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Abortion
Abortion is ending pregnancy by choice(either medically or surgically), as opposed to a miscarriage, when your body naturally terminates a pregnancy.
Abortion?
Some women who have abortions feel relieved once it's over: other women have major regrets.
*Almost half of all pregnancies are unwanted, and half of those end in abortion.
*Approximately 20% of Americans getting abortions are teenagers.
*Abortion is a medical procedure that must be performed by a qualified, trained, doctor in a clean, clinical setting.
*Doctors and organizations such as Planned Parenthood can provide clinic referrals.
*Although rushing to make a decision about abortion is a bad idea, there is a time factor involved.
*Abortions performed in the first trimester of pregnancy(the first three months) are safer, easier, cheaper, and less controversial than those occuring later in the pregnancy.
*It is harder find doctors who perform second-trimester abortions(three to six months into the pregnancy) because the procedure is a lot more complicated.
*Many doctors won't do 3rd-trimester abortions at all(six-nine mnths along).
*20 states have banned 3rd-trimester abortions except for when the mother's health is in danger.
*Mifepristone, AKA the abortion pill, is increasingly avaliable in the US and has been approved by the FDA as being safe and effective.
*The use of RU-486 in France has decreases surgical abortion there by one third.
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ABORTION?
*You may have heard abortion being discussed in class, at homer, or even from you friends. You may have even had your own heated discussions about the topic, but how much do you REALLY know about abortion? FIND OUT HERE.
Human Developement
Day 1
Ferilization: All human chromosomes are presnt; unique human life begins
Day 6
Embryo beings implantation in the uterus
Day 22
Heart begins to beat with the child's own blood, often a different type than the mothers'
Week 3
By the end of the 3rd week the child's backbone spinal column and nervous systen are forming. The liver, kidneys, and intestines begin to take shape.
Week 4
By the end of week four the child is ten thousand times larger than the fertilized egg.
Week 5
Eyes, legs, and hands begin to develop.
Week 6
Brain waves are detecable; mouth and lips are present; fingernails are forming.
Week 7
Eyelids, and toes form, nose distinct. The baby is kicking and swimming.
Week 8
Every organ is in place, bones begin to replace cartilage, and fingerprints begin to form. By the 8th week the baby can begin to hear.
Week 9 & 10
Teeth begin to form, fingernails develop. The baby can turn his head, and frown. The baby can hiccup.
Weeks 10 & 11
The baby can "breathe" amniotic fluid and urniate. Week 11 the baby can grasp objects placed in its hand; all organ systems are functioning. The baby has a skeletal structure, nerves, and circulation.
Week 12
The baby has all of the parts necessary to experience pain, including nerves, spinal cord, and thalamus. Vocal chords are complete. The baby can suck its thumb.
Week 14
At this age, the heart pumps several quarts of blood through the body every day.
Week 15
The baby has an adult's taste buds.
Month 4
Bone marrow is now beginning to form. The heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood a day. By the end of month 4 the baby will be 8-10 inches in length and will weigh up to 1/2 a pound.
Week 17
The baby can have dream (REM) sleep.
Week 19
Babies can routinely be saved at 21 to 22 weeks after fertilization, and sometimes they can be saved even younger.
Week 20
The earliest stage at which Partial birth abortions are performed. At 20 weeks the baby recognizes its' mothers voice.
Months 5 & 6
The baby practices bretahing by inhaling amniotic fluid into its developing lungs. The baby will grasp at the umbilical cord when it feels it. Most mothers feel an increase in movement, kicking, and hiccups from the baby. Oil and sweat glands are now functioning. The baby is now 12 inches long or more, and weighs up to 1 1/2 pounds.
Months 7 through 9
Eyeteeth are present. The baby opens and closes his/her eyes. The baby is using four of the five senses (vision, hearing, taste, and touch) He/she knows the difference between waking and sleeping, and can relate to the moods of the mother. The baby's skin begins to thicken, and a layer of fat is produced and stored beneath the skin. Antibodies are built up, and the baby's heart begins to pump 300 gallons of blood per day. Appox. one week before the birth of the baby stops growing, and "drops" usually head down into the pelvic cavity.
NEED HELP?
**Pregnancy Hotlines**
Pregnancy Hotline:
1-800-4-OPTIONS (1-800-467-8466)
National Pregnancy Hotline:
1-800-356-5761
Pregnant & Young Hotline:
1-800-550-4900
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