Abortion

ENGLISH 02

Fanila, Riza Joyce S.

BBE – 1
2nd Sem / SY 2010 – 2011

Topic Outline:
I. Background

II. Definition

III. Effects of Abortion

A. Effects of Abortion on Woman Physically

B. Effects of Abortion on Woman Psychologically

C. Effects of Abortion on Woman Spiritually

IV. Causes

A. Fear for Financial difficulty to raise the child.

B. Fear to what people or parents might think or say

C. Fear to the 9 months of pregnancy and to the pain during the labor

D. Health Problems

E. Rape

F. Hormonal contraceptives

V. Conclusion
Thesis Statement: Negative Effects of Abortion on the Mother, Family and to People

I. Background

Abortion is an issue that evokes, on all sides, very strong feelings and judgments

and very heated recriminations. Abortion, from the Latin word aboriri, "to perish" may be

briefly defined as "the loss of a fetal life."

Abortion is a controversial issue but it should be discussed because it is

happening, and is more widespread than we care to admit. If we truly care about life,

then we must understand what is going on (Tan 2008). Ideally, pregnancy is a wanted

and happy event for women, their partners and their families. Unfortunately, this is not

always so. Around the world millions of women every year become pregnant

unintentionally. In the Philippines, as in other countries, some of these women are faced

with a difficult choice: to give birth to a child that they are not prepared or able to care

for, or to obtain an illegal, and often unsafe, abortion (Singh et al. 2006)

Abortion when looked up in the dictionary is the termination of a pregnancy by

the removal or expulsion of a fetus or embryo from the uterus, resulting in or caused by

its death. An abortion can occur spontaneously due to complications during pregnancy

or can be induced in humans and other species.

In it the fetus dies while yet within the generative organs of the mother, or it is

ejected or extracted from them before it is viable; that is, before it is sufficiently
developed to continue its life by itself. The term abortion is also applied, though less

properly, to cases in which the child is become viable, but does not survive the delivery.

Viability may exist in the seventh month of gestation, but it cannot safely be presumed

before the eighth month. If the child survives its premature birth, there is no abortion, for

this word always denotes the loss of fetal life.

In the United States, Roe v. Wade is the law that makes it legal for a woman to

obtain a medically induced abortion at any point before the fetus becomes viable. This

is generally considered to be seven months or 28 weeks, but may occur as early as 24

weeks. Since the Supreme Court's ruling in 1973, however, there have been many

organizations working to repeal the law on the grounds that abortion is morally and

ethically wrong. Others are working to implement tighter restrictions on who can obtain

the procedure.

Abortion has become one of the most common medical procedures performed in
the United States each year. More than 40% of all women will end a pregnancy by
abortion at some time in their reproductive lives. While women of every social class
seek terminations, the typical woman who ends her pregnancy is either young, white,
unmarried, poor, or over the age of 40.

Abortion has a low risk of maternal mortality except for abortions performed
unsafely, which result in 70,000 deaths and 5 million disabilities per year globally.

Abortions are unsafe when performed by persons without the proper skills or
outside of a medically safe environment. An estimated 42 million abortions are
performed annually with 20 million of those abortions done unsafely around the
world. Forty percent of the world's women are able to access therapeutic and elective
abortions within gestational limits.

Abortion has a long history and has been induced by various methods including
herbal abortifacients, the use of sharpened tools, physical trauma, and other traditional
methods. Contemporary medicine utilizes medications and surgical procedures to
induce abortion. The legality, prevalence, cultural status, and religious status of abortion
vary substantially around the world. In many parts of the world there is prominent and
divisive public controversy over the ethical and legal issues of abortion. Abortion and
abortion-related issues feature prominently in the national politics in many nations, often
involving the opposing pro-life and pro-choice worldwide social movements. Incidence
of abortion has declined worldwide as access to family planning education and
contraceptive services has increased.

The most radical formulation of the pro-abortion or "pro-choice" side views

opposition to abortion as opposition to the freedom of women, as hatred of women, and
as part of a historical effort to "subjugate" women as nothing more than baby-making
machines or, failing that, to see that they die in botched abortions as part of, indeed,
something comparable to the Nazi genocide of the Jews. They sometimes interpret the
anti-abortion cause as so heinous that even non-violent anti-abortion protests are
regarded as "hate crimes" which should be suppressed using the most draconian
federal anti-racketeering and anti-terrorist laws. In general, "pro-choice" activists believe
that the availability of abortion is absolutely necessary for the general alleviation of
poverty and for the possibility of better and fulfilling lives for both women and children.

