Late Term Abortion Research Paper
Late-Term Abortions of Fetuses with Severe Birth Defects
Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Depending on the severity of the defect(s) the fetus can be diagnosed as being incompatible with life; a term used when a fetus is nonviable or will never have quality of life. Unfortunately, the first trimester ultrasound does not usually reveal birth defects as it is too early in the pregnancy. In the third trimester, or latter second trimester, a routine ultrasound is performed to determine delivery options, to ensure growth, and to check the general health of the fetus. It’s during this ultrasound, a trained professional can detect signs of birth defects. If there is any doubt to whether the fetus is completely healthy, prenatal testing is done. If testing is positive, the parents have two choices. Continue pregnancy or have a late-term abortion. Late-term abortion is difficult decision since a healthy fetus is considered viable outside the womb at 23 weeks gestation. Pro-abortionists would say it is the only choice as it prevents the child from suffering during …show more content…
This is obviously not a reason to abort as it’s cosmetic and can be repaired. However, more severe abnormalities such as Anencephaly, in which the baby suffers from the absence of a brain and spinal cord. There is no cure and most Anencephalic babies die during childbirth. The CDC estimates that each year, about 1 in every 4,859 babies in the United States will be born with Anencephaly. (Facts about Anencephaly) If the fetus is diagnosed with this defect, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision to make. Aborting a child would be the right thing to do. 40-60% of birth defects are caused from unknown source(s). The CDC lists birth defects in the following categories.
Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Depending on the severity of the defect(s) the fetus can be diagnosed as being incompatible with life; a term used when a fetus is nonviable or will never have quality of life. Unfortunately, the first trimester ultrasound does not usually reveal birth defects as it is too early in the pregnancy. In the third trimester, or latter second trimester, a routine ultrasound is performed to determine delivery options, to ensure growth, and to check the general health of the fetus. It’s during this ultrasound, a trained professional can detect signs of birth defects. If there is any doubt to whether the fetus is completely healthy, prenatal testing is done. If testing is positive, the parents have two choices. Continue pregnancy or have a late-term abortion. Late-term abortion is difficult decision since a healthy fetus is considered viable outside the womb at 23 weeks gestation. Pro-abortionists would say it is the only choice as it prevents the child from suffering during …show more content…
This is obviously not a reason to abort as it’s cosmetic and can be repaired. However, more severe abnormalities such as Anencephaly, in which the baby suffers from the absence of a brain and spinal cord. There is no cure and most Anencephalic babies die during childbirth. The CDC estimates that each year, about 1 in every 4,859 babies in the United States will be born with Anencephaly. (Facts about Anencephaly) If the fetus is diagnosed with this defect, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision to make. Aborting a child would be the right thing to do. 40-60% of birth defects are caused from unknown source(s). The CDC lists birth defects in the following categories.