TheAbortion Controversy
Abortionrefers to the procedure of terminating a pregnancy so that it doesnot result in birth. Abortions are very rampant globally, and mostwomen carry them out at some time in their lives. It is a verycontroversial issue and attempts to legalize it in numerous stateshave been received in both jubilation and sadness. The society has amoral obligation to empower women with unplanned pregnancies to carrythem to the full term rather than supporting their termination.Ending a pregnancy is a very personal matter however, one can seekalternate methods of raising the baby after it is born. Abortion is acruel and violent way of ending pregnancies, and so many statesshould cease legalizing it (Sumner, 2014).
Reasonsfor Aborting
Womenabort for specifically two reasons. These factors include personaldecisions and health risks. In the case of health risks, mothers aretaking drugs and medication that may cause birth defects abort forfear of delivering children with birth complications. This is due tothe high exposure of toxins and chemicals that may genetically damagea fetus. Some girls conceive at an incredibly tender age therebyposing a threat to their lives. The young women are mostlyinexperienced and therefore consider the termination of pregnancy asthe best viable solution. Women seek to have an abortion when theyfind out that their children are likely to suffer from certaingenetic disorders. Physicians sometimes approve the abortion offetuses in the case of multiple births so as to make one fetus freefrom a variety of future health problems.
Abortionsare procured when the mother has more than one baby and does notrequire another due to the financial constraints. Others are youngmothers who are still in school or at work and fear that the babywill interfere with their studies and careers. Other women fearspoiling relationships with their parents or guardians. This can beattributed to the high levels of reprimanding that the heavy womencan be subjected to. Others cite lack of jobs making them unable toraise children. Bad timing is another concept as most women claimthat they are ill prepared to become mothers. Others considerpersonal differences with their partners. Many argue that pregnancyis likely to interfere with future opportunities because ofill-preparation both emotionally and physically. Other women avoidhaving babies in their lives due to their inability to provideemotional and physical support to the young ones. A minimalpercentage of women claim that they abort because they do not want tocarry the pregnancies as a result of being victims of either rape orincestuous relationships. Others feel that they are not mature enoughto raise children. Other women abort because they are forced to do soby their parents and partners. However, most teenagers do not wanttheir peers and relatives to know that they engaged in sexualactivities. Some religions are extreme and consider unwed pregnantwomen as outcasts. This ultimate judgment makes young women resort toabortion to maintain their stance in society.
Typesof Abortion
Thereare two kinds of abortion namely medical abortion and surgicalabortion. A medical assessment is done to ascertain the number ofweeks one is pregnant, her state of health and the options she canchoose from.
Medicalabortion is solely dependent on drugs to terminate a pregnancy. Suchmedications are prescribed in the first trimester because itsefficacy diminishes after the seventh week of gestation. The firstpill to be administered is known as mifepristone. It blocks theprogesterone hormone which is responsible for sustained continuity ofpregnancy. The abortion pill breaks down the uterine lininginhibiting the growth of the foetus. The next tablet to beadministered is known as misoprostol. Its purpose is to make the wombcontract, cramp and shed blood. This indicates that the fetus hasbecome expelled. The success rates are not 100 percent efficientbecause in most occasions, the tissues are not expelled and they haveto be eliminated through surgery. This method does not damage thecervix and uterus as compared to the surgical methods.
Surgicalabortions are done in the confines of a qualified surgeon’s office.There are two types of surgical abortions. The first category is thevacuum aspiration abortion. This procedure is done while sedated witha local anesthetic. A tablet used to soften or dilate the cervixadministered orally or put directly on the cervix. A pump containinga small suction tube that resembles that of a vacuum cleaner is usedto remove the fetus together with surrounding tissues. This isfollowed by bleeding which lasts no more than three weeks. Thisprocedure is applicable in the first to the second trimester. Themethod terminates the pregnancy via gentle suction. The second typeof surgical abortion is the dilatation and evacuation abortion. Thisprocess involves preparing the cervix in advance then the pregnancyis terminated later using narrow forceps. Surgical abortion isextreme because it damages organs and can lead to infertility infuture.
Forlate abortion, the cervix is softened, and the heartbeat of the fetuspractically stopped. Labor is induced to create contractions then thedilation and evacuation method of abortion is used to clean the womb.
Prosand Cons of Abortions
Thebenefits and disadvantages of abortion vary from person to person. Itcan help inhibit pregnancy related complications. Thesecomplications, when inhibited, may safeguard the life of a mother.Abortion makes mothers or parents to choose whether they can have achild or not thereby enabling them to balance the size of a family.It makes a woman minimize trauma as in the case of rape orincestuously related pregnancies. Abortion makes the society not tomake judgments on unmarried women who get pregnant outside wedlockbecause they may never find out she was pregnant.
Itis brutal and cruel because it kills the chances of fetusesdeveloping. Abortion makes couples act irresponsibly because when onebecomes pregnant, they have the option of terminating it. It affectsthe mental status of a woman due to the trauma associated with themurder of the unborn, and she may end up developing depression.Abortion is disadvantageous because it may lead to futuremiscarriages as well as death due to infection. Some women may not beable to give birth in future due to ruptured uteruses. Abortion isemotionally and physically painful, and society negatively judgeswomen who engage in the practice.
Themajor question that makes people ponder on the legalization ofabortion regards the debate on the moment life starts. Religiouspeople claim that life starts from conception while other scientistsargue that life begins at birth. Another question is whether abortionis ethical and morally acceptable. Should adoption be accepted andadopted in society? Women, in their pursuit of happiness, claim thatpregnancies disrupt their education and careers. Women have theoption of carrying their babies to term and giving their children upfor adoption. Giving up children for adoption is a morally uprightconcept.
Womenshould learn to accept and take responsibilities for their actions.They should communicate with their physicians to learn about the typeof contraceptives they can use so as to minimize unwantedpregnancies. This will substantially reduce the debate on the topicof legalizing abortion. Unborn babies should not be in any waytormented because they cannot voice their opinions. This is unfair tothem because no one has the right to determine who can live or not.Abortion should only be procured when a mother’s health is in gravedanger since it is unacceptable.
Inconclusion, the government should not legalize abortion. This isbecause aborting is disadvantageous the implications are extreme. Ithas severe repercussions that sometimes lead to the death of themother. It is also a violent, brutal and criminal way of terminatinga pregnancy. Citing weak finances, inexperience and interruptions oftheir lives as an excuse to abort is very lame. Legalizing abortion,on the other hand, will minimize backstreet clinics that procureillegal operations. The media should create awareness to enlightenmen and women on the consequences of sexual activities and how theyshould use contraceptives to reduce unplanned pregnancies (Singh etal., 2009). The society should empower and encourage young women whoget pregnant and help raise the children instead of judging andcondemning them. Women are the only ones who suffer the consequencesof unplanned for pregnancies.
References
Singh,S., Wulf, D., Hussain, R., Bankole, A., & Sedgh, G.(2009). Abortionworldwide: a decade of uneven progress.Guttmacher Institute
Sumner,L. W. (2014). Abortionand moral theory.Princeton University Press.