abortion: pro-life & pro-choice supporters: abortion, a sin according to The Bible. While debated between pro-life and pro-choice supporters, abortion is prohibited in The Bible. Abortion information.

PRO-CHOICE EXCUSES AND THE BIBLE'S ANSWERS

Pro-choice (pro-abortion) advocates give excuses in support of abortion. The Holy Bible clearly answers these excuses. Below are common excuses, followed by paraphrased verses from The Bible that counter the excuses.

EXCUSE-- IT'S NOT MY PROBLEM.

• Women: "I've never had an abortion. I'm not pregnant now."
• Men: "I've never caused a woman to have an unwanted pregnancy."
• Both: "Abortion isn't my problem. It's only a problem that a pregnant woman must solve. She must choose."

BIBLE'S GUIDELINES:

• Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the weak and the fatherless; maintain rights for the poor and oppressed; rescue the weak and needy, delivering them from the hand of wicked persons.
• Proverbs 24:11-12. Rescue those being led to death and slaughter. If you claim ignorance of their deaths, God will know, and He will repay each person for what he or she has or has not done to help those in need.
• Proverbs 31:8-9. Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, defend those who cannot defend themselves, and plead the cause of those in need.
• Isaiah 5:20. Woe to those who call evil good, or good evil; and those who put darkness for light, or light for darkness.
• John 13:34. Jesus gave us a new commandment, that we love one another as He has loved us.
• John 8:12. Jesus is the Light of the world, Who dispels the darkness of sin.
• Matthew 5:14: Jesus' followers are lights of the world, who dispel the darkness of sin.
• Galatians 6:2. Bear each others' burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ.

EXCUSE-- MY BODY, MY CHOICE.

• "I own my body. No man or government can tell me what to do with my body, or choose what I do with my body. It's my body and my choice what I do with my body-- and mine alone."

BIBLE'S GUIDELINES:

• Proverbs 14:12: Some ways that seem right to man end in death (opposite of the Lord's way of life).
• Psalm 24:1: The earth and all those who dwell in it are the Lord's.
• Psalm 100:3: Know that God has made us, and not we ourselves.
• Romans 12:1: We should offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as a spiritual act of worship.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: Each person is God's temple, and God's Spirit lives in him or her. God's temple (a person's body) is sacred. If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him or her.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Each person's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives within it. No person is his or her own, but each person has been bought at a price (the sacrifice of Jesus Christ). Therefore, each person should honor God with his or her body.

EXCUSE-- IT'S NOT A BABY; IT'S JUST TISSUE:

• "The product growing in my womb is just cells or a blob of tissue, not a baby. I can have an abortion, since I'm not destroying a human being."

BIBLE'S GUIDELINES:

• Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7: Mankind is created by God in His image, even carrying His eternal breath of life.
• Exodus 21:22-23: The penalty under the law of Moses was to put to death a person who caused even the accidental death of an unborn baby (as by two men fighting).
• Psalm 139:13-16: Each person is created by God, fearfully, marvelously, and wonderfully, and that person's future is seen by the very eyes of God.
• Isaiah 42:5 and Acts 17:25: The life and breath of people come from God.
• Jeremiah 1:4-5: God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, even before his conception.
• Isaiah 49:1, 5: God called Isaiah to be a prophet, even before his birth.
• Genesis 25:22-23: God ordained a nation from Jacob (Jews) and a nation from Esau (Edomites, Arabs), while the twins were still in Rebekah's womb.
• Matthew 1:18, 22-23: God ordained that the Messiah, Jesus, would come from the womb of Mary, even before she conceived.
• Luke 1:36: God ordained that John the Baptizer would be conceived in the womb of Elizabeth.

EXCUSE-- THE PREGNANCY RESULTED FROM RAPE OR INCEST:

• "My pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. God surely must make an exception and permit abortion, when the pregnancy results from such a sad situation."

BIBLE'S GUIDELINES:

• Ezekiel 18:20: The soul (person) who sins shall alone die for his sins. If the father sins, only he shall be punished for his sin; the son shall not be punished.
• Genesis 50:20: God can use for good that which is meant for evil.

