Talking About Abortion
What are the most common arguments in favor of abortion? How do prolife people answer questions about issues like abortion in cases of rape and incest? What are some ways prolife people can push past empty rhetoric and challenge the opposition to intelligent, thoughtful discussions?
If They Say… You Say…
In order for prolifers to change hearts and minds on the abortion issue they must engage those in favor of legal abortion in civil discussions and compel the pro-abortion side to explain and justify their beliefs. Those in favor of legal abortion must prove the unborn either aren’t alive, aren’t human beings, or prove even though the unborn are living human beings they aren’t deserving of protection for some principle reason. Continuously spouting empty words like “choice,” “reproductive freedom,” and “fundamental rights” are not reasoned arguments. Prolifers need to push past this rhetoric and challenge the opposition to intelligent, thoughtful discussions. Right to Life of Michigan has created an in-depth guide to talking with people who are in favor of legal abortion. “If They Say… You Say…” features most of the common arguments about abortion you’ll confront in everyday life in a question and answer format.
Abortion Methods
RU-486 (Abortion Pill):
RU-486 is a common technique used up to 10 weeks. A woman will take mifepristone (RU-486) orally, which degrades the uterine lining, starving the developing baby. Between 24 and 48 hours later, the woman takes misoprostol to produce powerful contractions. The baby’s body is usually expelled within hours, while the woman is at home or at work—often in the toilet. RU-486 abortions can potentially be reversed if the woman has not taken the second pill.
Fetal development at 6 weeks:
Growth is rapid this week. Just four weeks after conception, the neural tube along your baby’s back is closing. The baby’s brain and spinal cord will develop from the neural tube. The heart and other organs also are starting to form. Structures necessary to the development of the eyes and ears develop. Small buds appear that will soon become arms. Your baby’s body begins to take on a C-shaped curvature.
Baby at 7 weeks:
This is the most extensively-used abortion technique, mostly in the first trimester of pregnancy. In this procedure, the cervix is dilated and a powerful suction tube is inserted into the uterus. The vacuum dismembers the unborn child and sucks her body parts out of the womb.
Fetal development at 9 weeks:
In the 9th week of pregnancy, or seven weeks after conception, your baby’s arms grow and elbows appear. Toes are visible and eyelids form. Your baby’s head is large but still has a poorly formed chin.
Fetal development at 16 weeks:
16 weeks into your pregnancy, or 14 weeks after conception, your baby’s head is erect. His or her eyes can slowly move. The ears are close to reaching their final position. Your baby’s limb movements are becoming coordinated and can be detected during ultrasound exams. However, these movements are still too slight to be felt by you.
Saline Abortion:
In this procedure—done in mostly in the second or third trimester, a needle is inserted into the woman’s abdomen and a saline solution (or similar substance) is instilled into the amniotic sac. The child breathes in the salt and is poisoned. It usually takes around an hour for the unborn child to die. After 33 to 35 hours the woman goes into labor and delivers a dead, shriveled baby.
Fetal development at 24 weeks:
24 weeks into your pregnancy, or 22 weeks after conception, your baby’s skin is wrinkled, translucent and pink to red because of visible blood in the capillaries. By now your baby might be about 8 inches long from crown to rump and weigh more than 1 1/3 pounds.
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