This document discusses the history and current state of abortion laws and access in the United States. It provides an overview of abortion techniques and risks at different gestational periods. The document also outlines post-abortion care instructions and some of the challenges faced by abortion providers due to harassment and violence.

1. By: Megan Sheehan
WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES
(HE210_OL_SP_2012)

2.  Not able to afford children
 Not finished school
 Pregnancy may pose threat to health
 May have become pregnant through rape
 Economic circumstances
 Potentially serious genetic disorders
 Not ready to parent

3.  1803, Britain first passed antiabortion laws
 1880, most abortions were illegal in the U.S.
 Besides ones that were legal to save a women
 Mid 19th Century, liberal support broadened
criminalization for abortion
 Due to the crude methods
 Second half of the 19th Century, the medical
establishment actively took up the antiabortion cause
 1950’s, a million illegal abortions were performed in
the U.S
 1960’s, abortionists often turned women away if they
could not pay $1,000
 1970, NY passed a law allowing abortion up to 24
weeks after LMP

4.  On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court,
in the Famous Roe vs. Wade decision
 “right of privacy” in the 14th amendment should
encompass a woman’s right to chose to have a
pregnancy or not
 At the end of a first trimester of pregnancy
only a women and a doctor have the right to
abort a pregnancy

5. 1. Vacuum aspiration
2. Early drug-induced “medical”
3. Dilation and evacuation (D&E)
4. Dilation and extraction (D&X) intact D&E
5. Labor induction A: Instillation abortion
6. Hysterectomy

6. TECHNIQUES
 Mifepristone/methotreate
plus prostaglandin
 4-7 weeks after late or
missed period
WHERE PERFORMED
 Clinic, MD
office, outside of
medical setting

7. TECHNIQUES
 Dilation, suction, curettage,
use of forceps
 14-24 weeks
WHERE PERFORMED
 Clinic, MD office,
(hospital)

8. TECHNIQUES
 a. Installation abortion
b. Prostaglandin or
combination
 Injection of Liquid
through the abdomen
into amniotic sac
 16-24 weeks after LMP
(late or missed period)
WHERE PERFORMED
 Hospital

9. TECHNIQUES
 Dilation (in some
cases), suction, curettag
e (in some cases)
 3-6 weeks after missed
period
WHERE PERFORMED
 Clinic, MD office

10. TECHNIQUES
 Uterus cut open to
remove fetus
 16-24 or later, if
woman’s life is in
danger
WHERE PERFORMED
 Hospital

11.  Infection (occur in less then 3% of cases)
 Retained Tissue
 Perforation (of the uterus if a surgical
instrument goes through the uterine wall)
 Hemorrhage (uterine hemorrhage excessive
bleeding)
 Cervical Laceration (Tear), Continued
Pregnancy and Postabortal Syndrome
 Cervical tears generally heal on their own

12.  Possible Effect on Future Pregnancies
 Several abortions may slightly increase the changes
of miscarriage
 Controlling Pain and Anxiety
 Nonpharmacological Methods
 Effects of Anesthesia

13.  Since the 1980s there has been a tremendous
decline in abortion services
 In 1996 84% of U.S counties had no abortion
services at all
 Few abortion facilities offer abortions beyond
13 weeks

14.  Rest
 Avoid heavy lifting
 Avoid strenuous exercise
 Do not use tampons or have sex for 2/3 week
 Watch for signs of complications
 Fever, odd discharge, fainting, signs of pregnancy
 Get a check up 2/3 weeks after
 Birth control options
 Next period will probably start 4/6 weeks after abortion
 You can become pregnant even before your next period

15.  80% of all abortion provider have been
picketed or harassed
 Over 200 clinics have been bombed after 1992
 Minors need consent of a parent
 35 states have these laws
 23 states enforce them
 Only 17 states fund abortions
 12 states enforce mandatory waiting periods
following counseling

16.  “A fear of violence has become part of the lives of
every abortion provider in the country. As
doctors, we are being warned not to open big
envelopes with no return addresses in case a mail
bomb is enclosed. I know colleagues who have
had their homes picketed and their children
threaten. Some wear bullet-proof vests and have
remote starters for their cars. Even going to work
and facing the disapproving looks from co-
workers”-- A Health Care Provider
 All for providing abortions to women

17.  I agree that every women should have the right to
choose if she wants to have a child or not
 I think Abortion should be legal
 When it was not women were at risk because they would
still have them preformed illegally
 I don’t however think it should be used as a form
of birth control
 This is a potential life it shouldn’t be taken lightly
 Adoption is a very good choice as well
 This is a very hard topic and in some
circumstances abortion isn't always a good choice
but in others it can be very necessary