Abortion in America

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Each year millions of babies are conceived, unfortunately only about three fourths of them are actually born. Some of these babies die of natural causes; others are killed before they get the chance to experience their first breath. Abortion is fast becoming a quick fix to a rather large responsibility, especially among teenage women. Having sex is a huge responsibility, and if you aren't ready to handle the consequences then having sex is not for you and abortion is not the answer if you do get pregnant.

Abortion can be described as a surgical abortion that is performed between 6 and 12 weeks into a pregnancy may be done while the woman is awake. She is given the option of being sedated by medications or having her cervix numbed (local anesthesia) with an injection so that she is basically pain-free. A surgical abortion for a pregnancy over 12 weeks is usually done while the woman is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia). The cervical canal is enlarged (dilated) and a hollow tube is inserted into the uterus. A vacuum (suction) machine is used to remove the tissues (fetus and placenta) from the uterus. Medicines such as oxytocin are given to cause the uterus muscles to contract and reduce bleeding. (http://health.yahoo.com/health/diseases_and_conditions/disease_feed_data/abortion/print.html)

Whether to abort or not is always the womans choice. In 1973 the Supreme Court made a decision on state abortion laws. The law basically stated that if an abortion was to take place it must be performed by a competent, licensed physician, under sage, clinical conditions, and there must be good reason behind the decision.(Baird pg 13) An example of a situation involving abortion is: In December 1977, an 18-year-old woman was faced with the choice of life or death. It began when she met a boy at a hometown IGA grocery store. He was a sacker and she was the checker. A typical small town romance and for both of them -- it was love at first sight.(Minnick pg 1) Little did either of these two know that one day they will be faced with the tough decision of abortion. Views on abortion are very controversial, in the book and the article that I used for this report, the arguements and different beliefs are endless.

Most surgical abortions done in appropriate medical facilities recover physically without complications. Significant emotional and psychological issues should be considered and addressed before and after a chosen abortion.

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