2. LE 1360 Signature Project

3.  Abortion is defined as an operation to end pregnancy by removing an embryo or fetus from the womb  Abortion is defined as an operation to end pregnancy by removing an embryo or fetus from the womb. ◦ Reasons given for Abortion  Having a baby would interfere with work, school or other responsibilities  Can’t afford a child $  Don’t want to be a single parent/having problems with partner  Only 12% of abortions are due to medical problems  Less than 1% are because of incest or rape

4.  1.2 million women in the U.S in 2008 ◦ 85% unmarried women ◦ Black women 4.8 times more likely than non- Hispanic White women ◦ Hispanic women are 2.7 times more likely ◦ Women on Medicaid 3 times more likely At current rates 1/3 of American women will have an abortion.

5.  The government reports 32.3 % of abortions were performed in the first trimester  67.7% are performed after 12 weeks of pregnancy.  Roe vs. wade ruled it legal to abort a child up to 28 weeks until “viability”

6.  late term abortion is defined as a post- viability abortion.  What is viability? ◦ According to medical professionals it is 21 to 22 weeks after fertilization, the lungs gain some ability to breathe air. This is considered the age of viability because survival outside the womb becomes possible for some fetuses.

7.  Roe vs. wade states up to 28 weeks  Medical professionals say 21 to 22 weeks  7 week discrepancy in protecting the unborn VIABLE baby  When can a person or government deem it necessary to kill a baby… that by medical standards has the ability to breathe on their own?  Babies born at this age can survive and medical technology continues to get better making it possible for even the tiniest babies to live.

8.  Due to medical complications during my first pregnancy with twins at 19 weeks I was forced to choose.. ◦ I was told myself and my two babies could have fatal consequences if I did not abort both babies. I chose life and even though my daughter was still- born at nineteen weeks, I had surgery and remained pregnant until 27 weeks. I week with my son.

9.  Survival rates of micro-preemies depend on gestational age: ◦ 22 weeks gestation: About 10% of infants survive ◦ 23 weeks gestation: About 1/2 of infants survive ◦ 24 weeks gestation: About 2/3 of infants survive ◦ 25 weeks gestation: About 3/4 of infants survive ◦ My baby girl born at 25 weeks  Heart surgery  Eyes fused  Ventilator  Feeding tube  108 days in hospital PERFECT NOW DESPITE BEING A MICRO PREEMIE

10.  Abortions should be reserved in the rare cases of incest, rape, or when the mother’s life is at risk.  Late-term abortion should NEVER be an option these are babies that can live outside the womb and is murder.