Abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy after conception. It allows women to put an end to their pregnancies, but involves killing the undeveloped embryo or fetus. For this reason, it is a very controversial subject in American politics. Here below there are some examples of various abortion methods during the first trimester:

* Aspiration: a surgical abortion method used to terminate pregnancy up to 16 weeks from the last period. It can also be referred to as suction curettage, dilation and curettage or vacuum aspiration.

* Methotrexate & Misoprostol (MTX): a medical abortion practice used up to the first seven weeks of pregnancy. This medication combination is not as commonly used in the U.S. with the availability of mifepristone, which works more effectively for this use. * Mifepristone and Misoprostol: a process used up to the first seven to nine weeks of pregnancy. It can also be referred to as RU-486, but it is most often referred to as the ‘abortion pill’ and Mifeprex.

* Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA): a procedure used as early as 3 -12 weeks since the last period. Considered less invasive with only a local anaesthesia being used on the cervix.

Impacts and Effects of Abortion:
Many side-effects can be caused through abortion they can range from emotional effects to physical-effects. An abortion can be a dangerous procedure, and the women receiving this procedure realise this. A woman's body naturally opposes the abortion, eventually resulting in physical and emotional problems. A fact which is interesting is that two out every five 45 year old women has had an abortion. As shown above, abortions can happen a number of ways but the most common way is the Manual Vacuum Aspiration method. Which is the most common procedure the “cervix is stretched with dilators, a syringe is attached to the tube and the fetus is suctioned out into a collection container. Short-term physical complications that can occur with this are excessive bleeding, abdominal swelling, pelvic infection, cervical tears and in extreme cases, even death.” Women’s Health, a pro-choice website, stated that the short-term severe complications occur in less than 1% of women who have abortions.

‘post-abortion syndrome’ is another major effect on women. This is a post traumatic stress disorder that occurs regularly includes side effects that are contemplations of suicide, depression, difficulty sleeping, panic disorders, eating disorders, abusive parenting, or overly protective parenting. In November 2009, a study was conducted that said 30% of women regretted abortion after they had there first child.This is quite disturbing as these women wanted a child but gave into abortion at the time.
The Church and Abortion:
As stated previously, many people have diverse views and thoughts on the subject of abortion, the largest influenced thoughts on the matter would be of The Catholic Church, as it the largest religion in the world. The Catholic Church strongly believes that Human life is a gift from God which should be protected, sustained and cherished. The topic of abortion has always been a controversial issue amongst the Catholic Church; it has always been condemned as grave evil and as a great sin. As it is the termination of life.
The respect for the sacredness of life in the womb originates in Christianity’s Jewish roots. The ancient Jewish world was much different from the surrounding cultures of Palestine where infanticide, infant sacrifice and abortion were not uncommon, and in some cases prevalent. For the Jewish people of those times and orthodox Jews to this day, all human life has as its author the one God whose creative power produces the child in the mother’s womb and brings it step-by-step to full life. The Old Testament revelation, which the Church inherited and accepted, gives clear evidence that life in the womb was considered as sacred. As the Hail Mary says:
Hail Mary, full of grace.
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