeks development of the fetus : http://www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment1.php#week8 ). So, yes, some abortions are performed on a fetus, and some on an embryo (the earlier stages of the fetus, which you can see on that pregnancy site by scrolling up to the top).
To your second question, I am not certain. The partial-birth abortion procedure was banned by the current President. I hear that it is still performed somehow--maybe the doctor leaves the whole body in while following the scissors part outlined above?--but I am not certain so I wouldn't quote me on it if you're doing a report.
There are other kinds, such as suction, saline, and one called dilation and extraction and another with a heart injection, but as you say, they all sound pretty terrible even as doctors describe them. Some of them involve the fetus removed whole and some not whole.
Whichever kind of abortion was done on your mom, even the most inhumane, she probably was not told what would happen to the baby or told much about adoption. You are right to ask questions and find out about procedures, what happens to you and the life inside you. I don't know why everyone should be kept in the dark about these things.
I don't know how anyone can make a real choice when they don't know what is really going on with the fetus or with the procedures of abortion.
If your mom is ever sad about the abortion or you are, there are websites out there with toll-free phone numbers to call and people to help.
Also, if you are still looking for a description of some of the abortion methods, the ones on Fr. Frank's youtube channel quote the words of abortion doctors from their books and testimonies. http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1D719AEF8790CA52
