Fusitu’a 1

Ofo Fusitu’a

Mr. Jorgensen

English 1010

26 November 2018

Abortion

According to the EHD (The Endowment for Human Development), the fetal heart

typically begins to beat three weeks after fertilization. By the 4th week, the heart typically beats

between 105 and 121 beats per minute. Once a heartbeat is detected it should be illegal for a

pregnancy to be terminated, expecting mothers should look into alternative options such as

getting support, giving the child to a family member to raise, or to give the baby up for adoption.

Now I understand that there are special cases that may require an abortion such as if the

pregnancy affected the livelihood of the expecting mother, rape, or incest. However, I believe

cases such as unprotected sex shouldn’t be an acceptable reason for an abortion. In this essay I

will discuss the two options to terminate a pregnancy, the negative effects to a woman’s mental

health after abortions and alternative options for women who seek to terminate their pregnancy.

Lea Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood employee that I interviewed mentioned that

in the State of Utah before a woman can have an abortion, she must attend a counseling that will

advise the expectant of the alternative options rather than abortion. This counseling will educate

the woman on the procedure and what to expect from it, as well as pain management post-

abortion. The counseling also includes education on fetal development, the risks of abortions,

possible psychological responses, and lastly Planned Parenthood is required to go over the State

laws. Once the woman has attended the class, Utah has a 3 days clause where the woman must
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wait 3 days from the counseling to decide whether or not she would like to carry on with the

abortion.

There are two main options to carry out abortions at Planned Parenthood. The first option

can only be done up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and this option is known as the “abortion pill”

(Planned Parenthood). Not only is this option popular with Planned Parenthood, but this has

become the most popular option in the U.S. This option allows the termination of a pregnancy to

happen within the privacy of one’s own home. The second option is an in-clinic suction option.

This option is much quicker than the first option, however, it is a bit “barbaric” as Lea would

describe. Planned Parenthood uses a small suction machine to clear out the uterus. The process

takes about 5-10 minutes however she refers to it as the barbaric method because the suction is

so strong it can dismember the fetus while clearing out the uterus. Depending on the laws of the

state, typically you can surgically abort a pregnancy anywhere from 4-6 weeks until about 26

weeks (Planned Parenthood).

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Back in June 2013, The New York Times posted the Abortion Restrictions in States.

Three states (Iowa, Texas, and Virginia) banned third-trimester abortions which typically

the third trimester begins at about 29 weeks and Nine states which include Alaska, Colorado,

D.C., Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and West

Virginia do not have specific laws prohibiting abortions after a certain point in pregnancy.

Doesn’t that just seem crazy to you? I have included a picture above from the baby center

showing how developed a fetus is by week 26. The fetus has developed its senses and as you can

see it’s physical features have fully formed.

According to afterabortion.org, approximately 10% of women undergoing induced

abortion suffer from immediate complications, of which one-fifth (2%) were considered major.

The major risks that one can face when having an abortion may be Cervical, Ovarian, and Liver

Cancer. Women with a history of one abortion face 2.3 times higher risk of having cervical

cancer compared to women that do not have an abortion history. The number more than doubles

for women that have a history of 2 abortions or more. This may be due to the unnatural

disruption of hormonal changes.

Like shown in the graph below (After Abortion), studies have all come to the same

conclusion that abortion poses a higher risk for women’s mental health than an actual

miscarriage or even giving birth. Now I understand that people will argue whether a woman

gives birth or has an abortion, she is still at risk of these mental health issues, however, I still

believe abortions should be illegal because with abortions the percentages are much higher.

American women are 65% more likely to be at risk of long-term depression, which may lead to

suicide. In the long run, there is a 154% higher risk of suicide for women that have had an
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abortion (Enriquez) and 65% women report symptoms of PTSD or some sort of Trauma due to

women feeling like a part of them has died (Terzo).

Suicide Rate by Month

Through depression or guilt of the abortion, women with abortion history are more likely

to have disorders. Anywhere from nervous disorders, sleep disturbances, or even anxiety

disorders. Substance abuse has also become a known issue, women tend to abuse alcohol and are

more likely have been linked to violent behavior, divorce/separation, car accidents, or even

losing a job (Terzo).

Instead of abortions, I would like to present the idea of alternative options. The very first

option is to raise the child. I understand that raising a child is not an easy task. I have many

nieces and nephews that I often babysit from the ages of 2 months – 12 years. I understand it is

not an easy job, and that being a mother is a 24-hour job. Most mothers I speak with say that
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being a mother is the hardest title they hold, however the most rewarding. I understand not

everyone has the luxury of having the finances, a supportive spouse or the father of the child, and

also not everyone has the luxury of a supportive family or even a family in general. I want to

educate women and let them know its ok to reach out for help. There are many opportunities that

you are able to take advantage of.

If you’re worried about not being able to provide food for your child an option, I would

suggest is called WIC (Women, Infants, & Children), which is considered government

assistance. On the wic.utah.gov website, they have a chart that you’re able to check for the

income eligibility guidelines. From there they have a list of clinics that you can go to with your

personal information and apply. If approved, you will receive WIC checks that you can use at

grocery stores to purchase healthy food. With the WIC checks, you’re able to purchase Infant

Cereal, Baby Food, Infant Formula, Milk, Yogurt, Cheese, Eggs, Vegetables & Fruits, etc...

