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kalikshama -> RE: An abortionist talks too much (8/11/2012 8:43:28 AM)
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quote:
I will NEVER advocate late-term abortion but, if women are so bent on doing this, I think more people should be aware that this may very well be an option.
I don't think it's a matter of being "bent" on getting a late term abortion but not getting information about birth defects until 15-22 weeks into the pregnancy or having been raped and being in denial about the pregnancy or other non-trivial factors that delay the decision making process.
The only study I could find was from 1988 and included women who had been pregnant for 16 or more weeks (viability occurs at 21-27 weeks), so I'm going to offer this anecdotal bit instead:
"The overwhelming majority of the 250 to 300 women a year who sought late-term abortions from Tiller had planned their pregnancies. They came to him heartbroken and afraid, carrying fetuses with malfunctioning kidneys, missing organs and syndromes certain to cause death in the womb or soon after birth. A much smaller number of late-term patients were rape and incest victims, sometimes very young girls. Some were directed to Tiller by prosecutors. "
Certain tests are not performed until as late as 22 weeks of pregnancy:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/diagnosis.html
Second Trimester Screening
Second trimester screening tests are completed between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. They are used to look for certain birth defects in the baby. Second trimester screening tests include a maternal serum screen and a comprehensive ultrasound evaluation of the baby looking for the presence of structural anomalies (also known as an anomaly ultrasound).
Maternal Serum Screen
The maternal serum screen is a simple blood test used to identify if a woman is at increased risk for having a baby with certain birth defects, such as neural tube defects or chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome. It is also known as a “triple screen” or “quad screen” depending on the number of proteins measured in the mother’s blood. For example, a quad screen tests the levels of 4 proteins AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), hCG, estriol, and inhibin-A. Generally, the maternal serum screen is completed during the second trimester.
Anomaly Ultrasound
An ultrasound creates pictures of the baby. This test is usually completed around 18–20 weeks of pregnancy. The ultrasound is used to check the size of the baby and looks for birth defects or other problems with the baby.
Diagnostic Tests
If the result of a screening test is abnormal, doctors usually offer further diagnostic tests to determine if birth defects or other possible problems with the baby are present. These diagnostic tests are also offered to women with higher risk pregnancies, which may include women who are 35 years of age or older; women who have had a previous pregnancy affected by a birth defect; women who have chronic diseases such as lupus, high blood pressure, diabetes, or epilepsy; or women who use certain medications.
High resolution Ultrasound
An ultrasound creates pictures of the baby. This ultrasound, also known as a level II ultrasound, is used to look in more detail for possible birth defects or other problems with the baby that were suggested in the previous screening tests. It is usually completed between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy.
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