Abortion: Making Decision About Your Pregnancy

What Is Abortion:
When making a decision about your pregnancy, it is important to have reliable abortion facts. An abortion is a procedure where a woman chooses to end her pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy is a significant concern that affects thousands of people each year. More than half of the 6 million pregnancies occurring each year in the United States are unplanned. According to a study published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, about 50% of the women faced with these unplanned pregnancies were actually using contraception during the month that they conceived. Abortion is one of the most common medical procedures performed in the United States as approximately 1.3 million abortions performed each year. Data indicates that more than 40% of all women will end a pregnancy by abortion at some time in their reproductive lives.

HISTORY:

The history background of abortion goes back to the 1800's when laws forbid the act after 16 weeks of conception. By the early 1900's the act was completely outlawed but even at that, women were still having abortions. Back then the procedure was very unsafe but even with the risks involved there were those who still sought after unscrupulous physicians who would do the procedure. So when did abortion become legal? The procedure became legal in 1973 through a well known Supreme Court case. This ruling took precedence over state laws that banned abortion. However, there were restrictions in the legislation for later stage abortions.

God knows little ones in the womb before they are born. He told Jeremiah the prophet, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou came forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Although the answer to the question, when did abortion become legal has been widely publicized there has not been as much said about the risks associated with the procedure for those who choose that path. Some of the risks are infection, hemorrhage, cancer, cervical and uterus complications, nervous disorders, sleep problems, suicide, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Those who make the decision to have the procedure are at a higher risk for divorce and relationship problems.

STATISTICS:

In 2000 (until now), an estimated 78,900 women were hospitalized for post-abortion care, 473,400 women had abortions and the abortion rate was 27 per 1,000 women aged 15–44 per year. The national abortion rate changed little between 1994 and 2000; however, large increases occurred in metropolitan Manila (from 41 to 52) and Visayas (from 11 to 17). The proportions of unplanned births and unintended pregnancies increased substantially in Manila, and the use of traditional contraceptive methods increased in Manila and Visayas.

Abortion Practices

There are a number of methods used to expel a human fetus from the womb of the mother.

Folk Medicine

Hilots (midwives) are usually rural or small-town individuals who come from a long line of local chiropractors. Hilots have basic knowledge of Filipino herbology, just like the albularyos (herb doctors), and use various pre-natal and post-natal techniques such as suob. Traditionally, infants who were delivered by a hilot usually undergo pagbubuhos (a pre-baptism ritual) wherein the midwife immerses the baby in water.
Although a hilot is required to register herself annually at the local municipal hall, this is not strictly enforced. This is because anyone can help deliver a baby as long as they have the knowledge of postpartum care and massage.
Another source of folk abortifacients are the vendors of abortion drugs made from herbs, such as those sold in the vicinity of Quiapo Church.

Surgery

Abortion surgeries are uncommon in the Philippines due to the public's view of morality. However, many hospitals and medical centers can perform post-abortion care for mothers with very few complications.

Modern Medicine

Abortion drugs such as Methotrexate, Mifeprex (or RU486) and Mifepristone (morning-after pills) are also used as an alternative to folk medicine. This is because many women believe that other drugs are unsafe to ingest. However, since these pills are only available under prescription, it is illegal for pharmacists to distribute the drug without the permission of the mother's physician. This method is usually used by women whose lives are endangered by pregnancy.
ADVANTAGES:

-Prevents an unwanted child from being born; from a woman having a child who cannot care for a child financially, physically, emotionally. Ultimately it is the child who suffers in situations when they are brought into the world to an unstable situation.

-Teen pregnancy is at a very high rate. This leads to teens not finishing school not getting an education and usually ending up in lower class, which at times is a cycle that continues thru generations.

-Abortion can help the girl have a second chance at life and postpone child bearing to when the time is adequate.

-Controlling the overwhelmingly growing population.

DISADVANTAGES:

-Termination of a life.
-Depression
-Guilt
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