Information from the Morgentaler Clinic

Every woman deserves the chance to make an informed decision about her pregnancy. And that means getting the facts.

Abortion causes breast cancer FALSE First and second trimester fetuses can feel pain FALSE The fetus becomes conscious at 8 weeks. FALSE Abortion makes ectopic (tubal) pregnancies more likely FALSE Abortion is safer than having your tonsils out. TRUE Abortion is 10 times safer than giving birth (by 18th week) TRUE There is a medical condition called Post Abortion Stress Syndrome FALSE 90% of abortions are performed within the first 12 weeks of

pregnancy . TRUE

It’s a big decision. But it’s a very safe procedure. Just knowing what to expect can ease your mind.

This safe and simple procedure will be performed by a specially trained doctor, and will take just 5 to 10 minutes. One of our nurses will give you intravenous sedation to keep you as relaxed and comfortable as possible. She will be at your side throughout the entire procedure.

After a routine gynecological exam, your doctor will place a speculum into your vagina in order to access and cleanse your cervix (the opening to your uterus) and apply some local freezing. Over the next couple of minutes, your doctor will gently widen your cervix by carefully inserting a series of small tapered rods until it is dilated. During this stage of the procedure you may experience slight pressure or mild cramping, much like menstrual cramps.

the procedure

Next, your doctor will place a small tube into your dilated cervix. This tube is attached to a vacuum pump (much like a dental suction hose) that your doctor will turn on for a few minutes to help empty your uterus. As your uterus contracts, you may experience some period-like cramping. Your doctor will then do a curettage: a simple process that involves gently scraping the inside of the uterus to free any remaining tissue. After doing a final suction, your doctor will ensure your abortion is complete and that you are no longer pregnant. This process generally takes 5 – 10 minutes.

You will then go to the recovery area, where a nurse will check your blood pressure and heart rate, and offer you medication if you are experiencing any uncomfortable cramping. You may now eat again so we’ll offer you a light snack. Recovery is fast and most patients feel ready to leave in just 30 minutes.

When you’re ready to go, the nurse will explain aftercare and your chosen birth control method to you. She’ll give you the number for our 24-hour help line in case you have any questions or concerns after you leave. If you would like to speak with your counselor again, please let the recovery nurse know. We’re more than happy to provide you with post-abortion counseling, or refer you to someone in your community for aftercare if necessary. You will also receive an aftercare package which will contain medication and instructions on how to manage your aftercare.

LifeSiteNews.com

Dilation of the uterus is required in cervical methods of abortion. The usual method of dilation is to insert a series of instruments of increasing size into the cervix. A set of dilators, metallic curved instruments, are used to open the cervix sufficiently to accommodate the instruments of abortion. In contrast with a normal birth, where the dilation occurs slowly over a period of many hours, the forceful stretching by the abortionist to open the cervix takes a matter of seconds. This premature and unnatural stretching of the cervix can result in permanent physical injury to the mother.

Laminaria (dehydrated material, usually seaweed) is sometimes used to reduce damage to the cervix. Inserted into the cervix the day before the scheduled abortion, it absorbs water and swells, gradually pushing open the cervix in the process.

At eight to nine weeks the eyelids have begun forming and hair appears. By the ninth and tenth weeks the preborn child sucks her thumb, turns somersaults, jumps, can squint to close out light, frown, swallow, and move her tongue.

At this early stage of development, suction abortions are performed using a smaller tube, requiring little dilation of the cervix. This is called "menstrual extraction." However, if all the fetal remains are not removed, infection results, requiring full dilation of the cervix and a scraping out of the womb.

This is the most common method of abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. General or local anesthesia is given to the mother and her cervix is quickly dilated. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-edged tip) is inserted into the womb. This instrument is then connected to a vacuum machine by a transparent tube. The vacuum suction, 29 times more powerful than a household vacuum cleaner, tears the fetus and placenta into small pieces which are sucked through the tube into a bottle and discarded.

