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The Facts about Abortion

"Then people brought little children to him, for him to lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples scolded them, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them from coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of Heaven belongs.' Then he laid his hands on them and went on his way." Matthew 21:13-15

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How Abortion are Performed	A Child's Development
Physical, Psychological and Spiritual Suffering from Abortion	What They Won't Tell you at the Abortion Clinic
Immediate Risk after Abortion	Birth Control Pills and IUD's Kill Babies
Statistics	The Truth about Planned Parenthood

Post Abortion Assistance and Abortion Prevention
Project Rachel- Catholic Outreach for Women & Men after an abortion
Silent No More Awareness-Public awareness of the devastation abortion brings to parents
Virtue Media-Advertising and communications outreach support for local, national, and international pro-life organizations
Life Decisions International- Exposing the radical agenda of Planned Parenthood

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS AND IUDs KILL BABIES

Many women take birth control pills or use Intra Uterine Device s to avoid pregnancy. But most people are completely unaware of how these drugs and devices actually work. The pill, and birth control pill, are likely to permit pregnancy to begin, but then kill the tiny new human being. One of the mechanisms of action is "prevent nidation," which means that fertilization takes place, and normal human development begins, but the baby can't get attached to the side of the womb, can't "implant." Deprived of nutrition, the baby starves and is flushed out of the womb during the next menstrual period. The mother has no way of knowing about the silent tragedy that unfolds in her womb.

The babies who cannot implant die about seven to nine days after conception.

The IUD is an experimental device that has almost been driven off the American market by the lawsuits filed by women damaged by IUDs, or by the relatives of women killed by them. To this day, many family planning "experts" insist that the IUD is off the market for financial reasons, not for health reasons. But the financial problem was lawsuits arising from health catastrophes.

No one knows clearly how the IUD works, but like the pill, one way it works is to prevent implantation, to starve a tiny baby before the mother even knows she is pregnant. For a full report on Abortion and the Birth Control Pill, Click Here for "Birth Control Pill kills babies"

WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU AT THE ABORTION CLINIC

This is a tough decision you have to make, but please be mature. Only an immature person thinks of herself alone. This article was written by neither a militant, pro-life male, nor a 50-year-old grandmother who has never been faced with a problem pregnancy. It was written by a woman who was eighteen and pregnant once. A woman who was scared, like you are, and chose abortion. After nine years I know what the right choice was, and is, and I just want you to know ---

What They Didn't Tell Me ...

They Won't Tell You . . .

1. Abortion is not safe.

Contrary to the belief that abortion is as simple as removing a wart, it is actually a very serious procedure that can have very serious results. The clinic personnel will lead you to believe that complications rarely arise, but that is not the case. Many women have been damaged for life as a result of their legal abortion.

Your cervical muscle may be damaged in an abortion because the cervix is forcefully dilated. This means that your future pregnancies have a greater chance of resulting in miscarriage or premature delivery. Damage to the uterine wall is another concern. Perforation (puncturing) of the uterus, infection, hemorrhage, and blood clots are only a few of the complications that you could end up with. I you do have a "successful" abortion, scar tissue may still form which can cause sterilization, miscarriages and tubal pregnancies.¹ approximately two out of 10 women who abort their first pregnancy will never be able to have children again. Do you want to take that kind of risk?

They Won't Tell You . . .

2. Abortion leaves emotional scars.

Most often a woman will feel the consequences of her decision within days of her abortion. If they don't appear immediately, they will appear as she gets older. Emotional scars include unexplained depression, a loss of the ability to get close to others, repressed emotions, a hardening of the spirit, thwarted maternal instincts (which may lead to child abuse or neglect later in life), intense feelings of guilt and thoughts of suicide.² Don't be fooled --- every abortion leaves emotional scars.

They Won't Tell You . . .

