Abortion: Life Before Death
A Problem-Solution Essay
Written by Mari Weigel
A Problem-Solution Essay
Written by Mari Weigel
Abortion is continuing to be a serious problem in the United States, with an average of 3,700 abortions per day, but the death rate of these innocent, unborn babies can be decreased, or even eliminated, with the simple solutions of using contraceptives, adoption, or the very straightforward act of taking the responsibility (“Abortion Facts”). Every human being faces millions of ways to die just by getting out of bed in the morning. Each day, everyone alive walks right into the risk of cardiac arrest, choking, drowning, and accidents. Every living being struggles to survive through these death traps, and most often they do. These beings get the chance to live to see the next day. These death obstacles are usually avoided, but there is one obstacle of death that has never been avoided: abortion. A heartbeat at a center of a fetus is stopped, no matter the struggle it puts up. The fetus does not have the ability to avoid these obstacles, and is instead forced right into the death traps.
Many people do not understand why abortion is a problem, or why they should care. The truth is that abortion is murder. Abortion is the induced killing of a helpless, living fetus that has no choice in the matter. It is the intended termination of a pregnancy and expulsion of the embryo or fetus (Wooters). This is a choice made by pregnant women who want to terminate a pregnancy without giving birth to the child. A pregnant woman can now have an abortion done during any time of a pregnancy, up until the very day that the child is due to be brought into the world. All it takes is the simple task of visiting her local doctor, and discussing the procedures.
Abortions are done for many illegitimate reasons, making it very common for a pregnancy to end in abortion. It can be stated that about 25% of all pregnancies end in abortion because of the following reasons (Torr, 72). In the worst case, the child is a result of rape. In these cases, the woman does not want to bring the child into the world simply because it would be a reminder of the traumatic event she endured. Sometimes, it is medically necessary to have an abortion. There are often risks of little survival rates for the mother or the child. Usually in these cases, the only way to be sure that the mother will survive is through abortion. Often times, the mother does not feel prepared for a child (Kaplan). Other times it is a financial, educational, or occupational inconvenience (Kaplan). Also, a child is a result of two people, and sometimes a child is a major marital stress (Kaplan). Parents often want a child to have both parents present through the raising process, and relationships are not always stable enough for a child. Although some expecting mothers and fathers see the above reasons as a legitimate excuse to murder an unborn child, it does not excuse the over 46,000,000 legal abortions since the issue of Roe V. Wade in 1972 (Wooters).
Abortion occurs in two main forms: spontaneous and elective (Kittleson, 15). Spontaneous abortion is not by fault, and occurs in about 15-20% of all pregnancies (Kittleson, 15). Spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages, are often caused by developmental problems within the fetus or medical problems had by the mother (Kittleson, 15). Elective abortions are done by choice, and come in the form of medical abortions and in-clinic abortions. A medical abortion can be done up until 9 weeks of pregnancy (“Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy”). This type of abortion involves taking a pill. Two types of medicine are used for this. A medicine called Mifepristone breaks down the uterine lining, which removes the fetus or embryo from the uterine wall and a medicine called Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the uterine lining and the embryo or fetus (“Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy”). This process can take from a few hours to a few days to be complete.
There are many forms of in-clinic abortions, and the method of choice depends on the gestation time. Each and every form of an in-clinic abortion is immoral. Aspiration or Vacuum aspiration is performed on an outpatient basis (Wooters). This process can be performed up to a gestation time of 16 weeks, and it is the most common form of abortion (“Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy”). Anesthesia is given to the mother, her cervix is dilated, and a tube is inserted into the uterus. The, the fetus is sucked out of the uterus through the tube by a force of a vacuum. A curette is then used to remove any remaining tissue left on the uterine wall. The process of dilation and evacuation, or D&E, is also done on an outpatient basis (Wooters). This type of abortion can be performed from a gestation time of 16 weeks to a gestation time of 24 weeks (“Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy”). In this procedure, the cervix is dilated, and the fetus is torn apart piece by piece with a suction tube and forceps (Wooters). A Caesarian Section, or C-section, abortion is used during the third trimester of a pregnancy (Wooters). This is done much like a regular C-section delivery under local anesthesia, but the umbilical cord of the fetus is clamped off before delivery. The fetus is allowed to die and is then delivered dead.
Partial Birth abortions are one of the most controversial forms of abortion (Wooters).This form of abortion is done in the second and third trimester of a pregnancy. The cervix is dilated over a period of days. When the cervix is completely dilated, the baby is delivered feet first, and a small incision is made at the base of the skull on the back of the neck. A suction tube is inserted into the incision and the brain is suctioned out. This forces the skull to collapse. So not only does the child die of having his or her brain removed, he or she also dies of a skull collapse. After the death of the child, the head is delivered and the fetus is disposed of.