This method is similar to the suction method with the added insertion of a hook shaped knife (curette) which cuts the baby into pieces. The pieces are scraped out through the cervix and discarded

[Note: This abortion method should not be confused with a therapeutic D&C done for reasons other than pregnancy.]

The fetus is now about 5 inches long. The child blinks, grasps, and moves her mouth. Hair grows on the head and body.

20 weeks: The child can hear and recognize mother's voice. Though still small and fragile, the baby is growing rapidly and could possibly survive if born at this stage. Fingernails and fingerprints appear. Sex organs are visible. Using an ultrasound device, the doctor can tell if the child is a girl or a boy.

This method is used up to 18 weeks' gestation. Instead of the loop-shaped knife used in D&C abortions, a pair of forceps is inserted into the womb to grasp part of the fetus. The teeth of the forceps twist and tear the bones of the unborn child. This process is repeated until the fetus is totally dismembered and removed. Usually the spine must be snapped and the skull crushed in order to remove them.

Used after 16 weeks (four months) when enough fluid has accumulated. A long needle injects a strong salt solution through the mother's abdomen into the baby's sac. The baby swallows this fluid and is poisoned by it. It also acts as a corrosive, burning off the outer layer of skin. It normally takes somewhat over an hour for the baby to die from this. Within 24 hours, labor will usually set in and the mother will give birth to a dead or dying baby. (There have been many cases of these babies being born alive. They are usually left unattended to die. However, a few have survived and later been adopted.)

At six months, the unborn child is covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo. Its tender skin is protected by a waxy substance called vernix. Some of this substance may still be on the child's skin at birth at which time it will be quickly absorbed.

The child practices breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into developing lungs.

This form of abortion uses chemicals developed by the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Co. which cause the uterus to contract intensely, pushing out the developing baby. The contractions are more violent than normal, natural contractions, so the unborn baby is frequently killed by them -- some have even been decapitated. Many, however, have also been born alive.

Used mainly in the last three months of pregnancy, the womb is entered by surgery through the wall of the abdomen. The technique is similar to a Caesarean delivery, except that the umbilical cord is usually cut while the baby is still in the womb, thus cutting off his oxygen supply and causing him to suffocate. Sometimes the baby is removed alive and simply left in a corner to die of neglect or exposure.

Hysterotomy or Caesarean Section

For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother's blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the fetus. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well.

32 weeks: The fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming.

Five steps to a partial birth abortion:Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the

baby's legs with forceps.The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body,

except for the head.The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull.

The scissors are then opened to enlarge the skull.The scissors are removed and a suction catheter

is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.

Canadian Timeline

1969 – The Criminal Code is amended to decriminalize abortions done by a doctor in a hospital after approval for the procedure has been given by a “therapeutic abortion committee” who judged that a woman’s life or health “would” or “would be likely” to be affected by continuation of pregnancy.  No obligation for either doctors or hospitals to participate in abortion. Within a couple of years, abortions are covered under the publicly funded health care system even though government ministers had reassured opponents it would not be.

1989 – Barbara Dodd in Toronto and Chantal Daigle in Quebec go to court to try to get abortions after their boyfriends got injunctions to prevent them from doing so.  Dodd gets the OK from the Supreme Court of Ontario, aborts, then regrets her decision.  Daigle is refused by Quebec’s Superior Court, goes to Supreme Court and is given the go ahead even though she has already had an abortion in the U.S.  Now no father can prevent abortion of his child.

1989 – A new abortion law, Bill C-43, is presented in the House of Commons.  It passes May 29, 1990 and is sent to Senate for debate.  Bill C-43 retains abortion as a criminal offence but permits it on very broad grounds.

1991 – The Senate defeats Bill C-43 in a tie vote.

1991 – The Supreme Court rules that a child in the process of being born was not “person” (even though the head was outside the mother’s body).  Therefore, two midwives Sullivan and Lemay could not be found negligent in causing the death of the child whose mother they were attending.  This confirms that unborn babies do not have legal rights unless they are born alive.

1991 – Nova Scotia government appeals to the Supreme Court to reverse two lower court decisions which acquitted Morgentaler of illegally performing abortions in his unlicensed Halifax abortion centre.

