Abortion Methods, Facts and Figures
For many people, abortion is more of an idea than a hard reality. Often the most stalwart abortion proponents know little about how many abortions are actually performed in the United States, or what the principal abortion methods are. Learning the facts about abortion can lead to a change of heart about the morality of abortion.
Many of the statistics in this chapter are taken from the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S. The Guttmacher Institute has been compiling data on abortion since 1968. Since they favor abortion, the data they provide will have more credibility to those who are pro-choice than data from a pro-life source.
Another important source of abortion statistics is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that has been compiling public health statistics since 1946. The CDC tracks the numbers on abortions performed each year based on data provided by each state.
How many abortions are performed in the united States?
According to the Guttmacher Institute, there were 1.21 million abortions performed in the United States in 2005, the most recent year for which data is available. This amounts to 3,315 abortions per day. The number of abortions performed in 2005 is slightly down from the number in 2004:
Total abortions in 2005: 1,206,200
Total abortions in 2004: 1,222,100
This is a decrease of almost 16,000 abortions from 2004 to 2005.
Source: Guttmacher Institute. July 2008. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.
How many abortions have been performed in the united States since it was legalized nationwide?
Since the legalization of abortion in 1973, there have been approximately 50 million abortions performed in the United States.
Source: Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.
How old are the women having abortions?
The age breakdown of women having abortions, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is as follows:
Less than 15 years: < 0.5%
Age 15-19: 16.4%
Age 20-24: 32.6%
Age 25-29: 23.4%
Age 30-34: 14.5%
Age 35-39: 8.7%
Age 40+: 3.2%
This means that half of all abortions are performed on women 24 years old or younger.
Source: Centers for Disease Control Surveillance Surveys. 2008, November 28. Abortion Surveillance—United States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 57: SS-13 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/ss/ss5713.pdf.
What percentage of pregnancies end in abortion?
About 23% of all pregnancies end in abortion in the United States. There were 1.21 million abortions in 2005 compared to 4.14 million live births.
Source: Johnston, Wm. Robert. Historical Abortion Statistics, United States. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/ab-unitedstates.html. abortion facts
What is the Race/Ethnicity of the Women having Abortions?
According to the Guttmacher Institute, abortion breaks down along racial/ethnic lines as follows:
White: 34%
Black: 37%
Hispanic: 22%
Other: 7%
While blacks and Hispanics comprise only 28% of the population, they account for nearly 60% of all abortions. A black woman is three times as likely as a white woman to have an abortion during her lifetime; a Hispanic woman is 2.5 times more likely to abort than a white woman.
Source: Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.
How does Economic Status Affect who has Abortions?
Women living below the federal poverty line abort at a higher rate than women living above the poverty line. The Guttmacher Institute reports that a single woman below the poverty line (having an annual income of about $11,000) is four times more likely to abort than a woman making at least $30,000 per year.
Source: Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.
How Many Abortions are Performed at each Stage of Pregnancy?
Based on the gestational age of the fetus, the breakdown of abortions is as follows:
Gestational Age Percentage Yearly total
< 9 weeks 61.3% 741,730
9-10 weeks 17.8% 215,380
11-12 weeks 9.6% 11,616
13-15 weeks 6.7% 81,070
16-20 weeks 3.5% 42,3500
21+ weeks 1.1% 13,310
All abortions 100% 1.21 million
This means that approximately 89% of abortions occur in the first trimester (first 12 weeks) of pregnancy.
Source: Guttmacher Institute, 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.abortion facts
Why do Women have abortions?
Research indicates that 98% of all abortions are related to issues of “personal choice.” The primary reasons women give for having an abortion include not feeling emotionally capable (32%) or financially capable (25%) of raising a child, and concern that having a child would drastically alter her life (16%). A 2000-2001 study by the Guttmacher Institute also found that about half of women having abortions had been using contraception during the month they became pregnant; 16.9% of women claimed their contraceptives failed despite proper use.
Sources: Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.Johnston, Wm. Robert. Reasons given for having abortions in the United States. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/abreasons.html.
What percentage of all abortions are because of “hard cases”?
The three most frequently cited “hard cases” in which some argue abortion might be justified are rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother. However, women rarely report that they are seeking an abortion for any of these reasons:
Rape: 0.3%
Incest: 0.03%
Protection of mother’s life: 0.2%
In other words, out of 1,000 women procuring abortion, only three cite rape as the primary reason, and only two cite protecting her life as the reason for the abortion. Out of 10,000 women procuring abortion, only three cite incest as a reason.
