The Procedure
These color illustrations of a partial-birth abortion
were prepared on the basis of an instructional paper
by an Ohio abortionist, explaining step by step how
he performs the procedure. These drawings accurately
depict a partial-birth abortion being performed on a
baby at 24 weeks gestational age. Most partial-birth
abortions are performed in the 20-26 week range
(the fifth and sixth months), and some are performed
even later. Artwork by Tanja Butler. Letters from
medical authorities have affirmed the accuracy of these
drawings.
An Eyewitness Account - What the Nurse Saw
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Why They Are Performed
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SURVIVORS!
There is always the possibility that a late term abortion
could end up in a live birth. Already, there have been two
reported cases where babies have survived the horror of partial
birth abortion.
All You Needed to Know - Key Facts
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Support from the Medical Community
The American Medical Association, the nation’s largest
physician’s lobby, supports a ban on partial birth abortion.
In a letter to Congress, the AMA wrote,
"The bill would clearly define the prohibited procedure
so that it is clear on the face of the legislation what act
is to be banned." The AMA letter added, "Although
our general policy is to oppose legislation criminalizing
medical practice or procedure, the AMA has supported such
legislation where the procedure was narrowly defined and not
medically indicated." HR 1122 now meets both those tests.
The Congressional bill is identical to the wording of the
proposed referendum. Former US Surgeon General Dr C. Everett Koop testified in
support of the Maine bill in April 1999, stating "This
controversial, if not grotesque, procedure is hazardous to
the mother's health and future fertility"..."It
is never a necessary procedure for either mother or child".
This is a narrowly focused proposal that protects the health
of women and the lives of children."
In addition, over 700 specialists in maternal and fetal health
have organized to refute the misinformation surrounding partial
birth abortions. They have organized under the name PHACT
- PHysicians' Ad-hoc Coalition for Truth. They say “Contrary
to what abortion activists would have us believe, partial
birth abortion is never medically indicated to protect a woman’s
health or her fertility. In fact, the opposite is true: The
procedure can pose a significant and immediate threat to both
the pregnant woman’s health and her fertility.”