Abortion is the most the most controversial issue facing society today. By definition, abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy. On a moral standpoint, the Catholic Church believes abortion to be wrong and a grave sin. Different social groups are more lenient on the topic. But who is right?

In this presentation we are going to walk you through every aspect of abortion. We are going to take a look at the history, the procedure it's self, even hear a testimony from a woman who had an abortion. But most importantly we will look at both sides of this issue. To start off we will take a poll to see where you stand now and and the end you will take it again to see if your opinion has changed.

There are three main kinds of surgical abortion, each comes with their own risks. The choice of which surgical procedure to undergo depends on the women's stage of pregnancy.

Aspiration

Aspiration is a surgical abortion procedure performed during the first 6 to 16 weeks gestation. It is also referred to as suction aspiration, suction curettage, or vacuum aspiration. A long plastic tube connected to a suction device, is inserted to suction out the fetus and placenta. The procedure usually lasts 10-15 minutes, but recovery can require staying at the clinic for a few hours.

Risks

Common side effects of the procedure include cramping, nausea, sweating, and feeling faint. More severe risks include possible heavy or prolong bleeding, blood clots, damage to the cervix and perforation of the uterus. Infection due to remaining tissue or infection caused by an STD or bacteria being introduced to the uterus can cause fever, pain, abdominal tenderness and possibly scar tissue.

Dilation and Evacuation

Dilation and evacuation is a surgical abortion procedure performed after 16 weeks gestation. The cervix is dilated and a shot is given before the procedure begins to ensure fetal death has occurred. A tube is then inserted to begin removing tissue away from the lining.Then, using a surgical instrument shaped like a scoop the lining is scraped to remove any residual. The last step is usually a final suctioning to make sure the contents are completely removed. The procedure normally takes between 15-30 minutes.

Risks

Common side effects include nausea, bleeding, and cramping which may last for two weeks following the procedure. Additional risks related to dilation and evacuation: damage to uterine lining or cervix, perforation of the uterus, infection, and blood clots.

Dilation and Extraction

The dilation and extraction procedure is used after 21 weeks gestation. The procedure is also known as Partial Birth Abortion. Two days before the procedure, the cervix is dilated. Your water should break on the third day. The fetus is rotated and forceps are used to grasp and pull the legs, shoulders, and arms through the birth canal. A small incision is made at the base of the skull to allow a suction catheter inside. The catheter removes the cerebral material until the skull collapses. The fetus is then completely removed. The availability of any procedure used in the third trimester is based on the laws of that state.

Risks

The side effects are the same as dilation and evacuation. However, there is an increased risk of emotional problems from the reality of more advanced fetal development.

The movie October baby follows the story of a girl who was adopted after a failed partial birth abortion, she learns she had a twin brother who died as aresult of the abortion. The actress who plays her birth mother, Sheri Weidmann, actually had an abortion in real life. At the end of the movie she shares her story, let's listen to her testimony now to hear more about the emotional trauma women go through after an abortion.

First, being Pro choice does not mean you are pro abortion it means you recognize a women's right to choose and acknowledge there are circumstances where an abortion is neccisary. In Today's society this breaks down into abortion options in three main catagories;

• unprepared mothers
• rape
• Pregnancy that puts the mothers life at jeopardy

Unprepared mothers

This view from various social parties says it's a women's body and it's her choice. No one can police her body and say she should not have an abortion if she wants one. This includes teenagers who do not want to have a child so young and women who are not emotionally or financially ready for a child. They believe that it is not the government or church's place to ban abortion or tell a woman what to do with her own reproductive system.

In the case of rape

Yes, you could give the baby up for adoption, but for nine long months the woman would have a very evident reminder of her attack and what she went through. And if she was convinced to keep the baby she would look at the child in a different way than most since half of the DNA in the child came from her attacker. These groups believe the victims of rape should not be forced to be reminded of what they went through and should be able to get an abortion to begin the long emotional healing process that a rape victim must endure.

Mothers life is at risk

Some women can't physically carry a child. And sometimes the egg implants itself in the fliopian tubes rather than the uterus, a woman can die from this. So in these cases an abortion is necessary to protect the mother. Plus they argue that if the woman knows she could get injured or die from carrying the baby, she is hurting herself which going by the church is also a sin.