II. Definition

Abortion is one of the most difficult, controversial, and painful subjects in modern
society. The principal controversy revolves around the questions of who makes the
decision concerning abortion, the individual or the state. Under what circumstances it
may be done and who is capable of making the decision. Medical questions such as
techniques of abortion are less controversial but are sometimes part of the larger
debate.

Abortion is not new in human society, a study by the anthropologist George

Devereux (1955) showed that more than 300 contemporary human nonindustrial
societies practiced abortion. Women have performed abortions on themselves or
experienced abortions at the hands of others for thousands of years (Potts, Diggory,
and Peel 1977), and abortions continue to occur today in developing areas under
medically primitive conditions. However, modern technology and social change have
made abortion a part of modern health care. At the same time, abortion has become a
political issue in some societies and a flash point for disagreements about the role of
women and individual autonomy in life decisions.

Before modern methods of abortion, this sometimes meant the introduction of

foreign objects like catheters into the uterus to disrupt the placenta and embryo so that

a miscarriage would result. In preindustrial societies, hitting the pregnant woman in the

abdomen over the uterus and jumping on her abdomen while she lies on the ground are
common techniques used to induce an abortion (Early and Peters 1990). Although

these methods can be effective, they may also result in the death of the woman if her

uterus is ruptured or if some of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus enters her

bloodstream. From the colonial period to the early twentieth-century in America,

primitive methods such as these were used along with the introduction of foreign objects

into the uterus (wooden sticks, knitting needles, catheters, etc.) to cause abortion,

frequently with tragic results (Lee 1969).

In modern society, abortions are performed surgically by physicians or other

trained personnel experienced in this technique, making the procedure much safer. The

goal of induced abortion remains the same: to interrupt the pregnancy so that the

woman will not continue to term and deliver a baby.

One problem with the classical definition of abortion is the changing definition of

viability (the ability to live outside the womb). Premature birth is historically associated

with high death and disability rates for babies born alive, but medical advances of the

twentieth century have made it possible to save the lives of babies born after only thirty

weeks of pregnancy when the usual pregnancy lasts forty weeks. Some infants born at

twenty-six to twenty-seven weeks or younger have even survived through massive

intervention and support. At the same time, abortions are now routinely performed up to

twenty-five to twenty-six weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, the old definition of viability is

not helpful in determining whether an abortion has been or should be performed

(Grobstein 1988).

On a website I’ve come across in the internet, in a Catholic Encyclopedia it was

long debated among the learned at what period of gestation the human embryo

begins to be animated by the rational, spiritual soul, which elevates man above

all other species of the animal creation and survives the body to live forever.

Life is the immediate gift of God, a right inherent by nature in every individual and

it begins, in contemplation of law, as soon as an infant is able to stir in its mother's

womb. For if a woman is quick with child, and by a potion, or otherwise, kill it in her

womb, or if any one beat her, whereby the child dies, and she is delivered of a dead

child; this, though not murder, was by the ancient law homicide or manslaughter. But

the modern law does not look upon this offence in so atrocious a light, but merely as a

heinous misdemeanour.

The keenest mind among the ancient philosophers, Aristotle, had conjectured

that the future child was endowed at conception with a principle of only vegetative life,

which was exchanged after a few days for an animal soul, and was not succeeded by

a rational soul till later; his followers said on the fortieth day for a male, and the eightieth

for a female, child. The authority of his great name and the want of definite

knowledge to the contrary caused this theory to be generally accepted up to recent

times. Yet, as early as the fourth century of the Christian era, St. Gregory of Nyssahad

advocated the view which modern science has confirmed almost to a certainty, namely,

that the same life principle quickens the organism from the first moment of

its individual existence until its death (Eschbach, Disp. Phys., Disp., iii). Now it is at the

very time of conception, or fecundation, that the embryo begins to live a distinct

individual life.
 Life does not result from an organism when it has been built up, but the vital

principle builds up the organism of its own body. In virtue of the one eternal act of

the Will of the Creator, Who is of course ever present at every portion of His creation,

the soul of every new human being begins to exist when the cell which generation has

provided is ready to receive it as its principle of life. In the normal course of nature the

living embryo carries on its work of, self-evolution within the maternal womb, deriving its

nourishment from the placenta through the vital cord, till, on reaching maturity, it is by

the contraction of the uterus issued to lead its separate life. Abortion is a fatal

termination of this process. It may result from various causes, which may be classed

under two heads, accidental and intentional.