EXCUSE-- ABORTION IS A POLITICAL ISSUE:

• "Abortion is a legal issue, an issue to be decided by the legislatures and courts. Citizens and churches shouldn't extend themselves into the political process."

BIBLE'S GUIDELINES:

• Ephesians 6:12: We wrestle against our enemies, which are powers, governments, and authorities, against rulers of darkness and wickedness.
• Acts 5:29: We must obey God's laws, rather than man's laws.
• 1 Timothy 6:20-21: God's ways are entrusted to His children. Rebuke godless chatter, false knowledge (science), and those who have fallen from faith.
• Jude 3: Contend (fight) for the faith, that has been entrusted to the saints (members of Christ's Church).

EXCUSE-- A BABY IS A BURDEN:

• "This isn't a baby I'm carrying. It's a burden. I need to [go to school, get a job, have fun, fill in the blank ]."

BIBLE'S GUIDELINES:

• Psalm 127:3: Children are a heritage and a reward from God.
• Acts 17:28: We are the offspring of God.
• 1 John 3:1-2: We are the children of God.
• Matthew 10:30: Jesus said that God loves us so much that He even knows the number of hairs on each person's head.

EXCUSE-- A RIGHT TO CHOOSE DEATH:

• "As this baby's mother, I have the right to choose to have him or her aborted (even though it kills the baby)."

BIBLE'S GUIDELINES:

• Exodus 20:13: "You shall not murder." (one of the Ten Commandments)
• Exodus 23:7: Do not put an innocent person to death, because God will not acquit the guilty.
• Psalm 31:15: A person's time (life span) is in God's hands.
• Proverbs 6:16-17: There are seven things God hates, one of which is hands that shed innocent blood.
• Job 12:10: In God's hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
• Psalm 8:4-5: God is mindful of man. He has created him only a little lower than the angels and has crowned him with glory and honor.
• Psalm 71:18: God's power extends to everyone who is to come (future generations).

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GO TO EXTERNAL LINKS: Abortion alternatives | Baby's development | Bible on life, abortion | Breast cancer risk | Complications | Corporations funding abortions | Disabled mother; disabled, deformed child | Help after abortion | Information: prenatal development | Information: abortions | Legal issues | Men, effect on | Newsletters | Post-abortion syndrome | Psychological changes | Questions for abortion clinic | Rape or incest | RU486 | Sources of pro-life products | Suicide

ARE YOU PREGNANT AND CONSIDERING WHETHER TO HAVE AN ABORTION?

A DECISION ONLY YOU CAN MAKE ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THE DECISION WHETHER TO HAVE AN ABORTION. THIS WEB SITE PROVIDES YOU WITH VERSES FROM THE HOLY BIBLE TO ASSIST YOU IN MAKING A DECISION, A DECISION WHICH WILL BE PLEASING TO GOD. BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR FINAL DECISION: PLEASE READ THE SCRIPTURES (BIBLE VERSES) IN THIS WEB SITE; CONSIDER TALKING TO ONE OR MORE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY; CONTACT AN ABORTION ALTERNATIVES ORGANIZATION; TALK TO A MINISTER, PRIEST, OR RABBI; AND PRAY.

DECIDE CAREFULLY WHETHER TO HAVE AN ABORTION. Decide whether to have an abortion with great care because this decision is irreversible. Although you may now feel the most loneliness and despair you have ever felt, you do not have to go through this difficult time alone! There are many resources of strength, experience, and wisdom available to you now. A few of these resources are:

THE HOLY BIBLE. Read pertinent portions of The Holy Bible to understand what God, your Heavenly Father, requires of you. Some of these Bible verses are reproduced in this Web site.

SPIRITUAL LEADERS. Talk to a spiritual leader-- a Christian pastor or priest, Messianic Jewish leader, or Jewish rabbi-- if you know one. If you do not attend church or synagogue, ask a friend or relative for referral to someone he or she trusts. Explain your situation. Ask for guidance. Confidentially protection: Anything discussed with one of these spiritual leaders is completely confidential, and should not be divulged to anyone else.

