Methods of Late Term Abortions

Late term abortion is a termination of pregnancy performed after the 24th week of pregnancy. It may be necessary for a number of reasons, but usually because of genetic fetal defects that are deemed to be incompatible with life, or because of life threatening complications the mother may have developed during the course of her pregnancy. There are many types of abortion methods, but three are used for termination late into pregnancy, and the choice of the procedure used varies amongst physicians.

Third Trimester Abortion Procedures

Induced Labor

A common late term abortion method is the induction of labor. The patient is first sedated so that she will not remember or feel anything regarding the procedure. To assure that there is no live birth, there are several methods that can be used to stop the fetal heart beat which involves instillation of medications. Laminaria (sterile seaweed) is inserted inside the cervix allowing for gradual opening to occur overnight. The patient returns to the facility the following morning and labor is initiated. This requires the use of medications to cause contractions of the mother's uterus, resulting in premature labor and expulsion of the fetus. Patients are given medications as needed for discomfort.

Dilatation and Extraction

First, the fetal heart beat must be stopped as described above. Laminaria are then placed into the cervix to allow for gradual opening of the cervix. The following morning, the patient is given medication that leads to further dilation and softening of the cervix. Serial dilators may be used if the physician decides that a surgical procedure can be performed. After sufficient dilatation has been achieved, the fetus is then gently extracted with the use of special forceps. This procedure takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes up to a few hours to complete. The patient is given intravenous anesthesia prior to the surgical procedure so that she will not experience any discomfort.

Hysterotomy

A hysterotomy is a late term abortion surgical procedure that is in many ways similar to a Cesarean section. First, a woman is given anesthesia (general or regional anesthetic). After the anesthesia has taken effect, an incision is made into her abdomen, eventually reaching the uterus. The fetus and gestational tissue is removed and the uterine incision, abdomen and skin are closed. The patient usually has to remain in the hospital for 1 or 2 days. Compared to the other procedures described above, this procedure presents the highest degree of maternal perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Late Term Abortion Clinic Procedures in Banned States

A number of states have banned late term abortion procedures even before fetal viability has occurred. This is based on a hypothetical possibility of the existence of fetal pain even when there is no evidence that a fetus can feel pain before 28 to 29 weeks. The creation of the fetal pain argument is yet another maneuver politicians have contrived in attempt to pass laws which would prevent this greatly needed procedure. Much to the detriment of women, there are now only a few late term abortion facilities remaining in the United States.