3. Abortion kills a baby.

Before you even know you're pregnant, your baby's heart begins to beat. At six weeks brain waves are measurable and your baby moves and responds to touch. At eight weeks she is perfectly developed, with fingers and toes, even her own set of fingerprints. By ten weeks she can squint, swallow and suck her thumb. If you tickled her nose she would move her head away. By eleven to 12 weeks all body systems are present and working.³ All she needs to become a healthy newborn is time and nourishment. Nothing new develops after 12 weeks! What would you name her? Rebecca? Stephanie?

They Won't Tell You . . .

4. Abortion is violent.

The most common method of abortion used in early pregnancy is suction aspiration. The cervix is forced open. A vacuum device 29 times more powerful than a home vacuum cleaner is used to suction out the "contents of the uterus."⁴

A D & E is performed after 16 weeks. As in the suction method, your baby is torn to pieces, but this time the abortionist uses a special instrument to tear the arms and legs from the body. He punctures her soft spot, suctions out the brain and crushed the skull, then removes the remaining body parts.

Another method done after 16 weeks is the saline abortion. A salt solution is injected into the baby's bag of waters. It poisons the baby and burns off her outer layer of skin. She actually convulses in pain for the hour or so that it takes for the solution to do its deadly job. The mother then goes into labor and gives birth to a dead baby.⁵

A hysterotomy (last trimester) is done by making an incision in the mother's abdomen. The unwanted child is lifted out and left to die.

They Won't Tell You . . .

5. Abortion exploits women.

The counselors at an abortion clinic will use obscure terms such as "product of conception," "contents of the uterus," and "fetal tissue" to refer to your baby. They will rarely advise you to carry your baby to term because they are operating for profit and they don't want to lose your business. Essentially, they are making money off of your problem! The abortionist can make more money by doing abortions than a regular physician can through caring for a woman through a 9-month pregnancy.

They Won't Tell You . . .

6. There are alternative to abortion.

There are many organizations that can offer you practical support such as maternity and baby clothes, a place to live, pre-natal care, and financial aid. Counseling is also available to help you through this traumatic time.

Please think carefully about your future. The decision you make in the next few weeks will affect you for the rest of your life. If you're unsure about having an abortion, take just one more day to think about it -- don't let anyone pressure you into a decision you're not ready to make yet.

Please call us -- we want to help... And we'll give you the truth.

This tract was written by a PEACE of Minnesota member who experienced abortion personally.

1 Questions & Answers on Abortion, Minnesotat Citizens Concerned For Life. 2 "Before you Make the Decision ..."Women Exploited by Abortion. 3 "Handbook on Abortion". Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Wilke. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid

PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL SUFFERING FROM ABORTION

Physical Suffering From Abortion

Psychological Suffering From Abortion

- Sterility

- Miscarriages

- Ectopic pregnancies

- Stillbirths

- Menstrual disturbances

- Infections

- Perforated uterus

- Peritonitus

- Passing blood clots

- Fever / cold sweats

- Intense pain

- Loss of other organs

- Crying/sighing

- Loss of appetite

- Weight loss

- Exhaustion

- Constant swallowing

- Nervousness

- Decreased work capacity

- Gastro-intestinal disturbances

- Frigidity

- Suicidal impulses

- Sense of loss

- Unfulfillment

- Regret and remorse

- Withdrawal

- Loss of confidence in decision-making capability

- Lower self-esteem

- Self-destructive behavior

- Anger / rage

- Preoccupation with "would-be" due date or birth month

- Intense interest in babies

- Inability to forgive self

- Feeling of dehumanization

- Nightmares

- Seizures / tremors

- Feelings of being exploited

- Child abuse

Spiritual Suffering from Abortion

Spiritual suffering is always among women who have had abortions, whether they know it or not. Many women simply become depressed, but at the same time they try to live up to the "Modern Woman" concept and try to say that she is okay with her decision, and that it is her right to kill her baby and the decision was correct "choice". Yet, the simple truth is that it is not normal for a woman to kill her child and every mother knows that, and even as the mother is about to have her child killed, she knows the sin she is about to commit, regardless of what religion, because God's natural law is written on her heart.