Source: Johnston, Wm. Robert. Reasons Given For Having Abortions In The United States. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/abreasons.html.
Is Abortion Ever Necessary to Save a Woman’s Life?
Abortion is never necessary to save a woman’s life. Four hundred and eighty physicians have signed a public declaration stating: “I agree that there is never a situation in the law or in the ethical practice of medicine where a preborn child’s life need be intentionally destroyed by procured abortion for the purpose of saving the life of the mother.”
Source: American Life League. Declaration: Protecting the Life of the Mother. http://all.org/article.php?id=10682. abortion facts
What are the Various Methods of Abortion?
Eight abortion methods are practiced in the U.S.:
Suction (Vacuum) Aspiration
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
Intracardiac Injection Abortion
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
Dilation and Extraction (D&X or Partial-birth Abortion)
Instillation (Saline) Abortion
Prostaglandin Abortion
Chemical (Medical) Abortion
Each of these methods is described in detail below. How is a suction (vacuum) aspiration abortion performed? Suction aspiration, the most common abortion method, is typically performed when the fetus is 6-12 weeks, but can be used up to 16 weeks. The cervix is dilated, and a hollow plastic tube with a sharp tip is inserted into the cervix and then into the uterus. An aspirator attached to the tube tears the body of the fetus apart and suctions the pieces through the tube.
Source: Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
How is a D&C Abortion Performed?
In a D&C (dilation and curettage) abortion, typically performed in the first trimester, a curette (a sharp looped knife) is inserted into the uterus to scrape its walls. The curette is then used to dismember the fetus and placenta.
Source: Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
How is an Intracardiac Injection Abortion Performed?
In an intracardiac abortion, a needle is guided into the fetus’ heart with the aid of ultrasound, and poison (often potassium chloride or digoxin) is injected, causing an immediate heart attack. Intracardiac injection is most commonly used for “pregnancy reduction” abortions following in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, if multiple embryos were implanted to increase the likelihood of pregnancy. In these cases, the procedure is typically performed between 10 and 12 weeks gestation.Intracardiac injection is also used in late term abortions when there is likelihood of delivering a live baby, in order to avoid state laws that would require the baby to be resuscitated and given medical care.
Sources: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
Jain, John K. and Daniel R. Mishell, Jr. 2001, February. Misoprostol regimens for termination of second trimester pregnancy, Human Reproduction, 16(2).abortion facts
How is a D&X or “Partial Birth” Abortion Performed?
A D&X (dilation and extraction) or partial-birth abortion is typically performed in the late second or third trimester. As with a D&E abortion (see above), the cervix must first be dilated, usually with laminaria (dried seaweed sticks). Forceps are then inserted into the uterus to grasp the fetus’ legs. The fetus is delivered breech while the head remains inside the birth canal. Using blunt-tipped surgical scissors, the base of the skull is pierced, and a suction catheter is inserted to extract the contents of the skull. This causes the skull to collapse, and the dead fetus is then fully delivered. Despite the fact that the United States Supreme Court upheld the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2007, D&X abortions are still being performed. An abortionist can avoid violating the law by first injecting the fetus with a lethal intracardiac injection to ensure that the fetus will already be dead when it is partially delivered.
Sources: Goldberg, Carey. 2007. Shots assist in aborting fetuses. Boston Globe, August 10, Health and Fitness section.
Willke, John, MD and Barbara. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
How is a D&E Abortion Performed?
A D&E (dilation and evacuation) abortion is typically performed in the first half of the second trimester (13-20 weeks), but can be used up to approximately 28 weeks. At this stage of pregnancy, the fetus’ tendons, muscles, and bones are more developed. In a D&E abortion, forceps are inserted into the uterus to forcibly dismember the fetus, and the pieces are removed one by one. Larger fetuses must also have their skulls crushed so the pieces can pass through the cervix. Typically, the cervix must be dilated for a period of one to three days prior to a D&E abortion. This is most often done by inserting laminaria (dried seaweed sticks) into the cervix. Therefore, a D&E abortion usually requires two visits to the abortion facility.
Source: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
How is an Instillation (Saline) Abortion Performed?
In a saline abortion, amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus and replaced with a saline solution, which the fetus swallows. The fetus is killed by salt poisoning, dehydration, brain hemorrhage and convulsions. Saline abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the risk of particularly serious health complications to the woman.
Source: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
How is a Prostaglandin Abortion Performed?
