All about Partial Birth Abortion

Partial-birth Abortion (PBA) is a clinical type of abortion where the continuation of Pregnancy is threatened during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The term PBA also refers to a late-term abortion, in general, or to the obstetrics operation and surgical procedures known as the Intact Dilation and Extraction (IDX or Intact D&X). In the 70’s and 80’s, methods of salt poisoning (saline amniocentesis )and administering drugs like RU486 and prostaglandin were used for Abortion. Several studies have revealed a large number of adverse impacts of such procedures on women. The rates of complications are observed to be on the higher sides in these cases, leading to wide-spread vasodilatation, edema, congestion, hemorrhage and even death of the woman.

With the introduction of Dilation & Evacuation method, the risks of abortion and the well-being of the pregnant woman undergoing abortion are controlled and mitigated to a large extent. This surgical abortion method is considered to be a safer one and is still judged to have a "lower risk of morbidity and mortality than the infusion procedures."

Another recent development in abortion methods is the Partial Birth Abortion. This is perhaps, the best method for abortion and is done after 4 or 5 months gestation. Here, a suction tube is inserted into the skull of the fetus and then, the brain is sucked out. Finally, the product of conception is pulled out of the uterus.

Now the question is “In what circumstances Partial-Birth Abortion is required?”

Sometimes, the clinical disorders like cleft palates, cystic hygroma, cystic fibrosis, etc hinder normal development of the fetus. Moreover, when there is an acute incidence of toxemia, diabetes, chicken pox, traumatized pregnancy, etc. in mother during her late pregnancy, termination of Pregnancy becomes mandatory, when such disorders can not be cured otherwise.

Recently, Partial Birth Abortion has been brought into foreground in the abortion debate. There are many differences in opinions among medical practitioners and surgeons. Many literatures strongly comment against the PBA. According to Dr. Boehm, "There are no medical circumstances in which a partial-birth abortion is the only safe alternative. We take care of pregnant women who are very sick, and babies who are very sick, and we never perform Partial Birth Abortion. There are plenty of alternatives. This is clearly a procedure no obstetrician needs to do." In another article, Dr. Warren Hern said " The procedure can cause amniotic fluid embolism or placental abruption." Joseph DeCook, Fellow, Am. Col., Ob/Gyn, founder of PHACT (Physicians Ad Hoc Coalition for Truth), stated “ Such abortions could lead to infection causing sterility."

However, termination of Pregnancy is ethical when we need to save the mother’s life. If not done, both the mother and the unborn baby might not survive. The extraction of fetus by PBA is not considered as a “true” abortion but a premature delivery or “breech delivery”.