We like to consider ourselves a “civilized” and “humane” society, and I think that is true in many ways. However, the legalization and normalization of abortion reminds us of the darker side of our humanity. For in abortion, the strong summarily dismiss the lives of the preborn through methods that betray a narcissistic primal barbarism. I suspect that if an actual abortion was performed on television for all to see in cinematic detail, it would rival the cruelest and most heart wrenching of horror movies.
Recently, Landon Norton’s Round Table presentation succinctly reminded us of the inhumane process of an abortion. Please do not allow his admirable brevity to cause you to forget the heroic struggle of each little one caught in this human web of brutish and savage selfishness.
Landon Norton
10.26.2009
Common Abortion Methods in the United States
- Oral medications
- Plan B – prevents ovulation or implantation, used within 72 hrs of sex, over the counter
- RU-486 – breaks down lining of uterus/softens cervix, used within 8 weeks of pregnancy
- Misoprostol – empties uterus by causing contractions, used with RU-486
- Vacuum curettage– used in 1sttrimester; dilation of cervix, vacuum device introduced into uterus to suction out unborn child
- Dilation and curettage (D&C)– traditional gynecological technique where the developing child is cut to pieces and scraped from the uterine wall with a sharp curette
- Dilation and evacuation– used after 13 weeks up to 20+ weeks; special instruments are used to crush larger skeleton and skull of the unborn, then suctioned out
- Hysterotomy– small scale C-section where baby is cut out of the uterus through the abdominal wall; if still alive, baby is left to die
- Prostaglandins– second trimester; amniotic sac infused via needle, induces labor; sometimes baby is delivered alive accidentally
- Hypertonic saline– second trimester; amniotic sac infused via needle, poisons child and burns outer layer of skin; may cause brain hemorrhages; this induces labor and the dead child is delivered a day later; however, there have been cases where the child is born alive
- Partial birth abortion – baby is delivered feet first, all except head; scissors are inserted into skull to create an opening; vacuum inserted to suck out brains and collapse skull
- Note: this method was banned in 2003 by Pres. Bush
References
1. Evangelical Ethics, Jefferson Davis, p. 143-144
2. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion-4260.htm
3. http://www.priestsforlife.org/partialbirth.html