In a prostaglandin abortion, a dose of prostaglandin hormones is injected into the uterine muscle, which induces violent labor resulting in the death of the fetus. Prostaglandin abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the relatively high chance that the fetus will survive the abortion and be born alive.
Source: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
How is a Chemical (Medical) Abortion Performed?
In a chemical abortion, also called a medical abortion, a woman is administered an abortifacient compound called mifepristone (also called RU-486 or Mifeprex). Mifepristone blocks the action of progesterone, the natural hormone vital to maintaining the lining of the uterus. As the nutrient lining disintegrates, the embryo starves. Subsequently, the woman takes a dose of artificial prostaglandins which initiate uterine contractions and cause the embryo to be expelled from the uterus. Abortions by mifepristone are usually done prior to 49 days gestation.
Source: Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
Sharing the Pro-Life Message Chicago: Pro-Life Action League, 2009. Print.
Now you know some of the facts, learn how to share the pro-life message here, or keep learning by the links below.
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(This Part of the Page is Currently Under Construction)
Abortion Facts
For many people, abortion is more of an idea than a hard reality. Often the most stalwart abortion proponents know little about how many abortions are actually performed in the United States, or what the principal abortion methods are. Learning the facts about abortion can lead to a change of heart about the morality of abortion.
Many of the statistics in this chapter are taken from the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S. The Guttmacher Institute has been compiling data on abortion since 1968. Since they favor abortion, the data they provide will have more credibility to those who are pro-choice than data from a pro-life source.
Another important source of abortion statistics is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that has been compiling public health statistics since 1946. The CDC tracks the numbers on abortions performed each year based on data provided by each state.
Numbers, Statistics, and Abortion Methods
How many abortions are performed in the united States?
According to the Guttmacher Institute, there were 1.21 million abortions performed in the United States in 2008, the most recent year for which data is available. This amounts to 3,315 abortions per day.
Since 1973, over 53 million preborn lives have been ended by abortion.
This means that every 26 seconds a preborn baby dies in America
About 1 in 4 (23%) of all pregnancies in the United States end in abortion.
Over 53 Million Preborn Lives Ended Since Roe v. Wade
It is estimated that 43% of all women will have at least 1 abortion before they are 45 years old
As of today, about half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned (#32)
New York City: Abortion Capitol of America (#245)
Abortion in Illinois: A Battle Looms Ahead (#25)
Turn of the Tide: Number of Abortion Clinics Continues To Decrease (#16)
Every year, there are approximately 42 million abortions per year worldwide (#36)
The World Health Organization estimates that every day 150,000 abortions are carried out worldwide. (#23)
This means a full 20% of human lives are ended by abortion. (#24)
What is the Legality of Abortion Around the World? (#105)
Are males just as likely to be aborted as females? (#217)
Sex-Selective Abortions: The Ultimate Form of Sexism, Coming to a Clinic Near You (#66)
Are abortions much rarer in developed countries? (#254)
Does Russia have a higher number of abortions than the United States? (#255)
What is the current state of abortion policy in Mexico? (#231)
What impact has the one-child policy had on children in China? (#250)
Do American taxpayer dollars go to fund abortions overseas? (#258)
Is the number of abortions worldwide decreasing? (#259)
Culture of Death: Abortion as a Form of Population Control (#67)
Who is having Abortions?
Abortions by Age
The age breakdown of women having abortions, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is as follows:
Less than 15 years: < 0.5%
Age 15-19: 16.4%
Age 20-24: 32.6%
Age 25-29: 23.4%
Age 30-34: 14.5%
Age 35-39: 8.7%
Age 40+: 3.2%
This means that half of all abortions are performed on women 24 years old or younger.
Source: Centers for Disease Control Surveillance Surveys. 2008, November 28. Abortion Surveillance—United States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 57: SS-13 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/ss/ss5713.pdf.
Articles
Half of all abortions are performed on women 24 years old or younger (#33)
Abortions by Race
What is the Race/Ethnicity of the Women having Abortions?
According to the Guttmacher Institute, abortion breaks down along racial/ethnic lines as follows:
White: 34%
Black: 37%
Hispanic: 22%
Other: 7%
While blacks and Hispanics comprise only 28% of the population, they account for nearly 60% of all abortions. A black woman is three times as likely as a white woman to have an abortion during her lifetime; a Hispanic woman is 2.5 times more likely to abort than a white woman.
Source: Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.
Is the Abortion Industry Racist?