One of the major effects of having an abortion is guilt. The mother who has aborted her child will at times feel intense guilt for destroying her child's life. In the Bible, God gave mankind the Fifth Commandment: Thou shalt not kill. Whenever anyone breaks a commandment their soul will react and they will feel guilt and sorrow for the evil they have done. The Catholic Church teaches that if a woman has an abortion she has committed a mortal sin. Any mortal sin separates us from God and the penalty for mortal sin is hell. This is murder! Do not fall for the trap; when people try to sell you the point that the baby is not a baby until a certain time in the pregnancy. This lie is ridiculous to believe and against all logical thinking. The choice ended when the father and mother decided to have sex or the moment of conception. After that choice has been made, there is no going back. The child must be be looked at as a gift. America loves to tell you that a child will not be happy unless the child is brought up with a video game, brand names and a television in his room. This is simply false and the materialism of the modern world can only bring false happiness. A child can bring the best of someone out, only selfishness and the devil are behind rationalizing the killing of babies.

GOD'S TRUTH ABOUT ABORTION

In the Bible, Exodus 20:13, God gave mankind the Commandment, 'YOU SHALL NOT KILL'. This means that we are not kill the unborn child, the baby that is already born, the young child, the teenager, the middle- aged and the elderly. We are not to kill anyone. In the Bible, life is considered to be sacred from the moment of conception up through a person's physical death and beyond into eternal life in Heaven. The Greek word for baby as recorded in the Bible is brephos. In Luke 1:44, the word brephos is used to denote the unborn baby, "As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." In Luke 2:12, 16, this same Greek word is used to denote the baby Jesus after His birth. In Luke 18:15 the Greek word brephos is used to denote an infant or small child. In 2 Timothy 3:15 the Greek word brephos denotes a child. In all these passages we see that the Bible makes no distinction between born and unborn children. The unborn child is looked at as being just as human and special as the child that is already born.

Scripture tells us that God creates the baby, forms the baby in the mother's womb and tenderly watches over the baby while the baby is maturing. In Psalm 139:13-16, the Bible says, "You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there-you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book before any of them ever began".

In Genesis 9:1-6, the Bible says, "Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth...I will demand an account of every man's life from his fellow man...for in the image of God man was made." God is going to hold all of us responsible for how we treat the unborn child. Clearly from the above verses and many others GOD VIEWS ABORTION AS BEING AN ACT OF MURDER---A DIRECT VIOLATION OF HIS COMMANDMENT.

FROM THE CATHOLIC CATECHISM

The following excerpt was taken from The Catholic Catechism by John A. Hardon, S.J., Copyright (c) 1975 , used by permission of Doubleday, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.:

"The Moral Issue".

On the level of morality, Roman Catholicism has always held that the direct attack on an unborn fetus, at any time after conception, is a grave sin. The history of this teaching has been consistent and continuous, beginning with the earliest times and up to the present.

The Church's teaching on abortion is just that; it is doctrine the Church proclaims on the prior assumption that the magisterium is empowered by Christ to proscribe and prescribe in any area of human conduct that touches on the commandments of God, whether derived from nature or from supernatural revelation. Arguments may be given and reasons offered to support the Church's teaching; but the ultimate "reason" why Catholics obey this teaching is the authority given the Church to command obedience in Christ's name. If this seems like "arguments made by an external judge," the Catholic faithful will answer, "We must put aside all judgment of our own, and keep the mind ever ready and prompt to obey in all things the true spouse of Christ our Lord, our holy Mother, the hierarchical Church."