FAMILY MEMBER. Talk to a trusted family member, such as a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or brother or sister. You may be surprised at the love, understanding, experience, support, and wisdom this family member has. If you are married, should you not also discuss your contemplated abortion with your husband?

ABORTION ALTERNATIVES ORGANIZATION. There are organizations in many communities which provide free pregnancy testing and have counselors who can discuss choices other than abortion with you. The counselors may explain how you may receive assistance during your pregnancy, if needed, and options for your baby after he or she is born (whether you choose placing your baby for adoption or raising him or her yourself).

Assistance in locating one of these fine organizations includes:

• Telephone book yellow pages. Look in the yellow pages of your telephone book under the heading "Abortion Alternatives" for an organization near you.
• The Internet. Access Pregnancy Centers Online for a list of pregnancy counseling and assistance centers, one of which is probably in a city near you. For other Internet options for assistance, visit the links in this Web site: Abortion Alternatives Links

PERSONAL PHYSICIAN. You may want to talk to your personal physician before you visit the abortion clinic. Understand that the abortion clinic is in the abortion business. The clinic and abortionist derive income from abortions. Get a second opinion and counseling from a physician you trust who has no financial interest in whether you have an abortion. Confidentiality protection: Anything discussed with your physician is completely confidential and should not be divulged to anyone else.

ANONYMOUS COUNSELING BY TELEPHONE. If you wish to talk to someone about your pregnancy but wish to do so anonymously, you may consider calling the following toll-free telephone numbers:

America's Crisis Pregnancy Helpline: + 1.800.67.BABY-6 Bethany Christian Services: + 1.800.BETHANY Birthright: + 1.800.550.4900 Catholic Charities: + 1.800.CARE.002 Christian Adoption: + 1.800.277.7006 Good Counsel Homes: + 1.800.723.8331

National Life Center: + 1.800.848.LOVE Nurturing Network, The: + 1.800.TNN.4MOM Real Alternatives: + 1.888.LIFE.AID Rockville Crisis Pregnancy Center: + 1.800.395.HELP Several Sources Foundation: + 1.800.NO.ABORT

PRAYER. Prayer is merely talking to God. You pray best when you pray privately and speak your heart to God in a simple conversation with Him, rather than trying to recite a memorized prayer. God is your Heavenly Father who loves you. Talk to Him as your Father. Tell Him of your problem and your agonizing decision. Ask Him to reveal what He wants you to do-- whether to have the abortion or give your baby life through birth.

THE HOLY SPIRIT. As you seek God's Will for your life by reading The Holy Bible and by praying, listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and mind. After Jesus was raised from death and before He ascended to Heaven, He promised that the Holy Spirit would be sent to be with every person for guidance. Do not under-estimate the great power available to you through the Holy Spirit. Tap into this power as you make your decision! You will usually know the Holy Spirit by gentle, quiet impressions placed in your mind, but beware of Satan, who may also place impressions in your mind. How do you tell the difference? The Holy Spirit will always lead you to follow God's path for your life, as laid out in The Holy Bible, but Satan will always lead you to follow a path not found in The Bible.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ABORTION. Consider the positive and negative aspects of abortion, such as:

Advantages of abortion:

• You will not be subjected to a full pregnancy and delivery.
• An abortion may cost less than full-pregnancy obstetrical care and hospital delivery (depending upon your insurance coverage).
• You will not have a newborn baby and will, therefore, not be required to decide whether to raise the baby yourself or place the baby for adoption.

Disadvantages of abortion:

• You may feel remorse (sadness) and guilt about aborting your baby. You will know your EDC (expected date of confinement, or delivery date). You may remember each EDC anniversary with a twinge of sadness, thinking, "My little girl would have been three today," or, "My little boy would have been starting kindergarten this year." Sad memories can haunt a lifetime.
• You will never know what potential the little life in you could have become, if he or she had been allowed to live and reach adulthood. Would he or she have been a scientist? A musician? A teacher? A great dad or mom to your grandchildren? Once you agree to end that little life, you also end his or her future. A decision about abortion is irreversible, and affects lives other than yours.
• You will be breaking God's commandments for you, as recorded in The Holy Bible. (Read the Scriptures reproduced in this Web site to decide for yourself whether God has written instructions for you.)