Planned Parenthood: Targeting Its Abortion Services To Minorities (#55)
Disproportionately High Abortion Rate for Black Americans
Are black leaders in line with the beliefs of their members? (#54)
Abortions by Religion
- According to the Guttmacher Institute, nearly 3 out of every 4 women who have an abortion report having some type of religious belief.
Abortions by Income
Women living below the federal poverty line abort at a higher rate than women living above the poverty line. The Guttmacher Institute reports that a single woman below the poverty line (having an annual income of about $11,000) is four times more likely to abort than a woman making at least $30,000 per year.
Source: Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.
Reasons Given for Abortion
Research indicates that 98% of all abortions are related to issues of “personal choice.” The primary reasons women give for having an abortion include not feeling emotionally capable (32%) or financially capable (25%) of raising a child, and concern that having a child would drastically alter her life (16%). A 2000-2001 study by the Guttmacher Institute also found that about half of women having abortions had been using contraception during the month they became pregnant; 16.9% of women claimed their contraceptives failed despite proper use.
Sources: Guttmacher Institute. 2008, July. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.Johnston, Wm. Robert. Reasons given for having abortions in the United States. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/abreasons.html.
What percentage of all abortions are because of “hard cases”?
The three most frequently cited “hard cases” in which some argue abortion might be justified are rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother. However, women rarely report that they are seeking an abortion for any of these reasons:
Rape: 0.3%
Incest: 0.03%
Protection of mother’s life: 0.2%
In other words, out of 1,000 women procuring abortion, only three cite rape as the primary reason, and only two cite protecting her life as the reason for the abortion. Out of 10,000 women procuring abortion, only three cite incest as a reason.
Source: Johnston, Wm. Robert. Reasons Given For Having Abortions In The United States. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/abreasons.html.
Is Abortion Ever Necessary to Save a Woman’s Life?
Abortion is never necessary to save a woman’s life. Four hundred and eighty physicians have signed a public declaration stating: “I agree that there is never a situation in the law or in the ethical practice of medicine where a preborn child’s life need be intentionally destroyed by procured abortion for the purpose of saving the life of the mother.”
Source: American Life League. Declaration: Protecting the Life of the Mother. http://all.org/article.php?id=10682. abortion facts
98% of all abortions are related to issues of “personal choice.” (#28)
Percent of Abortions during each Gestational Period
How Many Abortions are Performed at each Stage of Pregnancy?
Based on the gestational age of the fetus, the breakdown of abortions is as follows:
Gestational Age Percentage Yearly total
< 9 weeks 61.8%
9-10 weeks 17.1%
11-12 weeks 9.1%
13-15 weeks 6.6%
16-20 weeks 3.8%
21+ weeks 1.5%
All abortions (100%) 1.2 million
This means that approximately 89% of abortions occur in the first trimester (first 12 weeks) of pregnancy.
Source: Guttmacher Institute, 2011, May. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.abortion facts
Most abortions are performed in the first trimester. (#30)
Are Abortions More Acceptable If They Are Done Early On In The Pregnancy? (#2)
Types of Abortion Procedures
Eight abortion methods are practiced in the U.S.:
Suction (Vacuum) Aspiration
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
Intracardiac Injection Abortion
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
Dilation and Extraction (D&X or Partial-birth Abortion)
Instillation (Saline) Abortion
Prostaglandin Abortion
Chemical (Medical) Abortion
Each of these methods is described in detail below. How is a suction (vacuum) aspiration abortion performed? Suction aspiration, the most common abortion method, is typically performed when the fetus is 6-12 weeks, but can be used up to 16 weeks. The cervix is dilated, and a hollow plastic tube with a sharp tip is inserted into the cervix and then into the uterus. An aspirator attached to the tube tears the body of the fetus apart and suctions the pieces through the tube.
Source: Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
Surgical Abortions
Cut-Throat Abortion Procedures (#5)
The Abortion Industry: Building a World of Fantasy (#8)
Abortion Procedures: Which is the Most Gruesome of them All? Partial Birth Abortions (#6)
How is a D&C Abortion Performed?
- In a D&C (dilation and curettage) abortion, typically performed in the first trimester, a curette (a sharp looped knife) is inserted into the uterus to scrape its walls. The curette is then used to dismember the fetus and placenta.
Source: Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
How is an Intracardiac Injection Abortion Performed?