III.

A. Effects of Abortion on Woman Physically

 When an abortion is performed on a woman, she becomes subject to many

physical complications. Blood loss during the procedure causes diversion of blood flow

to various organs and can result in shock. When the canal of the cervix is dilated, the

insides of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the abdominal cavity are exposed to invasion

by bacteria. Abdominal infection can cause peritonitis and abscess formation. Severe

hemorrhage often follows an abortion. Instruments can perforate the uterus causing

injury, infection, and bleeding to internal organs.

Deaths from abortions, although rare, are usually from heavy bleeding from

complications with anesthesia. Women who have abortions increase their risk of breast

cancer by fifty percent, according to a new study in the Journal of the National Cancer

Institute. Abortion of a first pregnancy interrupts the natural growth process of the

breast, leaving millions of cells at a high risk.

It has been found that future pregnancy failure is increased by forty-five percent with

just one previous abortion. Other complications are a greater risk of premature births,

tubal pregnancy, sterility, and damage to the cervix. As a result of abortion, women

suffer many physical injuries.

Not only do these women bear physical side effects, but they also suffer many

emotional side effects. Among these are depression, long-term grief reactions, anger,

sexual dysfunction, guilt, flashbacks, memory repression, suicidal ideas, and difficulty

keeping close relationships.

B. Effects of Abortion on Woman Psychologically

 Over the last decade, a general consensus has been reached in the medical and

scientific communities that most women who have abortions experience little or no

psychological harm. However, women's ability to cope psychologically after an abortion

continues to be the subject of heated debates. Vocal anti-choice advocates claim that

most women who have abortions will suffer to some degree from a variant of post-

traumatic stress disorder called "post-abortion syndrome," characterized by severe and

long-lasting guilt, depression, rage, and social and sexual dysfunction. Why is there

such a major discrepancy between the scientific consensus and anti-choice beliefs?

In a new study by post-abortion researcher David Reardon, who operates the

Elliot Institute for Social Sciences Research in Springfield, Illinois, it was found that

twenty-eight percent of women who had abortions later attempted suicide, and over half

of these women did so more than once. Drug and alcohol abuse increased four times

among women who aborted compared to those who carried to term. Ninety-eight

percent of women regretted having had an abortion. Seventy-two percent of women

said their abortion did not improve their life. Twenty percent of post-abortive women

reported a nervous breakdown, and ten percent were hospitalized for psychiatric care.

Of the two hundred and sixty women surveyed, over sixty percent said their abortion

made their life worse.

". . . sooner or later [after the abortion], the truth will make itself known and felt,

and the bitter realization that she was not even unselfish enough to share her life

with another human being will take its toll. If she had ever entertained a doubt as

to whether her parents and others really considered her unlovable and worthless,

she will now be certain that she was indeed never any good in their eyes or her
own. A deep depression will be inevitable and her preoccupation with thoughts of

suicide that much greater." Conrad W.Baars, MD, Psychic Causes and Consequences

of the Abortion Mentality. (pp. 122)

Studies within the first few weeks after the abortion have found that between 40

and 60 percent of women questioned report negative reactions.Within 8 weeks

after their abortions, 55% expressed guilt, 44% complained of nervous disorders, 36%

had experienced sleep disturbances, 31% had regrets about their decision, and 11%

had been prescribed psychotropic medicine by their family doctor.

In one study of 500 aborted women, researchers found that 50 percent expressed

negative feelings, and up to 10 percent were classified as having developed serious

psychiatric complications.

C. Effects of Abortion on Woman Spiritually

In addition, abortion hurts women spiritually because it is not simply a process of

evacuating the contents of a uterus, but the ending of a human life. God states in the

sixth commandment, Thou shall not murder. Each baby is created by God and is part of

His plan as stated in Psalms 139:13-14, You made all the delicate inner parts of my

body and knit them together in my mother’s womb... you saw me before I was born and

scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe... Human life does not begin

when the baby breathes, or when its heart begins to beat, buts its life is continuous and

inherited.

Life is passed from family to family and recorded in the Bible back to the first

human beings created by God, Adam and Eve. Professor Garret Hardin, Department of
Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, stated Life ends often, but

it never begins. It is just passed from one cell to another. All biologists...are in

agreement with that... When a women interrupts God’s plan of life through abortion, she

may suffer spiritual void and separation from God.

