CRUEL AND USUAL PUNISHMENT | a look into abortion procedures

59 million+ ABORTIONS SINCE 1973

Our lives begin, of course, long before birth.

00 04 08 10 FIRST TRIMESTER CONCEPTION 4 WEEKS 8 WEEKS 10 WEEKS week 0 – week 10 Sperm fertilizes egg. New life implants in lining of uterus. CONCEPTION 00 Heart started beating at 3 weeks. Brain and spinal cord begin to form. 4 WEEKS 04 08 Fingers have grown and separated, toes are now visible. Facial features continue to develop. 8 WEEKS 10 Fingernails begin to form. Kidneys produce urine. 10 WEEKS ©Life Issues Institute

first trimester procedures

SUCTION CURETTAGE (vacuum aspiration) Procedure & Complications 1 4 Tool is used to remove placenta, blood, and remaining tissue Cervix dilated 2 Knife-like suction tube inserted into uterus COMPLICATIONS 3 Vacuum dismembers and sucks unborn child out of womb • Infection • Uterine hemorrhaging

DILATION & CURETTAGE (D&C) Procedure & Complications 1 4 Unborn child is cut to pieces and removed from womb Cervix dilated 2 Steel loop-shaped knife inserted into uterus COMPLICATIONS 3 • Infection • Extensive bleeding • Uterine perforation Wall of uterus is scraped

RU-486 (abortion pill) 1 4 2 3 Procedure & Complications COMPLICATIONS Woman orally ingests Mifepristone Dead baby is delivered 2 Unborn baby dies while uterine lining disintegrates COMPLICATIONS 3 Woman orally ingests Misoprostol • Heavy bleeding • Cramping • Nausea • Vomiting • Long-term effects unknown

14 16 20 24 SECOND TRIMESTER 14 WEEKS 16 WEEKS 20 WEEKS 24 WEEKS week 11 – week 25 Mouth makes sucking motions. Hair pattern on head develops. 14 WEEKS 14 Movement may be felt by mother. Unborn child can suck her thumb. 16 WEEKS 16 20 Experts say she can feel pain. Can turn body side to side and front to back. 20 WEEKS 24 Outside sounds can be heard. Hiccupping, smiling, frowning seen through ultrasound. 24 WEEKS ©Life Issues Institute

26 30 32 36 THIRD TRIMESTER 26 WEEKS 30 WEEKS 32 WEEKS 36 WEEKS week 26 – birth Sleep patterns exist. Eyelids reopen. Muscles exercise by kicking and stretching. 26 WEEKS 26 Mom’s voice may be recognized. Bones are fully developed but still soft and pliable. 30 WEEKS 30 32 Pupils can dilate and constrict. Connections between the nerve cells in the brain increased. 32 WEEKS 36 Body fat increasing rapidly. Head may soon start repositioning down in preparation for birth. 36 WEEKS ©Life Issues Institute

second/third trimester procedures

SALINE ABORTION (saline amniocentesis, salt poisoning) Procedure & Complications 1 4 Needle of concentrated salt solution inserted into amniotic sac Woman delivers a dead, shriveled baby 2 Unborn baby breathes in salt and is poisoned COMPLICATIONS 3 • Intravascular coagulation (DIC) • Seizures • Coma • Death Unborn baby dies within one hour

DILATION & EVACUATION (D&E) Procedure & Complications 1 4 Cervix dilated and forceps inserted into womb Body parts are reassembled to be sure no pieces are left behind 2 Unborn child is dismembered part by part (legs, arms, etc.) COMPLICATIONS 3 Skull is often crushed to remove the head • Bleeding • Infection • Uterine, bladder or bowel perforation

PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION (D&X) Procedure & Complications 1 4 Scissors are forced into skull and contents suctioned out through resulting hole. Cervix is anesthetized and dilated for two days 2 COMPLICATIONS Sonogram is used to find unborn child’s leg • Pain and infection • Incompetent cervix • Hemorrhaging • Uterine perforation and rupture • Amniotic fluid embolus • Trauma to uterus • Severe bleeding • Shock 3 Unborn child is pulled through birth canal, delivering all but the baby’s head.

SPECIALIZED ABORTION PROCEDURE Multiple embryos are placed in a woman’s womb in attempt to become pregnant. In-vitro fertilization Women who are pregnant with more than two children can elect for fetal reduction. Multiple pregnancy FETAL REDUCTION • Needle is inserted into heart of unborn child • Child injected with potassium chloride • The unborn child dies The procedure

©Life Issues Institute She can hear your voice and feel pain…yet she is still considered a “choice.”

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