In an intracardiac abortion, a needle is guided into the fetus’ heart with the aid of ultrasound, and poison (often potassium chloride or digoxin) is injected, causing an immediate heart attack. Intracardiac injection is most commonly used for “pregnancy reduction” abortions following in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, if multiple embryos were implanted to increase the likelihood of pregnancy. In these cases, the procedure is typically performed between 10 and 12 weeks gestation.Intracardiac injection is also used in late term abortions when there is likelihood of delivering a live baby, in order to avoid state laws that would require the baby to be resuscitated and given medical care.
Sources: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
Jain, John K. and Daniel R. Mishell, Jr. 2001, February. Misoprostol regimens for termination of second trimester pregnancy, Human Reproduction, 16(2).abortion facts
How is a D&X or “Partial Birth” Abortion Performed?
A D&X (dilation and extraction) or partial-birth abortion is typically performed in the late second or third trimester. As with a D&E abortion (see above), the cervix must first be dilated, usually with laminaria (dried seaweed sticks). Forceps are then inserted into the uterus to grasp the fetus’ legs. The fetus is delivered breech while the head remains inside the birth canal. Using blunt-tipped surgical scissors, the base of the skull is pierced, and a suction catheter is inserted to extract the contents of the skull. This causes the skull to collapse, and the dead fetus is then fully delivered.
Despite the fact that the United States Supreme Court upheld the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2007, D&X abortions are still being performed. An abortionist can avoid violating the law by first injecting the fetus with a lethal intracardiac injection to ensure that the fetus will already be dead when it is partially delivered.
Sources: Goldberg, Carey. 2007. Shots assist in aborting fetuses. Boston Globe, August 10, Health and Fitness section.
Willke, John, MD and Barbara. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
How is a D&E Abortion Performed?
A D&E (dilation and evacuation) abortion is typically performed in the first half of the second trimester (13-20 weeks), but can be used up to approximately 28 weeks. At this stage of pregnancy, the fetus’ tendons, muscles, and bones are more developed. In a D&E abortion, forceps are inserted into the uterus to forcibly dismember the fetus, and the pieces are removed one by one.
Larger fetuses must also have their skulls crushed so the pieces can pass through the cervix. Typically, the cervix must be dilated for a period of one to three days prior to a D&E abortion. This is most often done by inserting laminaria (dried seaweed sticks) into the cervix. Therefore, a D&E abortion usually requires two visits to the abortion facility.
Source: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
How is an Instillation (Saline) Abortion Performed?
In a saline abortion, amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus and replaced with a saline solution, which the fetus swallows. The fetus is killed by salt poisoning, dehydration, brain hemorrhage and convulsions. Saline abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the risk of particularly serious health complications to the woman.
Source: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
How is a Prostaglandin Abortion Performed?
In a prostaglandin abortion, a dose of prostaglandin hormones is injected into the uterine muscle, which induces violent labor resulting in the death of the fetus. Prostaglandin abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the relatively high chance that the fetus will survive the abortion and be born alive.
Source: Clowes, Brian, PhD. 2001. The Facts of Life. Front Royal: Human Life International.
Medical Abortions
Types of Abortions: Surgical vs. Medical (#1)
What is a medical abortion? (#14)
What is RU-486? (#7)
Are Medical Abortions Safer? How safe is RU 486, the “abortion pill”? (#3)
Has RU-486 had an impact on the prevalence of abortion? What are its side effects? (#4)
How is a Chemical (Medical) Abortion Performed?
In a chemical abortion, also called a medical abortion, a woman is administered an abortifacient compound called mifepristone (also called RU-486 or Mifeprex). Mifepristone blocks the action of progesterone, the natural hormone vital to maintaining the lining of the uterus. As the nutrient lining disintegrates, the embryo starves. Subsequently, the woman takes a dose of artificial prostaglandins which initiate uterine contractions and cause the embryo to be expelled from the uterus. Abortions by mifepristone are usually done prior to 49 days gestation.
Source: Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. 2003. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes Publishing Company.
Sharing the Pro-Life Message Chicago: Pro-Life Action League, 2009. Print.
Now you know some of the facts, learn how to share the pro-life message here, or keep learning by the links below.
Guidelines for Abortions
Must a physician be present to perform an abortion? (#120)
Forcing Doctors to Take Innocent Lives (#11)
Are abortions much different than any other type of medical procedure? (#158)
The Abortion Industry: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (#116)
How easy is it for a woman to obtain an abortion?
Abortion Drugs: Don’t take the Blue Pill (#82)
(For more information on access to abortion, please visit the Questions of Law page)