IMMEDIATE RISKS OF ABORTION

Induced abortion carries a risk of several side effects. These risks include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most abortions, no serious complications occur. However, the risk of complications is about 1 out of every 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Such complications may include:

	Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, there is a risk of hemorrhage, especially if the uterine artery is torn. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.
	Infection - There is a risk that bacteria may get into the uterus from an incomplete abortion resulting in infection. A serious infection may lead to persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.
	Incomplete Abortion - There is a risk that some fetal parts may not be removed by the abortion. Bleeding and infection may occur. RU486 may fail in up to 1 out of every 20 cases.
	Allergic Reaction to Drugs - There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used during abortion surgery. These risks include convulsions, heart attack and, in extreme cases, death.
	Tearing of the Cervix - There is a risk that the cervix may be cut or torn by abortion instruments.
	Scarring of the Uterine Lining - There is a risk that suction tubing, curettes, and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining.
	Perforation of the Uterus - There is a risk that the uterus may be punctured or torn by abortion instruments. The risk of this complication increases with the length of the pregnancy. If this occurs, major surgery, including a hysterectomy, may be required.
	Damage to Internal Organs - When the uterus is punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage will occur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.
	Death - In extreme cases, there is a risk of other physical complications from abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated uterus, and adverse reactions to anesthesia may lead to death. This complication is very rare and occurs, on average, in less than 20 cases per year.

What Are Some of the Other Risks of Abortion?

Abortion may increase the risk of Breast Cancer

Medical experts are still researching and debating the linkage between abortion and breast cancer. However, a 1994 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found: "Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women."

Here are other important facts:

Carrying a pregnancy to full term gives protection against breast cancer that does not occur if the pregnancy is aborted.
Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells more susceptible to cancer.
Most studies conducted so far show a significant link between abortion and breast cancer.

Abortion May Effect Risk Levels in Future Pregnancies

Scarring or other injury during an abortion may prevent or place at risk future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy.

HOW ABORTIONS ARE PERFORMED:
ABORTION INFORMATION

Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For many women, it is a life changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Most women who struggle with past abortions say that they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion and its risks. The following information will help you understand more about abortion procedures and the risks associated with abortion.

Morning After Pill (MAP): within 72 hours of sexual intercourse

Also known as "Emergency Contraception," this procedure consists of a pregnancy test and two doses of pills. The woman first must take a pregnancy test and receive a negative test result before taking the pills. If a negative test result occurs from the pregnancy test, then the woman is instructed to take the first dose of the Morning After Pill. Note: a negative result indicates that the woman is probably not pregnant from intercourse during her previous monthly cycle, but it will not show whether or not she just became pregnant (from intercourse the "night before"). She is instructed to take this first dose as soon as possible, but not more than 72 hours after intercourse. The woman takes a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. If conception already occurred within the 72 hour time frame (that is the "night before"), the life is expelled. This is an early abortion.

RU486, Mifepristone: within 4 to 7 weeks after LMP

Also known as the Abortion Pill, this medical abortion is used for women who are within 28 to 49 days after their last menstrual period. This procedure usually requires three office visits. The RU 486 or mifepristone pills are given to the woman who returns two days later for a second medication called misoprostol. The combination of these medications causes the uterus to expel the fetus.

Early Vacuum Aspiration: within 7 weeks after LMP

This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period. The cervical muscle is stretched with dilators (metal rods) until the opening is wide enough to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. A hand held syringe is attached to tubing that is inserted into the uterus and the fetus is suctioned out.

Suction Curettage: within 6 to 14 weeks after LMP

In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and inserted several hours before the procedure). The doctor inserts tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus. One variation of this procedure is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). In this method, the doctor may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to scrape the fetal parts out of the uterus.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): within 13 to 24 weeks after LMP

This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal.

Dilation and Extraction or Partial Birth Abortion (D&X): from 20 weeks after LMP to full-term

Also known as Partial-birth Abortion, this procedure takes three days. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. After labor begins, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the baby's legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby's head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.

A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT

Embryonic Period

The embryonic period refers to the early stages of human development, from fertilization to the end of eight weeks' (56 days') gestation. It is during the embryonic period that all major systems and structures develop.¹

In weeks 4 to 8, tissue and organs develop rapidly and exposure of the embryo during this time to certain drugs and viruses may cause major congenital anomalies. By the end of the eighth week, all major organs are in place, and the heart and circulation are functioning.