RU486: CHEMICAL ABORTION. RU486, or mifepristone, is a drug (artificial steroid hormone) which counteracts progesterone. Progesterone, a hormone produced in great quantity by a pregnant woman, is necessary for the unborn baby to live and develop in the mother's womb. RU486 (mifepristone) unnaturally counteracts (neutralizes) the progesterone produced naturally by the pregnant woman, usually resulting in death of the baby. A chemical (medical) abortion by RU486 usually has the same result as a surgical (suction) abortion-- death of the baby and an end to the pregnancy.

RU486 abortion has complications. Understand these complications before agreeing to take the drug.

NOTE: I have included in a following section a few links to Web sites discussing use of RU486, including complications. You should know about these complications so that you can discuss them in a meaningful way with your abortionist. If you would like to see these links with an easy return to this section, GO TO THESE LINKS NOW.

PRAY NOW. If you are pregnant and are considering an abortion, pray. Ask God for guidance. You may be unfamiliar with prayer. Prayer is merely talking to God, your Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ taught you how to pray: be alone (although it is perfectly acceptable to pray with others); talk to God, either silently or aloud, as a child would talk to her daddy; and do not recite memorized prayers endlessly. You do not need any rituals to pray, such as lighting candles or using prayer beads. You do not need to pray through any person, such as the Virgin Mary, "Saints" (all believers in Jesus in Heaven are saints), or a priest or pastor. The Bible states that our One and Only High Priest is Jesus Christ. We pray to God only through Jesus.

If you have not prayed much before and are uncertain what to say, I have written the following prayer that you may want to use for your first prayer. Pray only as much of the prayer that reflects your desires to say to God. Next time, pray your own words, just as if you are talking to God as He might stand next to you. Pray often, as you seek God's Will for you during this time of your difficult decision.

A PRAYER FOR GOD'S GUIDANCE Dear Father, my God in Heaven: I need your help now, Father. I am pregnant. I am troubled by doubts whether I can and should give birth to my baby. I ask You to help me in these ways: I am lonely and frightened, Father. Put Your strong, loving arms around me. Hold me safe and secure. Comfort me. I am sad and hurting, Father. Wipe the tears from my eyes. Show me Your purpose for my life-- and my unborn baby's life. Give me hope. Return joy and laughter to my life. I am confused, Father. As I pray to You and read Your Word in The Holy Bible, open my eyes; clear my mind of all distractions; and focus my thoughts on You, myself, and my baby. I want to know Your Perfect Will for my life and this pregnancy. I need to talk to people who love me, Father. Send people into my life now who will love me and give me good advice. I need understanding from others, Father. Open the hearts of those who love me, especially my family. I ask that they will shower me with unconditional love, regardless of any mistakes I have made. I need strength, Father. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will always be by my side to give me courage, guidance, and strength. Open my mind and heart, that I may hear the gentle and loving voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to me. I need peace in my life, Father. The Holy Bible promises "peace that passes all understanding" to those who seek and know You. Father, I turn my cares over to You. Calm the conflicts raging in my mind. I ask Jesus to take the burdens from my shoulders, to carry them on His shoulders-- as He promised. Give me peace and rest. Father, without You, I can do nothing, but with You, I can do anything. Be with me at all times, and especially now. Show me what decisions I should make now, and be with me the rest of my life. Father, I ask for forgiveness of my sins. Please guide, help, and strengthen me, that I will not commit these sins again. God, I love You as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank You for all You have done for me in the past; thank You for all You are going do for me now; and thank You for all You will do for me in the future. I know that if I trust You, the best days of my life are ahead. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, I pray. Amen.

