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Abortion
Abortion is the intentional, artificial termination of a pregnancy. It may be performed with a surgical procedure or by using medication taken orally or injected into the uterus. The method used is determined by how far along in her pregnancy the woman is.

Abortion Pill
The abortion pill (also known as Mifepristone, M and M, Non-surgical Abortion, RU-486 or Medical Abortion), can be used to terminate a pregnancy that is up to six weeks progressed. This pill can be taken orally or inserted directly into the vagina, depending on the age of the pregnancy. It causes uterine contractions and the expulsion of the fetus and other tissues. More than 80% and sometimes as many as 96% of those who use this method of abortion will experience painful abdominal or uterine cramping. More than 60% will experience dizziness. Between ten and thirty percent will experience headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue. Other possible side effects include back pain, uterine hemorrhage, fever, viral infections, vaginitis (vaginal infection), rigors (chills or shaking), dyspepsia (stomach pain), insomnia, asthenia (weakness), leg pain, anxiety, anemia, leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), sinusitis (sinus infection), and fainting.

Vacuum Aspiration
In a vacuum aspiration procedure, the cervix is injected with a numbing agent, and a soft flexible plastic tube is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and cervix. A manual aspirator or aspirating machine creates suction to suck the fetus and other uterine contents out of the body. This process takes no longer than five minutes, and can be done between six and thirteen weeks of pregnancy.

Dilation and Extraction
This procedure is used for late 2nd trimester terminations of pregnancy. Laminaria or cytotec is topically applied to the cervix to induce dilation over the course of one to two days. Once dilation is completed, under general anesthesia, the fetus and other uterine contents are removed from the uterus as gently as possible, to minimize the pain and recovery for the woman. This usually takes no more than ten minutes and will be immediately followed by an ultrasound to ensure that the uterus is empty.

Recovery
Recovery is a very important and necessary part of the abortion procedure, because any type of abortion causes a great deal of trauma to the body. Bleeding and vital signs are continuously monitored to ensure the safety of the woman. Women having first semester abortions will need to stay at the clinic for 45-60 minutes after the procedure. For second trimester abortions, an in-clinic recovery period of several hours is usually required. Before leaving, they are given post-abortion care instructions and schedule a follow-up exam.

After the Procedure
It is normal to experience painful cramping and bleeding after any type of abortion procedure. Other possible side effects include back pain, uterine hemorrhage, fever, viral infections, vaginitis (vaginal infection), rigors (chills or shaking), dyspepsia (stomach pain), insomnia, asthenia (weakness), leg pain, anxiety, anemia, leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), sinusitis (sinus infection), and fainting. You might also feel a range of emotions. If you become depressed, please talk to someone about this and receive help.

Follow Up Visit
Approximately 2-3 weeks after your abortion you will have a follow-up exam. This exam consists of a pelvic exam and a pregnancy test to insure that the pregnancy was terminated, and that no other complications, such as infection or prolonged bleeding, have occurred. You will often speak to a doctor about birth control options at this time.

Normal Emotional Effects of Abortion
Abortions often take a serious emotional toll on the women who experience them. Some people postulate that this barrage of feelings falls under post-traumatic stress syndrome, due to the intensity of the procedure and the fact that it is such an unnatural and severe procedure. Women who go through an abortion often experience feelings of guilt, regret, remorse, shame, lowered self-esteem, insomnia, dreams and nightmares, re-experiencing the abortion, flash backs, anniversary reactions, hostility, and even hatred toward men. This can include her husband or partner, and she may become sexually dysfunctional. Crying, despair and depression are usual, even at times with suicide attempts. Recourse to alcohol or drugs to mask the pain is frequent, sometimes leading to sexual promiscuity. Psychological numbing and coldness occur in place of more normal warmth and maternal tenderness.

Healing Process
1. Work through the denial. Assess any negative thoughts surrounding the abortion. 2. Grieve over the lost child. Cry and mourn as for another loved one. 3. Deal with issues of guilt/seek Divine forgiveness. 4. Forgive others in the abortion process. 5. Forgive yourself.

Abortion Laws
The United States Supreme Court ruled in Roe vs. Wade that 1) a woman and her doctor may freely decide to terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, 2) state governments can restrict abortion access after the first trimester with laws intended to protect the woman's health, and 3) abortions must be available to women whose health or life are at risk and that 4) state governments can prohibit other abortions. There are additional restrictions on women under the age of 18. Some states require a judicial bypass from a court in the name of a minor if that minor wishes to receive an abortion without parental notice or consent. A judge will award a judicial bypass to the minor if he deems that 1) the minor is mature and sufficiently well informed about her pregnancy options to make the decision without a parent or legal guardian being involved, 2) it is not in the minor's best interest for the parent or legal guardian to be notified, or 3) Notification of a parent or legal guardian could lead to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of the minor.

Alabama - The Law: One of your parents must give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Alaska - The Law: Currently, you do not need parent permission to have an abortion. However, there is a law which requires girls younger than 17 to get permission from one parent to have an abortion. This law is not being enforced because of a court order. Call a clinic for more information.

Arizona - The Law: Currently, you do not need parent permission to have an abortion. However, there is a law which requires girls younger than 18 to get permission from one parent to have an abortion. This law is not being enforced because of a court order. Call a clinic for more information.

Arkansas - The Law: Requires that both of your parents be told of your decision (not give permission, just told) 48 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

California - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Colorado - The Law: Currently, you do not need parent permission to have an abortion. However, there is a law which requires girls younger than 18 to get permission from one parent to have an abortion. This law is not being enforced because of a court order. Call a clinic for more information.

Connecticut - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Delaware - The Law: Requires that if you are younger than 16, one of your parents, a grandparent or a mental health professional be notified of your decision 24 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

District of Columbia - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Florida - The Law: Currently, you do not need parent permission to have an abortion. However, there is a law which requires girls younger than 18 to get permission from one parent to have an abortion. This law is not being enforced because of a court order. Call a clinic for more information.

Georgia - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified 24 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Hawaii - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Idaho - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Illinois - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Indiana - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Iowa - The Law: Requires that one of your parents or a grandparent be notified of your decision 48 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Kansas - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Kentucky - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Louisiana - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Maine - The Law: Requires that any close family member over the age of 18 give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Maryland - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Massachusetts - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Michigan - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Minnesota - The Law: Requires that both of your parents be notified of your decision 48 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Mississippi - The Law: Requires that both of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Missouri - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Montana - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Nebraska - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision 48 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Nevada - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

New Hampshire - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

New Jersey - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

New Mexico - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

New York - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

North Carolina - The Law: Requires that one of your parents or a grandparent, with whom you have lived for at least six months, give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

North Dakota - The Law: Requires that both of your parents be notified of your decision before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Ohio - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision 24 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Oklahoma - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Oregon - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Pennsylvania - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Rhode Island - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

South Carolina - The Law: Requires that, if you are under 17, one of your parents or a grandparent give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

South Dakota - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision 48 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Tennessee - The Law: Requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Texas - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision 48 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Utah - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision before your abortion.

Vermont - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

Virginia - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision 24 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Washington - You do not need parent permission to have an abortion.

West Virginia - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision 24 hours before your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass. A doctor who will not perform the abortion can also exempt you from telling your parent.

Wisconsin - The Law: Requires that one of your parents, a grandparent, an aunt, uncle or sibling, who is at least 25 years old, give permission for your abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.

Wyoming - The Law: Requires that one of your parents be notified of your decision 48 hours before your abortion and give permission for the abortion, unless you obtain a judicial bypass.