Article #5: Late Term Abortions

Following the death of Dr. George Tiller, late-term abortion provider, a doctor in the state of Nebraska has hired on two of Dr. Tiller’s associates in hopes of continuing late-term abortion procedures. The clinic in Nebraska often performs abortions on babies that could potentially survive outside of the womb. Groups and organizations that opposed the work of Dr. George Tiller are turning their energy towards the Nebraska clinic. Dr. Carhart, a doctor at the Nebraska clinic feels the same obligation towards helping women abort unintended pregnancies, however, state law in Nebraska has clear regulations and restrictions on abortions. No woman can undergo an abortion procedure after the fetus has clearly reached viability, except when the mother’s life is in danger.

Dr. Carhart has performed abortions since the 1970s and has no intention of stopping anytime in the near future. Following Dr. Tiller’s death, Dr. Carhart offered to run Dr. Tiller's clinic, however, the Tiller family made a decision to close one of only three late-term abortion clinics in the county. While Dr. Carhart will not disclose how late in a pregnancy he is willing to perform an abortion, Dr. Tiller noted publically that he would perform abortions up to 23 weeks and perhaps later depending on consultation with the clinic.

Writer Monica Davey had her article published in the New York Times and while the article appears to be unbiased, Davey learns more towards pro-life. By disclosing evidence that doctors such as Dr. Carhart and Dr. Tiller perform abortions so late in a pregnancy, Davey is persuading the reader that this is morally wrong.

The below video shows a protest at Dr. Carhart’s clinic. Both pro-choice and pro-life supports were present at the protest:





A website dedicated to informing people on late term abortions offers readers further information on this topic. There are three different types of late-term or partial birth abortions. The first and most popularly known procedure is called D&E (Dilation and Evacuation). In this procedure, the fetus is removed by inserting forceps into the uterus and then separates the fetus into pieces. Once the fetus has been separated, each piece is removed one at a time. Then a vacuum is inserted to ensure no remains are left intact . The second known procedure is an early-induced labor.
This procedure is very painful for the mother and rarely used. The third procedure is called intact D&X surgery. This procedure extends over 2-3 days while the cervix is dilated. Once the cervix has been dilated, the doctor pulls the fetus out feet first leaving the head inside the mother. Forceps are then used to puncture the skull and extract the brain tissue and the baby is then removed.

For additional information please view: http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/late-term-abortion.htm

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