Basically, everything you would need to feed a child. I am not one to rely on government

assistance, however, I do believe if you’re a mother, and truly need it, why not take advantage of

this resource?

If you are physically, mentally, or financially not able to care for a child, another option I

would offer is a family member raise your child. Depending on your familial background this

may not be an available option to some. However, I do know in more ethnic backgrounds that

come from big families, it is a common option. For example, in the Polynesian culture for some,

if the expecting mother is not able to raise a child her immediate family will step in to help with

the child. If for some reason the immediate family isn’t, or if the mother chooses to give the child

away, they would choose a relative, whether it be a sibling, an aunt or uncle or even to a cousin

and their spouse that may struggle themselves to have children.

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Currently, the ratio of abortions vs. adoptions is 149:1(American Adoptions). I believe

this ratio could be much lower if women knew the facts on adoption. The adoption option has

been a popular option for couples that are unable to conceive, as well as for LGBTQ Couples. As

a mother looking to give up your child for adoption, you are in complete control of the adoption

process. You will get to choose the adoptive family who will raise your child. You get to choose

the type of post-adoption contact you want to have with the family and your child. Also, most

adoption services for mothers are completely free, and expecting mothers may also be eligible to

receive living expenses during pregnancy (American Adoptions). Not only does this option

fulfill someone else’s dream, but it also prevents the mother from the harsh guilt post-abortion.

This option I believe would emotionally be the toughest for the expecting mother. With adoption,

the mother would have to carry the child for the full pregnancy (unless she has the child early)

and then give up her parental rights to another. Knowing that you would not be able to care for

the child, and giving the child the option to be raised by a family that has the means to properly

raise the baby, and a family that will undoubtedly love them is one of the ultimate sacrifices to

me, as well as one of the best options a mother can choose over abortion.

I definitely do believe there are better options out there rather than abortion. Those of

which I have listed which were to either raise the child, but to seek help, give the child to a

family member to raise, or to go with the adoption route. I believe abortion is a selfish act

because not only is it murder, but there are many couples out there that are not able to conceive

whether it be for health reasons, or whether it is because the couple is LGBTQ. If not for the

sake of the couple’s out there, I would say think of your mental health before you have an

abortion. Truly think to yourself would you be able to handle the mental and moral consequences

you’ll feel once you abort the baby?

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Works Cited

Abortion Clinics. Abortion Clinics… The FACTS2018. Elliot Institute.

http://abortionclinics.ca/abortion-risks.shtml . Accessed 24 November 2018

American Adoptions. 2018 Abortion or Adoption – Know the Facts Before Making a Decision.

https://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/deciding_between_abortion_or_adoption

Accessed 24 November 2018

American Adoptions. 23 Reasons for Choosing Adoption Over Abortion.

https://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/reasons-for-adoption-instead-of-abortion

Accessed 24 November 2018.

Baby Center. Fetal Development Week by Week.

https://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-week-by-week . Accessed 24 November

2018.

Cunningham, Gary. Prenatal Form and Function – The Making of an Earth Suit, The

Endowment for Human Development, 1997, http://www.ehd.org/dev_article_unit4.php .

Accessed 24 November 2018.

Enriquez, Lauren. Abortion safer than childbirth? Not where suicide is concerned. Live Action.

11 September 2014 https://www.liveaction.org/news/abortion-safer-than-childbirth-not-

where-suicide-is-concerned/. Accessed 24 November 2018.

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Johnson, Lea. Personal Interview. West Valley City, UT. 11 November 2018.

Lifelong Adoptions.15 LGBT Adoption Quick Facts. https://www.lifelongadoptions.com/13-

lgbt-adoption/243-15-lgbt-adoption-quick-facts Accessed 24 November 2018

The New York Times. Abortion Restrictions in States. 17 June 2013,

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/06/18/us/politics/abortio

n-restrictions.html . Accessed 24 November 2018.

Parker, Ariel. 5 Alternatives to Abortions. Miss Mill Mag, 13 August 2014,

https://missmillmag.com/relationships/5-alternatives-abortion/ . Accessed 24 November

2018.

Planned Parenthood. The Abortion Pill https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/the-

abortion-pill Accessed 24 November 2018

Planned Parenthood. What happens during an in-clinic abortion?

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/in-clinic-abortion-procedures/what-

happens-during-an-in-clinic-abortion Accessed 24 November 2018.

Terzo, Sarah. Psychological Risks: Traumatic Aftereffects of Abortion. Clinic Quotes. 21 August

2012 http://clinicquotes.com/psychological-risks-traumatic-aftereffects-of-abortion/ .

Accessed 24 November 2018

WIC.UTAH. How to Apply. https://wic.utah.gov/about/apply/ . Accessed 24 November 2018

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WIC.UTAH. Utah WIC Program Authorized WIC Foods. https://wic.utah.gov/wp-

content/uploads/sites/30/2018/08/WIC-Authorized-Food-Art-18-Online.pdf . Accessed

24 November 2018.

The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U. MLA Works Cited: Electronic Sources

(Web Publications).

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_g

uide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html . Accessed 2 December 2018.