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A Baby's Prayer, by Kathy Troccoli, has a powerful message everyone should hear. HEAR the song at this site. READ the lyrics at this site.

MESSAGE TO WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD AN ABORTION FROM POPE JOHN PAUL II The Roman Catholic Church has taken one of the strongest stands against abortion of any church or organization. For this reason, it is of interest to read the message of Pope John Paul II to Catholic women who have had an abortion: I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not have yet healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitely lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. From The Gospel of Life, Eleventh Encyclical of Pope John Paul II, March 25, 1995.

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IF YOU DECIDE TO HAVE AN ABORTION, KNOW AND PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS If you decide to have an abortion, know and protect your legal rights. When you are interviewed by the clinic staff, take a witness with you into the clinic office or examination room. If verbal answers seem evasive or unclear, have the staff put answers to your questions in writing. You (or your witness, while you are under the influence of any drug or anesthetic) should keep all of your written document copies, rather than permitting the abortion clinic staff to hold them "for safe-keeping." The abortion clinic you think you might use may be competent and may operate within the law. Even if seemingly competent and operating legally, a smaller clinic may not have the same intensive internal scrutiny and peer evaluation as present in a large hospital. Therefore, it is a good policy to investigate any clinic (whether an abortion clinic or another type of clinic) to satisfy yourself of its competency before agreeing to a surgical procedure. The following questions are ones I WOULD ASK, if I were a woman and a potential patient in this clinic. You may want to ask the same questions. Be satisfied that the answers to all of your questions seem to be true and accurate. WHO WILL BE THE PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST WHO PERFORMS MY ABORTION? I would insist that a physician (a medical doctor [M.D.] or an osteopath [D.O.]) perform the abortion. EXPLANATION: I would learn the name and medical degree of the physician who will perform my abortion. An abortion is a surgical procedure. I would not accept a nurse or nurse practitioner performing my procedure. Rather, I would want a physician as my surgeon. IS MY PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST A GYNECOLOGIST? I would want my surgeon to be certified (or board eligible for certification) in gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. (If the physician has recently finished training, he or she may be "board eligible," rather than "certified.") EXPLANATION: An abortion is a surgical procedure on the reproductive organs. I would want a gynecologist-- who is a physician with years of specialized training in gynecology (the practice of medicine and surgery of the female reproductive organs) and certification through examination and review of credentials by a board of experts-- to perform my surgery. I personally would not want to settle for a physician without this specialist training and certification. IS MY PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST CURRENTLY LICENSED TO PRACTICE MEDICINE AND SURGERY IN MY STATE? If the answer seems evasive, I would ask to see the state license registration certificate, in which the date of expiration should not have expired. EXPLANATION: The physician must have a current (not expired) medical license issued by the state in which the clinic is located to be legally granted the privilege of performing any medical examination or procedure. Most (all?) states require that the license registration certificate must be displayed in a conspicuous place for public inspection. When a physician is first licensed, an impressive diploma-like document is issued. This document should be ignored, unless its date of expiration has not yet expired. I would need to see the unimpressive certificate of medical license renewal, which may resemble little more than a receipt. This certificate shows whether this physician's medical license is currently in force in my state. HAS MY PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST'S MEDICAL LICENSE EVER BEEN MODIFIED, SUSPENDED, OR REVOKED IN THIS STATE OR ANY OTHER STATE? If the physician's medical license has ever been modified, suspended, or revoked, I would find out the full particulars. EXPLANATION: It is rare that a state medical licensing board goes to this extreme in dealing with a physician, that his/her medical license is revoked. Medical license revocation, suspension, or modification would raise "red flags," indicating that I need to investigate this physician. In my thirty-five years of medical practice, I have only personally known one physician whose medical license has been revoked. And, he deserved it! DOES MY PHYICIAN-ABORTIONIST HAVE STAFF PRIVILIGES IN GYNECOLOGY AT ONE OR MORE LOCAL HOSPITALS? I would want to know what local hospital(s) has(have) granted this