Third trimester abortions are very immoral! In this time, the fetus can feel pain, and he or she can even be aware of the fact that he or she is being killed. After the 24 week mark, some doctors suggest the use of anesthesia on the baby as well as the mother to prevent pain felt by the fetus. They see this as a means of lessening the immorality of the murder, but it does not lessen it enough.
Third trimester abortions are very immoral! In this time, the fetus can feel pain, and he or she can even be aware of the fact that he or she is being killed. After the 24 week mark, some doctors suggest the use of anesthesia on the baby as well as the mother to prevent pain felt by the fetus. They see this as a means of lessening the immorality of the murder, but it does not lessen it enough.
There are many reasons why abortion should be stopped. First of all, it is murder. It is also against the constitutional right to life. Also, abortion is harmful to the mother.
After an abortion, the women may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, also known as PID (Torr, 73).The link between abortion and PID is strong, and it is even stronger for women who have had two or more abortions. The problem of PID development occurs when a piece of tissue is left in the uterus unintentionally, and in infection develops, which turns into PID if not treated properly. Another issue after an abortion is post-abortion trauma (Kaplan). Many women feel regret for their choice of killing their unborn child. Because of this, the suicide rate for women who have abortions increases (Torr, 88). It has been proven that women who have abortions the prior year are six times more likely to commit suicide when compared to women giving birth, who typically suffers from post-partum depression (Torr, 88). Abortions are also very costly. On average, an apportion cost the mother about $350 (Frick, 96). Many couples cannot afford this amount of money, and they more often cannot come up with it on the spot. They usually require more time to accumulate the money, which results in a later abortion.
After an abortion, the women may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, also known as PID (Torr, 73).The link between abortion and PID is strong, and it is even stronger for women who have had two or more abortions. The problem of PID development occurs when a piece of tissue is left in the uterus unintentionally, and in infection develops, which turns into PID if not treated properly. Another issue after an abortion is post-abortion trauma (Kaplan). Many women feel regret for their choice of killing their unborn child. Because of this, the suicide rate for women who have abortions increases (Torr, 88). It has been proven that women who have abortions the prior year are six times more likely to commit suicide when compared to women giving birth, who typically suffers from post-partum depression (Torr, 88). Abortions are also very costly. On average, an apportion cost the mother about $350 (Frick, 96). Many couples cannot afford this amount of money, and they more often cannot come up with it on the spot. They usually require more time to accumulate the money, which results in a later abortion.
There are many people who believe abortion is a good option, despite its numerous negative sides. One argument spoken of revolves around reproductive rights, which is a controversial topic that is far from settled (Dudley, 19). Some women feel as if they can decide how many children they will have, which is true to an extent. They often say that it is their body and that the topic of abortion is a decision made by them. They say that it is their choice. What these women do not consider is the choice of the child. The child has its own body, and it should therefore have its own choice (Torr, 18). Another discussion that is brought about is the question of when life begins. Most liberals refuse to give any moral significance to a fetus or embryo (Borgmann). They feel as if the child is not a viable life until it is released from the womb. Conservatives say that life begins at conception (Borgmann). Honestly, how can life not be considered as starting at the time of conception? We often use the heartbeat to define life or death, and a fetus and an embryo has a heartbeat. We also use brain activity as the touchstone of life. It has been found that a third trimester baby has rapid brain activity, much like that seen in a newborn child (Torr, 36). If the newborn is considered a life, why would the fetus not?
Abortion is not a form of birth control, or pregnancy prevention. It is pregnancy termination. Abortion is used after a failed attempt to prevent pregnancy. Better access to forms of birth control will help reduce the unwanted pregnancy rate (Frick, 98). While it is known that abstinence is the only 100% effective way of preventing pregnancy, forms of birth control are effective. Research has shown that when using a form of birth control, the chance of a woman becoming pregnant is radically decreased when compared to a woman not using birth control (Frick, 119). There are three forms of birth control: medicinal, procedures, and sexual items. Medicinal forms involve a small dose of hormones taken in a small pill each day, which is sometimes used to regulate a menstrual cycle. The medicinal types of birth control come in the form of the pill, the patch, and the DEPO shot. These forms of birth control are readily available to females who are considered healthy enough. Procedures include tubal ligation and a vasectomy. These procedures involve local anesthesia, and they completely prevent the ovum and sperm from reaching a point to where it may join to produce a live embryo. Sexual items are the easiest to obtain and should be used all of the time. These items involve condoms, spermicidal, diaphragms, etc.. These items can be used by physically and sexually healthy individuals. These choices are very simple, and require little steps to completion. First, an individual must go to his or her doctor and speak of options. Together, they decide on what option is best. Finally, the doctor prescribes a prescription if needed or list further instructions to obtain the form of birth control. This specific solution has many advantages. It is easily available, it is often very effective at preventing pregnancy, and it teaches responsibility. A person must be aware of the form of birth control and how it works, they must know how to properly use it, and they must remember and be responsible enough to execute the form.