1991 – Quebec’s Civil code is revised to allow girls 14 years old to have an abortion without parental knowledge or consent.

1996 – Brenda Drummond, 28, is charged with attempted murder after she shot her nearly full term son with a pellet gun while he was still in utero.  Jonathan was born 2 days later, was treated in intensive care and survived.

1996 – Judge Inger Hansen rules on the Drummond case.  Brenda Drummond is acquitted of attempted murder of baby Jonathan, because, according to law, a baby is not a legal “person” worthy of legal protection until it is born.

2006 - A Quebec judge ordered the province to pay the full costs of private clinic abortions. The province had been covering a portion of these costs. The provincial government complied without appealing the decision.

2006 – Alberta MP Leon Benoit introduces a Private Members’ Bill C-291, to make it a separate crime to injure or kill a fetus in the course of an attack on the mother. The bill is declared unvotable after Justice Minister Vic Toews declares it to be unconstitutional because it does not include an exemption for abortion.This bill did not become law.

2006 – Ontario MP Paul Steckle introduces Private Members’ Bill C-338, which would amend the Criminal Code to make it illegal to perform an abortion after 20 weeks’ gestation. The bill has not yet received second reading or debate in the House of Commons. This bill did not become law.

2007 – Alberta MP Ken Epp introduces Private Members’ Bill C-484 that would amend the Criminal Code making it a separate crime to injure or kill a fetus in the course of a violent attack on the mother. The bill includes an exemption for women who consent to abortion. The bill is declared votable and is debated for one hour in the House of Commons. This bill did not become law.

Who can adopt in Canada?

In theory, practically anyone. Although some agencies have certain rules and regulations regarding issues such as religion, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation and so on. In general, as long as you're a Canadian citizen over 18 and don't have a criminal record, you have as much right to become a parent as anyone else.

What's the first thing we should do if we're ready to adopt? Who can help us get started?

Adoption is all about options. Therefore, the first you should do is gather as much information about the process as you can. This will save you time, money, and frustration down the road. Find out the laws in your province, the requirements and the limitations, and don't rush into any situation until you've got all the facts.

There are many groups, organizations, individuals and resources you can turn to. The Adoption Council of Canada is a good place to start, particularly the How-to-Adopt Seminars that are offered in some provinces. If you know couples or individuals who have gone through the process, speak to them. Also contact public and private adoption agencies to see what they can offer you. As far as web sites go, Familyhelper.net is a great resource, as is its companion newsletter of the same name. As well, read up on as much as you can.

What's public domestic adoption?

Public adoptions are arranged through government agencies like the Children's Aid Society. There's usually no fee involved but the waiting period for a healthy newborn is long -- at least eight years. Most of the children available through public agencies are special needs children -- older children with behavioural or learning disabilities, sibling groups or children that are difficult to place for adoption.

What's a private domestic adoption?

Private domestic adoptions are arranged by provincially-approved licensees or agencies. They're more expensive but the waiting period for a newborn is much less -- anywhere from one to three years, although there's no guarantee. The costs for a private domestic adoption range from about $10,000 to $15,000.

What's an international adoption?

International adoptions are arranged through private agencies. The waiting period can often be as short as two years, and the costs run between $30,000 and $50,000+. The children are not newborns and of a different race or nationality. US adoption is also considered an international adoption.

What's open adoption?

Open adoption is any situation where the birth mother and the adoptive family know each other and exchange identifying information. How much information is determined by the two parties, and can include everything from swapping social and legal histories to letters and photos, and in some cases, even visits. It is the opposite of closed adoption, which until recently was the adoption standard.

What's closed adoption?

Perhaps the best way to explain what open adoption is to explain what it's not. Open adoption is the opposite of closed adoption, which is what most people think of today when they think of adoption.

Until recently, closed adoption was standard

practice. It was a process marked by secrets and lies, where information was scarce or knowingly withheld. Instead of allies, adoptive parents and birth parents were treated like adversaries, creating much hurt and bitterness on both sides.