Abortion: Pro Choice - Essay

Abortion, the termination of pregnancy before the fetus is capable of independent life, has been practiced since ancient times. With records dating to 1550 BC, it’s no question that abortion techniques have been used throughout the ages as an effective form of birth control. Pregnancies were terminated through a number of methods, including the use of herbs, sharpened instruments, the application of abdominal pressure, and other techniques. In the 19th century, the English Parliament and the American state legislatures prohibited induced abortion to protect women from surgical procedures that were deemed unsafe. However, in 1973, abortion was legalized as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court rule in Roe v. Wade. This ruling made it possible for women to safely have an abortion, no matter the reason behind it. I wholeheartedly believe that the banning of abortions should not be considered because of the possibility that the woman’s physical health is at risk, the case of rape or incest, or the child would be born with a severe disability. In the case of a pregnancy where the woman is facing physical complications, an abortion should be available if needed. Some examples of physical complications include placenta previa (the placenta is attached close to or covering the cervix), ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg becomes embedded outside the womb), and pre-eclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension). These life-threatening situations would pose a serious hazard to the mother if the child is carried full term, which means the mother’s life could be spared if an abortion is performed. According to the Guttmacher Institute, fourteen thousand abortions per year are due to rape or incest. If a woman is raped, she should have the right to terminate her pregnancy. In some cases, the baby can not be cared for due to lack of finances, the mother is not mature enough to care for it, or the baby would be born into potentially harmful situations. Oftentimes, the child is