Fertilization†

Approx. 1 week^††

Approx. 4 weeks^††

6 weeks^††

7 weeks^†††

7 weeks^†††

8 weeks^†††

8 weeks^†††

First days: Human development begins at fertilization, when sperm penetrates the ovum. The early embryo moves through the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it inbeds in the uterine wall approximately 5-12 days after fertilization.²

14-21 days: The cardio-vascular system is the first major system to function in the human embryo. Blood is circulating and the heart begins to beat at 21 or 22 days, and can be detected on ultrasound.³

21-28 days: The first rudiments of the nervous system appear in the third week; in week four main divisions of the central nervous system are established: forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord.⁴ Upper limb buds appear in days 24-26 (lower limb buds follow a few days later), and the primordia of the lungs, liver, stomach, pancreas and thyroid are evident.⁵

5th week: The foot plate appears on lower limbs, and pigment appears in the retina of the eye.⁶

6th week: The embryo measures about one inch in length; trunk is beginning to straighten.⁷

At 40 days, brain waves are recordable.⁸

7-8 week: The embryo bears the familiar external features and all internal organs of an adult; its length is about 1-1/2 inches.

By day 51-52 upper limbs bend at the elbow, by day 54, toes have formed.⁹

Using ultrasound early movements are apparent.¹⁰

Fetal Period

The fetal period begins on day 57 (first day of the ninth week) and concludes at birth. It is characterized by rapid growth of the fetus and further differentiation of the tissues and organs.¹¹ During weeks 10 to 20, the fetus grows primarily in length. During weeks 21 to 40, the fetus grows primarily in weight. Toward the end of pregnancy, the fetus can distinguish its mother's voice. It also responds to music and loud noise and is able to see light through the abdominal wall. The expected date of delivery is 38 weeks after fertilization; i.e., 280 days or 40 weeks after LMP (onset of a woman's last menses).¹²

12 weeks^†††

12 weeks^†††

14 weeks^†††

14 weeks^†††

20 weeks^†††

20 weeks^†††

9-12 weeks: Fingernails develop.¹³ Eyelids fuse and will remain closed until about the 25th week.¹⁴

Urine formation begins between weeks 9-12, and when the fetus urinates, urine is discharged into the amniotic fluid.¹⁵

The sex of the fetus is distinguishable externally.¹⁶

13-16 weeks: The fetus is about 3 inches in length. It is able to hear¹⁷ and pain sensors are operative.¹⁸ Limb movement, which began at the end of the embryonic period, becomes more coordinated by the 14th week, but the mother is not aware of movement.¹⁹

The fetus can suck its thumb from 13 weeks on. Skin remains thin and blood vessels are clearly visible through the skin.²⁰

By the 14th week, fingernails are well formed, and hairs on the head are present.²¹Lower limbs are well developed; early toe nail development takes place.²²

By the beginning of the sixteenth week, bones are clearly visible on ultrasound.²³

17-20 weeks: Rapid growth rate subsides; the mother becomes aware of fetal movements (quickening).²⁴

If born at five months' gestation, chances of surviving with medical intervention are approximately 50 percent.²⁵

21-25 weeks: Rapid eye movements begin at 21 weeks; by week 25 fingernails, eyelids and eyebrows are well developed. If born at 22-25 weeks, the fetus usually survives.²⁶ Skin is wrinkled due to a lack of subcutaneous fat; blood is visible in the capillaries.²⁷

26-29 weeks: Eyes open; eyelashes are well developed, and the fetal body becomes plump as subcutaneous fat is deposited.²⁸ If born now, lungs are sufficiently developed to breathe air; the central nervous system is also well developed.²⁹

30-34 weeks: The body continues to put on weight; toenails are present, and in males testes begin to descend. Fingernails go all the way to the fingertips.³⁰ Fetal skin is now usually pink and smooth and its limbs have a chubby appearance.³¹

35-38 weeks: Toe nails reach the tip of toes. During the last weeks of gestation the fetus adds about 14gm of fat a day, and spontaneously responds to light; its grasp is firm.³²

