Abortion is a very controversial issue, but, through education and betterunderstanding of the facts, we can make more informed decisions concerning abortion and pregnancy.

Third Trimester procedure (25-36 weeks)

1. Dilation and Extraction (D&X) - This technique, does not dismember the fetus; rather, the fetus isdelivered intact, without infusions. As described and performed by abortion doctor Martin Haskell, D&X abortions take three days tocomplete. In the first two days, the woman's *cervix is dilated(opened) with *laminaria in two or more sessions, with medication givenfor cramping. On the day of the procedure, the laminaria are removed,and the patient is injected with Pitocin to induce contractions. Theabortion doctor next determines the fetus orientation in the uterus through ultrasound and locates the legs. Grasping a leg with large forceps, he pulls the leg into the vagina and delivers the baby up tothe baby's head with his hands. The doctor then slides his hand up thebaby's back and hooks his fingers over the shoulders of the baby whilea pair of surgical scissors are inserted into the base of the skull tocreate an opening. Removing the scissors, he inserts a suction catheterinto the opening and suctions out the skull contents. Minus itscontents, the skull decompresses and is easy to remove. Finally, theabortionist removes the placenta with forceps and scrapes the uterine walls with a suction curette to make sure the uterus is empty.

What are the physical risks of a third trimester surgical abortion?

Dilation and Evacuation (D&X)