Another solution could be to parent the child. Many people who have abortions do not realize that sex is a responsibility. Many people just see it as an activity to enjoy, but that is not the case. Sexual intercourse is an activity that has a consequence if not done with a form of security. If a couple does not prevent, or the prevention fails, the resulting child is a consequence of the action. Those that partake in sexual activities must be willing to accept and embrace the consequence, and if they are not fully prepared, they should take extra precautions to prevent. Keeping and raising the child is a way to show that a couple has accepted the responsibility. This solution allows for a family to begin. Keeping the child allows the parents to watch the child grow and prosper, which will instill a feeling of accomplishment in the parents. With this solution, there is no regret from an abortion. They parent feels no remorse for the loss of a life.
A final solution is adoption. Adoption is the process in which a birth mother goes completely through the pregnancy, gives birth to the child, and places the baby with another family for raising. There are three types of adoption: closed adoption, open adoption, and semi-open adoption. A closed adoption keeps the identities of the biological and adoptive parents a secret, and neither set of parents are allowed to choose the other (“Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy”). All transactions between the two sets of parents are done by means of an attorney or adoption agency. After the adoption process, the biological parents have no contact with the child or the adoptive family. In an open adoption, the birth parents are allowed to screen sets of parents and decide which set is most suitable for their child (“Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy”). The two sets of parents are allowed to met and exchange information. The birth parents can even receive letters and picture updates from the adoptive family, as well as write a letter to the child itself, but the adoptive parents retain legal and custodial responsibility of the child. A semi-open adoption is exactly what it sounds. In a semi-open adoption, only certain amounts of information about the sets of parents are disclosed to the other (“Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy”). After the adoption process, the two families can communicate, but only through means of an attorney or adoption agency. The biological parents can even receive pictures if the matter is decided on beforehand. Adoption is a good choice because the life of the child is not forgotten, and the child is given a fair chance. Also, those that cannot have children are given the opportunity to raise a child.
Doctors and nurses struggle daily with babies in the Neonatal intensive Care Unit (NICU) every day to keep the premature or unstable babies alive. Others are delivered in bed pans and covered with drapes (Torr, 129). The rate of death for these guiltless beings can be decreased, or possibly eradicated, by the simple means of contraceptives, adoption, or taking responsibility for the actions. The problem or abortion in the Unites States is not stopping, with an average of 3,700 abortions per day (“Abortion Facts”). It can be noted that a few of the steps to stop abortion have already been made. For instance, the number of women in the United States who support legal abortions is declining (Torr, 63). In 2001, 14% of women agreed that abortion should not be permitted. Two years later, in 2003, 17% of women answered the same to that exact question. Similarly, 34% of women in 2001 and 30% in 2003 stated that abortion should be available. If abortion is stopped, a large number of families will be completed and millions of lives will be saved.
Works Cited
"Abortion Facts." AbortionNO.org. Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. Web. 25 Sept. 2010. <http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html>.
"Abortion, Adoption, and Pregnancy." Marshall.edu. Marshall University. Web. 27 Sept. 2010. <http://www.marshall.edu/wcenter/?page_id=508>.
Borgmann, Caitlin E. "The meaning of 'life': belief and reason in the abortion debate." Columbia Journal of Gender and Law 18.2 (2009): 551+. General OneFile. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
Dudley, William. Reproductive Rights. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2006. Print.
Frick, Lisa. Teen Pregnancy and Parenting. Detroit: Greenhaven/Thomson Gale, 2007. Print.
Kaplan, Arline. "'Abortion trauma syndrome'." Psychiatric Times 26.9 (2009): 1. General OneFile. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
Kittleson, Mark J., William Kane, Richelle Rennegarbe, and Elissa Howard-Barr. The Truth About Sexual Behavior and Unplanned Pregnancy. New York: Facts On File, 2005. Print.
Torr, James D. Abortion: Opposing Viewpoints. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven, 2006. Print.
Wooters. "Ethical Issues in Biology: Abortion." ITech.PJC.edu. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:IxdRiL79dy8J:itech.pjc.edu/jwooters/eth_issue/Abortion.rtf+%22Ethical+Issues+in+Biology:+Abortion%22&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us>.