REFERENCES
1. Moore, Keith L. and Persaud, T.V.N. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 6th edition: Philadelphia:
      W.B. Saunders Co., 1998; also England, Marjorie A. Life Before Birth, 2nd ed: London: Mosby-Wolfe, 1996.
2. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 18.
3. Moore & Persaud, op cit., pp. 77, 350.
4. England, op cit., p. 51.
5. England, op cit, p. 5.
6. England, op cit, p. 6.
7. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 91.
8. H. Hamlin, "Life or Death by EEG," Journal of the American Medical Association (Oct.
      12,1964); p.120.
9. England, op cit., p 8.
10. Ibid.
11. England, op cit., p. 9.
12. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 118.
13. England, op cit., p. 177.
14. England, op cit., p. 9.
15. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 112.
16. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 109.
17. M. Clemens, "5th International Congress Psychosomatic," Obstetrics & Gyneclogy (Rome: Medical Tribune, March 22,       1967): p. 7.
18. S. Reinis and J.M. Goldman, The Development of the Brain (Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publishers, 1980), p. 12.
19. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 112.
20. England, op cit., p. 10.
21. England, op cit., p. 11.
22. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 109.
23. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 112.
24. England, op cit, p. 13; also Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 113.
25. University of Wisconsin Medical School (2001),
      http://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/childrenshosp/parents_of_preemies/survival.html.
26. England, op cit, p. 15.
27. Moore & Persuad, op cit., p. 114).
28. England, op cit., p. 212.
29. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 114.
30. England, op cit., p. 173.
31. Moore & Persaud, op cit., p. 117.
32. England, op cit., p. 117.

Photo Credits
†     David Phillips / Photo Researchers
††   Petit Format / Photo Researchers
††† Andrzej Zachwieja and Jan Walczewski.

STATISTICS

WHY?

Women who have had abortions cite the following reasons: ^1,2

	21%	can't afford a baby
	21%	are unready for responsibility
	16%	concerned about how having a baby could change their lives
	12%	have problems with relationship or want to avoid single parenthood
	11%	are not mature enough/are too young to have children
	8%	have all the children they want/have all grown-up children
	3%	possible fetal health problem
	3%	maternal health problem
	1%	pregnancy resulted from rape or incest
	1%	husband/partner wants them to have abortion
	1%	don't want others to know they had sex or are pregnant

WHEN?

Abortions occur at the following gestational times: ^3,4

	23%	in the first 6 weeks - 301,300 annually
	34.5%	in the seventh or eighth week – 451,950 annually
	19.5%	in the ninth or tenth week – 255,450 annually
	10%	in the eleventh or twelth week – 131,000 annually
	6.0%	in the thirteenth through fifteenth weeks – 78,600 annually
	4.5%	in the sixteenth through twentieth weeks – 58,950 annually
	1.5%	at twenty-one weeks or more – 19,650 annually

HOW MANY?

Current abortion rates

		There are 1.31 million abortions in the U.S. each year. ⁵
		48% of women now seeking abortion have had at least one previous abortion. ⁶
		The U.S. abortion rate is among the highest of developed countries. ⁷
		The U.S. abortion rate per 100 pregnancies is 24.5. ⁸

Notes
1. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, "Reasons Why Women Have Induced Abortions: Evidence from 27 Countries" Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 24 (August 1998).
2. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, "U.S. Women Who Obtain Abortions: Who and Why?" Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 4, (July/August 1988).
3. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, “An Overview of Abortion in the United States” (2003).
4. Elam-Evans L et al., “Abortion surveillance–United States, 2000”, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2003, 52(SS 12).
5. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, "Induced Abortion" Facts in Brief (2003).
6. Ibid.
7. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, "Abortion in Context: United States and Worldwide" Issues in Brief, 1999 No. 1 (1999).
8. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, “Abortion Incidence and Services In the United States in 2000.” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Vol. 35, (Jan/Feb 2003)