physician active staff privileges in gynecology at the present time. If he or she has no hospital staff privileges, I would ask why. EXPLANATION: Some physicians elect not to practice in hospitals, but most physicians do-- especially in a surgical specialty such as gynecology. I would have some reassurance in knowing that my physician is in good standing (that is, has active staff priviliges) at one or more hospitals with which I am acquainted. I would view active hospital staff privileges as another layer of protection for me. Active staff membership means that one or more hospital committees have reviewed and approved the physician's training, board certification, state licensure, and medical malpractice insurance coverage, and review on a continuing basis the quality of the care he or she delivers to patients. Anything less than "active" staff membership, e.g., "courtesy" staff membership, could mean less intensive review by hospital committees. HAS MY PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST EVER HAD HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES REVOKED OR CURTAILED (RESTRICTED, LIMITED)? If my physician's medical staff privileges have ever been revoked or curtailed in any hospital, I need to know the full particulars. EXPLANATION: Hospital boards typically are cautious about revoking (canceling) or limiting a physician's hospital staff privileges. If privilege restriction is for disciplinary action (such as, poor or dangerous practice; poor performance; lack of upholding current medical standards of practice; unacceptable outcomes; antisocial or other unacceptable behavior; abuse of alcohol or other drugs; sexual molestation or harassment; and the like), it usually follows only after careful evaluation of grievances brought against the physician. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE THIS CLINIC AND MY PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST BEEN SUED FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE RELATED TO ABORTION? Malpractice lawsuits may only represent the "tip of the iceberg," but they do provide a rough measure of patients who have had or feel they have had adverse outcomes. EXPLANATION: If the clinic and physician have been sued frequently, I would be concerned about the competency and safety of abortions performed in this clinic or by this physician. WHAT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE COVERAGE DOES MY PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST AND CLINIC HAVE CURRENTLY IN FORCE? I would want to know the name and address of the carrier (the malpractice insurance company) as well as the dollar limits (or at least, a "greater than" dollar limit) of professional liabilty insurance carried by the clinic and the abortionist. EXPLANATION: If something goes terribly wrong during my abortion, will there be adequate insurance protection for me and my family? Abortion is a surgical procedure. If the clinic insists that abortion is "only a simple procedure," I would ask the abortion-physician and the clinic to give me in writing an iron-clad guarantee that I will not have a significant cmplication. They will not provide such a guarantee, of course. Understand that medical malpractice policies have two limits. A policy may have limits of, say, $1,000,000/ $3,000,000. This designation of limits means that the insurance company will pay up to $1,000,000 for a single patient malpractice incident (my incident), or up to $3,000,000 in any given period (usually a year) for all medical malpractice incidents involving several patients (my incident plus several other persons' incidents). I am interested only in the first number, which represents the most my family or I can recover from the insurance company for an act of negligence causing me injury. NOTE: I may be refused this information, but I would still be interested and I would like to be assured of adequate protection-- certainly $1,000,000 at a minimum. Medical and rehabilitation expenses-- in addition to my attorney's fees and other legal costs-- would very rapidly eat into a judgment smaller than this. WHAT ACCREDITATION DOES MY ABORTION CLINIC HAVE? Hospitals are accredited by national peer review organizations, after inspection by a team of experts to determine compliance with national standards of quality, safety, staff qualifications, record-keeping, and many other factors. Examples include: inspection and accreditation of hospitals-- the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO); and inspection and accreditation of laboratories-- the College of American Pathologists (CAP). I would want to know: Is my abortion clinic accredited? If not, why? If not, how can I be certain of the same quality and safety standards in this clinic that would be afforded to me in a hospital? WHAT COMPLICATIONS CAN ARISE FROM THE ABORTION? WHAT IS THE RATE OF COMPLICATIONS FOR THIS CLINIC AND MY PHYSICIAN-ABORTIONIST? No one likes to face possible bad news, but this is no time to be squeamish. EXPLANATION: I would want to be informed in specific detail about: What are the complications that can occur from an abortion-- both the immediate complications (complications that can occur in the clinic) and the long-term complications (complications that can occur when I go home, or even years later)? Will my future ability to become pregnant and carry the pregnancy to term be diminished in any manner by the abortion? What is the incidence (rate) of major complications from abortion performed by my physician and in this clinic, and how do these rates compare to national averages? These complications might include: + Death of the mother (me)? + Shock? + Hemorrhage? + Infection? + Emergency hysterectomy? + Perforation of the uterus? + Other? UNDERSTAND THIS: Complications from abortion are generally under-reported to make abortion appear safer. Furthermore, many abortionists never know of complications because women with complications usually seek treatment from their personal physicians or local hospital emergency departments, rather than returning to the abortion clinic. NOTE: I have included some Internet links in a following section for Web sites discussing complications of abortion. You should know about these complications so that you can discuss them in a meaningful way with your abortionist. If you would like to see these links with an easy return to this section, GO TO THESE LINKS NOW. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF AN ACCIDENT OR COMPLICATION ARISES? I would want to know the policy and procedure of the clinic for handling a major or life-threatening emergency, if I develop a complication during the abortion (such as, hemorrhage, shock, or drug reaction). EXPLANATION: If I have a major or life-threatening complication, I want assurance that I will have access to immediate and expert medical care, which may include being transported by ambulance or other emergency medical transportation to a hospital emergency department or trauma center for immediate and expert medical care, as might be appropriate for my clinical status and in keeping with standards of good medical care. IF A COMPLICATION OCCURS: Any medical procedure-- even a "simple" abortion-- can have side effects or complications. Some side effects or complications are recognized as typical for a given surgical procedure, whereas other side effects or complications may be due to negligence (malpractice) of the physician and/or clinic staff personnel. Consider the following: A RELEASE (PERMISSION FORM) IS ALMOST MEANINGLESS: You will be asked to sign a release (permission form) before the abortion, which may state that you will not hold the abortion clinic or the abortionist liable for any complication that arises. I am not an attorney, but attorneys have told me that such a release is almost meaningless. You cannot sign away your legal rights for compensation of injury due to professional negligence before the negligence occurs. If such releases were valid, all malpractice lawsuits would be dismissed immediately by the courts. If you are injured by an abortion, your attorney can likely work around this release without any difficulty. EXPLANATION: I would not let an abortion clinic or abortionist, or their attorneys, or their insurance company, bluff me ("bully me") from seeking legal advice by reminding me that I signed a release before the abortion. If injured, I certainly would not sign any form for settlement or accept any compensation offered by the abortion clinic, abortionist, their attorney, or their insurance company-- unless I first have my personal attorney review and approve the settlement offer. SUGGESTION FOR YOU-- CONTACT AN ATTORNEY: If you have been injured by or have suffered a complication during an abortion, protect your legal rights. Consider suing for compensation. The law provides that you should "be made whole," as much as possible, for any injury due to negligence. The only way the courts can do this is by an award of money resulting from a lawsuit. Not all side effects or complications of an abortion are due to negligence, but some are. Your attorney can advise you whether your case merits filing a lawsuit. EXPLANATION: Malpractice lawsuits typically are governed by a statute of limitations, which means you must file a lawsuit within a certain period of time after the incident, or as soon as you are aware of a complication. Statutes of limitation vary from state to state. Contact an attorney promptly, and let him or her take care of the details of any lawsuit. There are many attorneys who competently handle medical malpractice suits. Even if you contact an attorney who does not practice this branch of law, he or she can refer you to an appropriate attorney. You may find help locating an attorney in one of the following ways: Look in the yellow pages of your telephone book under "Attorneys." Some attorneys may have purchased advertisements, stating they specialize in medical malpractice, injury, or negligence law. --OR-- Call your local Bar Association, and ask for a referral to a medical malpractice attorney. --OR-- Look in the yellow pages of your telephone book under "Abortion Alternatives." Call your local pregnancy resource center (crisis pregnancy center) to see if the staff can recommend an attorney for you. --OR-- GO TO the Legal Issues Concerning Abortions links in this site to determine if an attorney in your area can be recommended for you.

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