In the world, the number of abortion cases is increasing. This situation has been fuelled by among other factors social and economic factors. Abortion is the murder of pregnancy. It is the removal of the fetus or embryo before it is viable. (Malcolm 1977)
There are basically two kinds of abortions. The one that is spontaneous and in which termination is not provoked is spontaneous abortion also known as miscarriage. They are unintentional. They usually occur before the 20th and 24th week. Many pregnancies are usually lost before doctors are aware of the presence of an embryo in the uterus. Spontaneous abortion is caused by chromosomal abnormalities, vascular diseases, diabetes, infections, uterus abnormalities and trauma among others. (Isabel 1992) On the other hand, induced abortions are caused by deliberate intervention.
Induced abortions include both, those performed in accordance with legal sanctions, and those performed outside the law. Also, Induced abortion is either therapeutic or elective. Therapeutic abortion is done by medical personnel in an effort to save the lives of patients. Patients suffering from such things as illnesses, multiple pregnancies and complications could have this procedure done on them to avoid having complications at childbirth that may lead to loss of life. (World health organization 1979)
Therapeutic abortion refers to medically indicated abortion when pregnant women’s life or health is threatened by continuation of pregnancy or when the health of the fetus appears threatened due to congenital or genetic factors. (WHO 19) Abortion has a long history. In the past, it was done using crude tools such as sharpened tools, physical trauma and other traditional methods. With advancement in the field of medicine, contemporary methods are now used and involve the use of medication and surgical procedures. (Nada 1998)
In developed countries, abortion is legal whereas most developing countries do not encourage and permit abortion. This brings about the differences in safe and unsafe abortions. Abortion accounts for over 70,000 maternal deaths worldwide.
There are several reasons why they don’t want to have pregnancy. Firstly, abortion offends god. Abortion is never a personal choice but a grave offense against God and his creation. The anti-abortion struggle has always been a religious battle and foremost in its ranks have been Catholics across the country. This is because Church teaching on abortion is clear and unequivocal: Abortion is murder. There are no exceptions allowed, no compromises possible. (TFP Student Action)
Secondly, abortion is unsafe. Compared with other medical procedures, the abortion industry is largely unregulated. Although there are no exact statistics for the number of women who die from botched procedures, LifeDynamics.com compiled a list of 347 women killed by legal abortions since 1973. Furthermore, the National Cancer Institute commissioned a study lead by Dr. Janet Daling, an abortion supporter, and her colleagues at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center which found a link between abortion and cancer: "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."
The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer reports: "28 out of 37 worldwide studies have independently linked induced abortion with breast cancer. Thirteen out of fifteen studies conducted on American women report increased risk. Seventeen studies are statistically significant, sixteen of which found increased risk. Most of the studies have been conducted by abortion supporters"(TFP Student Action).
In addition, these percentages show us why they are choosing abortion.
Social Reasons (given as primary reason)
- Feels unready for child/responsibility
25%
- Feels she can't afford baby
23%
- Has all the children she wants/Other family responsibilities
19%
- Relationship problem/Single motherhood
8%
- Feels she isn't mature enough
7%
- Interference with education/career plans
4%
- Parents/Partner wants abortion
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