The mom is probably the most heavily affected by the abortion process. Because

of the fact that she carries the baby, the mother is more attached. When the child

is aborted, the mother's emotions undergo changes. She has an increased tendency

toward rage and she might even have suicidal feelings. Abortion is miserable enough

that the parents have to deal with problems, but the children they already had would be

affected too.

Not only do abortions end the life of a baby, but they also have harmful physical,

emotional, and spiritual effects of the women involved. We need to protect and value all

human life from the moment of conception to natural death. The future of America and

our world rest on that.

IV. Causes
A. Fear for Financial difficulty to raise the child.

This is a consequence of lack of confidence in God since the most beautiful and
desired for a mother should be her own son.
Unfortunately this consumer and false values society we all are living in, has
devalued the baby who must come to this world and with its rationalism has created a
false fear. Let us see a great example: Kay James, a Public Relations Officer for PRO-
LIFE MOVEMENT in the United States speaks of a terribly poor black woman, who was
ditched by her alcoholic husband, who had his fourth baby on a table. "I was that baby",
says Mrs. James who is graduated at the University and mother of 3 children.

B. Fear to What People or Parents might think or say

When getting pregnant during the engagement. Actually, human concepts and
reasoning, including those of parents or third parties must not prevent a creature from

coming to this world. Life is given by God and God is above all concept.

"I was going to be the seventh son and my mother was determined not to let to

me be born. Then something wonderful happened. My aunt made her change her mind

and that's why I could be born. It could be said that I am a miracle ". Arthur Rubenstein,

pianist.

C. Fear to the 9 months of pregnancy and to the pain during the labor

Actually, the greatest mission of every woman, is to be mother and to bring

children to the world. If animals that are irrational do not deny this right, Why is the
woman going to be scared, if it is a natural function that corresponds to her feminine
nature?

D. Health problems
Let's remember Beethoven's case, the great musician who astonished with his
divine music, and who is still listened by those who want to give food and breath to their
soul; His mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis and his father was alcoholic.

E. Rape
Rape is a horrible abuse with traumatic effects for many of its victims. For a
woman who carries in her entrails a creature fruit of a rape is not helpful at all, to know
that pregnancy rarely happens in these cases. Nevertheless, Should we make an
innocent creature pay for his father's crime?
A raped woman who wrote anonymously to a magazine, said that she had an
appointment to be done an abortion but canceled it. "I knew that what I had in my
entrails was my baby. Now I have a daughter, a precious girl. I thank God daily for not
to
have aborted".
F. Hormonal contraceptives
A Woman who takes tablets, injections or implants, has certainly determined not to
have a child and if she gets pregnant then she feels frustrated in her intentions and
often she resorts to abortion. These contraceptives are one of the main causes of
abortion nowadays.
 V. Conclusion
There is probably no more selfish an act than men and women having sex
relations at the expense of their unborn children. And secondly, a society that is not
willing to be responsible sexually for the children they procreate is going to be riddled
with other problems that relate to this irresponsibility. We forget that freedom can be a
curse in disguise unless exercised responsibly. There are plenty of evidences of this
every day in the news. Any adult society that does not accept responsibility and
accountability for themselves will hardly pass on these concepts to their children, which
leads to less freedom and more control or the other extreme to fragmentation and the
destruction of this society by itself. (Bryant, 2008)

After an abortion, the surviving children would be confused and scared. They
know when their mom is no longer pregnant and they begin to wonder why they had
survived. If the kids know that their mom had something to do with the disappearance of
their sibling, they might begin to fear and mistrust her. If they did not want a brother or
sister, they could end up thinking that they can will people away. After abortions,
everyone involved is influenced negatively.

Some people are pro-choice, and they have very good arguments as to why.
Some believe that the fetus is not human. That is not true, the fetus is a human
organism, like a tadpole becoming a frog, the fetus will become a human. Another
argument is that the fetus cannot survive without the mother, therefore it is not a
separate entity. The problem with that is if you were to kill the fetus, you would be killing
a part of the mother, is that any more legitimate? Still yet another disagreement is that
abortion is better than adoption because the mom would be less likely to give up her
child after birth. Although, if she does not want to give up the baby, she actually wants
it. There are many good arguments for and against abortion, but pro-life is the best
choice.
 Abortion affects everyone. A fetus is not just a fetus, it is a human life. Even
abortionists have qualms about doing abortions, especially late in the pregnancy
because the baby looks a lot like a human. Abortionist Robert Harris said, "It goes
against all things which are natural. It's a termination of a life, however you look at it."
So in this upcoming election, remember that abortion is not just.